The biggest news of Saints training camp practice happened before it even started: Cam Jordan got paid, then got a well-deserved day off.
The Saints anchor will be around for the foreseeable future, and his absence allowed Carl Granderson and Tanoh Kpassagnon to work into first-team reps, where they flashed several times in Friday's practice.
"If you get reps, whether it's 15, 20 snaps, wherever, you're a starter on that play," Bobby Hebert said. "And that's why you need everyone to contribute at a high level."
A reliable rotation will also help to mitigate the incredible snap counts Jordan has taken on throughout his career (even if he objects to ever coming off the field).
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TAKING ATTENDANCE
As noted, Jordan got the day off, which he'll spend with his family. He flew in his father, Steve, to be at the press conference where his new deal was announced. When Cam sat down, he asked, "is this what it's like to get drafted?" Because he got drafted during the lockout season, he never got that opportunity before.
Others who weren't spotted at practice:
- WR Michael Thomas
- G/T James Hurst
- G Andrus Peat
- G Calvin Throckmorton
I spotted both Thomas and Hurst around the facility, and those absences are just veteran days off (something we've said a lot). The others are injury related, with Peat still recovering from a quad injury, and Throckmorton an elbow issue. Health and depth at guard will continue to be a point of concern, though as I've noted previously, I'm pretty sure Hurst is the starter at LG, with Ruiz on the opposite side. If that's the case, the first-team OL can be considered healthy. I'm just not sure what happens when that changes.
Andrew Dowell's season-ending injury was confirmed to be a torn ACL, and he's now on season-ending injured reserve. The positive injury news came in the form of Alontae Taylor, who was participating fully after leaving practice early on Wednesday with hamstring tightness. Jimmy Graham was also back in action after a day off.
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DEFENSE WINS AGAIN
It was another disjointed day for the offense, but we can still view this through the lens of: The defense is performing well. Derek Carr is developing chemistry with his WRs, and the signs are encouraging with players like Rashid Shaheed.
On one rep of 7s it was Carr sending a pass out wide to rookie Kendre Miller, but Taylor sprinted in to knock it away. It's an example of multiple elements combining to equal a ball on the ground. I didn't see anything wrong with the ball or the read. If Miller attacks the catch, he's got a chance to make a play and turn upfield with the DB crashing. Just an example of development. On another play in 11s it was Khalen Saunders batting the ball down at the line.
There was at least one clear overthrow targeting Chris Olave, but there were some nice moments, too. Carr hit Taysom Hill on a deep over that would've been a 30-plus yard gain. Rashid Shaheed continues to create separation and Carr has been adept at finding him. Carr is also yet to throw an interception (and I'm starting to get a bit concerned at the lack of them by this defense on the whole).
We're barely a week away from the first preseason game, and while I don't expect to see Carr much, I do think you have to consider getting him in there. This learning curve was always going to be steep, and I think the opportunity to run some offense in live action will be valuable. No one is panicking about the offense yet (and they shouldn't), but there are clearly some rough patches to work out.
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THE WHEEL
The best moment of the day for the offense, in my opinion, came in 7-on-7s, with Alvin Kamara coming out of the backfield on a wheel, easily losing Zack Baun in coverage and catching a perfect throw for what would've been a huge gain (maybe even a TD if Kamara can break a safety's tackle. It's the type of play we just haven't seen in the passing game for Kamara over the past few seasons, and it's one that I miss. The last I can recall was on a 4th down rep against the Lions in 2020, and that was technically an out and up from the slot. I asked Alvin today whether he sees that part of the offense (downfield looks to the RB) as something he expects to be re-emphasized in the offense. The short answer: Yes, and he's excited about it. So is Derek Carr. So am I.
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A POTENTIAL CUT
Every year it seems there's one or two players that made the roster the season before, but fall out of favor for whatever reason and end up as practice squad fodder if they clear waivers. This year I think that player is Landon Young, a guy who has been a keep as the backup RT after being a late-round draft pick out of Kentucky, and he's held up reasonably well. I still think he's a useful guy with experience that you'd like to keep in the building, but the way he's been shifted around the past few days doesn't seem like a versatility mission to me, it feels like a plaster job as guys get days off. I've seen him get work at LT. Today he got work at guard with three guards out of action. The Saints brought in Storm Norton and he seems like the pick at backup RT, so I'm just not sure where Landon actually fits.
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STICK AROUND
It's hard not to like Lynn Bowden Jr., a guy who was a late add in tryouts and has done nothing but be consistent, and get open downfield on occasion. He's got upside as a returner behind Shaheed and has flashed solid chemistry with all three QBs. He did that again today, catching a deep post from Jameis Winston. If you end up keeping six WRs, I think he makes the cut.
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GRUDEN'S BACK
Another guy who will be sticking around, at least for the next few days, is Jon Gruden, who is continuing in the consultancy role that began this offseason. Head coach Dennis Allen said he's there to watch, and if he has ideas or suggestions to pass them along. He's worked with Derek Carr in the past, so it's a viable way to help him transition. He is not on the coaching staff, and there's been no indication that he will be.
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COUNTING TARGETS
DEREK CARR
- Rashid Shaheed: 1 target, 1 catch
- Kendre Miller: 1 target, 0 catches (Taylor PBU)
- Tre'Quan Smith: 2 target, 2 catches (likely a sack by Carl Granderson)
- Chris Olave: 2 target, 0 catches (1 drop, 1 overthrow)
- Jimmy Graham: 1 target, 1 catch
- Alvin Kamara: 1 target, 1 catch
- Kawaan Baker: 2 targets, 1 catch
- Taysom Hill: 1 target, 1 catch
JAMEIS WINSTON
- Tre'Quan Smith: 1 target, 1 catch
- Kirk Merritt: 1 target, 1 catch
- Jesse James: 1 target, 1 catch
- Keith Kirkwood: 1 target, 1 catch
- Lucas Krull: 1 target, 1 catch
- Rashid Shaheed: 1 target, 0 catches
- Lynn Bowden Jr.: 1 target, 1 catch
JAKE HAENER
- Keith Kirkwood: 1 target, 1 catch
- Foster Moreau: 1 target, 1 catch
- Lynn Bowden Jr.: 1 target, 1 catch
- Eno Benjamin: 1 target, 0 catches
- Ellis Merriweather: 1 target, 1 catch
- Kawaan Baker: 1 target, 0 catches
- James Washington: 1 target, 0 catches
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STILL WAITING
I'm a fan of Jordan Howden, but he's somewhat disappeared since the start of camp. He had a chance to make an impact play with an interception off a deflected Jake Haener pass intended for James Washington, but it fell through his hands. He's got time, but as an early camp darling he's been a bit underwhelming.
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