Day 3 was focused on the running backs out at Saints training camp, but the offense still scuffled in the passing game.
Head coach Dennis Allen characterized the day as "sloppy," with too many balls hitting the ground. That was due in part to quality defense, but the drops also stood out.
In the end it was second-year defensive back Paulson Adebo who stood out in the secondary with a pair of PBUs against Marquez Callaway on passes from Jameis Winston. He continues to make his statement to stick in the secondary across from Marshon Lattimore after starting all 17 games in his rookie season.
WHO WASN'T THERE?
Linebacker Pete Werner, DE Marcus Davenport and TE Juwan Johnson was off to the side doing individual work with trainers.
The other absences:
- TE Taysom Hill
- OL Sage Doxtater
- S Tyrann Mathieu
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- WR/KR Rashid Shaheed
Allen said Hill took a shot in the ribs and will miss some time, though it's unclear how significant the injury is. Bryce Thompson and CJ Gardner-Johnson both left practice early due to issues with the heat.
Mathieu missed a third straight day as he remains away from the team with what was described as family issues.
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RUN BLOCKING SHINES
Before we get into some of the negatives, let's note the positives: The run-blocking was on-point, and for the most part the running game looked sharp.
Alvin Kamara displayed his expected elusiveness and cut through a lane for what would've been a huge gain. Mark Ingram was busy on checkdowns and looked quick out of the backfield.
But Abram Smith might've taken the biggest step forward, at least in my eyes. He displayed the trademark power and balance in traffic that likely endeared him to the Saints throughout the draft process.
Smith is a player that should flash more once the pads come on. The first padded practice is Aug. 1.
DROPS AIN'T GOOD
Tony Jones Jr. made the roster last year based largely on his consistency in camp, but that wasn't there on Friday. The third-year back had a pair of drops on easy checkdowns out of the backfield. With three veterans, a bruiser (Smith), a special teams ace (Dwayne Washington) and a talented pass-catching back (Devine Ozigbo) battling for the roster, it looks like it could be an uphill battle for TJJ.
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KRULL FLASHES
After making waves early on in the offseason and catching some flak for an alignment issue earlier in camp, UDFA tight end Lucas Krull flashed in a good way on Wednesday.
Krull works across the formation on a sail route and finds the soft spot in the zone, hauls in a high ball from Andy Dalton and turns upfield to flash the speed. It was likely the top offensive moment of the day.
PBUS GALORE
As was noted above, Paulson Adebo flashed early and often, breaking up a ball intended for Callaway on the first play of team drills. He did it again later on, sitting in the WRs hip pocket the whole way and blowing up yet another ball sent his way. He's been impressive thus far.
But he wasn't alone. Justin Evans got in the act, breaking early on a ball intended for Easop Winston over the middle and knocking it away. He also batted down a pass that had been tipped by linebacker Andrew Dowell.
Safety Daniel Sorenson also got in on the act, breaking up a pass intended for Nick Vannett near the end of practice. The offense has been anything but sharp, but the defense deserves its credit.
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JAMEIS IS STILL DIALING IT IN
First things first: Remember, this is not a quarterback competition. Dalton playing well behind him is great, but there's no controversy. Anyone suggesting that there's a chance No. 14 ends up starting is still locked into last year's QB battle dynamic. There's simply no question there.
That said, it's clear that Jameis is still calibrating a bit in the passing game. He's missed on a handful of throws that should be pitch-and-catch, and he'll have to be better there. That was true on Thursday when he sailed a ball over Jarvis Landry up the seam. It was true again today when he left a screen to Alvin Kamara well inside and the ball hit the turf. He's making the correct decisions, but he needs to dial it in. There's plenty of time for that, it's just the reality of what's been happening the first few days. There's also been a clear lack of downfield attempts -- those will also come eventually.
That said, there's no question he's been putting the work in and will continue to do so. Every single person who's been asked has lauded Winston's work ethic and leadership. The precision will come with repetitions.
THERE HE GOES AGAIN
It's hard to leave a Saints camp practice without talking about Kirk Merritt at least once. Today it was a catch-and-run to the house that represented the longest play of the day.
Dai'Jean Dixon also made a handful of nice catches in drills. It's going to be a tough road to make this roster at WR, but those are the two most likely candidates outside of the top 6 (Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Chris Olave, Marquez Callaway, Deonte Harris, Tre'Quan Smith).