I've lost count of the number of times I've written that it wasn't yet time to panic about the Saints' slow start on offense. But this week's joint practice with the Jaguars felt like something of a deadline.
It was a test that could've gone either way. The good news for the Saints is that they passed with flying colors, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. That's the side of the practice facility I chose to target for this practice, with WWL's Bobby Hebert and Mike Hoss checking out the defense vs the Jags' offense (more on that below).
What stood out most to me in this session was the aggressive downfield passing for the first-team offense, which had been largely absent through the first 11 days of camp. Instead Shough set the tone early with a jump ball opportunity 30 yards downfield targeting Chris Olave, who went up over Travis Hunter for an impressive catch.
Coverage brought to you by Trane: It's Hard To Stop A TraneTrane: It's Hard To Stop A TraneNext he found rookie Jordyn Tyson on a comeback route to end that set of team. After just three reps of second-team offense Shough was on the field again. His next pass went to Devaughn Vele over the middle for a 6-yard gain, then it was a 50-plus yard catch and-run TD to Lance, by my count his first catch with the 1s during camp.
So four passes, four completions, all four of the top targets catch a ball, two chunk plays and a touchdown. The offense could've just walked off the field then and it'd have been a winning day. They didn't do that, of course. The high-intensity practice last for about 90 plays, with the first-team outsnapping the combined second and third teams about 2-1.
There was a bit more pressure than I'd like to see and Travon Walker had a claim to about a half-dozen pressures, though only three were actually blown dead as sacks. That's a talented Jaguars pass rush and it showed. I'm starting to have some concern about the amount of pressure we're seeing off the left side of the line, but we'll see what happens when the games start.
In all I had Shough finishing the day 22-31 (70%) with four TDs and three chunk plays (20-plus). That's the type of day the offense needed. They came out with the energy and clearly benefitted from facing a defense that isn't quite as familiar with what they wanted to do. Hopefully they keep building.
TYSON GOES DOWN
OK, I lied, the vibes aren't all perfect. WR Jordyn Tyson was busy early in practice with three catches, but on the third he went to the ground on the sideline and remained there for a few moments. He ultimately got up and jogged back to the sideline but ultimately left with trainers and did not return. Head coach Kellen Moore had little info to share coming off the field, but did specify that it was a leg injury.
Considering Tyson's injury history, that'll be one to watch closely. The No. 8 overall pick was held out of OTAs and minicamp due to hamstring issues that have dogged him since his final year at Arizona State. He was a full participant in the first 11 practices of camp without issue. He was not expected to play in the preseason opener, so we likely won't get a good read on his status until the Saints face off with the Cowboys during a joint practice in California.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Things were roughly the same from an attendance standpoint. Here are the players I didn't see practicing:
- RB Kendre Miller (back)
- WR Mason Tipton
- RB Devin Neal (hamstring)
- CB Rejzohn Wright
- LB Chris Rumph (ankle)
- DL Brien Taylor
- DT Davon Godchaux (ankle)
- DT John Ridgeway (back)
DB Terrell Burgess left practice midway through with an undisclosed issue. Safety Jonas Sanker also left practice with what appeared to be a laceration, ultimately watching the remainder of practice from the sideline.
The Saints will hold a short walkthrough at the Caesars Superdome on Friday ahead of Saturday's preseason opener. Most starters are expected to be held out of action. Spencer Rattler will start at QB.
ON THE DEFENSE
As is the case with all joint practices ... you have to make a decision. For this session I watched the offense, so my insight on the defense is minimal. Check out the video below for some intel from the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert for the action on that side of the ball. My plan is to get a good look at the defense in one or both of the next two joint practices.
Reports are that the Saints pass rush, particularly Chase Young and Nathan Shepherd, had very strong days. Young self-reported that he accounted for six sacks. I was told that the number was probably closer to four, but there were multiple other plays that he could've had a shot. The consensus was that six was definitely not impossible.
The day started with an interception by Julian Blackmon, his second of camp. Where the Jaguars won the most was in the red zone, which is a bit of a surprise considering the Saints defense's efficiency in that area to this point.
RED ZONE OFFENSE
One thing that was a welcome sight was a competent red zone offense. I wouldn't say it was great, but it was definitely a step forward from what we saw earlier in the week. The plays were snapped from the 10-yard line and the Saints' first-team offense found the end zone twice, though in both instances they had to do it on 4th down. The first touchdown was to Chris Olave who beat his defender to the right corner. The second was Devaughn Vele to the opposite corner of the end zone. Both balls were delivered perfectly.
On a day where I felt the Saints OL opened up rushing lanes pretty consistently, that could not be said for the red zone rushing attack. Both Etienne and Kamara were stonewalled at the goal line. We also saw an off-target throw targeting Etienne, and a fade ball to Bryce Lance where he was forced out of bounds. Olave made a spectacular one-handed catch on the opposite side of the end zone but was ruled out of bounds.
It wasn't perfect, but I don't need the Saints to be perfect in the red zone. I need them to be in the middle of the pack and not be constantly settling for field goals. If the plan is to be aggressive on 4th downs all year, great, but I'd love to see this team find a way to run the ball in there. That was the case, to be fair, with the second-team. Rattler found the end zone on a scramble and Ty Chandler plowed in from about 4 yards out.
2-MINUTE
I can't speak for what happened on the other field, but the scenario for the Saints offense was 1:30 remaining at the 35 yard line, trailing 23-21 and with one timeout. The mission was to set up a game-winning field goal. Both the first and second team succeeded in that.
Shough completed four consecutive passes, including a 20-yard gain to Juwan Johnson, to set up 3rd & 1 at the 36 yard line with 23 seconds to go. Alvin Kamara dove for a short gain up the middle, followed by a spike, and Charlie Smyth knocked through the 53-yarder to win.
Rattler had similar success, starting with a 30-yard completion to Barion Brown, who made a pretty, leaping grab in traffic. Already in field goal range, Rattler found Ronnie Bell for a short gain, followed by a pair of incompletions targeting Audric Estime and Bryce Lance. That set up a 53-yarder for Brown, which he nailed with about 30 seconds left on the clock. I only note that last part because the ideal scenario would be no time remaining.
KICKING UPDATE
Charlie Smyth was in desperate need of a perfect day, and that's exactly what he got. The soundtrack shifted back to Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer,' and Smyth connected easily from 37,. 42, 46, 51 and 56, followed by the 53-yarder noted above. Brown also had a strong day, hitting 5 of 6 with his attempt from 51 yards bouncing off the left upright. That means in the past two practices the Saints kickers are a combined 23-of-25 (92%). Both guys look to be settling in and building confidence, which was the case last year as well for Smyth. You'd like a guy to be perfect, but as we saw last year, all that really matters is if they go in when the games start.
Here are the updated stats:
- Tanner Brown: 33-38, 86.8% (misses: PAT, 39, 45, 51, 54; long of 56; 6-8 from 50-plus)
- Charlie Smyth: 33-41, 80.4% (misses: 39, 44, 45, 47, 50, 51, 54, 56; long of 54; 6-10 from 50-plus)
LAGNIAPPE
Bryce Lance was BUSY in this practice. He got a lot of work with the 1s and 2s and showed the highs and lows of a developmental rookie. For every nice grab, there was one or two close calls that he probably could've come down with. I love seeing him getting in the work, though, because his skillset is one that could torch defenses down the line once he puts it all together. I say it a lot, you can't teach 6-3 with 4.3 speed. ... This was a busy day for the WRs. Throughout camp we've seen Shough targeting the TE position heavily, but today he seemed to use that position as his security blanket. Shough's first 10 pass attempts of the day were targeting WRs. But in critical situations he looked to Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant. I think that's the right approach for an offense with this many elite options on the outside. ... Alvin Kamara got a lot of work with the 2s. It's still weird to see, but I do appreciate that he's embracing that role. He needs his reps, and that's where he'll find a lot of them. ... I'm starting to wonder if the Saints actually keep six receivers, or if they pare it down to five and keep an extra tight end or running back. That said, if a 6th WR does get kept it has to be Kevin Austin Jr. at this point. He's always involved. ... Bub Means had what would've been a long touchdown today on a deep sideline route from Zach Wilson. It would've been about 60 yards. He'd be the other contender for that final WR spot. I'm always amazed because he doesn't look particularly fast, but he's always finding ways to get open. ... Numbers are changing! Today we saw Jonas Sanker wearing the No. 7 jersey for the first time. It looks weird. QB Hunter Dekkers had been wearing the No. 7, previously worn by Taysom Hill. He's now in No. 13, which was previously worn by WR Ja'Lynn Polk, who opted to retire early in camp.
