New England Patriots to Hold Joint Practices with the New Orleans Saints

The New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints will practice together at Gillette Stadium for two days this August, according to the Patriots official Twitter account:

"

Patriots & @Saints will hold joint practices in Foxborough 8/7 & 8/8 before their preseason matchup on 8/9.

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 10, 2012"

During the dog days of training camp, the Saints will give New England an opportunity to battle more than just themselves. It's not the first time the two squads have met up for on the practice field, however.

According to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, the Pats and Saints held joint practices prior to the 2010 season. The event drew over 16,000 people to Gillette and helped players and coaches learn from another successful NFL franchise.

Both teams will go head-to-head in a preseason matchup on Thursday, August 9 at 7:30 PM ET. By that time, New England's head coach Bill Belichick will be quite familiar with New Orleans' interim coach Joe Vitt.

The Boston Herald reported in late June that the Patriots could also be setting up a workout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before their preseason meeting on Friday, August 24 at 7:30 PM ET.

As Chinese general Sun Tzu once said, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer." The Patriots are scheming to do exactly that.