METAIRIE, La. —
(AP) — Nagging injuries to the Saints’ top two cornerbacks are giving New Orleans a chance to test its depth at the position.
Jabari Greer pulled his groin during Tuesday’s practice, two days after fellow first-team cornerback Patrick Robinson hurt his shoulder. Robinson has not yet returned, and assistant head coach Joe Vitt said he could be sidelined a couple more days.
The injuries, which appear minor, mean more work with the first-team defense for second-year pro Johnny Patrick, free agent acquisition Marquis Johnson and fifth-round draft choice Corey White.
Although quarterback Drew Brees had some long completions against them, Vitt has been encouraged by the progress of New Orleans’ young cornerbacks.
“I feel good about them right now,” Vitt said. “We’re in practice. This is a great evaluation coming up this weekend against pretty good receivers that we’re going to go against. We were in pajamas in the springtime. We’ve been in pads now for the third day. I think this weekend is going to be a big challenge.”
The Saints (No. 9 in the AP Pro32) open their preseason Sunday against Arizona in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
Although the starters for either team aren’t likely to play for long in that game, Arizona has one of the best receivers in the game in Larry Fitzgerald, along with former LSU standout Early Doucet and first-round draft choice Michael Floyd out of Notre Dame. The Saints selected Patrick in the third round of the 2011 draft. Johnson, who began his career in St. Louis, is entering his third season. White, a former Samford standout, raised eyebrows the day he was drafted with his comment that he was looking forward to intercepting Brees in training camp.
Instead, it was Brees throwing deep at White and connecting twice, first with Adrian Arrington and later with Courtney Roby.
The young defensive backs will have three more full practices and a Saturday morning walk-through before seeing their first game action of the preseason.
The Saints plan to travel to Canton on Saturday in time for the induction festivities. Former New Orleans and Kansas City All-Pro left tackle Willie Roaf, who played for the Chiefs while Vitt was an assistant with the club, is among the six players being enshrined. Another inductee is defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, who came into the NFL in Seattle when Vitt was an assistant there.
“Two guys are going in that have meant a lot to me,” Vitt said. “Both are great people. Both are great contributors to our sport and great ambassadors. Hey, it’s going to be happy and it’s going to be emotional, too.”
Vitt said the Saints are also hoping to draw a little inspiration from the Hall of Fame display honoring New Orleans’ Super Bowl championship squad.
Notes: Veteran TE David Thomas returned to practice after missing three days of work with a strained lower back, but was limited mostly to individual drills. ... Rookie DT Akiem Hicks, who entered training camp still recovering from a broken hand, did some non-contact work on the field. The third-round pick could return to full practice this week. ... The Saints have decided to open Wednesday morning’s practice to the public after initially scheduling it as a closed practice.
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Saints injuries could give reserve CBs more looks
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Saints ready to practice with Payton again
Even as Sean Payton tried to make the best of his one-season bounty banishment from the NFL by spending time with his children, getting in shape and playing golf, he often compared his punishment to prison time.
He missed his work that much, his players say, adding that his return has infused Saints headquarters with a fresh intensity leading up to Tuesday’s opening of voluntary offseason practices. -
Wildcats honored for efforts
Ten Pearl River Community College baseball standouts have earned 2013 post-season honors with center fielder Braxton Lee and catcher-designated hitter Krisjon Wilkerson leading the way with All-Region 23 and All-MACJC first- team accolades.
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Season ends for Maroon Tide
Picayune’s magical playoff run came up just short of a spot in the state finals.
Homestanding Pascagoula, the defending Class 5A state champs, took a hard-fought 5-3 win over the Maroon Tidee in game three of the best of three South State finals here Saturday before a capacity crowd at Ingalls Field. -
Season ends for Maroon Tide
The season came to an end for the Picayune baseball team Saturday afternoon with a 5-3 loss to homestanding Pascagoula here at Ingalls Field in the third and deciding game of the Class 5A South State championship series.
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Tide stays alive
And it all comes down to this.
Picayune and Pascagoula will face off in a one game, winner take all
showdown today at 2 p.m., at Ingalls Field for the Class A South State
prep baseball championship and the right to play for the state title. -
Wildcats tring to win Region 23 title
Host Pearl River opened Region 23 Tournament play in dominating fashion here Thursday in Wildcat Stadium, demolishing top-seeded East Central 12-1 in eight innings and now faces second-seeded LSU-Eunice (La.) in Friday’s second round at 7 p.m.
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Panther pitcher shuts out Maroon Tide
Pascagoula’s Andrew Crane continued his dominance of Picayune Thursday night.
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Season ends for Lady Hornets
Poplarville's season came to and end in the Class 4A South state finals Tuesday night.
The visiting Lady Hornets fell to Newton County 10-2 in game two of the best-of-three series. -
Lady Hornets face Newton County
Two more wins, and Poplarville will be playing for the Class 4A state championship in fast-pitch softball.
The Lady Hornets have a chance at getting that first victory today. -
Polderman’s, Mitchell win titles
The Picayune Maroon Tide and the Pearl River Central Blue Devils both competed in the Class 5A South State track and field championships this past Saturday at Long Beach High School.
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