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Saints Final Minicamp Practice Notes and Observations
Posted on 6/17/22 at 4:31 pm
Posted on 6/17/22 at 4:31 pm
LINK
Minicamp came to a close for the Saints on Thursday, as the team held their final practice indoors. Here's our notes and observations from all the action from the session.
ATTENDANCE/ROSTER NOTES: Among those not spotted practicing included Taysom Hill, Michael Thomas, Dylan Mabin, J.T. Gray, Taco Charlton, Marcus Davenport, and Payton Turner. Gray got hurt yesterday, but did end up returning to the field to do some individual work.
Joe Schobert was also not in attendance, but the other three tryout players (Alex Quevedo, David Johnson, and Senio Kelemete) were. We got eyes on Taysom Hill doing some rehab work as well, and Marcus Maye was not participating in drills.
PRACTICE NOTES/OBSERVATIONS: There wasn't a ton of action going on in the final session, but still a good bit to take in.
-Offensive line walkthroughs had Landon Young and James Hurst at tackle with Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz at guard. Erik McCoy was at center.
-Calvin Throckmorton is getting second-team reps at right guard. This is something to pay attention to as we get into training camp. It's been a consistent theme so far with Ethan Greenidge being left guard. Trevor Penning and Lewis Kidd were at tackle, and Josh Andrews got center reps. During one period of work, Forrest Lamp was the primary center. Looks like a spot the Saints are really trying to figure out.
-Defensively, the Saints rolled out their goal line package during walkthroughs to start. This has Cam Jordan, Albert Huggins, Malcolm Roach, Shy Tuttle, David Onyemata, Jaleel Johnson, and Tanoh Kpassagnon on the line. Pete Werner and Demario Davis were at linebacker, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Maye, and P.J. Williams in the secondary.
-Punt returners included Chris Olave, Deonte Harty, and Easop Winston Jr. Blake Gillikin handled all the boots today.
-The field goal team consisted of (left to right) Adam Trautman, James Hurst, Ethan Greenidge, Calvin Throckmorton, Zach Wood, Landon Young, Trevor Penning, Forrest Lamp, and Nick Vannett. Gillikin was the holder.
-It's hard not to notice Juwan Johnson and his bulked up frame. Paulson Adebo is another.
-Dennis Allen said after practice that he was pleased with the progress made over the past several weeks.
-Carl Granderson is one particular player that Allen singled out as someone who took a step forward in camp.
-Allen also praised Alontae Taylor and his growth. "I think he's probably a little further ahead than what I anticipated when he got in here, and I’m excited about seeing what he can do.”
WIL LUTZ: This was the most we've seen Lutz out there, as he was back to do kicking drills. He did struggle in his field goal session, going 5-of-9. However, Dennis Allen said after practice that he was happy with the velocity he had.
NICE HANDS: Jarvis Landry sure makes things look easy. During position drills, one of the backshoulder throws from Jameis Winston saw him catch it one-handed. Dai'Jean Dixon also had a nice corner end zone catch, as well as Kahale Warring with Eric Wilson in coverage.
7-ON-7 DRILLS: The Saints worked in the red zone for this period. They started the ball from the 10-yard-line and then moved it up in a couple yard increments. All three quarterbacks went 2-of-4 in the session, with Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton hitting on both of their first passes, and then the exact opposite happened with Ian Book.
Jameis Winston hit Kirk Merritt for a touchdown to start the session on a crosser, then connected with Kevin White on a wheel route in the end zone with Bryce Thompson in coverage. The defense made real good back-to-back plays with Demario Davis providing excellent coverage on Lucas Krull that saw Thompson drop a pick but did breakup the pass, and then Pete Werner was on Chris Olave with good coverage that saw Winston unable to connect in the corner due to a pass breakup.
For Dalton, his second pass connected with Jarvis Landry on a curl route in the end zone with Justin Evans in coverage. The Saints defense had tremendous coverage on the next two plays, with one likely resulting in a sack. Thompson was working against Jarvis Landry on the last play of Dalton's series, having strong coverage to negate a completion.
DaMarcus Fields was tested on the first two plays of Book's series, and came out on top with two pass breakups. The first intended pass was to Easop Winston Jr, while the second was to Abram Smith. On the Smith incompletion, one thing that stood out was the good coverage D'Marco Jackson had on Lucas Krull. Chris Olave and Kawaan Baker both caught touchdowns on Book's final two passes.
PLAY OF THE DAY: We'll have to give this to DaMarcus Fields for his back-to-back work in the red zone against Easop Winston Jr. and Abram Smith.
That's it for Saints minicamp, as we won't be back until training camp. We'll have plenty to talk about until then, so keep it tuned to Saints News Network.
Minicamp came to a close for the Saints on Thursday, as the team held their final practice indoors. Here's our notes and observations from all the action from the session.
ATTENDANCE/ROSTER NOTES: Among those not spotted practicing included Taysom Hill, Michael Thomas, Dylan Mabin, J.T. Gray, Taco Charlton, Marcus Davenport, and Payton Turner. Gray got hurt yesterday, but did end up returning to the field to do some individual work.
Joe Schobert was also not in attendance, but the other three tryout players (Alex Quevedo, David Johnson, and Senio Kelemete) were. We got eyes on Taysom Hill doing some rehab work as well, and Marcus Maye was not participating in drills.
PRACTICE NOTES/OBSERVATIONS: There wasn't a ton of action going on in the final session, but still a good bit to take in.
-Offensive line walkthroughs had Landon Young and James Hurst at tackle with Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz at guard. Erik McCoy was at center.
-Calvin Throckmorton is getting second-team reps at right guard. This is something to pay attention to as we get into training camp. It's been a consistent theme so far with Ethan Greenidge being left guard. Trevor Penning and Lewis Kidd were at tackle, and Josh Andrews got center reps. During one period of work, Forrest Lamp was the primary center. Looks like a spot the Saints are really trying to figure out.
-Defensively, the Saints rolled out their goal line package during walkthroughs to start. This has Cam Jordan, Albert Huggins, Malcolm Roach, Shy Tuttle, David Onyemata, Jaleel Johnson, and Tanoh Kpassagnon on the line. Pete Werner and Demario Davis were at linebacker, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Maye, and P.J. Williams in the secondary.
-Punt returners included Chris Olave, Deonte Harty, and Easop Winston Jr. Blake Gillikin handled all the boots today.
-The field goal team consisted of (left to right) Adam Trautman, James Hurst, Ethan Greenidge, Calvin Throckmorton, Zach Wood, Landon Young, Trevor Penning, Forrest Lamp, and Nick Vannett. Gillikin was the holder.
-It's hard not to notice Juwan Johnson and his bulked up frame. Paulson Adebo is another.
-Dennis Allen said after practice that he was pleased with the progress made over the past several weeks.
-Carl Granderson is one particular player that Allen singled out as someone who took a step forward in camp.
-Allen also praised Alontae Taylor and his growth. "I think he's probably a little further ahead than what I anticipated when he got in here, and I’m excited about seeing what he can do.”
WIL LUTZ: This was the most we've seen Lutz out there, as he was back to do kicking drills. He did struggle in his field goal session, going 5-of-9. However, Dennis Allen said after practice that he was happy with the velocity he had.
NICE HANDS: Jarvis Landry sure makes things look easy. During position drills, one of the backshoulder throws from Jameis Winston saw him catch it one-handed. Dai'Jean Dixon also had a nice corner end zone catch, as well as Kahale Warring with Eric Wilson in coverage.
7-ON-7 DRILLS: The Saints worked in the red zone for this period. They started the ball from the 10-yard-line and then moved it up in a couple yard increments. All three quarterbacks went 2-of-4 in the session, with Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton hitting on both of their first passes, and then the exact opposite happened with Ian Book.
Jameis Winston hit Kirk Merritt for a touchdown to start the session on a crosser, then connected with Kevin White on a wheel route in the end zone with Bryce Thompson in coverage. The defense made real good back-to-back plays with Demario Davis providing excellent coverage on Lucas Krull that saw Thompson drop a pick but did breakup the pass, and then Pete Werner was on Chris Olave with good coverage that saw Winston unable to connect in the corner due to a pass breakup.
For Dalton, his second pass connected with Jarvis Landry on a curl route in the end zone with Justin Evans in coverage. The Saints defense had tremendous coverage on the next two plays, with one likely resulting in a sack. Thompson was working against Jarvis Landry on the last play of Dalton's series, having strong coverage to negate a completion.
DaMarcus Fields was tested on the first two plays of Book's series, and came out on top with two pass breakups. The first intended pass was to Easop Winston Jr, while the second was to Abram Smith. On the Smith incompletion, one thing that stood out was the good coverage D'Marco Jackson had on Lucas Krull. Chris Olave and Kawaan Baker both caught touchdowns on Book's final two passes.
PLAY OF THE DAY: We'll have to give this to DaMarcus Fields for his back-to-back work in the red zone against Easop Winston Jr. and Abram Smith.
That's it for Saints minicamp, as we won't be back until training camp. We'll have plenty to talk about until then, so keep it tuned to Saints News Network.
1
Posted on 6/17/22 at 4:44 pm to GMoney2600
What We've Learned After Saints Minicamp Practices... LINK
We've now seen the Saints at minicamp, OTAs, and rookie camp. After the team's three-day stretch of practices, they are going to be out of action for a while. It'll be a refreshing break for everyone before getting back to training camp. What have we learned from New Orleans after this week?
REHAB FOCUS: Several players that we are expecting for training camp include Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport, and Payton Turner. We'll have to keep an eye on Taysom Hill. He was spotted doing some rehab on Thursday, and it won't be surprising if he does start the season on the PUP list. A positive sign of his timetable would be returning within 5-6 months. That might lineup with the end of July, but we'll see.
Marcus Maye and Rashid Shaheed have been around, but have not participated in drills. Both will become a focal point, and should be ready to go for camp. Taco Charlton, Dylan Mabin, and J.T. Gray are some to keep an eye on. We've seen Charlton doing some rehab and in the locker room.
POSITION BATTLES AHEAD: Things are only going to get more interesting from here on out. Some of the early battles to pay close attention to moving into camp involve the safety spot, tight end group, backup running back, and offensive line. It'll be interesting if the Saints do look to add any of the veterans (David Johnson, Senio Kelemete, Joe Schobert) who tried out this week to compete. We didn't see Schobert on the final day, however.
DEVELOPMENT: You always want positive feedback from rookies and younger players, and Carl Granderson and Alontae Taylor are two of the better ones to point out from start to finish. Taylor is really excelling in coverage, among other things. He may be the team's fourth corner on the depth chart when it's all said and done, but maybe we should start thinking about him as a potential slot option down the line.
PLAYER MOMENTUM: Players who continued to shine a bit from the week included Bryce Thompson, Kirk Merritt, Daniel Whelan, Carl Granderson. We'll see how things work out at training camp, but Granderson in particular is a player who is getting a ton of reps with Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, and Taco Charlton all not being out on the field.
MORE INFO NEEDED: It's hard to gauge how some of the offensive linemen look when you aren't in full contact mode. There were some times you saw the younger tackles like Trevor Penning and Landon Young struggle in pass protection, but when we get to camp, this will be something to hone in on. Montana State's Lewis Kidd has also caught my eye a bit working at tackle. He certainly has an uphill battle on his hands, but will be one to watch.
JAMEIS WINSTON: He's looking strong out there, moving around well and even sprinting. Needless to say, Winston seems really focused and locked in. Ronald Curry talked about how he was taking more ownership this season, and it's evident on the field. He's been the first one there and the last to leave, so you can't say he's not dedicated and motivated.
What the Saints ultimately do this season will hinge a lot on No. 2, and if the early impressions are reality, New Orleans has a promising season ahead.
The Saints will be back for training camp, and look for the final week of July when practices will start. We should get an announcement on the actual dates and schedule in mid-July.
We've now seen the Saints at minicamp, OTAs, and rookie camp. After the team's three-day stretch of practices, they are going to be out of action for a while. It'll be a refreshing break for everyone before getting back to training camp. What have we learned from New Orleans after this week?
REHAB FOCUS: Several players that we are expecting for training camp include Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport, and Payton Turner. We'll have to keep an eye on Taysom Hill. He was spotted doing some rehab on Thursday, and it won't be surprising if he does start the season on the PUP list. A positive sign of his timetable would be returning within 5-6 months. That might lineup with the end of July, but we'll see.
Marcus Maye and Rashid Shaheed have been around, but have not participated in drills. Both will become a focal point, and should be ready to go for camp. Taco Charlton, Dylan Mabin, and J.T. Gray are some to keep an eye on. We've seen Charlton doing some rehab and in the locker room.
POSITION BATTLES AHEAD: Things are only going to get more interesting from here on out. Some of the early battles to pay close attention to moving into camp involve the safety spot, tight end group, backup running back, and offensive line. It'll be interesting if the Saints do look to add any of the veterans (David Johnson, Senio Kelemete, Joe Schobert) who tried out this week to compete. We didn't see Schobert on the final day, however.
DEVELOPMENT: You always want positive feedback from rookies and younger players, and Carl Granderson and Alontae Taylor are two of the better ones to point out from start to finish. Taylor is really excelling in coverage, among other things. He may be the team's fourth corner on the depth chart when it's all said and done, but maybe we should start thinking about him as a potential slot option down the line.
PLAYER MOMENTUM: Players who continued to shine a bit from the week included Bryce Thompson, Kirk Merritt, Daniel Whelan, Carl Granderson. We'll see how things work out at training camp, but Granderson in particular is a player who is getting a ton of reps with Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, and Taco Charlton all not being out on the field.
MORE INFO NEEDED: It's hard to gauge how some of the offensive linemen look when you aren't in full contact mode. There were some times you saw the younger tackles like Trevor Penning and Landon Young struggle in pass protection, but when we get to camp, this will be something to hone in on. Montana State's Lewis Kidd has also caught my eye a bit working at tackle. He certainly has an uphill battle on his hands, but will be one to watch.
JAMEIS WINSTON: He's looking strong out there, moving around well and even sprinting. Needless to say, Winston seems really focused and locked in. Ronald Curry talked about how he was taking more ownership this season, and it's evident on the field. He's been the first one there and the last to leave, so you can't say he's not dedicated and motivated.
What the Saints ultimately do this season will hinge a lot on No. 2, and if the early impressions are reality, New Orleans has a promising season ahead.
The Saints will be back for training camp, and look for the final week of July when practices will start. We should get an announcement on the actual dates and schedule in mid-July.
Posted on 6/17/22 at 5:04 pm to GMoney2600
Thanks for these brotha. Good stuff. The season cannot come soon enough.
Posted on 6/18/22 at 9:56 am to 3PieceSpicy
3 biggest storylines to watch at Saints minicamp... LINK
The New Orleans Saints held their first minicamp practice on Tuesday, and it was a beautiful sight to behold.
Many of NOLA’s most recognizable faces took the field including Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore, Deonte Harty, and Ceedy Duce, and the practice served as an excellent opportunity for players new and old to get familiar with one another. Some of the players notably missing from practice included Taysom Hill and Marcus Davenport, both of whom are dealing with injuries.
As the Saints go marching into their first organized practice sessions, what are the biggest storylines to watch?
The 2022 Saints squad features quite a few differences from that of the 2021 squad on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but one thing remains the same: the cutthroat competition.
Here are 3 exciting storylines to watch at Saints minicamp in 2022.
Saints Minicamp Storyline No. 3: The running back race is on
With Alvin Kamara potentially facing a suspension this season, the Saints are looking in every crevice for a veteran running back to round out the rushing attack.
On the depth chart, NOLA has Mark Ingram, Tony Jones Jr., Dwayne Washington, Devine Ozigbo, and Abram Smith all competing for starting snaps, but the Saints recently threw one more back in the mix: David Johnson.
The Saints reportedly were working out Johnson on Monday, and it seems Johnson made a good enough impression to be included in minicamp practices as well.
Simply put, the running back competition in Saints camp is the toughest it’s been in recent years, and it’ll be interesting to see which player rises above the rest.
Our money is on a tandem of David Johnson and Mark Ingram, an experienced duo who spent time together on the Houston Texans in 2021. While both have limited upside, they offer value in both the running and receiving game with Johnson picking up 225 receiving yards along with 228 rushing yards last season.
Having those two vets in the backfield could stabilize the Saints’ rushing attack and get crucial downs to sustain offensive drives. Regardless, let the best back win.
Saints Minicamp Storyline No. 2: Just how good is the defense?
The Saints got the safety they wanted in Tyrann Mathieu. Now what do they do with him?
Many NFL pundits believe the Saints will field a top-10 defense in 2022, and it’s not hard to see how promising acquisitions like Mathieu, Marcus Maye, and Alontae Taylor could develop into game-changing pieces this season.
Per Sports Illustrated’s John Hendrix’s observations, NOLA’s starting defensive look in minicamp walkthroughs included the following players:
Cam Jordan, David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, and Carl Granderson along the defensive line, Pete Werner and Demario Davis at linebacker, Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore at corner, with Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu at safety
That’s an impressive group right there, and if the Saints can pick up where they left off in 2021, the Saints shouldn’t have too many defensive issues to deal with, barring any injuries of course.
Keep an eye on decorated heavyweights who could enjoy fruitful performances in 2022: Can Cam Jordan notch double-digit sacks? Will Demario Davis help Pete Werner develop into a true starting-caliber linebacker? How many picks will the Honey Badger get?
New Orleans’ defense from last year will go down in history as the squad that shut out Tom Brady, among other accomplishments, but we have a feeling the team can do even better this year.
Saints Minicamp Storyline No. 1: Wide receiver, wide receiver, wide receiver
Think back to 2021, when you had to endure an entire year’s worth of watching Chris Hogan and Lil’Jordan Humphrey struggle to catch balls on the sidelines. Hogan has since retired, and Humphrey has since joined the New England Patriots, but all the Saints will miss from that receiver corps is the awesome name that is Lil’Jordan Humphrey. May he thrive under Belichick.
In 2022 minicamp, two of the Saints’ star three receivers came out to play: Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry.
Michael Thomas, still rehabbing his ankle injury, was spotted inside the facility but did step onto the field at the end of the first day of practice, which bodes well for team morale.
As for Olave and Landry, well, their performances speak for themselves. Landry didn’t see a ton of action in scrimmages but showed off his route-running skills and made several solid catches, including one OBJ-like snag.
The rookie refused to be outshined, though, and compiled a few impressive plays of his own — Olave still has a long ways to go to live up to his first-round potential, but NOLA couldn’t have asked for a better start to his preseason performances.
What do you get when you cross Jameis Winston, three elite wide receivers, and a formidable O-line? A damn good offense.
The New Orleans Saints held their first minicamp practice on Tuesday, and it was a beautiful sight to behold.
Many of NOLA’s most recognizable faces took the field including Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore, Deonte Harty, and Ceedy Duce, and the practice served as an excellent opportunity for players new and old to get familiar with one another. Some of the players notably missing from practice included Taysom Hill and Marcus Davenport, both of whom are dealing with injuries.
As the Saints go marching into their first organized practice sessions, what are the biggest storylines to watch?
The 2022 Saints squad features quite a few differences from that of the 2021 squad on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but one thing remains the same: the cutthroat competition.
Here are 3 exciting storylines to watch at Saints minicamp in 2022.
Saints Minicamp Storyline No. 3: The running back race is on
With Alvin Kamara potentially facing a suspension this season, the Saints are looking in every crevice for a veteran running back to round out the rushing attack.
On the depth chart, NOLA has Mark Ingram, Tony Jones Jr., Dwayne Washington, Devine Ozigbo, and Abram Smith all competing for starting snaps, but the Saints recently threw one more back in the mix: David Johnson.
The Saints reportedly were working out Johnson on Monday, and it seems Johnson made a good enough impression to be included in minicamp practices as well.
Simply put, the running back competition in Saints camp is the toughest it’s been in recent years, and it’ll be interesting to see which player rises above the rest.
Our money is on a tandem of David Johnson and Mark Ingram, an experienced duo who spent time together on the Houston Texans in 2021. While both have limited upside, they offer value in both the running and receiving game with Johnson picking up 225 receiving yards along with 228 rushing yards last season.
Having those two vets in the backfield could stabilize the Saints’ rushing attack and get crucial downs to sustain offensive drives. Regardless, let the best back win.
Saints Minicamp Storyline No. 2: Just how good is the defense?
The Saints got the safety they wanted in Tyrann Mathieu. Now what do they do with him?
Many NFL pundits believe the Saints will field a top-10 defense in 2022, and it’s not hard to see how promising acquisitions like Mathieu, Marcus Maye, and Alontae Taylor could develop into game-changing pieces this season.
Per Sports Illustrated’s John Hendrix’s observations, NOLA’s starting defensive look in minicamp walkthroughs included the following players:
Cam Jordan, David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, and Carl Granderson along the defensive line, Pete Werner and Demario Davis at linebacker, Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore at corner, with Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu at safety
That’s an impressive group right there, and if the Saints can pick up where they left off in 2021, the Saints shouldn’t have too many defensive issues to deal with, barring any injuries of course.
Keep an eye on decorated heavyweights who could enjoy fruitful performances in 2022: Can Cam Jordan notch double-digit sacks? Will Demario Davis help Pete Werner develop into a true starting-caliber linebacker? How many picks will the Honey Badger get?
New Orleans’ defense from last year will go down in history as the squad that shut out Tom Brady, among other accomplishments, but we have a feeling the team can do even better this year.
Saints Minicamp Storyline No. 1: Wide receiver, wide receiver, wide receiver
Think back to 2021, when you had to endure an entire year’s worth of watching Chris Hogan and Lil’Jordan Humphrey struggle to catch balls on the sidelines. Hogan has since retired, and Humphrey has since joined the New England Patriots, but all the Saints will miss from that receiver corps is the awesome name that is Lil’Jordan Humphrey. May he thrive under Belichick.
In 2022 minicamp, two of the Saints’ star three receivers came out to play: Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry.
Michael Thomas, still rehabbing his ankle injury, was spotted inside the facility but did step onto the field at the end of the first day of practice, which bodes well for team morale.
As for Olave and Landry, well, their performances speak for themselves. Landry didn’t see a ton of action in scrimmages but showed off his route-running skills and made several solid catches, including one OBJ-like snag.
The rookie refused to be outshined, though, and compiled a few impressive plays of his own — Olave still has a long ways to go to live up to his first-round potential, but NOLA couldn’t have asked for a better start to his preseason performances.
What do you get when you cross Jameis Winston, three elite wide receivers, and a formidable O-line? A damn good offense.
Posted on 6/18/22 at 10:00 am to GMoney2600
Jeff Duncan: Tyrann Matheiu picking up the defense and other observations from Saints minicamp... LINK
June is always a dangerous time to make judgements on NFL teams. New rules negotiated by the league’s players association limit the amount of contact teams can have during offseason practices.
So basically we’re watching guys run around in shorts and shirts on air. Not the most effective way to evaluate football players and their skill sets.
But there were some things to be gleaned from this grueling early work in the unrelenting heat.
With that in mind, here are 10 observations from the Saints' minicamp workouts this week:
1. Even veteran players go through a “feeling out” stage. That’s where Tyrann Mathieu is right now. For the New Orleans native, this offseason is about indoctrination: To the Saints’ culture, roster and defensive system. The more comfortable he becomes in his new surroundings, the more you’ll see the Honey Badger come out in him. Right now, he’s mostly trying to learn, fit in and feel his way along.
2. Andy Dalton looks like he has been in this Saints system for years. The veteran quarterback is operating in his fourth different offense in four years, so he has learned to be a quick study. He’s decisive and accurate with the football. Saints fans should be encouraged by his play so far.
3. Keep an eye on Bryce Thompson. The second-year defensive back from Tennessee has the size and skill set the Saints like in their defensive backs. He’s a versatile chess piece in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson/P.J. Williams mold. He’s been working with the second team defense, a positive sign for a young player.
4. Paulson Adebo had a good offseason. The second-year cornerback has gained some strength in his upper body and is playing with confidence at his starting left corner position. Adebo, who was showing off his guns with rolled-up jersey sleeves throughout camp, looks primed for a strong sophomore season.
5. It’s always a good thing when the head coach gives you an unsolicited shout-out and that’s what Dennis Allen did with Carl Granderson this week. Allen praised the fourth-year defensive end for his progress this offseason. Granderson took advantage of the extra reps at end with Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner sidelined while recovering from offseason surgeries.
6. The odds of Trevor Penning getting into a fight during training camp are even money. The rookie left tackle plays with an edge and until the echo of the whistle. It's one of the reasons the Saints selected him in the first round of the draft. Allen chastised him for taking veteran Tanoh Kpassagnon to the ground during one drill. Those tactics aren’t going to fly when the pads go on during training camp.
7. Some young players who flashed during skeleton drills and full-team sessions: Lewis Kidd; Lucas Krull; Kirk Merritt; Nephi Sewell; Isaiah Pryor; and Kawaan Baker, who looks noticeably more confident in his second season. Kidd has good size and athleticism and can play multiple positions. On a field full of elite athletes, Merritt stands out.
8. Daniel Whelan can boom a punt. Consistency has been a bit of an issue for the undrafted free agent from UC Davis, but there’s no doubt that he has an NFL leg and can punt in the league. His hangtime on some punts topped 5 seconds. Whelan also won the award for shortest pants on the roster.
9. Cesar Ruiz is the backup center behind Erik McCoy, but guards Forrest Lamp and Calvin Throckmorton were also cross-training at the position. With Will Clapp in Los Angeles, there’s an open roster for a backup interior lineman. McCoy and Ruiz are the only linemen on the roster with center experience.
10. Sean Payton was fond of stopping practices and calling the entire team together for a chat when he really wanted to emphasize a teaching point. But Allen conducts these full-squad sessions even more frequently. Otherwise, the practices under Allen and Payton are almost identical.
June is always a dangerous time to make judgements on NFL teams. New rules negotiated by the league’s players association limit the amount of contact teams can have during offseason practices.
So basically we’re watching guys run around in shorts and shirts on air. Not the most effective way to evaluate football players and their skill sets.
But there were some things to be gleaned from this grueling early work in the unrelenting heat.
With that in mind, here are 10 observations from the Saints' minicamp workouts this week:
1. Even veteran players go through a “feeling out” stage. That’s where Tyrann Mathieu is right now. For the New Orleans native, this offseason is about indoctrination: To the Saints’ culture, roster and defensive system. The more comfortable he becomes in his new surroundings, the more you’ll see the Honey Badger come out in him. Right now, he’s mostly trying to learn, fit in and feel his way along.
2. Andy Dalton looks like he has been in this Saints system for years. The veteran quarterback is operating in his fourth different offense in four years, so he has learned to be a quick study. He’s decisive and accurate with the football. Saints fans should be encouraged by his play so far.
3. Keep an eye on Bryce Thompson. The second-year defensive back from Tennessee has the size and skill set the Saints like in their defensive backs. He’s a versatile chess piece in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson/P.J. Williams mold. He’s been working with the second team defense, a positive sign for a young player.
4. Paulson Adebo had a good offseason. The second-year cornerback has gained some strength in his upper body and is playing with confidence at his starting left corner position. Adebo, who was showing off his guns with rolled-up jersey sleeves throughout camp, looks primed for a strong sophomore season.
5. It’s always a good thing when the head coach gives you an unsolicited shout-out and that’s what Dennis Allen did with Carl Granderson this week. Allen praised the fourth-year defensive end for his progress this offseason. Granderson took advantage of the extra reps at end with Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner sidelined while recovering from offseason surgeries.
6. The odds of Trevor Penning getting into a fight during training camp are even money. The rookie left tackle plays with an edge and until the echo of the whistle. It's one of the reasons the Saints selected him in the first round of the draft. Allen chastised him for taking veteran Tanoh Kpassagnon to the ground during one drill. Those tactics aren’t going to fly when the pads go on during training camp.
7. Some young players who flashed during skeleton drills and full-team sessions: Lewis Kidd; Lucas Krull; Kirk Merritt; Nephi Sewell; Isaiah Pryor; and Kawaan Baker, who looks noticeably more confident in his second season. Kidd has good size and athleticism and can play multiple positions. On a field full of elite athletes, Merritt stands out.
8. Daniel Whelan can boom a punt. Consistency has been a bit of an issue for the undrafted free agent from UC Davis, but there’s no doubt that he has an NFL leg and can punt in the league. His hangtime on some punts topped 5 seconds. Whelan also won the award for shortest pants on the roster.
9. Cesar Ruiz is the backup center behind Erik McCoy, but guards Forrest Lamp and Calvin Throckmorton were also cross-training at the position. With Will Clapp in Los Angeles, there’s an open roster for a backup interior lineman. McCoy and Ruiz are the only linemen on the roster with center experience.
10. Sean Payton was fond of stopping practices and calling the entire team together for a chat when he really wanted to emphasize a teaching point. But Allen conducts these full-squad sessions even more frequently. Otherwise, the practices under Allen and Payton are almost identical.
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