The New Orleans Saints' open practice slate officially ended today with a long, unpadded session in the Caesars Superdome.
It was an opportunity for players to get on the turf an extra time ahead of the regular season opener, along with Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos.
At this stage we've reported basically everything there is to report. The Saints are still shuffling their QBs and Kellen Moore won't name a starter. Rise, repeat.
This day did include some wrinkles, though, and I don't think it's a coincidence that things have gotten a bit more creative as the team shifts into regular season mode where the offense is kept more under lock and key. Today it involved wildcat snaps for the running backs where they appeared to run a zone read. The ball was never handed off, so it's unclear whether these are simply designed runs with a fake, but it's still an interesting wrinkle. Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal and Kendre Miller were among those who took reps with the QB split out wide.
Maybe we'll finally get that long-awaited Kamara pass? I like the idea of wildcat Kamara, regardless.
The other thing we saw were reps where the Saints had a tackle split out into the slot, with the tight end in line. Just a reminder that the offense you see in preseason games is missing a lot of wrinkles that'll exist when the real games arrive.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Same general look to practice today, though there was one notable return.
Here's who I didn't see in action during the day's work:
- CB Alontae Taylor (groin)
- LG Trevor Penning (foot)
- DT John Ridgeway (pec)
Rookie running back Devin Neal was back at practice for the second consecutive day and didn't have any clear limitations. Kellen Moore wouldn't confirm that he'd be active in Saturday's preseason game, but did say he's trending in the right direction.
Ridgeway was in attendance and could be seen walking around the field in a weighted vest. It's unclear how long he'll be out, but not landing on IR is a good sign that the Saints expect him back at some point this season.
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QB WATCH
It was another day with Spencer Rattler taking the first reps with the 1s, though Tyler Shough did rotate in for one set of team drills. Moore still won't budge on naming a starting QB, but the reps are starting to tell a story on their own. Rattler worked primarily with the 1s for the second straight day (we didn't get to watch Tuesday's practice).
Both quarterbacks struggled in 7-on-7 work, with the defense batting away multiple passes. Rattler went 0-for-4 while Shough went 2-4 (completions to Jack Stoll and Treyton Welch). The highlight for the defense was Julian Blackmon tracking down Rashid Shaheed in the back corner of the end zone and swatting a Rattler pass away as he stumbled to the turf. If he stayed on his feet it'd have probably been intercepted.
The first set of team drills looked like more on an install with the wildcat reps, as mentioned above. It was also a heavy day for running backs, so there weren't many highlight throws. Mostly checkdowns and quick game.
The most excitement came in the final situational drill. We don't know the exact score, but it was a scenario that effectively pitted the first team against the second team. Rattler was highly efficient, completing balls to Brandin Cooks, Juwan Johnson and Rashid Shaheed before Jayden Price broke up a ball intended for Chris Olave. He found Cedrick Wilson down to the 25 for a first down, then could be heard yelling "Alaska" as the offense went hurry up. The next play was a beauty, with Rattler dotting a corner route to Olave over tight coverage.
Shough took over next and was in a situation where he needed to drive for a game-winning field goal. It was a bit of an uneven drive for both sides. The offense was quickly behind the chains with a false start and faced a 3rd and 10, but Shough was able to sidearm a ball to Dante Pettis as he rolled out to his left for a first down. Next came another holding penalty, followed by a Chase Young sack. That set up the Saints in 2nd and 26, but they were bailed out by a defensive holding call on the next snap. The drive ultimately stalled at the plus-40 and Charlie Smyth calmly knocked through a 58-yarder and a simulated game-winner. You know, the situation we should've had at the end of the Jaguars game.
Just based on usage it's hard not to see Rattler as the presumptive pick to start Week 1, but we'll have to wait and see. Moore said both quarterbacks will play against the Broncos. The Saints have to pick someone to start the game, and that'll say a lot.
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LAGNIAPPE
Good for Charlie Smyth. I felt this way after Week 2 of the preseason when he knocked in both his kicks, but he seems to have found his confidence again and looks like an NFL kicker. I wasn't sure there for a minute. There's no unseating Blake Grupe at this point, who is having one of the best camps of any kicker -- maybe ever. He's missed one kick to this point, and my numbers (including preseason) have him somewhere in the range of 39-40 (97.5%) with multiple makes from 50-plus, including a 53-yarder today. ... CB Jayden Price isn't exactly a household name, but he's come on strong of late and might be pushing for a spot on the practice squad. ... I've had Cedrick Wilson Jr. on all my roster projections, but I'm starting to wonder if his job might be in jeopardy with the addition of Devaughn Vele. I just haven't seen him do enough in the passing game to justify keeping him around if I've got a better pass-catching option that I just invested two draft picks to bring in. ... I think Khristian Boyd is safely on this roster. He's been developing well as the backup nose tackle and that is as much a reason as any they felt that Khalen Saunders was expendable.