New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey was coy Thursday about a trip to Birmingham, Ala, two days earlier to have noted orthopedic surgeon Dr James Andrews check out his injured knee.

It came out well, Shockey said after the Saints returned to practice in preparation for Super Bowl XLIV. Dr. Andrews is a man of his trade. Hes very good at what he does. Id like to give a shout-out to him for looking out for me and taking care me.

Ive got a lot of time to get healthy. The last two games youve seen me play, it wasnt really me. It felt like I was on a damn pogo stick. This week Ill have two pogo sticks instead of one.

Shockey suffered the injury, which coach Sean Payton said was a bruise, in the divisional playoff victory against Arizona two weeks ago. It limited Shockeys snaps against Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game last week.

Payton said hes pretty confident Shockey is progressing and that he suffered no setbacks against the Vikings.

Injury report

Shockey was one of eight players to be held out of practice. The others were defensive end Will Smith (groin), cornerback Randall Gay (foot), cornerback Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), kick returner Courtney Roby (knee), running back Lynell Hamilton (ankle), linebacker Jonathan Vilma (knee) and safety Darren Sharper (knee).

The Saints listed a season-high 24 players on the injury report, though more than half participated fully. Payton said there were a few additions after Sundays game and some players were rested because of the two weeks between games.

Early arrivals

The seven Saints selected to the Pro Bowl will be leaving Sunday morning to take part in ceremonies relating to the all-star game that night. They will stay over in Miami and join the rest of the team when it arrives at the hotel midday Monday.

The Colts are planning to have their Pro Bowlers fly home Sunday so they can accompany the rest of the team Monday. Payton said the Saints considered that option, but didnt see any need to bring the Pro Bowlers back. Payton said safety Roman Harper had been added to the Pro Bowl roster.

Game planning

Payton said the Saints worked on their base offense and defense in Thursdays practice. He said the game plan will be implemented incrementally, beginning in New Orleans and finishing up in Miami.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said he planned to implement his entire game plan before leaving for Miami.

Standing ovation

Place-kicker Garrett Hartley said hes been getting a heros welcome wherever he goes after kicking the winning field goal in overtime Sunday. I got a standing ovation the other day when I walked into a restaurant to get lunch, Hartley said.

Hartley added that hes trying to stay grounded by imagining what the reaction would have been if he had missed the 40-yarder.

Familiar surroundings

The Colts appear to have an edge in having won the Super Bowl in Miami three years ago, but the Saints like the fact that they played in Miami earlier this season, defeating the Dolphins.

I like that weve played there – familiar surroundings, you know? linebacker Troy Evans said. This teams will and perseverance, wed like to say we can play anywhere. We can play in a parking lot if wed like to. … Its going to be cool that its in Miami.

The NFC champion is designated as the visiting team this season, meaning the Saints will occupy the same locker room they had in their earlier trip.

Posted on January 30th, 2010 by admin
Filed under: NFL football news