Another day of Saints camp, and another day to drive home something that's become pretty clear: Rashid Shaheed is very much legit and will be a part of this offense.
The second-year pro out of Weber State drew five targets in team drills, catching three, and continues to develop his route-running as he looks to be an even bigger factor in the Derek Carr offense, a lot more than just a special teams ace.
"Rashid Shaheed can run routes and how he catches the ball with his hands, even Dennis Allen acknowledged it," said Bobby Hebert after Day 2. "Now, I'm not saying he's going to beat out Chris Olave or Michael Thomas, but that's a good third option that I think every time right now would take a Rashid Shaheed considering his explosiveness. ... He's a receiver I think that Derek Carr will be able to trust and even have specific routes that he might be the primary target."
TAKING ATTENDANCE
The 100% attendance didn't last into day 2, with two official absences that were not seen in any fashion:
- RT Trevor Penning
- G Lewis Kidd
Penning is dealing with a foot issue that is unrelated to his offseason surgery. Head coach Dennis Allen termed his status as day-to-day, but indicated he was expected to be back by Friday.
Three other players (DT Khalen Saunders and WRs Keith Kirkwood and Shaq Davis) also left during the practice due to illness or heat-related symptoms.
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SCUFFLE NO. 1
Camp hasn't really started until some tempers have flared at least once, and that's what happened on Tuesday between new DT Nathan Shepherd and LG Andrus Peat.
It's unclear what spurred the altercation during the final set of team drills, but both players were separated quickly and neither was ejected from the practice. It did not appear that any punches were thrown.
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COUNTING TARGETS
DEREK CARR
- Chris Olave: 1 target, 0 catches (slightly off-target throw, but catchable)
- Rashid Shaheed: 3 targets, 2 catch
- James Washington: 1 target, 1 catch
- Jimmy Graham: 1 target, 1 catch
- Jake Bargas: 1 target, 1 catch
- Alvin Kamara: 1 target, 1 catch
- Mike Thomas: 1 target, 0 catches (Marshon Lattimore PBU)
JAMEIS WINSTON
- Chris Olave: 1 target, 1 catch
- Jimmy Graham: 1 target, 1 catch
- Alvin Kamara: 1 target, 1 catch
- Kawaan Baker: 1 target, 1 catch
- Jesse James: 1 target, 0 catches
- Keith Kirkwood: 1 target, 1 catch
- Rashid Shaheed: 2 targets, 1 catches (one underthrown ball, possible PI)
- Ellis Merriweather: 1 target, 1 catch
- Foster Moreau: 1 target, 1 catch
JAKE HAENER
- Kendre Miller: 1 target, 1 catch (fumble)
- Tre'Quan Smith; 1 target, 1 catch
- Lucas Krull: 1 target, 1 catch
- Taysom Hill: 1 target, 1 catch
- A.T. Perry: 1 target, 0 catches
- Kirk Merritt: 1 target, 1 catch
- Jamaal Williams: 1 target, 1 catch (screen)
- Jimmy Graham: 1 target, 1 catch
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KIRK STILL AN RB
If you were waiting for the day that Kirk Merritt switched back to WR, you'd be waiting for a while. He got another day of work in the backfield on Thursday, and Dennis Allen said after practice that he's a running back now.
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OLAVE BULKED UP
Chris Olave made it clear that his goal during the offseason was to improve his play strength, and we've seen that thus far. He looks noticeably bigger -- he says he's put on 7 pounds from the 180 he came in at as a rookie -- and it doesn't look like it's slowing him down thus far.
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SMOKE'S BIG DAY
A blitzing safety? So far, that's Smoke Monday. He was in the backfield multiple times, including a strip sack of Jake Haener on the final rep of team drills. The second-year UDFA out of Auburn has a lot to like about him, but there's a long way to go to actually make the roster.
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PT STILL CHARGING
For the second consecutive day Payton Turner worked with the 1s and made his presence felt, with the obvious caveat that it's a lot easier to stand out when the OL can't really hit you. He was in the backfield multiple times, and would've had a sack on Derek Carr if those existed on a ball that ultimately fell for a PBU by Marshon Lattimore.
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FANS-A-COMING
The Saints went through a slightly longer practice on Thursday, and will be expected to run a full, 2-hour session on Friday, the first practice that's open to the fans. The public will also be in attendance on Saturday before a day off, then the first padded practice on Monday.
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