The Doctor is in ... Zod's season prognosis...

[weymouthst]

My question is why is it so relaxed? Is the coaching staff easing everyone into workouts, giving them time to adjust? Maybe the players have been out of football so long, they aren't taking any chances when it comes to injury? If this is the case, I hope they start to ramp up the intensity soon.

I am concerned about this new CBA and how it affects these practices. The guys need to be hard at it, not strolling around doing those "walk through" practices.

[TheSaint]

I think we might just be getting a glimpse of the norm..

Not really..

New New Orleans Saints tailback Darren Sproles was surprised by how fast and physical the tempo was during his first practice with his new teammates on Thursday .

"They used to call us out there on the West 'soft,' " said the former San Diego Charger. "I see why they did that."

What Sproles might not have realized was that when he signed with the Saints, he stepped right into the middle of a passionate rivalry between the offense and defense that has been brewing for the past few years.

And that rivalry was finally renewed for the first time in more than six months Thursday night, with the entire Saints roster taking the field after the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement was officially ratified.

When practice ended, some of the Saints' defensive backs walked off the field in a foul mood, chapped that they let quarterback Drew Brees get the best of them on opening night.

"They made a couple explosive plays on us today. That's not good," said safety Roman Harper, who was also making his 2011 practice debut Thursday. "But hey, our offense is good. And that's how we come out here and get better.

"Today, you can definitely tell that the pace has picked up. Everybody was playing a little faster. The pads were on and a little more popping. It felt good, and I think we look pretty good today for our first day in pads. Overall I was pretty pleased with today."

Brees smiled when he was told that he sent some of the defensive players home in a foul mood. That spirit of competition is what they all were missing most during the NFL lockout.

"That's what we do," Brees said. "That's why we all play the game, to compete. This is our outlet, to come on the field ready to compete.

Mark Ingram making an early impression for the New Orleans Saints: Jeff Duncan video

Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan gives his take on the Saints' first full-squad practice of training camp.

Watch video

"Obviously, we are working toward a common goal and a common objective. But right now, during camp, it's all about every time we step out here, how can we find a way to beat our defense? They are thinking, 'How can we beat our offense?'

"We want to walk off the field knowing that we got the best of the other side of the ball."

Brees was also smiling because he got his first look at the complete Saints offense. He got to throw the ball to a few of his favorite targets for the first time during this training camp, like receiver Lance Moore and tight end David Thomas. And he got to work with some of the newcomers, like Sproles.

"I've got the best seat in the house," Brees said.

Sproles showed his speed and his powerful running style despite his unassuming 5-foot-6, 190-pound frame. He turned heads when he turned the corner after one dump-off pass from Brees in the right flat, a play that could become a familiar sight in the months to come.

But the Saints' offense isn't the only unit that got to play with some new toys Thursday.

Newly signed defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, defensive end Turk McBride, linebacker Will Herring and cornerback Fabian Washington were among the players who lined up with the Saints for the first time.

More training camp coverage

Thursday's top headlines

Franklin, who emerged as the icing on the cake during a frenzied free-agent signing period, said the Saints weren't even on his radar until about 48 hours before he suited up with them for the first time. After the highly regarded run-stuffer lingered in the open market for a few days longer than expected, the Saints decided to reach out to see whether he might be interested in a one-year deal.

Franklin decided that call from Coach Sean Payton was a "blessing." Now he gets a chance to play for one of the NFL's top teams before getting a free agency "do-over" next year.

And he called it a "win-win," since the Saints will be getting him with an extra chip on his shoulder.

"I'm already a guy who gives you all I've got," Franklin said. "But (being undervalued in free agency) gives me an extra incentive coming in here."

Like Sproles, Franklin got an unexpected surprise during his first practice session with his new team. No one had warned him that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams requires a set of 40 "up-downs" at the start of the first training camp practice of the year.

"Yeah man, that was tough," Franklin said. "It's kind of similar to my rookie year in Baltimore. Rex Ryan used to start off camp with 40 up-downs. It shocked me, caught me off guard. They said '40,' and I didn't know what they were talking about. But I quickly found out what the '40' meant."

On the flip side, Harper almost sounded as if he was excited to do the up-downs, which he knew were coming.

"It's kind of like paying a fee to get into the club," Harper said. "It's part of being a part of our defense. It makes it fun, and we definitely enjoy it."

Harper did have one surprise waiting for him during the middle of Saints practice, when Payton huddled the team together and informed them that Harper was being replaced by younger safety Malcolm Jenkins in the role of the deep protector behind Brees in the Saints' "victory" kneel-down formation. Payton joked that Harper wasn't fast enough to do the job after being chased down by St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford after a fumble recovery late last season.

"He'd been waiting to pull that one out for a long time," Harper said. "We normally wouldn't even be doing that situation at that time (of training camp). You know he'd been waiting for that one."

As of Thursday night, the wait is over. The 2011 season is officially under way.

Mike Triplett can be reached at [email protected] or 504.826.3405.

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/08/latest_new_orleans_saints_hit.html

[Peppers90 NC]

Not really..

Damn, I wasnt up to date with Franklin and Washington signings. Good pick ups, I like Big Sed a lot and with Franklin, gonna be tough to gash up the middle.

[lightsout]

The relaxed atmosphere can be good and bad.

Bad for the obvious reason of potentially losing focus. But it could be good because that means confidence. I know PLENTY of bad teams that hustle to and from drills and are almost militant during practices. From all I've seen and read, the intensity comes during 11 on 11s, where you NEED it to be. And special teams seems to be pretty intense as well at times.

I'm not worried. I agree, 5-11 is reasonable. But 10 wins is NOT impossible, and everything in the middle could happen. I do not see this team being WORSE than 5-11 though. Good write up. Pretty much spot on.

[Seltzer]

Never really understood why another team's fan would be so involved in posting on a rival's message board, but to each his own.

Just because the Panthers practices have been loose doesn't mean they haven't been competitive. When I was there Wednesday, Rivera was barking loudly at the LB's during drills and the other coaches were as well.

There was definitely talking going on between the offense and defense, with both sides trying to best each other.

Smitty threw his hands up to signal TD after scoring. There were a couple of skirmishes which Rivera is obviously encouraging.

The coaches are taking more time between plays & drills to coach, but what do you expect? This is a young team and a new scheme. The players need all of these things.

I'm sure the Saints are moving at a faster pace. They do have an advantage over the Panthers or other teams starting with a new coach, especially in light of the lock-out. Right now, I would pick them to win the division.

And what do you expect new players to say about their team? I guarantee you Greg Olsen is liking the way the Panthers run camp better than he did with the Bears.

But to imply the effort at the Panthers camp is less than anywhere else is ridiculous. As I posted the other night, it has been very hard to grasp a lot from the first few practices b/c so many players were having to sit out until the CBA got ratified.

The coaches are not going to let the players forget they went 2-14 last year. Rivera obviously is sending a message to LaFell and Gettis that no one is guaranteed anything.

Honestly, if I were a Saints fan, I would expect to win now. Your window is going to close faster than TB or ATL or maybe even the Panthers as of right now.

[TheSaint]

I take an interest in the Panthers because I live in Charlotte. Ive been to quite a few games. I went to all but one 2 years ago.

There is at least one former regular huddle poster and panther fan who lives in clt who posts on SR.com more than they post here. But who cares? I do not post all that much in the actual football forums, just occasionally. I'm not here to poo in your sandbox.

I never said the practices were loose. I was commenting on what others said. I agree with those who think it's a bit troubling.

I do expect to win now.

How is our window closing? Things are definitely tougher in this division now with Atlanta and TB greatly improving.

[Lumps]

Did Zod predict 2-14 last year? Either way I agree with what he said. All of these people who are saying 12-4 are either crazy or blinded by unnatural love.

I don't believe there was a record last year but I do in fact remember Zos saying something along the lines of 'Don't expect much' when he was observing camp. There wasn't a lot of communication or chemistry.

[Silent Majority]

Rivera was also with the Bears as a coach and player......so I wouldn't pin the Norv way of things on Rivera

Due to the time missed.....easing into things could aid in preventing injury (he has already been without a lot of bodies as camp opened). I doubt things will be all sunshine and lolipops the entire offseason.

BINGO!

Calm down people. Hell the Ravens had ice during thier practice... Ice cream, for fug sake. On a cone, with sprinkles, even. We have missed 24 practices. 24!

This season is going to be different, because of all the off season garbage.

[Peppers90 NC]

How is our window closing? Things are definitely tougher in this division now with Atlanta and TB greatly improving.

Good question, I think the assumption is that Brees isnt getting any younger and your team relies on his management and the fact that if he went down so would the saints, is very real. Systems only go so long before they become figured out(Martz) and this is like year 5 or 6 with Payton at the helm. Plus, we as Panther fans, would like to believe that.

[Seltzer]

How is our window closing?

I just meant Brees is still in his prime now and Ryan, Freeman, and Newton (if you become the franchise guy) are a lot younger.

There is no proven guy right now behind Brees. The Saints could take a big step back in a couple of years as Brees gets older. Things can and do change every year though so no one can predict 3 years from now.

Right now, Brees is still the only elite QB in the division but getting older. I got into a debate with an ATL fan but in my book you have to win playoff games to be elite and neither Ryan or Freeman has done that yet.

[TheSaint]

No doubt if breeze goes down we are fuged. But that's true of pretty much any team with a top qb.

[pantherj]

I'd hate to try and make a prediction before seeing who we bring in at CB to replace Marshall. There is also the question of who will start at QB, and for how many games. Let's assume Cam starts the entire season.

AZ - L

GB - L

JAGS - W

CHI - L

N.O - L

ATL - L

WASH - L

MINN - W

TENN - W

DET - L

IND - L

TB - L

ATL - L

HOU - L

TB - L

N.O - L

3-13 unless Cam has an incredible season.

[Peppers90 NC]

Right now, Brees is still the only elite QB in the division but getting older. I got into a debate with an ATL fan but in my book you have to win playoff games to be elite and neither Ryan or Freeman has done that yet.

I agree, plus you can only have a handful of elite qb's (I can think of 4 currently). I won't tell a professional what they can or cant do, but I dont ever see Ryan or Freeman as elite, just very very good. Like most great QB's, their teams rely heavily on their presence, no exception here. Let's be real, he won't play forever.

[jtm]

I hope you are wrong, but every team handles training camp differently. The Cowboys have multiple Super Bowls and they are known for "light" training camps.