The New Orleans Saints got into some skirmishes on the field with the Houston Texans during their combined workout this morning.
Just the heat, or something more?
The Saints could be defending themselves from what might be a season-long test from opposing teams, according to Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune. The Saints, the defending Super Bowl champions, are going to be a "gauge" for teams.
That certainly can be true on the road where revved up crowds are going to implore the home team to whip the champs.
New Orleans doesn't have to worry about that for another week. The Saints play their first home game in the refurbished Superdome on Saturday against the Texans.
One question is going to be whether veteran Patrick Ramsey can eliminate Chase Daniel from the No. 2 quarterback derby. You wonder what the Saints are thinking? They would probably prefer a veteran backup over a second-year player, but Daniel surely has more upside.
Here's more from around the NFC South:
►It is starting to get nasty for Derrick Ward, the Bucs running back. It's a siege thing now with fans declaring he doesn't deserve to wear No. 28, which was worn by former hero Warrick Dunn.
Also, the fans have called Kareem Huggins, "Huggy Bear." He has a nickname, Ward doesn't. It is the underdog thing. Ward made a lot of money as a free agent. Huggins went undrafted out of Hofstra.
►Raheem Morris, the Tampa Bay coach, says the blackout in Tampa for the preseason game with the Chiefs is nothing he can control. Really?
If the Bucs win and fans show up, the blackouts won't happen. The barkeeps in town are rooting for you, Raheem. They can fill the place with a game on.
Here is Morris' comment on the subject.
"We just have to go out and play," he said. "It's nothing that I can control. The thing I can control is the product on the field. We'll take our team out there and do our very best. These are hard times. We understand that. We want to give our fans that go out there and watch us the best performance we can give them."
Saints Get Preview of Life as the Hunted
Aug 19, 2010 – 9:48 PM
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