The New Orleans Saints took off the pads on Sunday, but that doesn't mean things got boring.
For the first time this camp we saw the team break out a 2-minute drill, with the situation simulating a scenario at the end of the first half. It's the closest thing you'll get to real game reps in these practices, and the first-team offense certainly didn't miss the opportunity.
The drive started at the Saints offense's own 30 with 1:40 left on the clock and one timeout remaining. The drive started with a quick out to Foster Moreau, then another to Chris Olave for a first down. The next play was flagged for a hold, putting the offense behind the chains with about 1:20 remaining.
No worries, though. Derek Carr then hit Jamaal Williams in the flat to get back the penalty yardage, followed by a ball to Cedrick Wilson up the right sideline for a first down, getting out of bounds with 1:04 remaining. That's when Carr went deep to Mason Tipton for a 31-yard connection over Shemar Jean-Charles in coverage, with the refs marking him down at the 2 yard line. On the next play Jamaal Williams powered over the goal line for an impressive score.
Honestly the only negative for the offense was how quickly it happened, leaving 54 seconds on the clock for a rebuttal when they could've probably run it down a bit more and still scored. The hold is also a negative result, and there were more penalty flags on the field than I'd like to see over the past three days with refs in attendance. That's something we'll have to clean up.
It's also worth mentioning that the first-team defense was without a good bit of its teeth on this day. You didn't have Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Tyrann Mathieu, Pete Werner or Demario Davis in action today. Still, all the offense can do is execute, and they did that well.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
As mentioned above, the already long list of player absences increased with another slew of players absent. Players I didn't see at all on Sunday include:
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown (hamstring)
- WR Bub Means (shin)
- LB Pete Werner (shoulder)
- WR Rashid Shaheed (hamstring)
- RB Kendre Miller (hamstring)
- LB Jaylon Ford
- LB Demario Davis (hamstring)
- LG Nick Saldiveri (calf)
- DL Trajan Jeffcoat (elbow)
- DT Nathan Shepherd (toe)
- DE Payton Turner (toe)
- OT Oli Udoh (rest)
Adebo is dealing with what head coach Dennis Allen described as groin tightness. He attempted to practice through it but ultimately bowed out early and did not participate in team drills. We also saw a rest day for Tyrann Mathieu, who was in attendance but didn't participate in team drills.
Given his injury history, the absence for Turner is something to watch. Allen said his toe injury is to the same foot that kept the DE inactive from Weeks 2-17 a year ago, though the head coach downplayed the severity at this point.
The number of soft tissue injuries throughout camp has to be somewhat concerning as the Saints officially turn into the first week of their preseason slate, though it should be noted that there have been few impact injuries that will cost players significant time. The Saints will hope they can start getting several of these players back over the course of the next week.
HAENER & RATTLER
Let me start by saying I've been generally impressed with Spencer Rattler, and he's been having a strong camp for a rookie player picking up an NFL offense for the first time.
That said, today was one of the first times in a while I felt like I was watching a rookie QB out there, with the 2-minute drill he led with the 2nd team seeming to be a bit frazzled and ending with the clock expiring ahead of a desperation 4th down snap from inside field goal range.
Things got off to a rough start in the same scenario as noted for Carr above. Rattler's first pass was batted down at the line by Khalen Saunders, followed by quick connections to A.T. Perry, Stanley Morgan and then Perry again, but with the Saints still in need of 2 yards on 4th down to extend the drive. The Saints took a timeout and Rattler scrambled to keep the drive alive, but the clock was ticking down quickly.
The offense moved the ball inside the 35 yard line, but with the final connection coming on a dumpoff in the middle of the field to Jordan Mims with with under 10 seconds. The play came up short of the first down, ruling out the spike and field goal attempt, and it appeared the clock ran out before the next snap and pass, which was batted around and ended up in Cam Jordan's arms for what would've been an interception. Rattler went 5-9 on the drive.
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Jake Haener was able to engineer a scoring drive of his own, going 5-6 with completions to James Robinson, Michael Jacobson (2) and a pair to Stanley Morgan, the second of which was a long gain down inside the 5 yard line. Jacob Kibodi finished off that set with a touchdown two plays later.
Both backup quarterbacks have made a strong case for taking down the QB2 role this season, but this scenario was one that sure looked like a big checkmark in Haener's column. Preseason action will still be the biggest determinant in how this battle goes, with the pair continuing to split reps. Rattler should have an opportunity for some extended action on Monday with Haener expected to have a procedure to address the skin cancer Haener revealed he's dealing with on his right cheek. He's expected to be back to practice on Wednesday, with the team off on Tuesday.
ALL AROUND
I wouldn't say it's exactly open tryouts for depth position on the Saints' offensive line, but there's certainly some spots to be won. One interesting element is trying to find Landon Young on any particular rep. We've seen him lined up at right tackle, we've seen him lined up at left tackle. Today we saw him take a few more first team reps at guard.
This is a team that values versatility, and they've had it with James Hurst the past several years, a player who saw action at all four line spots during his tenure. Hurst retired this offseason, and it sure seems like Young is going to climb into that role. We also saw Jesse Davis getting some 2nd team reps at left tackle for the first time. Kyle Hergel has also been in that mix at guard, the only UDFA lineman that really seems to be pushing for a significant role.
YOUNG LINEBACKERS
If the Saints get their way, they won't have to go into any games this season without Demario Davis and/or Pete Werner. But if they do? We'll look at practices like today as being extremely valuable.
With both starters down we saw D'Marco Jackson at the Mike, with Willie Gay and Anfernee Orji filling the other roles. Orji in particular has been impressive, taking reps at all three linebacker spots and showing his versatility. We saw him get into the backfield today to blow up a run by Jacob Kibodi. He's really starting to flash the athleticism that drew the Saints to him in the first place.
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LAGNIAPPE
lsaiah Foskey had another sack today. He's been impressive and should start working his way up the depth chart. If Payton Turner's injury ends up being a longer-term issue, he needs to take advantage. ... The Saints' screen game seems to be working well. We saw them hit on a few nice ones today, including a slip screen to Alvin Kamara early in practice that Dallin Holker helped spring with a nice block. The real question for him will be in terms of pass blocking and helping out his line, but it's still good to see him coming through in that area. ... It was another Charlie Smyth day, and it was a tough one to gauge. On the one hand he hit on 7-of-9 kicks that I watched, the longest coming from 62 yards out and with room to spare. On the other hand, his two misses were from PAT range, the second coming after the first-team offense's drive downfield in the 2-minute drill. It's the type of inconsistency that I just have a hard time looking past to really consider going with him this season over Blake Grupe, but the long-term vision for him looks very, very bright. ... After three days of watching Samson Nacua, I fully expect him to stick around on the practice squad and potentially make an impact throughout the season. It'll be tough to find a spot for him on the initial 53, but the Saints need WRs who can block and he seems to do that very well for his position. He's also got some upside as a route-runner and seems to use his body well. For a guy that showed up just a couple days ago, I think he's been a nice addition.