In addition to holding joint practice sessions with the Atlanta Falcons prior to their August 19 pre-season game, the New England Patriots will hold joint practice sessions with the New Orleans Saints prior to their pre-season opener on August 12, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Saints head coach Sean Payton, two branches of the Bill Parcells coaching tree, have not worked with one another, but have become good friends in recent seasons.

Joint practices could be a regular occurrence this summer. In addition to the Patriots-Falcons joint sessions, the Falcons will be conducting practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to their pre-season opening game, as well.