A Look Into Saints Training Camp
The NFL Lockout has ended and football has returned, and now that I’ve concluded my coverage of New Orleans Saints Training Camp I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite images from through out camp.
Training Camp is not something that need to be covered every day, I probably attended a few too many practices myself, but as I joked with a colleague the practices were excellent exercise losing several pounds a day just from the pure heat. Every camp I attended the heat index reached over 100 degrees, and one day it topped out at about 114 degrees interestingly enough I don’t have a single photo to share from that day, because the worst thing that can happen to a photographer happened to me that day. My memory card in my camera failed, the data was corrupted and I attempted to recover the photos in several ways, including photo recovery software and even brought the memory card to a computer shop but nothing was recovered.
I lost one day of coverage and had some photos I really wanted from the shoot, but lets move on to what I do have available to share.
The first day out there just like the others were incredibly hot and humid, and for the first day of training camp I tried to shoot the key players returning to the team as well as drills that tell a story of what training camp is like. This year was different than in the past since the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was not yet in effect, free agent signing were not allowed to practice until August 4th, so early on I shot the rookies and key players, and when I possible tried to get a shot of a new signee watching practice since they could not participate in camp.
One of my favorite photos throughout training camp was this shot below of a slap drill meant for special teams players making a diving attempt on a tackle for a punt or kickoff return.
July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson (21) during the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Another similar shot of the slap drill that I really liked is seen below, in this shot you can notice the beads of sweat flying through the air as the player dives, yeah kinda disgusting, but it makes for a great photo.
July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) drives for a tackling drill during the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Below is another similar drill teaching tackling technique featuring rookie cornerback Johnny Patrick.
July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Johnny Patrick (32) participates in a tackling drill during the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Below are a few photos of Drew Brees.
July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws during a team drill on the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) stands with wide receivers Adrian Arrington (left), John Chiles (11), Devery Henderson (19), Robert Meachem (17), and Marques Colston (12)during the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) signs autographs for fans following the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
On my second trip to training camp new Saints running backs Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles made their first appearance at training camp, Mark Ingram being a rookie went straight to work on the field, Sproles was still several days removed from participating in practice sessions.
July 31, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints rookie running back Mark Ingram (28) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
July 31, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running backs Darren Sproles (left), rookie Mark Ingram (28) and Pierre Thomas (23) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Some of my favorite shots of the day came during 7-on-7 drills one shot with Marques Colston going up against Jabari Greer was selected by Sports Illustrated as one of their Leading Off – Pictures of the Week.
July 31, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Jabari Greer (33) deflects a pass from wide receiver Marques Colston (12) before intercepting the ball during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
July 31, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Johnny Patrick (32) knocks the ball away from rookie wide receiver Michael Galatas (18)during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton sometimes has a sense of humor, because many players recently signed new contracts and could not participate in practice Payton had little umbrella drinks brought out for the players who got to relax and watch as the other players went through the grind of training camp.
July 31, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has Shirley Temple cocktail drinks brought out for the recently signed veterans that are not yet allowed to practice during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
July 31, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar holds a Shirley Temple drink after coach Sean Payton handed out the drinks to veterans who are unable to practice during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
I planned to shoot the first day veterans free agents were allowed to practice on August 4th, but practice was moved to the indoor facility and inside the light is poor making it more difficult to shoot practice, so I returned on August 5th, an outdoor evening practice, and as luck would have it, a thunderstorm would move practice inside within the first few minutes.
Below is the only good photo I got before practice was move indoors.
August 5, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (92), Aubrayo Franklin (99), Tom Johnson (72), Turk McBride (90), and Camron Jordan (94) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Here is an example of practice indoors, it’s dark and with longer lenses it is more difficult to get a sharp image.
August 5, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Still not having what I felt that I needed I returned to shoot again on August 6th. Here are some of my favorite shots, in what I felt was my most productive day of shooting training camp.
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) leads his team during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) works on a sled drill during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackles Sedrick Ellis (98) and Shaun Rogers (92) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running backs Mark Ingram (28), Pierre Thomas (23) and Darren Sproles (43) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) breaks away from Ramon Humber (54) and Cameron Jordan (94)during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) catches a pass in front of linebacker Will Herring (53) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) calls a play in the huddle during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
But it would be after practice I would get my favorite photos of the day and probably on of my favorites of camp, the photos weren’t a big hit, a pass or running play, it was one of the best players in the NFL playing with his kids after practice.
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) plays with his son Baylen Brees following training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) plays with his son Bowen Brees following training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) plays with his son Bowen Brees following training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) plays with his son Baylen Brees following training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) plays with his son Baylen Brees and other children following training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Finally, my final day shooting 2011 New Orleans Saints training camp, August 9th. I pretty much had what I needed, but I stopped by the facility to pick up my season credentials and while I was in town I figured I’d shoot practice, and I am glad I did. It looked bad when training camp first started with rain clouds looming overhead the threat of having practice moved indoors appeared likely, then the rain moved in light at first I remained on the field shooting. The rain quickly turned into a downpour and the media gathered under a tent and I shot from there as it began to pour down. Luckily there was no lighting so the team remained on the field and worked out in the rain.
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Dwight Roberson (66) deflects a pass away from tight end Michael Higgins (81) in a rain storm during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Martez Wilson (95) in a rain storm during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton walks by players stretching in a rain storm during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams directs players in a rain storm during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
After the team finished up their stretching, some defensive players began to work on a tackling drill similar to what I shot the first day except this time the players dove head on into the tackling dummy as the rain continued to come down, I knew this was another opportunity to make some great photos. One of the photos was again selected as a Sports Illustrated photo of the day, so I was pretty happy with the effort from the day, here are the photos.
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Nate Bussey (59) in a tackling drill in a rain storm during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Click here to see the photo on SI Snapshot.
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (92) in a tackling drill in a rain storm during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (98) in a tackling drill in a rain storm during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Eventually the rain stopped and I took back to the field as the team began some drills, below are some photos of the new faces you’ll see on the Saints team this season.
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) under center Olin Kreutz (50) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Will Herring (53) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Martez Wilson (95) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (92), Aubrayo Franklin (99), Sedrick Ellis (98) and Will Smith (91)during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (92), Sedrick Ellis (98), Aubrayo Franklin (99) and Will Smith (91)during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pressures quarterback Chase Daniel (10) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Clint Ingram (57) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Finally, my last shots of training camp, a hand off taken by running back Mark Ingram during team goal line drills where Ingram ran through safety Roman Harper who is seen laying on the ground as Ingram runs into the endzone.
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off to running back Mark Ingram (28) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
August 9, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) scores a touchdown in red-zones drills during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
I hope you enjoyed my look into New Orleans Saints training camp, I look forward to sharing more images throughout the season. The preseason kicks off on Friday against the San Francisco 49ers, I can’t wait to get back to shooting NFL football.
