The pads aren’t on yet but fans who made it out the Oschner Sports Performance Center for the Saints' first open training camp practice still had plenty to see.
Whether it was tough catches, nice runs or even big defensive plays the first training camp practice left plenty to talk about
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Here’s three things to know from the first preseason practice.
Michael Thomas wasn’t there
The Saints star receiver is seeking a new contract and did not report to training camp yesterday. He was absent from the practice field Friday but that simply meant more reps for the rest of the Saints receivers. Undrafted rookie Emmanuel Butler definitely took advantage of his extra snaps. Butler consistently found ways to get open and made a couple nice catches in the team drills.
Veteran receiver Rishard Matthews also made a few nice plays in the morning workout and second-year Saint Simmie Cobbs got open down field for a big catch as well.
Jared Cook and Drew Brees are building chemistry
The Saints signed prized free agent tight end Jared Cook in the offseason and fans got a chance to see one of Drew Brees’ newest weapons make a big play in the first practice. Late in the morning session, Brees connected with a wide open Cook on a deep ball down the left sideline.
Brees said after practice that he’s “Hoping that there are a a couple of those each day so that by the time the real games come around then we have got all that stuff logged away.”
The defense made plays
The Saints defense made several nice plays in the opening practice. Cam Jordan had a couple of would-be sacks, including one where he used a nice swim move to get past the offensive tackle. Marshon Lattimore tipped a pass that was intended for Jared Cook and Vonn Bell was able to force a fumble in 7-on-7 drills.
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