OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints are hoping a week on the cool California coast can heat up their preparation for the regular season.
Just as the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys have done in recent years, the Saints have moved their preseason workouts to this Ventura County town best known for strawberries and surfing. They went through their first practice Monday afternoon in perfect weather.
With two practice fields and an entire residence-style hotel available to visiting teams in Oxnard, the Saints are able to focus on football while escaping Louisiana’s humidity.
Coach Sean Payton estimates New Orleans can get 25 percent more work done in the 65-degree cool because the players need fewer water breaks. He scheduled a 212-hour practice for Monday, and the Saints still finished 20 minutes early.
