Inspirational team visits Saints camp

By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Aug. 8, 2003
METAIRIE, La. One of the more inspirational moments for local Saints players came from Tuesday morning's practice when the football team from the Mississippi School for the Deaf showed up at practice and were met by former state players Fred McAfee, Deuce McAllister, Fred Thomas, Ashley Ambrose and Kenny Smith.
The team, which won the national champion for deaf high schools, communicated with the players through sign language interpreters and received autographs.
One former state standout, wide receiver Joe Horn, did not get the chance to meet with the team, but said he wished he could have.
The meeting also enriched McAfee, never one at a loss to put things in their proper perspective.
Wednesday weather
The heat index reached the 104 mark when the open practice began at 3 p.m., but by 4:30, a dark cloud hovered over the facility cooling thins off a bit. A sprinkle led to practice ending a few minutes early.
Live action shots
Backup running back Curtis Keaton took the shot of the day when the team was engaging in a live goal line drill when he was stuffed by linebacker Orlando Ruff while trying to score.
D-Lou still doing it
Wide receiver Derrick Lewis had another productive day catching nearly everything thrown to him, including a long one from Aaron Brooks. Fellow wideout Jerome Pathon was the recipient of a nice flea-flicker pass.
Ticket tally
Officials released the up-to-date season ticket totals on Wednesday evening. Only 488 more season tickets need to be sold to eclipse the all-time record of 53,312, which was set before the 1988 season. So far, 52,824 have been sold. The official listed capacity for the Superdome this season is 68,397. There are about 2,000 tickets left for Monday night's preseason opener.
Aches and pains
The walking wounded list reads like a Who's Who list of American Presidents. Among those on the injury blotter for Wednesday were: DT Henry Ford (ankle); CB Dale Carter (tendonitis); DE Jovan Bush (knee); LB Cie Grant (hamstring). Other key names include LB, Darrin Smith (groin) and TE David Sloan (shoulder surgery).
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