McKenzie tests knee at first practice

July 29, 2008

McKenzie tests knee at first practice- NOLA.com

DB says he’s way ahead of schedule with ACL rehab
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
By Billy Turner

JACKSON, MISS. — – Cornerback Mike McKenzie, generally considered the Saints’ best pass defender, practiced for the first time Monday since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Philadelphia on Dec. 23, 2007.

McKenzie did most of the team defense drills before retiring to the exercise bike.

“All offseason I have really been working hard,” McKenzie said. “I did a lot of conditioning work and a lot of covering, so this was the next natural progression, for me to come on out and get some team work.”

Asked if he had been looking forward to this day, McKenzie said, “Actually I’m looking forward to Week 1; this is just part of the process.”

McKenzie said he has been doing everything against “air.” But he said once he is able to do everything against actual competition, “I’ll be better able to gauge where I am. Today was a good gauge, because I was able to get out there and not stick out like a sore thumb.

“I want to get enough work to know that I’m ready to go. The next procession is, how long can I go for? Can I go for a whole game; can I go for a half? I have to gauge at what point do I feel pain, at what point do I wear out. That’s kind of what training camp is for me right now.”

McKenzie said he is ahead of schedule in his rehab. “It’s not even seven months yet, and they (Saints officials) don’t want me to push it, but I want to push the envelope.”

CHANCES ARE: Wide receiver Adrian Arrington, a rookie from Michigan, continues to impress with leaping catches, but he also showed his inexperience during the morning practice.

Arrington laid out for a long completion from backup quarterback Mark Brunell, beating cornerback Usama Young on the play. But during red-zone drills, he let a pass from Brunell (who seems to favor Arrington as a receiver) get to his chest, and the ball bounced into the end zone.

“A lot of these guys are going to have a stretch of time to compete for positions,” Saints Coach Sean Payton said, “and he’s one of them.”

Arrington, a seventh-round pick, later grabbed a
touchdown pass in the drill, again from Brunell.

“He’s a smart player,” Payton said.
“That’s helped him.”

DB YOUNG DOES WELL: Young looked good in punt-coverage
drills, hemming in returner Reggie Bush by himself on one
play, and he had three interceptions in the morning session.
With the loss of rookie cornerback Tracy Porter to a
hamstring injury for an unknown period, Young’s chances
of getting into the mix at the nickel or dime positions have
improved.

“He made a couple of plays in the red zone,”
Payton said. “He will be in the thick of it, I believe.
He’s in his second year, and he’s got a good idea
about what we want to do. He’s not a rookie anymore.
He’ll be ready to compete.”

Said Young: “You never want someone to go down, but
when it happens, you have to step up. Mike’s been out,
(Porter’s) out, (Randall Gay’s) been hobbling. At
cornerback, we’re all competing.”

Asked if he had a good practice, Young smiled.
“Sometimes the ball goes your way, and sometimes you
can’t get there. Today was a good one. I’m just
trying to learn from A.G. (veteran Aaron Glenn) and Mike.
I’m trying to learn from everybody.”

DEFENSE PREVAILS: In morning red-zone and goal-line drills,
the defense outplayed the vaunted offense.

“I thought we were stronger defensively today, and
we were able to get a good pass rush and make a couple of
plays. That’s good for us,” Payton said.

Each quarterback threw an interception in the drills,
which were a focus in both practices. Third-string
quarterback Tyler Palko threw two consecutive interceptions.

INJURIES: Defensive tackle Bryant Young returned after
missing four practices with a knee problem that necessitated
him having it drained. He sat out the afternoon practice.

Payton said the news on receiver Devery Henderson and
Porter, who injured hamstrings on the same play Sunday, is
“relatively good.”

“There was not a lot of swelling. We will be
cautious with them,” he said.

Written by admin · Filed Under New Orleans Saints News

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