| | By Doug Brien
Special to ESPN.com
Editor's note: What is life in an NFL training camp like? Kicker Doug Brien takes you inside the camp of the New Orleans Saints with his weekday diary for ESPN.com.
Monday, July 24
THIBODAUX, La. -- The Black and Gold scrimmage last Saturday was a
good way to finish our first week of training camp.
About 12,000 fans came out to show their support
and join in the festivities. The day started with a full
pregame warmup to help prepare us for our game
with the Jets next weekend. There was a national
anthem, a fly-by with some military jet fighters, and
even a Saints costume contest; the event did not
lack hype.
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| Brien |
In general, the coaches thought the scrimmage went
well. As coach Haslett said, a lot of good things
happened and some things that weren't so good
happened, too. I think the coaching staff thought
the team ran the ball well and that we can make
some big plays. However, they showed concern
about our pass catching on some of the shorter
routes. These "routine" catches are important
because they keep the chains moving. Another
problem was the amount of mental errors committed.
Coach Haslett believes that by minimizing mental
errors and turnovers we will stay in a lot of games
and win them in the fourth quarter. In that sense, he
felt that we have made some positive strides, but
that we are still not ready to play the kind of football
that he expects.
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I have
played in numerous inter-squad scrimmages before,
but I have never felt quiet as uncomfortable as I did
last Saturday. The "scrimmage" was built up as a
game-like event and I knew I had to have a good
performance. ” |
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Personally, the scrimmage gave me chance to finish a
difficult week in a positive way. I was surprised at
how nervous I was before the scrimmage. I have
played in numerous inter-squad scrimmages before,
but I have never felt quiet as uncomfortable as I did
last Saturday. The "scrimmage" was built up as a
game-like event and I knew I had to have a good
performance. With a new coaching staff, another
good kicker in camp, and a new snapper and holder I
wanted to have a solid performance. I ended up
making all of my kicks. I had a PAT, two 48-yarders,
a 43-yarder, and a 33-yarder. I still am not hitting
the ball as consistently as I would like, but it wasn?t
a bad start. My snapper, Jason McEndoo and my
holder, Toby Gowin both did a good job. Based on
their solid performances in a game-like situation I feel
confident that we will be ready for the regular
season.
Material from kicking.com.
Visit Doug Brien's web site at http://www.kicking.com
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ALSO SEE
Doug's diary: Too hot for hot tempers
NFL Training Camp 2000
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