The New Orleans Saints got on the practice field for their first set of organized team activities this week. Some questions were answered, while others were created.
So what stood out? Scroll below for some early takeaways as we work toward the 2024 NFL season. ds
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TAKING ATTENDANCE
Again, it's worth reiterating: OTAs are voluntary. Some veterans choose not to attend, and while it's certainly not optimal, we have the same conversations every year. Absences don't necessarily represent a budding issue.
The reasons behind those absences can differ. Some are injury related, others are family related. Head coach Dennis Allen indicated that he'd heard from everyone who was not in attendance, though he didn't indicate whether he agreed with all of those decisions.
Regardless, here are the players that I didn't see on the first day of practice:
- WR Stanley Morgan Jr.
- RB Jamaal Williams
- CB Marshon Lattimore
- RB Alvin Kamara
- LB Nephi Sewell
- LB Jaylan Ford
- DE Nathan Latu
- RT Ryan Ramczyk
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- DT Nathan Shepherd
- DE Chase Young
A handful of players were seen in attendance, though they were limited due to injuries. That group included rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry, who was working off to the side on a bike as he rehabs from a foot injury. Ford, Latu, Sewell, Ramczyk and Young are also working back from injuries.
Lattimore is typically not in attendance for OTAs, so that is not a surprise. Allen said recently that he's had positive conversations with his star CB as they work toward the season. The more surprising absences were that of Kamara and Williams as the team looks to install a new offense.
"Obviously, you know, it can present some challenges," Allen said. "I’d say Alvin has kind of been in that same boat where he’s been able to train and get himself ready on his own and be prepared and be ready to go when it’s time to go, and so I think for me as the coach, I’ve got to trust that that’s what he’s doing."
The Saints will have two more OTA sessions, followed by a mandatory minicamp in June.
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OL SHUFFLE
One of the bigger questions going in was going to be the lineup at offensive line, and we got a bit of a surprise. Trevor Penning was shipped across to right tackle for the first time since he joined the team and Taliese Fuaga continued to work at left tackle.
Allen said the coaching staff liked what they saw from Fuaga on the left side and that deployment, while it could still change, is trending toward what we'll see more of.
The other unknown was left guard, with the first-team spot manned by second-year pro Nick Saldiveri, who didn't get on the field in his rookie season. That's a positive development, though he'll have to hold off some veterans throughout the offeseason.
Here's how things looked on Day 1:
FIRST TEAM
- LT: Taliese Fuaga
- LG: Nick Saldiveri
- C: Erik McCoy
- RG: Cesar Ruiz
- RT: Trevor Penning
SECOND TEAM
- LT: Landon Young
- LG: Shane Lemieux
- C: Lucas Patrick
- RG: Kyle Hergel
- RT: Justin Herron
It's worth mentioning that two players who could factor into that mix are Oli Udoh and Mark Evans, neither of whom was participating in drills.
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SHARP DAY FOR HAENER
Early impressions don't mean everything, but Jake Haener certainly made a good one as he heads into Year 2. He looked cool and confident as he commanded Klint Kubiak's offense and delivered several quality throws on the day.
The most impressive ball came during 11-on-11s after he corralled a high snap then lofted the ball downfield to Chris Olave on a go. The star WR played it perfectly with late hands and made the catch over a DB who was unaware the ball was even arriving. Haener delivered a similar ball to Equanimeous St. Brown headed in the opposite direction during 7-on-7s, but it fell incomplete with St. Brown's arm pinned by the defender and St. Brown unable to make the one-handed catch. A penalty flag would've almost certainly been thrown.
On the opposite end, Spencer Rattler had a rough first day. It's not the end of the world, but it was anything but smooth. Rattler completed just one of his four passes in 7s, with the lone completion coming on a ball behind Adam Prentice. One ball was too high for Jermaine Jackson to corral, admittedly a small target. Another ball ball tipped off Jacob Kibodi's hands and was intercepted by Isaiah Stalbird. Another ball was delivered over the middle of the field and could've been intercepted.
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There were also two instances of re-huddles on a day where there weren't many re-huddles.
There were some solid moments, particularly on balls to UDFA Dallin Holker and a nice play-action delivery to Bub Means in the face of pressure. He's got plenty of time and upside, but if anyone was expecting him to blow the doors off and claim the backup job early, that definitely didn't happen on Day 1.
CARR STARTS
The best thing I can say about Derek Carr's day is there's not a ton to report. He was solid and efficient. The ball got out on time and on target. Communication appeared to be smooth, and that's to be expected with some more forgiving terminology in the Klint Kubiak scheme.
Carr went 3-for-4 in 7-on-7s with completions to Taysom Hill, Dallin Holker and Chris Olave. The incompletion was targeting Cedrick Wilson in traffic with ball deflecting off his hands but falling harmlessly to the turf.
Carr went 4-for-4 in 11-on-11s with another pair of completions to Olave, as well as one to Jordan Mims and another to Kendre Miller.
There's a long road ahead, but early returns look good.
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PLAY OF THE DAY
A.T. Perry had a really strong finish to his rookie season, but he's going into Year 2 a bit under the radar. Perhaps that's a good thing, because I have a feeling he'll over-deliver on expectations.
One of my biggest critiques in Year 1 was inconsistent hands, and if today was any indication, he's done some work in that department. He only had one target during team drills and it came on a ball that was high and behind. He reached up with one hand, tipped the ball to himself and corralled it as he went to the ground. At his size, if he can make competitive plays on high balls, he can be unguardable in certain areas of the field.
LAGNIAPPE
It was another strong day for Jordan Mims. I think he's going to find himself in a real competition for that RB3 spot. ... Taysom Hill got work with the fullbacks, the first time I've seen him get action in that role. His most likely fit in this offense is similar to Kyle Juscyk in San Francisco, so that makes sense. It's also unlikely he sees any QB reps until training camp, but QB runs are still expected to be a big item on the menu. ... There are number changes every offseason and this year the most notable is that of Khalen Saunders, who went from 99 to 50, an unusual number for a DT. New defensive end Chase Young will be taking over the 99. ... Klint Kubiak's father, Gary, was in attendance for the first day of practice.