The preseason to the preseason is here for the New Orleans Saints, with the first set of Organized Team Activities scheduled to kick off on Tuesday.
There will be practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (May 23-25), the first of which is open to the media. There will be two more sets of OTAs (May 30-June 1 and June 5-8), ahead of a mandatory minicamp (June 13-15), followed by the full training camp beginning in late July.
So what are we watching for? Here are five things to keep in mind as we drive closer and closer to the Saints' 2023 season.
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1. WHO ALL IS OUT THERE?
This may seem kind of silly, but taking attendance is one of the most notable things that will happen on Tuesday out in Metairie. OTA sessions are voluntary, meaning a player not being in attendance isn't a smoking gun for potential issues -- but it also can be. Is a veteran player seeking a new deal? Is a young player or a newcomer inexplicably unavailable? The questions will be asked in either case.
In general I'd expect perfect attendance for any player on a rookie or UDFA deal. I'd expect even rookie Isaiah Foskey to be out there despite not currently having his contract signed. Alontae Taylor was in the same boat last year and was a full participant. I'd typically say the same for any newcomer to the roster. They'll have a lot to pick up this offseason, they should be taking advantage of every opportunity.
All that said, there are a handful of players who you can bank on not being on the field working with the rest of the squad.
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Injuries: G Cesar Ruiz; LT Trevor Penning; WR, Michael Thomas; *RB Kendre Miller
It's possible Miller has advanced in his offseason workout enough to start being incorporated into team drills. The other three don't appear to be far enough along in their rehab process to get on the field. It's possible they are at the facility (in Kendre's case he'd be working off to the side with trainers) and we don't see them. That's normal.
Veterans: LB Demario Davis; CB Marshon Lattimore; RB Alvin Kamara; S Tyrann Mathieu; S Marcus Maye; TE Taysom Hill
None of the first three were in attendance last season and I don't expect that to change. The final three could certainly show, but I wouldn't be surprised if they sit this one out. There's a benefit of giving younger players or newcomers reps, might as well happen here. I also wouldn't be surprised if any of C Erik McCoy, RT Ryan Ramczyk or G Andrus Peat were not in attendance.
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2. HOW DOES FOSTER LOOK?
The Saints' new tight end has had a pretty wild offseason considering he hit free agency for the first time in his career, then was diagnosed with cancer in March. He stepped away from football for treatment, but now he's back. Is he really a full-go already?
That sure is how it sounds. And if so, I'd fully expect to see him out there working for the first time in New Orleans alongside Derek Carr. There's already familiarity there, as there also is with new WR Bryan Edwards.
One way or another it'll be cool to see the New Orleans native in action.
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3. PAULSON ADEBO vs ALONTAE TAYLOR (vs Bradley Roby?)
Who starts across from Marshon Lattimore? I'd say it's as close to an open competition as any in this year's offseason. Third-year pro Paulson Adebo likely has the inside track, but it's hard not to see Alontae Taylor's rookie season as a clear springboard into a potential starting role.
Adebo shined in last year's camp, and it's certainly possible he does so again. One issue for Taylor in his rookie season was missed tackles. Can he clean that up? Does Bradley Roby factor in on the outside? How about the slot? This is the first real, organized chance to make a good impression with new secondary coach Marcus Robertson and DC Joe Woods. Better make it count.
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4. NOW OR NEVER, PAYTON
OK, that's not technically true because Payton Turner is only entering his third season of his four-year rookie deal, but we need to see more from the former first-round pick.
13 games over 2 seasons just isn't enough. With Marcus Davenport now in Minnesota, there's a clear path to a major role in the defensive line rotation. If you're not taking advantage of that now, I'm not sure when you would be. Isaiah Foskey is waiting in the wings.
The big question is: Can he stay healthy?
We won't know the answer to that for a while, but it sure would be nice to see some clear improvement as these practices go.
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HOW DO THE NEW FACES LOOK?
Maybe I'm crazy, but this year's roster turnover feels like one of the most significant in a long time. There are seven rookies and a host of UDFAs -- all of whom we saw at rookie camp -- but there are also a lot of players who could be major contributors making their debuts tomorrow.
Notable new players (in numerical order):
- 0: S Ugo Amadi
- 4: QB Derek Carr
- 11: WR Bryan Edwards
- 24: S Johnathan Abram
- 28: DB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
- 30: RB Jamaal Williams
- 72: OT Storm Norton
- 82: TE Foster Moreau
- 89: WR James Washington
- 93: DT Nathan Shepherd
- 99: DT Khalen Saunders
Some of those names are obviously more significant than others. Regardless, it'll be the first impression we hold for at least a week until the next set of OTAs. Some of these players are not locks for the roster and these practices could be vitally important. Also, Derek Carr is on this list. It's an important one.