The Patriots haven’t combined practices with another NFL team since the New York Giants in 2001, but this year, that’s going to change.
It was reported last week that the Patriots will travel to Atlanta for joint practices with the Falcons before their preseason game on Aug. 19. On Tuesday, ESPN reported that the Patriots are now also hosting a series of combined practices with the New Orleans Saints leading up to their preseason clash on Aug. 12 in Foxboro.
Bill Belichick and Saints head coach Sean Payton formed a friendship during the 2006 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, which may have played a part in scheduling the combined practices. The two coaches reportedly spent some quality time together on a fishing trip, and even shared a bus on the way to the Pro Bowl, after the one Payton was riding broke down.
