by By JOHN McCLAIN, Houston Chronicle , The Houston Chronicle

Today

Last day of training camp.

Saturday

Preseason home opener vs. Saints.

Aug. 31

Monday Night Football at home vs. Brett Favre's Vikings.

Sept. 1

Roster cut to 75 players.

Sept. 4

Preseason finale at Tampa Bay.

Sept. 5

Roster cut to 53 players.

Sept. 13

Season opener vs. Jets at Reliant.

VIDEO: Check out videos from the fights at Texans -Saints practice Thursday. chron.com/ Texans

The Texans and New Orleans Saints spent so much time fighting during Thursday's morning practice they could have been filming a movie - Fight Club.

"Actually," Texans offensive tackle Eric Winston said with a grin, "I thought it was very Gangs of New York-esque."

After six fights in 90 minutes before a crowd of 3,704 - not counting members of the Rice and University of Houston Football teams - the Texans and Saints were exhausted and ready to quit.

Too bad Dana White and Vince McMahon weren't around to judge the one-on-one skirmishes, tag-team matches and scrums.

"I haven't seen this many fights in my whole career," said Saints safety Darren Sharper, a 13-year veteran. "We've got a lot of testosterone, and (we've) built up a lot of anger."

Two fights stood out: fullback Vonta Leach vs. Saints defensive tackle Rod Coleman and middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans vs. Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Texans running back Ryan Moats (5-8, 208) was involved in at least two fights. Leach had his back on the first one.

"It doesn't matter who we are or where we are, what field we're on, who we're playing - nobody's going to take a shot at our running back," Leach said. "Nothing was being said. It was a cheap shot. Our guy came off the blocks, and they started swinging. They tried to push us around, and our team's not going to be pushed around."

Later, Ryans and Shockey went at it after the play was over. Ryans popped Shockey with a left hook, and both went down swinging. Teammates piled on.

"It was a fast play, and people started pushing and shoving," Ryans said. "I told our defensive guys that nobody's going to come in our house and push us around.

"They think they can take over when they come here to Houston, but this is our house, and we have to let them know it. You can't allow it. We have to stick up for our guys. We're a family, and you have to defend yourself."

Nature of the business

The Texans play their preseason home opener against the Saints at Reliant Stadium on Saturday.

"Tempers flare, and it's competitive and physical," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "Hey, it's Football. We're not trying to get anybody hurt. (The Texans ) are trying to get better, and we're trying to get better as well.

"In the end, when you have competitive people and you're doing a physical sport like this, it's bound to happen."

Most players blamed the heat and humidity.

"I think it's because of the heat," said Sharper, who played at Green Bay and Minnesota before signing with the Saints. "Where I've been the last 12 years, the hottest it's been is 70 degrees, so no one's temperamental. You get 90-degree heat with 70-something humidity, and guys get a little upset."

After two practices, the coaches didn't seem too bothered by the fights.

"I thought it was good work," Saints coach Sean Payton said.

A bonding experience

Gary Kubiak didn't have any complaints.

"When you practice together for as long as we did, it's bound to happen," Kubiak said. "Everybody's very competitive, especially the second day because they get tired of beating on each other, too. It's almost like playing a game for three days.

"I thought it was good competition. I thought we did a good job, as coaches, of keeping it under control. You've got to be there for each other as teammates, but you've got to learn to keep your composure, too."

But the Texans lost linebacker Cato June, who suffered a broken bone in his forearm.

Kubiak and his assistants liked the way their players stood up for each other.

"That's part of becoming a team," Kubiak said. "When your players are in a battle, you've got to always be there for each other. It doesn't matter if you're the Saints or Texans ."

Owner Bob McNair laughed it off.

"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence," McNair said.

john.mcclain@chron.com

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