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Friday, August 4
Running behind schedule

By Doug Brien
Special to ESPN.com

Editor's note: What is life in an NFL training camp like? Kicker Doug Brien takes you inside the camp of the New Orleans Saints with his weekday diary for ESPN.com.

Friday, Aug. 4
THIBODAUX, La. -- I apologize for the brevity of this entry. Last week I wrote my Friday entry on Thursday because I knew I had to practice and then leave immediately for the airport. The same is true this week except I forgot to write something yesterday.

In an effort to get something posted, I woke up and headed over for breakfast a little early at 7:30 a.m. Instead of enjoying the morning paper and a cup of coffee, I ate quickly so I could come back to my room before our 9 a.m. practice. I have about 15 minutes to write my journal and pack before driving over to practice.


	Brien

At practice we will go through a script of 45 plays and practice making the correct substitutions. We were pretty good on our substitutions last week against the Jets, but there are always changes in the depth chart that the coaches want to make sure we know. The most confusion comes on special teams. With over 80 players and four deep at just about every special teams position, our coach, Al Everest, has to work double-time to make sure we always have 11 players on the field. If you are watching the game and we ever get a flag for not having 11 men on the field, pay attention to the sidelines; it shouldn't be hard to spot an irate special teams coach.

Because we have a little time between the end of practice and our departure (1 p.m.) I will have the opportunity to meet my wife for lunch before we leave. I am excited to see her and to go up to Minnesota and have a great game.

Have a nice weekend.

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