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Saints-practice
08/14/08 - 06:06 PM
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METAIRIE, La. (AP) - Offensive guard Jahri Evans joined the
Saints as an unheralded fourth-round draft pick out of Division II
Bloomsburg and impressively won a starting job by opening day of
his rookie season.
Now in his third year as a pro, he could afford to laugh off a
scuffle with Texans defensive end Earl Chochran during a joint
practice with Houston on Thursday.
“That’s what y’all were waiting for,” Evans said. “We gave
y’all a show out there. I hope everybody’s satisfied.”
Evans was pass blocking during 11-on-11 drills when, according
to the Saints’ offensive lineman, Cochran “took a punch at me.”
“I was in there trying to protect myself,” Evans said.
Evans retaliated with a swipe of his own and Cochran’s helmet
flew off.
It ended quickly, however, and members of both teams downplayed
it.
“It wasn’t a bad thing,” Evans said. “We’ve been going up
against these guys for two days and we’re both out there being
physical and, you know, it happens. It’s just the nature of the
game.”
The Saints host the Texans Saturday night in a preseason game in
the Louisiana Superdome, so New Orleans coach Sean Payton invited
Houston coach Gary Kubiak to bring his team to the Saints’ suburban
training center on Wednesday and Thursday.
A pair of practices held Wednesday were good-natured, as was
most of the final joint practice on Thursday.
“It was too peaceful the first day, so things kind of picked up
today,” joked Houston cornerback Fred Bennett, who intercepted
Drew Brees on a deep pass over the middle intended for tight end
Billy Miller.
Payton and Kubiak both said they were pleased by the pace and
overall professionalism of the joint practices, which helped them
further evaluate players competing for playing time and roster
spots.
Payton said the scuffle was only a minor distraction.
“If you said ... at the start of this that there was going to
be one little skirmish, I think both coaches would’ve said that was
fine,” Payton said. “What you don’t want is for it to become
something really that is a detriment to the practice. ... It wasn’t
a detriment. It was quick and when it was over, it was over and we
went on.”
Evans said he doubted the incident would carry over to the
preseason game.
“It’s not going to change anything,” Evans said. “Obviously
we’re going to be physical. That’s what we do out there in the
trenches.”
The teams spent their three practices together working on a
variety of one-on-one, seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills, none of
which involved tackling, which is common in NFL practices as teams
try to avoid injuries.
Bennett said he thought the Texans’ defense held up well against
Brees and New Orleans’ explosive offense, but wondered how that
would translate in a game.
“It’s real strange competing against them all weekend,”
Bennett said. “At the same time, I’m sure they’re not showing us
everything that they have, so it’s going to be exciting.”
Reggie Bush had a long run after a short pass over the middle on
Wednesday, but the Texans won’t have to worry about him anymore.
Bush was limited in practice Thursday because his left knee was
sore, and while he said he hoped to play Saturday, Payton said he
probably wouldn’t.
Deuce McAllister, however, is expected to play for the first
time since tearing left knee ligaments in Week 3 last season.
“I just want to play the game. Just go out there, have fun, be
explosive, make some positive plays,” said McAllister, who has had
reconstructive surgery on both knees over the last three seasons.
“It’s feeling pretty good - good days and bad days as far as
explosion-wise, but it’s getting near full.”

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