The two-minute offense bogged down on day 1 of minicamp, but that changed during another set of 2-minute offense as they returned to the field on a Windy Wednesday morning.
On the first rep of 11-on-11 drills, Derek Carr unleashed a ball deep up the right sideline to Chris Olave, who went up over Alontae Taylor for what would've been a 60-plus-yard touchdown. A day earlier that same set of drills went 4-and-out.
Jameis Winston had a quality set of drills himself, completing five of his first six attempts to a combination of Bryan Edwards, Foster Moreau, Malik Flowers and A.T. Perry. It was a TD-or-bust scenario, and the drive ultimately bogged down for a TOD, but it was still a successful bounceback after a day that featured a Moreau drop and an interception to Ugo Amadi.
Taylor got his own bounceback moment off Jake Haener, picking off the rookie's first throw of his own set of 2-minute drills for what would've been a touchdown. That play officially ended another high-energy day of practice. Haener also had a nice throw to Malik Flowers during 7s that was dropped, then completed a pass to Taysom Hill.
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TAKING ATTENDANCE
There were a few new names missing from practice on Wednesday, along with the same trio that missed Tuesday. That group included:
- WR Rashid Shaheed
- DB Anthony Johnson
- G Cesar Ruiz
- DE Cam Jordan
- DE Carl Granderson
Nick Saldiveri, Michael Thomas, Eno Benjamin, Kendre Miller and Miller Forristall were again on-hand but not working in drills.
Dennis Allen confirmed that Jordan's absence was not injury related, but he joked that it was "old-age related."
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TAYSOM BACK TO TE
A day at quarterback, a day at tight end. Are we taking wagers on what position group he'll line up with on Thursday?
Jokes aside, this seems like it'll be the story for Taysom as camp progresses. He'll continue to work around and get reps wherever it makes sense. His role doesn't ever seem to stop evolving, but we at least have an idea of what it will be in practices.
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HITTING THE WHEEL
Before Olave's big play, the highlight was Derek Carr hitting Alvin Kamara in stride on a wheel route that represents a part of the playbook being executed successfully for the first time in what feels like years. The last time I can remember the Saints hitting a big play on a wheel route was Week 4 against the Lions during the 2020 season.
Carr has raved about Kamara's route-running ability thus far, and if he can unlock some of that in the passing game this season and beyond, this Saints offense will be a lot more difficult to stop.
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FLIPPING THE 1
On Day 1 at minicamp, it was Paulson Adebo lining up across from Marshon Lattimore with the first-team defense. On Day 2 that honor belonged to Alontae Taylor. Bradley Roby lined up in the slot both times. Isaac Yiadom lined up outside with the twos for the second straight day, and Ugo Amadi manned the slot.
It's a sign that this is very much a position battle to see who will be the "CB2." It's likely they'll continue to alternate when camp arrives, and that's where the spot will be won or lost.
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WHO CAN COVER?
I haven't seen a linebacker really step up behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner, particularly in coverage. It's somewhat unfair, because when a linebacker isn't allowed to hit it's tough to really be aggressive in any part of the game. Still, someone's going to have to do it, and this team has a lot of able tacklers, but a few injuries could leave this group in shambles.