Mango mojito
August 22, 2008
Mango mojito – Recipes – Times-Picayune – NOLA.com
Make mango puree from cubes of fresh fruit run through the food processor or blender.em>Makes 1 serving
Large handful of fresh mint leaves
3/4 ounce lime juice
1 tablespoon raw sugar
3 ounces white rum
1/2 ounce mango puree
3/4 ounce simple syrup
2 1/2 ounces club sodaMuddle mint leaves, lime juice and sugar (best with sugar cane stick) vigorously. Add ice, rum, mango puree, syrup and soda, stir well and pour into a tall glass. Garnish with a mint leaf or a wedge of fresh mango.
Creamy brandy Alexanders
August 22, 2008
Creamy brandy Alexanders – Recipes – Times-Picayune – NOLA.com
Makes 6 to 8 servings½ gallon vanilla ice cream, slightly thawed
10 jiggers brandy
7 jiggers dark creme de cacao
¼ cup heavy cream
Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the freezer.
Garnish with fresh mint and serve with cookies.
Roasted artichokes
August 22, 2008
Roasted artichokes – Recipes – Times-Picayune – NOLA.com
Posted by The Times-Picayune August 21, 2008 4:55AM
Categories: Healthy options, Side dish, VegetablesWhen all the roasted vegetables in this story were made for a photo shoot, the artichokes were by far the most popular item on the big platter. They’re a little bit of work, but they brown up beautifully.
Makes 8 servings
4 large artichokes
1 ½ tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
¼ cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Trim the top third from each artichoke and remove the stem. Using kitchen shears, trim the thorn tips from the remaining leaves. Split each artichoke into 4 wedges. Put the artichokes in a large saucepan with enough water to cover. Add ½ tablespoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, the bay leaves and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the artichokes are just tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and cool.
When the artichokes are cool enough to handle, gently remove the fibrous choke and discard.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil, crushed garlic, and lemon juice in a small bowl and whisk to blend. Toss the artichokes with the mixture and then spread them in one layer on a baking pan with the heart side up.
Roast until the artichokes are golden brown, about 20 minutes. The artichokes can be served warm or at room temperature.
New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey rehabbing, eager for debut
August 22, 2008
Posted by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune August 21, 2008 11:47PMIt has been eight rehabilitation-filled months since free-spirited Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey last played for keeps in the NFL.
And while eager to make his preseason debut Saturday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, he is trying to keep the moment in perspective.
There will be no special arm tattoo to mark the occasion. Each arm currently is covered in body art from shoulder to hand, anyway. He simply wants to leave the stadium with his health intact, get on the team’s chartered plane and fly home to New Orleans.
Nothing more, nothing less.
“I feel pretty good about the week,” Shockey said Thursday after completing his fourth consecutive uneventful day of practice. “I’m not 100 percent or anything, but there has been progress made.”
When told that Saints Coach Sean Payton planned to play him at least one quarter against the Bengals, Shockey replied: “Hey, that’s up to him. I’m not the coach. I do what I’m told. Hopefully, I keep getting better and keep getting closer to my goal.
“There are more than two weeks left to the (start of the regular season), and without a doubt I’ll be 100 percent when the real games start. I don’t want to have a setback. I don’t want to do something stupid and hurt something else by pushing it too hard.”
Payton said he is encouraged by what he has seen of Shockey in his first series of sustained workouts in training camp since being acquired July 21 from the New York Giants for second- and fifth-round picks in the 2009 draft.
Shockey’s 2007 season ended abruptly on Dec.¤15 when he fractured his left fibula in a 22-10 loss to the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium. It turned out to be his final play with the Giants, who went on to win the NFC championship and stun the previously undefeated New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.
Saints officials are hopeful Shockey, who pushed for a trade to New Orleans after a reported rift with the Giants’ front office, will flourish in a new environment.
But Payton cautioned Saints fans to be patient. Don’t expect too much Saturday night against the Bengals.
“We want to monitor how many snaps he takes,” Payton said. “A goal would be a quarter.
“The one thing I want to see is for him to stay healthy. The goal for him is to be ready for Tampa Bay (in the season opener Sept.¤7 at the Superdome). For him, this will be an introduction.”
Shockey needed no introduction when he arrived on the eve of training camp in Jackson, Miss. Anyone who had followed the NFL the past six seasons had to know of his flamboyant personality and penchant for attracting the media spotlight in New York, including teammates and team officials in New Orleans.
Thus far, he has kept a low profile and been a model teammate, according to Saints tight end Mark Campbell.
“I only knew about Jeremy as a fiery competitor, a loud guy with a lot of tattoos,” Campbell said. “I didn’t know what to think. I just knew of that side of him. But getting to know him, he’s really is a great guy and really fits well into our locker room. He’s funny, a good conversationalist, and a pretty intelligent guy.”
Campbell stopped and smiled.
“Maybe, I should think about getting some tattoos and maybe growing my hair out, and then I think it will increase my value as a player,” Campbell said. “But, on a serious note, he seems to be a great teammate. That’s all we can ask for. We kind of pride ourselves here in New Orleans for having a good locker room. We all get along. We hope that carries over to the field, and Jeremy fits into our locker room very well.”
Shockey, 28, is expected to fit in much better when he gets on the field full time and starts bringing a return on the Saints’ investment. He appears to be champing at the bit to justify his existence.
“It’s really critical for me to get out there and practice a lot more and get some preseason time just to see how my leg feels,” said Shockey, 6 feet 5, 251 pounds. “You don’t want to play the first game and feel like a truck hit you the next day. You want to get that soreness out.”
Quarterback Drew Brees said he can’t wait to incorporate Shockey into the playbook and get him into single coverage against a linebacker or safety, reminiscent of those days in San Diego when Brees threw to perennial Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates.
“I can’t wait, but here’s the thing,” Brees said. “The more that Jeremy and I practice together, the more I get a feel for him and him for me. It’s what I call the ‘me-to-you factor.’
“When things break down, when it’s a look that maybe you’re familiar with, when I can tell by his body language what he’s going to do. Whether it’s a look I give him, the look the defense is giving us, he sees what I see and we’re on the same page. I know where I can throw the ball, and he knows where I’m going to throw the ball. The only way you gain the ‘me-to-you factor’ is with reps. The more live reps we get together, the better.”
The Brees-to-Shockey factor kicks into gear Saturday night, if only for a quarter or so.
Saints starters to play first half against Bengals
August 22, 2008
Posted by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune August 21, 2008 4:26PM
Categories: Saints
Ellis Lucia/The Times-PicayuneThe Saints coaches say the starters, like Drew Brees and Reggie Bush, will play a half Saturday against the Cincinncati Bengals.New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton on Thursday said he plans to play his starters for the first half of Saturday night’s exhibition against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
Those players include cornerback Mike McKenzie (knee) and recently-acquired tight end Jeremy Shockey (leg) who will be making their pre-season debuts.
Cornerback Tracy Porter, a second-round draft pick from Indiana, is expected to start opposite McKenzie in the Saints’ base 4-3 defense.
Former LSU cornerback Randall Gay, who has been limited in practice this week after bruising a triceps in Saturday night’s 31-27 exhibition loss to Houston, will enter the game in nickel pass coverage.
Payton said the team’s No. 1 draft pick, rookie defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, likely will be held out of the Bengals’ game with a bruised ankle.
“He would be able to play if we were playing a regular season game,” Payton said. “But I want it to calm down so he may or may not play Saturday.”
Also:
• Payton said middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma graded out well against Houston. Vilma will make his second consecutive start after sitting out the team’s first exhibition game against Arizona while recovering from a season-ending knee injury with the New York Jets in 2007.
“I’m encouraged by his progress,” Payton said. “He got things communicated quickly and got them in and out of the (defensive) huddle. He’s close to being 100 percent. There hasn’t been any real setbacks. He had some swelling and soreness early in camp but he’s feeling good. That’s encouraging.”
• Quarterback Drew Brees missed the first 45 minutes of practice Thursday to participate in a conference call with other members of the NFL Players Association Executive Counsel.
During the call, the executive counsel voted unanimously to promote Richard Berthelstein from general counsel to interim executive director to replace the late Gene Upshaw, who died Wednesday night after a short bout with pancreatic cancer.
• Payton provided some comic relief during Thursday’s post-practice meeting with reporters. With regards to injured defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, who had surgery Aug. 14 tor repair a torn right triceps muscle, Payton said he is uncertain whether to place Thomas on season-ending IR or carry him through on the team’s 53-man roster.
When told Thomas, who is listed at 335 pounds, envisioned playing a minimum of 10 games this season, Payton replied: “That may be because doctors said his surgery went real well. Plus, it’s an arm that he exercises a lot when he eats.”
• Newly-signed veteran safety Lance Schulters is expected to make his debut Saturday night, playing in the second half with backups. Cornerback Jason David, too, is expected to play in the second half after being demoted from a starting job against the Texans.
• The team will hold a brief walk-through Friday then board a chartered flight to Cincinnati.
• Payton said other players are not expected to play because of injuries: In addition to Thomas and Ellis, they are WR Adrian Arrington (turf toe), LB Mark Simoneau (back), CB Usama Young, DT Brian Young (foot) and S Curome Cox (groin).
• Payton must pare his roster from 80 to 75 by 3 p.m. Tuesday to get down to the league-mandated limit.
New Orleans Saints starters will play first half against Cincinnati
New Orleans Saints Aug. 21 practice report
August 22, 2008
New Orleans Saints Aug. 21 practice report – New Orleans Saints Beat – Times-Picayune – NOLA.com
Posted by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune August 21, 2008 1:50PM
Categories: SaintsAfter spending the first half of the work week in a training camp mode, the Saints (1-1) turned their attention Thursday to Saturday night’s road exhibition game against the Cincinnati Bengals (1-1).
Quarterback Drew Brees missed the first 45 minutes of indoor practice, leaving the early individual work to backup Mark Brunell and Tyler Palko. No reason was given for Brees’ absence at the time of this blog.
Nothing has changed along the injury front. WR Adrian Arrington (turf toe), LB Mark Simoneau (back), CB Usama Young (hamstring), S Curome Cox (groin), DT Brian Young (foot) and DT Hollis Thomas (triceps) all are expected to miss the team’s third exhibition game Saturday night at Paul Brown Stadium.
Look for TE Jeremy Shockey and CB Mike McKenzie to see their first action of the preseason.
Saints’ switch to new center goes smoothly
August 21, 2008
By LES EAST
Special to The Advocate
Published: Aug 21, 2008 – Page: 1C – UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.METAIRIE — One of the Saints’ more significant personnel changes has gone relatively unnoticed during training camp and the preseason.
Amid all the scrutiny of incoming draft choices and veteran acquisitions, Jonathan Goodwin has ascended to the starter’s position at center.
While every move of Jonathan Vilma, Jeremy Shockey, Sedrick Ellis, Tracy Porter and others is dissected, Goodwin quietly, almost anonymously, goes about the business of anchoring the offensive line.
That fits the quiet nature of Goodwin, a seventh-year veteran who inherited the job when last year’s starter, Jeff Faine, signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay, and Goodwin re-signed with New Orleans.
“Jonathan played in four games last year and it gave us a chance to see how we operated with him in there at center,” coach Sean Payton said. “So when Faine left, we knew we wanted to re-sign Jonathan and then the question was could we come to an agreement and still keep options open if we couldn’t.
“We couldn’t take for granted that we were going to be able to re-sign him. We felt like we needed to come away from free agency with one of our two centers. We knew Faine would be leaving right away and we were able to re-sign Goodwin, which was a plus.”
Goodwin was signed as a free agent from the New York Jets in 2006 to provide depth and versatility — he can also play guard — to the line. He started 13 of 74 games in which he played for New York in four seasons.
Though Goodwin, who signed a new three-year contract in March, is not a newcomer, his work with the first-team offense has been limited. So the first two preseason games have been important for the offense as he makes blocking calls and gets comfortable with the four returning starters on the line, particularly left guard Jamar Nesbit and right guard Jahri Evans.
“Even though I’ve played with these guys in practice, it’s real important for the guys to get used to me being back in at center and coming together as a group,” Goodwin said.
“Knowing where I might be or Jahri or Jamar getting used to each other and line calls, knowing what each one of us is thinking against certain looks and certain defenses.”
Training camp and preseason are also important for Goodwin and quarterback Drew Brees to develop a comfort level with one another.
“Most runs and passes start with the identification of who will be calling the middle linebacker and that takes place with Jonathan and Drew Brees,” Payton said. “There’s a lot of communication that has to go on to make sure that those guys are on the same page and it generally starts inside-out. In his case, that’s something that he does well.
“He’s someone that handles the protections well in regards to the multiple looks. He does a good job with making the right calls. He’s a veteran player that knows what to do.”
Goodwin said he’s getting used to what Brees looks for from his center.
“Sometimes when he sees certain looks, he’s ready to get the ball and he speeds the snap count up,” Goodwin said, “and that’s something I’ve had to get used to and I think I’m starting to pick up on that.”
Goodwin has two more preseason games, including one at Cincinnati on Saturday, to settle in before the Saints face Faine and the Buccaneers in the season opener Sept. 7 in the Superdome.
“You can always get better,” Goodwin said. “You can always improve, so the more time the better. I think we’re getting pretty comfortable with each other and that’s the important thing.”
Goodwin said he’s satisfied with the line’s play in the first two games, but he knows it needs to keep improving if New Orleans is going to continue its recent offensive success. The Saints were fourth in the NFL in total offense last season and first the year before that.
“Everything is a work in progress,” Goodwin said. “I think we’ve had two good outings as a first unit so hopefully we can keep getting better and better as the season goes along.
“Hopefully we can open up holes and keep increasing the yards per carry and keep Drew upright. Those are the most important things.”
Notes
Payton said after practice Wednesday that DT Hollis Thomas (triceps surgery), DT Brian Young (foot), WR Adrian Arrington (tor), and LB Mark Simoneau (back) won’t play Saturday. … Rookie DT Sedrick Ellis is expected to play despite a bruised ankle. … Payton said the starters will play at least a half.
New Orleans Saints tackle Jammal Brown has taken little time off
August 21, 2008
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune August 20, 2008 10:23PM
Categories: SaintsIt’s hard to think of Saints left tackle Jammal Brown as a developmental project, because he received so much attention and recognition early in his career.
A first-round draft choice in 2005, Brown went from the All-Rookie team that season to the All-Pro team a year later.
But heading into Year 4, the 6-foot-6, 313-pounder still is trying to tap into the potential that had people wondering if he might become the next Willie Roaf.
“I still have a lot of improving to do, even from ’06 when I made the Pro Bowl,” said Brown, whose progress was interrupted last summer by a knee injury that kept him out of the final four preseason games.
“The injury is no excuse,” he said, “but I kind of got behind, mentally and physically. So this year, I just made a point to come in early in the offseason, to get my body right and to be an all-around better player.”
Brown started working out at the team’s practice facility a month before players were scheduled to report in March, joining a group of about four or five guys with strength and conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple in those early days. Brown said he was determined to get stronger since he’s “not one of the biggest tackles,” and he stuck to it throughout the spring and summer.
Coaches and teammates have taken notice. Sean Payton said Brown has had his best offseason in the past three years, and left guard Jamar Nesbit said he’s become a lot more physical.
“He worked his butt off this offseason to get stronger, and I know a lot of people kind of criticized him for that,” Nesbit said. “And on the mental side of it, he’s become more comfortable in his third year in this system, and now he’s just really focusing on his technique.
“As he goes, we kind of go. So as he gets everything straight and continues to ascend, everything will come together.”
There was a report that Brown’s name came up in trade talks before the draft, but Payton insisted at the time that the Saints had no plans to part with their left tackle.
Brown said the first time he heard those rumors was when General Manager Mickey Loomis called to tell them they weren’t true.
“He said, ‘Have you heard anything?’ And I was like, ‘No,’¤” Brown said. “And he said, ‘Well, if you do hear anything, it’s not happening.’ So I was like, ‘All right.’¤”
Brown has always been a laid-back, mellow guy.
Even though he’s a man of few words, he’s the player most likely to provide his teammates with some comic relief away from the field.
“He’s going to make you laugh somehow,” Nesbit said. “Whether it’s on purpose or on accident, he’s going to make you laugh.”
But when it comes to football, Brown said his approach is always serious.
“I’ve always been around winning programs, from college and high school, and being here. So I always put a lot of pressure on myself to take the coaching and do what needs to be done, and maybe even a little bit more,” said Brown, who began his college career at Oklahoma as a defensive lineman before moving to right tackle during his sophomore year.
He played right tackle with the Saints as a rookie before moving to the left side in 2006.
“I try to be real specific. I try to practice everything I’m coached, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it done,” Brown said. “And I think that’s how you’ve got to approach it if you’re going to be any good.”
Brown admitted that last year was a down year for him. He wasn’t consistent, and he was plagued a few times by false start and holding penalties.
Offensive line coach Doug Marrone said the key for Brown is to give that disciplined effort on a consistent basis, and he said it’s helped him to go against defensive ends Will Smith and Bobby McCray throughout training camp. That includes a few practices against Texans defensive end Mario Williams last week.
“I always like it when we can get him tired fast,” Marrone said. “You want to see Jammal when he’s tired, going out here and playing against Will Smith and Bobby and pushing through those points. Not just when he’s fresh.
“And I think I’ve seen a person that’s probably more knowledgeable in what he wants from himself. I just think he’s starting to understand things more. He realizes where he has to be in order to be successful.”
Saints defensive tackle Orien Harris making presence felt
August 21, 2008
Saints defensive tackle Orien Harris making presence felt – Sports – Times-Picayune – NOLA.com
Posted by Teddy Kider, The Times-Picayune August 20, 2008 10:21PM
Categories: SaintsSaints defensive tackle Orien Harris has quickly made himself known among his coaches and front-office personnel, putting together statistics that even he did not think he would have through two preseason games.
Harris, a 25-year-old who was signed by the Saints in December, has 11 solo tackles — best on the team — and a sack this preseason.
“He’s been one of those guys that’s been durable,” Saints Coach Sean Payton said. “He’s been steady. He’s a try-hard guy that gives a lot of effort on each play. Even today, he made some plays in practice. So he’s caught the attention of a lot of us, the guys on defense and myself included. He comes to work every day, and he showed that last week in the game.”
Since coming into the league from the Miami (Fla.) in 2006, Harris has played in two games, both for Cleveland in his first season. But Harris figures to find more playing time this year with the Saints, especially with other defensive tackles, such as Brian Young and Hollis Thomas, dealing with injuries.
Harris had six tackles in the Saints’ loss to Houston, just after speaking with his family about the improvements he wanted to make.
“My mom and my sister, I was telling them I was not really where I wanted to be as a football player, and so they heard my sob story and they came back the next day and they called me,” he said. “They were like, ‘Ah, don’t be so hard on yourself. Just try to build.’ And that’s what I’ve been trying to do.”
RECEIVER STATUS: With two preseason games to go, it appears receiver Devery Henderson is on pace to play as a first-stringer — and receiver Robert Meachem is not.
When asked Wednesday whether Henderson is fighting more for a roster spot or playing time, Payton said: “I see him fighting more for playing time. He’s out with the first group, so when you look at Marques (Colston) and you look at Devery, those guys are right now lining up with the first group. Devery’s competing against those other guys behind him. Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, those guys are wanting to get more snaps.”
But asked if he wanted to see Meachem get more time playing with Drew Brees, Payton said: “Yeah, but that’s got to be something that’s earned. And right now, there are guys ahead of him, just from an overall efficiency level. And Robert’s improved, and yet he’s still got a ways to go.”
INJURY REPORT: Payton said Wednesday that he expects receiver Adrian Arrington (turf toe), linebacker Mark Simoneau (back), cornerback Usama Young (hamstring) and Thomas (triceps) to miss Saturday’s game at Cincinnati.
All four and safety Curome Cox (groin) missed Wednesday’s practice, while defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (ankle) was limited but is expected to play Saturday.
Payton also said that he expects running back Deuce McAllister to play more Saturday than he did against the Texans, and he expects cornerback Mike McKenzie and tight end Jeremy Shockey to make their preseason debuts.
Titans sign Tuff Harris
August 20, 2008
Less than three weeks after being released by the New Orleans Saints, Tuff Harris has been signed by the Tennessee Titans to play defensive back and special teams.
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