McKenzie to practice in afternoon and Day 5 Practice 1 report

Cornerback Mike McKenzie will make his first appearance on the practice field this afternoon since December as his recovery from a torn ACL is taking another positive turn.

Saints coach Sean Payton informed the media following Monday's morning practice McKenzie will suit up and participate. McKenzie has said he's ready to go full speed.

"We'll be smart, but he'll be practicing and we'll probably keep him on a one-a-day schedule much like Deuce (McAllister) and (Jeremy) Shockey to start with," Payton said.

Other notes
- DT Sedrick Ellis missed his ninth training camp practice as he still has yet to agree to a contract.

"He needs to recognize, and I'm sure he will, the slots ahead of him have signed," Payton said. "He's missing valuable playing time and valuable reps as a rookie. Then when he comes in, all of a sudden we've got this one week 'where we've got to get acclimated' period because he hasn't been here. So that's why there's some urgency on his part."

- Those who didn't participate in Monday morning's practice were McKenzie, WR Devery Henderson (hamstring), CB Tracy Porter (hamstring), S Josh Bullocks (knee) and WR Todd Blythe (head).

DE Bobby McCray had back spasms during this morning's session and went to the sidelines for much of practice.

- CB Usama Young had by far his best practice intercepting three passes.

The first occurred during one-on-one drills when Drew Brees threw a deep route down the sideline. Young and WR Adrian Arrington leaped for the jump ball. They both tipped the ball in the air and Young made a diving grab on the edge of the sideline.

Young's second occurred in red zone on a poorly thrown pass from Mark Brunell in the end zone that was intended for Lance Moore. The final happened also in red zone when Young stepped in front of a Tyler Palko offering at about the 2-yard line.

He also made a nice pass breakup during one-on-ones when he recovered in time to bat away a ball intended for Curtis Hamilton.

- CB Randall Gay added an interception of his own during red zone when Brees threw the ball behind Marques Colston. The ball was tipped up at the 8 and Gay came down with the interception.

- Robert Meachem missed an opportunity to make down the ball on the 1 during some punting drills, but the ball got past him and special teams coach Greg McMahon told Meachem he should have made the play.

- Arrington did what Meachem didn't as he downed the ball inside the 5.

- Steve Weatherford thoroughly outpunted Waylon Prather during extended punt coverage play.

- The offense struggled mightily during the red-zone portions of practice which lasted about 45 minutes.