It was another tolerable morning for it being August 5th in Louisiana; what humidity? Cornerback Grant Haley was at Saints training camp for the first time having been excused for a personal matter. WR/KR Deonte Harris was also back after missing yesterday, while Tre’Quan Smith was out for a 2nd straight session. Tight ends Nick Vannett and Ethan Wolf were also not present.
The team released DE Kendall Donnerson to sign LB Kwon Alexander.
Mark down another number change. With Alexander back in Black & Gold, he took his #58, while Shaq Smith switched to #46.
Getting a veterans day of rest were LT Terron Armstead, RB Alvin Kamara, CB Marshon Lattimore, G/T Andrus Peat and DE Cam Jordan
TOUGH DAY AT WORK FOR TAYSOM & JAMEIS
Jameis Winston threw hist first interception of camp yesterday and it was Taysom’s time today. Hill was taking reps with the one’s when his pass to Marques Callaway was tipped by Patrick Robinson, allowing DeMario Davis to pick it off. Hill would finish 8 of 13 in full team drills.
Winston wasn’t any better going 11 of 16 with the 2nd team. He made a turrrrrrable decision when he rolled out and threw across his body. Linebacker Zack Baun read it, broke on the pass and should have intercepted it. But, the end result was just an incomplete because Baun dropped an easy INT.
MARCUS A MONSTER
A day after praising rookie Payton Turner, its Marcus Davenport’s turn getting some recognition at defensive end. Sure, Armstead had the day off, but Davenport was dominating as he abused James Hurts to get for a 3 or 4 sack day.
The Saints 2018 first round pick is entering a pivotal season and knows self-doubt has been his biggest enemy along with injuries. Hopefully a new diet helps Davenport have a healthy season which the team needs after letting last year’s sack leader Trey Hendrickson go in free agency.
PUNTER COMPETITION A WRAP
The Saints have been rotating their 2 punters daily looking for a Thomas Morstead replacement and we are calling this race early. Blake Gillikin not only has been better at booming kicks, but has also shown more consistency. Over a his four year career at Penn State, he managed to nail 53 punts inside the 10-yard line and averaged 43 yards per punt. Rookie Nathan Cooney looks a distant 2nd behind Gillikin.