The Derek Carr offense hasn't been blowing the doors off at Saints training camp since the turn of August. The winds felt like they changed on Monday.
Leading one of the first extended situational work so far this offseason, Carr took over the ball with 1:40 remaining in the first half at about his own 40, with the goal being to drive down the field for points before halftime. A touchdown would've been great, but a chip shot field goal works, too.
That's exactly what happened. Carr went 6-for-6, and Blake Grupe knocked through what would've been about a 25-yard chip shot to send the Saints to the imaginary locker room with points and momentum.
“That was an outstanding period for him," the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert said.
The defense held up better in the other 2-minute session led by Jameis Winston, with the drive bogging down about the 30-yard line and Blake Grupe missing the kick wide. It was Grupe's only blemish of the day, going 9-10 with a 59-yarder to his credit.
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TAKING ATTENDANCE
Health continues to be a storyline for the Saints. Three players got rest days in Jimmy Graham, J.T. Gray and Marshon Lattimore, while six players missed with some form of injury:
- WR Tre'Quan Smith (groin)
- WR Rashid Shaheed (groin)
- LB Demario Davis (calf)
- OL Koda Martin (ankle)
- LG Andrus Peat (quad)
- TE Lucas Krull (tailbone)
Peat missed his sixth consecutive practice, and head coach Dennis Allen had no substantive update beyond that he is working back. Shaheed's injury appears to be one that will keep him out for at least a few weeks, according to a report from NewOrleans.football, though he is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
The most concerning injury continues to be Demario Davis, who has now missed three practices with a calf issue. Allen indicated it is not something that's expected to keep him out for an extended period, but the Saints are having veteran LB Anthony Barr in for a workout this week. The team is off on Tuesday.
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THE BIG DRIVE IN DETAIL
As mentioned above, the 2-minute offense was a beauty to behold, and that's been an area that has been a struggle the past two seasons. Here's how that drive broke down:
- Carr to Keith Kirkwood
- Carr to Juwan Johnson (first down)
- Carr to Chris Olave
- Carr to Johnson (up the seam, good adjustment to the ball for a solid gain and first down well into the defense's side of the field)
- Carr to Johnson (up the right sideline and OB to stop the clock with 28 seconds
- Carr to Jamaal Williams (first down in the middle of the field, TO with 22 seconds)
- Carr handoff to Jamaal Williams (run down to the 10-yard line)
- Spike, Grupe field goal
The most exciting part of this drive was seeing Carr do it while utilizing Johnson, a guy who hasn't seen a ton of targets in drills as the QB (understandably) has been sending a lot of balls in the direction of Mike Thomas and Alvin Kamara to build that chemistry. It's a ho-hum 3 points, but the comfortability that was displayed bodes well. No. 4 is in control, now it's time to refine.
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ALONTAE VS OLAVE ... AGAIN
These two young players are going to be fun to watch for a long time, though I imagine Alontae Taylor has been getting frustrated. That's just what happens when you play excellent coverage and a dynamic WR finds a way to make a ridiculous catch. That's happened a handful of times throughout camp and in these 1-on-1s, and that's what happened today, with Olave working over the top and going up to pluck a ball out of the air in the back corner of the end zone with Taylor draped over him in coverage.
It was a big conversation at the end of an impressive rookie season that had its ups and downs: Can Chris Olave get stronger and improve on contested catches. He's put on some muscle and the early returns are very good.
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BAUN SHOWING SIGNS
The trouble with Zack Baun is the coverage, and I still see him getting targeted every time the offense can isolate him. That said, he's not a guy I anticipate seeing in coverage too often, and the last couple practices I've seen him get upfield in a hurry for run stuffs that stood out. I think his role needs to be in more of a hybrid pass-rusher mold, and he's looked solid in that regard so far. He's making the team, it's just a question of what his contribution will be.
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HOWDEN, SMOKE OR LONNIE?
Not a ton of notes here. All three are impressive in their roles, but I think Johnson's versatility is going to be a major feather in his cap. He pulled down an interception today on a pass from Jameis Winston over the middle (probably shouldn't have been thrown). Monday had an interception of his own over the weekend on a bad decision throw by Jake Haener. Still, it's been Howden who has gotten the first run at the backup reps, and he's looked solid. That trio will have a lot to potentially show as the preseason games get going.
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GET READY FOR STARTERS
If you were trying to decide which preseason game to attend, Sunday against the Chiefs might be the ticket. Dennis Allen said today that he expects starters to play, and that makes sense. The Saints are participating in joint practices with the L.A. Chargers for Week 2, then hosting the Texans for joint practices ahead of Week 3. With extra reps all week, I'd expect starters will be limited, if anything, for reps the next two weeks as deeper roster battles get decided.
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