We've seen a full week's worth of practices at the Saints' 2023 training camp, and some questions have been answered, while others have appeared.
There's an offensive rhythm being established, so I won't grade too harshly on anyone quite yet. Still, some clear favorites and storylines have emerged.
Scroll below for a breakdown of my top five takes, AKA the top five things I think I think, as we near the preseason opener.
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1. The heat is no joke
The Saints want to be outside in front of their fans, they genuinely do. That said, it became clear pretty quickly that something had to change for the sake of safety. The Saints made the right call. As a media member we talk a lot about the heat, and it's gotten to a point that I take some sense of pride in being able to manage it (I've gotten better over the years). I'm sure the players feel similarly, and I'm sure it helps in the interest of any necessary weight cutting. But watching how crisp Wednesday's practice was, even beyond the safety element, I think there's a point where the determination to work in the heat -- even beyond a safety question -- is a net negative. Limiting time in the sun is a smart move going forward.
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2. The left side of the line is a major story
The Derek Carr story is the biggest one for the Saints, obviously. But what happens if he's constantly getting beat down from his blindside? It's become more and more difficult to trust Andrus Peat's health in any meaningful way, and I'm starting to see James Hurst as the most sensible name to work alongside Trevor Penning at left tackle. He's got to stay healthy himself, but I have faith that he's going to kick the injury bug. What he needs is continuity in the people around him, and if he has that in Hurst, that's really all I need. From there it's a question of: Can they get it done? Derek Carr sounds confident in his guy, and he says he's going to play QB and see what happens. There's no special concessions for rookies or young players, but it can make the job a bit more complicated. The development there will be a massive factor this year.
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3. The Tre'Quan Smith conundrum
This is the second consecutive season I've gone into camp thinking it might be the year I decide to quit on Tre'Quan Smith. But I just can't, and I don't expect the coaches to, either. The fact of the matter of is, as we know, he does all the "dirty work." He blocks, he plays on (and takes pride in) special teams. And, as Dennis Allen noted the other day, he probably gets overlooked as a pass-catcher more than he should. He's shown some of that in practice this week, repeatedly working over defenders in 1V1s and generally looking like a savvy veteran who knows the ins and outs of the offense better than anyone. He can play at multiple positions, and despite what you may have heard, he's come up big in big moments. Go back and watch the Week 4 game against the Lions in 2020, if you don't believe me. Or that Divisional Round playoff game later in the year when he caught his second TD of the day that looked like it might send the Saints back to the NFC Championship. He's not going to unseat Mike Thomas, Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed for snaps, but what exactly are you expecting to get out of your WR4 or 5 that's better than what Tre'Quan offers?
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4. Marshon can be the NFL's best CB
Genuinely, I believe that, at least in terms of what he's asked to do. There are better zone corners. There are some with better footspeed, better size, bigger egos. But don't let the calm demeanor fuel you, Marshon's toughness makes up for it all. I think that's why he fares so well in matchups with bigger, "more physical" receivers (think Mike Evans and DK Metcalf). They have to be physical to have success, but they aren't going to outphysical Marshon. They're used to DBs backing down, and he won't. I think Evans is a great receiver, but the only positive thing he's managed to do against Latt the last several years is throwing Marshon to the ground and getting both players ejected. He doesn't draw attention to himself, and I think that's part of the reason he gets left off the top CB graphics, gets hosed in Madden ratings and is in the No. 91 spot of the top 100. But I'm OK with that. Give that guy motivation. Watching him go up against Mike Thomas in practice is a gift. I could sit there all day and watch just that. It's good on good, and the Saints defense just wasn't good enough when he was out last season. He changes the dynamic entirely when he's on the field, and he looks as good as ever.
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This should be a run-first team
I brought up questions about the pass protection above, but the best way to answer them in a lot of cases could be to eliminate them. The defense will do its thing, but life will be a lot easier on this offense if it stays ahead of the chains, and the roster is built to do that. I have no questions about Trevor Penning's ability as a mauler in the run game. I want to lean into that. Even if Alvin Kamara gets suspended six games, the combination of Jamaal Williams, Kendre Miller and Taysom Hill looks like it can be an impressive and powerful rushing attack. It might not be the most explosive, but that's OK. Body blows are important, and you have the ability to land them. Particularly early in the season with Carr still finding his way in a new scheme, that will make life a lot easier. If Alvin has to wait until Week 7 to get on the field, I expect him to be shot out of cannon. The run game will only improve, and you'll add a lot of versatility in the passing game. Wednesday's practice was the first true run-focus day of camp, but I expect (and hope) to see a lot more of them. It might be a passing league, but everything cycles. Defenses have adjusted by getting smaller and faster. It's time for offenses to take advantage with power backs who can bulldoze. Force the defense to react, then hit big with lighter coverage in the secondary. That's the recipe for wins early in the season if AK isn't there. I don't want to see shootouts, I want to see knockouts.
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LAGNIAPPE ...
I've been as critical of Payton Turner as anybody, but I haven't given up on him. Year 3 is massive for any first-round pick still looking to prove themselves. So far (fingers crossed) he's been healthy and productive. That's really all you can ask for across from Cam Jordan, where you'll get favorable matchups. ... Mike Thomas has a chip on his shoulder, and I like it, but he's still got some work to do to get back to the elite WR we remember. I don't think he's got the explosion out of breaks fully back yet. He makes up for it with elite physicality and hands. He'll be a weapon is certain parts of the field regardless, but you can tell he needs a bit more time. The good news is that he has it. ... I still like Paulson Adebo to win CB2, with Alontae Taylor hot on his heels (he's also dealing with a minor hamstring issue now, so that'll be something to track). Adebo just plays exactly how the Saints want him to across for Lattimore, and he's consistent in his role. Taylor will get his moments and I think he'll be a star in this league before long. No need to overreact because he's got hype around him. ... I like Lynn Bowden Jr. He offers upside as a returner and he just carries himself as a veteran. He might be a practice squad guy, but I think he sticks around. ... This team clearly likes Ugo Amadi. He'll back up Bradley Roby in the slot. ... With Andrew Dowell's injury, I expect to see a lot more from Nephi Sewell. There's now an extra roster spot to be for a special teams ace at LB. That competition just got more interesting. Maybe that's where Nick Anderson can sneak into the equation?... Jake Haener has looked solid, but so has Jameis Winston. There's no real competition for the backup role at this point.