There are a lot of changes for the Saints in the 2023 season, but the biggest difference on the first day of mandatory minicamp was more of the same.
After absences for all three OTA sessions, Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore and Taysom Hill were all in attendance. Kamara looked fast and agile as ever and wowed his new quarterback, by Derek Carr's own admission, with his route-running ability. Meanwhile Taysom Hill was in a black jersey, but spent a majority of his time working at quarterback.
Hill led a set of team drills and also ran routes, a clear sign that his role this season will continue to be the jack-of-all-trades approach. Hill completed both of his passes in 7-on-7s (to SaRodorick Thompson and Jesse James). Jake Haener didn't take any teams reps on Tuesday. It'll be worth watching to see how those reps are distributed the rest of the week and where Hill lines up most.
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TAKING ATTENDANCE
Per Dennis Allen, the Saints had 100% attendance for minicamp. Still, there were a handful of players who were not seen on the field or worked off to the side.
Three players were not seen in any capacity:
- WR Rashid Shaheed
- DB Anthony Johnson
- G Cesar Ruiz
Ruiz is continuing to work back from a lisfranc injury that ended his 2022 season. Shaheed is dealing with a minor groin injury that has been impacting him since the final set of OTAs, for which he was also absent.
Players that were out at practice but did not work in team drills included:
- WR Michael Thomas
- OL Nick Saldiveri
- OT Trevor Penning
- RB Eno Benjamin
- RB Kendre Miller
- TE Miller Forristall
Thomas did get another quick session of individual work with Carr and others, as he did during OTAs.
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TRYOUTS
A pair of new numbers showed up at practice, primarily working at kick return. Those were No. 16 Keke Coutee and No. 84 Lynn Bowden Jr.
The Saints brought in return ace Malik Flowers this offseason, but there's going to be an opportunity on this roster as a returner behind Rashid Shaheed. What happens if Shaheed misses a game, who would line up back there? They'll have an opportunity to compete over the next few days.
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MARSHON'S READY
Marshon Lattimore showed up, then lined up out wide for the first set of 7-on-7s and reminded everyone why he is the unquestioned star of this cornerback group.
Derek Carr delivered ball well to Tre'Quan Smith to the edge of the field, with the WR appearing to have a step on No. 23. Not the case, with Lattimore laying out to swat the ball away for a clean PBU. It's easy to forget how much he was missed during his 10-game injury absence last year. It's fair to wonder if games like Week 6 against the Bengals and Week 13 against the Bucs might have ended differently had he been out there. That's the difference between making the playoffs and sitting at home.
Adebo lined up across from him on the first team with Bradley Roby in the slot. Alontae Taylor got second-team reps across from Isaac Yiadom.
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2-MINUTE WOES
It was the first set of 2-minute drills we've seen, and it didn't go particularly well. The first ball from Carr went to Tre'Quan Smith for a short gain over the middle. The team rushed up to the line and another ball went to Smith, but it went down as a drop. Not the end of the world, as it stopped the clock.
Carr dirted the next ball with no one open, then delivered a ball over the top to Smith, who appeared to make the catch but came down on the ball, which was dislodged. End of possession.
The next two snaps went to Jameis Winston. The first was a short ball over the middle to Foster Moreau. Drop. The next ball was targeting Shaq Davis to the sideline, but it was undercut and intercepted by Ugo Amadi.
Early struggles in the two-minute offense aren't a huge concern, but it's something that will have to improve as the offseason wears on.
It's worth noting that Carr and Winston both looked good in 7-on-7 drills. After Lattimore's PBU, Carr completed three passes to Kamara, one to Moreau and one to hill. Winston's three reps were all complete (Chris Olave, Jamaal Williams, Ellis Merriweather).
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WHO'S A GUNNER?
Here are the players who got work during gunner reps (in order):
- Tre'Quan Smith
- Isaac Yiadom (2)
- Lonnie Johnson Jr.
- Ugo Amadi
- Kawaan Baker
- Kirk Merritt
- Adrian Frye (2)
- A.T. Perry
- Jordan Howden
- Troy Pride
- Shaq Davis
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