Saints alive! Brees, Deuce recovering

By Darrell Laurant  |   Tuesday, June 06, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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Like the city in which they've chosen to play, Drew Brees and Deuce McAllister are slowly healing.

QB Brees, who joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent during the off-season, threw 40 passes on the last day of mini-camp, a tribute to his continuing recovery from a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder.

The injury occurred in the second quarter of the final game of last season, when he dove to recover a fumble and was landed upon by Denver's mountainous DT Gerard Warren. His surgery was in January, and Brees considers himself considerably ahead of schedule in his bid to return to his 2005 form (3,576 passing yards, 24 TD's in San Diego) by September.

"I'm taking it easy," Brees said on the Saints' website, "and this was my first real day to do what we call 'routes versus air.' Obviously, I'm not throwing very hard."

"You don't see him throwing any fastballs yet," added Saints' coach Sean Payton. "A couple of changeups and a couple of sliders."

If Brees isn't ready by the Saints' opener, either Jamie Martin or Todd Bouman -- both backups with NFL experience -- will take the initial snaps.

Meanwhile, running back Deuce McAllister was also happy just to be on the field during mini-camp, despite the brutal bayou heat pressing down on the Saints' outdoor practice field.

The team's all-time leading rusher (he passed George Rogers last year), McAllister is coming back from a serious right knee injury suffered in the fifth game against Green Bay last season. The resulting surgery was the first in his football career at any level.

"I feel good as far as making cuts, making moves and seeing things," said the University of Mississippi product. "It's just that your body has to be on the same page. Sometimes, there will be runs out there that you'll see, but not be ready to make."

McAllister remained in New Orleans for several days after the city was battered and flooded by Hurricane Katrina, serving as the Saints' symbol for a beleaguered community. He also scored twice in an emotional victory over Carolina in the 2005 opener.

"I've been impressed," Payton said of McAllister's progress.

Finally, top draft pick Reggie Bush was at close to full-speed after being held out with a hamstring injury.

"That's quite a one-two punch," Brees said after working in the backfield with McAllister and Bush.

If Brees' shoulder heals fully, make that one-two-three.

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