There's only so much you can, or should, try to take away from a day of Saints players running around in "underwear and helmets," as Dennis Allen put it, but first impressions still matter.
And that was the case for Payton Turner on Day 1 of a training camp that feels like it could determine the trajectory for his NFL career. He took first-team reps across from Cam Jordan and looked quick off the line, twice sneaking past his block for a TFL, including one where he left Lucas Krull looking like he was stuck in cement.
"Hopefully he does that Monday when they put on the pads then," Bobby Hebert said, "but you've still got to practice hard and we always talk about sacks and tackles, but those are big plays, tackle for a loss, you get that penetrations. So hopefully that's the case, he stays healthy and is playing with a lot of confidence."
There's a long way to go to prove his mettle and ability to hold down a starting role, but he's been healthy and available throughout the offseason. You can only go one step at a time, and the early returns are positive.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
As Dennis Allen promised on Tuesday, there was 100% attendance for the first day of Saints camp and everyone appeared to finish the day no worse for the wear. The only player who didn't get in full work was defensive back Anthony Johnson, but he did get in work off to the side with trainers as he began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Every other member of the roster participated in positional work, though a handful were held out of the first two sets of team drills. Those players included three linemen in OT Trevor Penning and guards Cesar Ruiz and Nick Saldiveri, all of whom have been recovering from injuries.
Michael Thomas was a full participant and caught multiple passes from Derek Carr, the first time this offseason that's been the case.
MERRITT STILL A BACK
One question I had throughout minicamp was whether Kirk Merritt was working with the RBs just to make the numbers work with both Eno Benjamin and Kendre Miller out with injuries. Nope.
Even with a full allotment of backs available, Merritt stuck in that group, seemingly indicating that his role to making the roster will be at that position. It's still possible he shifts back to WR down the line to show off his versatility, but for now he's got a job in the backfield.
Actually making the roster? That could be tough in a crowded RB room. It'll be even more difficult with noticeable miscues like he had on a long run during team drills, pulling off an impressive spin only to have the ball stripped out. He recovered it in the end zone, but that won't go unnoticed.
JIMMY GRAHAM STILL LOOKS SMOOTH
How much does the former superstar tight end have left in the tank? We'll have to wait and see, but he certainly looks smooth and athletic as he prepares for his age 36 season back in New Orleans.
It feels hard to believe that the Saints would've got Graham to come back without some assurances that he'd have the inside track for a real role. Could he still have the impact of a Ben Watson when he returned? Can he take advantage of his massive frame to be a red zone weapon? I imagine he could still box out defenders with the best of them. We'll know more once pads come on, but watching him move around you can understand why the Saints were ready to give him a shot.
PLAY OF THE DAY
This one goes to the defense, though Lucas Krull gets an honorable mention on a nice sail/banana whatever you want to call it when he hauled in a nice over-the-shoulder ball from Jameis Winston.
But the top moment doubled as an ugly moment, with Derek Carr completing a nice ball to Juwan Johnson in the flat before Andrew Dowell punched it out in coverage. He didn't stop there, scooping it up and returning it for what looked like it'd have been a long return. Camp strips aren't all made equally, with some coming too late to be considered legit plays on the ball. This one was very much in the flow of the game and will definitely be noticed in the LB room.
The linebacker group is notably thin and someone will have to step up in a key reserve role behind Pete Werner and Demario Davis. Who is first up if either starter misses a game? Dowell is flying under the radar a bit in that regard, but he's likely got a spot secured on the roster as a special teams ace. If you can trust him in a reserve LB role, too, all the better.
Related
TRACKING THE BALL
I'm not a fan of getting too in the weeds with completion percentages, but I do want to start noting the total number of targets from each QB to particular players. For instance, Derek Carr started out both sets of team drills targeting Michael Thomas, a good indicator that he's looking to get on the same page with MT early and often. Over time this should help identify some of the favorite targets for each QB.
Here's a look at how I'll break this down throughout camp.
DEREK CARR
11-on-11 drills
- Michael Thomas: 2 targets, 1 catch (Paulson Adebo in coverage both times, 1 PBU
- Chris Olave: 1 target, 1 catch
- Jamaal Williams: 1 target, 1 catch
JAMEIS WINSTON
11-on-11 drills
- Kendre Miller: 1 target, 1 catch
- Bryan Edwards: 1 target, 1 catch
- Taysom Hill: 1 target, 1 catch
- Rashid Shaheed: 1 target, 1 catch
- Eno Benjamin: 1 target, 1 catch
*1 ball thrown away
JAKE HAENER
11-on-11 drills
- Juwan Johnson: 2 target, 2 catches
- Taysom Hill: 1 target, 1 catch
- Lucas Krull: 1 target, 1 catch
- Ellis Merriweather: 1 target, 1 catch
*One scramble; Johnson fumbled second completion
Related
A SHORT DAY
The Saints have made a clear effort to not overwork players this year in terms of scheduling, and they are cognizant of the extreme heat in Louisiana this time of year. Practice was kept on the short end for Day 1, and there were only two sets of 11-on-11 drills, but no 7s or 1s.
That will change over the next few days, with the first two days of open practice coming on Friday and Saturday before a day off on Sunday.