With just a week left in training camp you hope practices reflect that urgency in focus and intensity. You would certainly be concerned hearing that your team looks a long way from being ready. In 2020, I don’t know if we could handle another disappointment. So, I’m happy to inform you, that is not something Saints fans need to concern themselves with. This team is ramping up, and it shows.
It’s easy in training camp to fall into a lull. Repetitive schedule and a groundhog day mentality can take root. You would think in a camp like this, unusual and abbreviated as it is, that you may not have those problems, but its human nature. I didn’t see any of it today.
The way a huddle breaks is such a telling yet misunderstood part of a football team. You can see this take place during a game. The early huddle that’s broken with intent, speed and intensity replaced by lazy and casual by the middle of the 3rd quarter. Then you see it return for the drive at the end of the game that will decide the outcome.
You can tell the same from a practice. Today you could see and hear the tempo that has become such a big part of one of the best Sean Payton offenses we’ve seen. It was on display today. It looked like pro football, and that was a comforting sight.
As camp is winding down, more and more situational football is showing up. The Saints have been moving the ball in more periods than usual. That means the down and distance is changing within the period regularly. Rather than 7 or 8 first and 10’s, we see a 1st and 10, followed by a 2nd and 7, then a 3rd and 3. It’s much more indicative of normal football and makes sense given the lack of time they have to get ready. I thought the practice was well balanced early with both the offense and defense getting wins. Ty Montgomery has continued to impress me both as a back and as a receiver in routes. Latavius Murray has been steady and consistent, and the line provided adequate room all day.
Andrus Peat returned to the field for the first time since pads went on, and though he didn’t participate in team yet, it is clear he had an outstanding offseason and looks like the extra work paid off. I’m excited to see him come September 13th, though it will take some time to get back into the swing of it.
I think there is still competition raging in the offensive line room. James Hurst, newly signed this offseason after a stint in Baltimore, has gotten a bulk of 2nd team reps, but will miss the first four games due to a suspension. That will leave some positioning to be had as camp winds up in that room. Ethan Greenidge is still fighting for his spot in the room, and there is even more competition inside, where the Saints have gotten looks at Nick Easton, Will Clapp, Cam Tom, Patrick Omameh and a host of undrafted free agents. Easton has had a nice camp and has gotten the most opportunity in Peat’s absence, but beyond that, the battle rages on.
I tried to focus on the defensive line today and thought they improved as the day progressed, culminating in a two minute drill that ended with a Cam Jordan sack. This is another deep group where the Saints have options. They have had an influx of some veterans in the last week, and some blurred lines are starting to clarify. I thought Malcolm Roach had a nice practice and has continued to get opportunities to prove himself. With the Saints history of keeping UDFA defensive lineman, don’t count him out of the rotation.
Practice ended today with a two-minute drill and it was the best action of the practice. The Saints defense made every yard difficult, but the Saints offense managed to work their way down the field. On a 4th and 10 from the defense’s 35, Drew found Emmanual Sanders over the middle for 20 on a needle thread through outside the reach of Chauncey Garner-Johnson. That was as far as the offense would get as the defense held their ground ending on the Cam Jordan sack.
The Saints are off tomorrow before concluding training camp later in the week. Don’t miss all the analysis on Sportstalk right here on WWL starting at 4 every weekday.
