Jul 302010
 

The star of the New Orleans Saints’ first morning practice was receiver Lance Moore – which means everyone’s hopping on my bandwagon now and remembering how good this guy is when healthy.

Moore made a spectacular catch during team drills when he leaped up high for an overthrown pass by Drew Brees, then held onto it when he was completely up-ended by safety Malcolm Jenkins and landed on his back.

That was one of five times that Brees hooked up with Moore during team drills – which is especially impressive considering Brees only attempted nine total passes this morning. Clearly, he loves throwing to Moore, who became a go-to guy for him in 2008 before injuries derailed Moore’s 2009 season. The Saints use Moore like the Patriots use Wes Welker and the Cowboys use Miles Austin – a shifty receiver who can work through and around traffic. Expect him to be heavily involved in the offense this year, even with the further emergence of receiver Robert Meachem.

via Receiver Lance Moore shines during New Orleans Saints’ first training camp practice | NOLA.com.

 Posted by at 12:22 pm
Jul 302010
 

Auburn’s football practices will be closed to the public again this year, so the following isn’t exactly a guide for your late-summer activities. But Auburn has released its preseason practice schedule for the first half of August, so we know when news will be forthcoming.

This much we know:

Most practices will be in the late afternoon, around 4:30.

Practice begins Wednesday.

The Tigers will practice eight of their first available nine days.

The first day of two-a-days is Aug. 10

The first scrimmage is Aug. 11.

Fan Day is Aug. 15.

It will be hot.

THE SCHEDULE

Next week:

Tuesday: Players report

Wednesday: Practice begins at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday: Practice

Friday: Practice

Saturday: Practice

Sunday: Off

Then:

Monday, Aug. 9: Practice

Tuesday, Aug. 10: First day of two-a-days, begins at 9:55 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 11: First scrimmage

Thursday, Aug. 12: Two practices

Friday, Aug.13: Off

Saturday, Aug. 14: Two practices

Sunday, Aug. 15: Fan Day, 2 -4 p.m. at Auburn Arena. Practice at 7:50 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 16: Practice at 5

via Auburn practice schedule: It’s two-a-days, a scrimmage and more | al.com.

 Posted by at 12:17 pm
Jul 292010
 

Otis Hughley, who led Mobile’s LeFlore High to six state tournaments and one state title before moving over to Blount in April, has been hired as an assistant coach by the Sacramento Kings.

“It was really hard leaving Blount,” Hughley said. “I was real excited about the new experience at Blount. But it’s hard to pass up an opportunity like that.”

Sacramento’s first-round draft pick this year, Kentucky post man DeMarcus Cousins, played for Hughley for two years at LeFlore.

“A lot of folks think this is a following DeMarcus thing,” Hughley said. “They can say whatever they want. That’s not a bad thing to do, because I love him. But I don’t think folks are giving out jobs because of that.”

Hughley has contacts in the NBA through his work in the NBA China program and the college ranks. He interviewed for several NBA jobs while coaching at LeFlore.

Prior to coming to Mobile, Hughley had served as a college assistant at Wright State, Liberty and Southern. While coaching at LeFlore, he had also coached in a national USA Basketball tournament and Nike’s Global Games.

“Otis has a wealth of experience working with young players and is ready to jump to the NBA,” Sacramento head coach Paul Westphal said on the club’s web site. “We’re very excited to add h

via Blount High coach Otis Hughley hired by NBA’s Sacramento Kings | al.com.

 Posted by at 9:48 pm