The New Orleans Saints will wrap up their preseason slate on Friday against the Dallas Cowboys, but fans will have to wait a few more weeks to see Tyler Shough, Chris Olave and the rest of the starting lineup take the field for the first time.
The Saints will rest their starters in Week 3 of the preseason, head coach Kellen Moore said, following a similar plan as to the first two weeks. The difference will be that the starters will go through warmups in full pads, simulating that process ahead of the opener against the Lions.
“I think we put it with the intent that we’ll just take this thing week by week, see the work we get," Moore said. "I felt like those three joint practices were just really good work and so I feel like our guys are ready mentally, physically.”
Brought to you by TRANESOUTH: It's hard to stop a Tranewww.audacy.comThe Saints had a jam-packed schedule this preseason, logging joint practices with the Jaguars, Cowboys and Rams sandwiching the preseason opener. Moore said that the starters logged about 145 snaps between those three practices, which is viewed as enough work to prepare for the season. Several key players, including RB Alvin Kamara (knee), WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), DE Cam Jordan (hamstring) and Quincy Riley (quad.
“They’ve gotten really good work. ... They’ll feel the stadium and then obviously they simply won’t play a few snaps in the game," Moore continued, "which they’ll be OK with that.”
The absence of starters will mean an increased workload for backups fighting for roster spots.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
The Saints held Wednesday's practice at Tulane, the final open session of camp. There were 7,948 in attendance, according to the team.
As far as the players, there were no surprise absences, though the injury list is still extensive. Here are the players I didn't spot practicing:
- WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring)
- WR Trey Palmer
- RB Devin Neal (hamstring)
- CB Quincy Riley (quad)
- DB Lorenzo Styles Jr. (calf)
- CB Dalys Beanum
- RB Alvin Kamara (knee)
- RG Cesar Ruiz (ankle)
- LB Chris Rumph (ankle)
- G/C Torricelli Simpkins III (concussion)
- OL Barry Wesley
- TE Oscar Delp (hamstring)
- DE Cam Jordan (hamstring)
- DT John Ridgeway
The good news is that Chris Olave practiced fully, one day after going down hard in practice and leaving early with trainers. Moore said after practice that the WR had the wind knocked out of him. He was sporting a leg sleeve, but otherwise showed no ill effects.
WR Bub Means and DT Christen Miller also participated in team drills for the first time since returning on Tuesday from their respective injuries.
RED ZONE SUCCESS
The Saints offense has upped its efficiency of late, particularly in the red zone. The first set of the day was 7-on-7s in the red zone, something we haven't seen much of in camp. Tyler Shough found touchdowns on three consecutive reps, the first to Noah Fant, then Chris Olave, then Devaughn Vele, who made a strong-hands grab over Martin Emerson Jr. in coverage.
This was an area where the Saints struggled mightily early in camp and it's one of the biggest separators when the real games start. If you can score touchdowns consistently on drives into the red zone, wins are a lot easier to come by.
Shough targeted Emerson often in this practice and he had his wins and losses. He's a physical, competitive player. I do have some concern that he gets too handsy and might pick up flags in critical situations if he's asked to start. As of now he's the clear CB3 and the first guy off the bench when injuries occur.
KICKING BATTLE INTENSIFIES
The Saints kickers had their busiest day of camp, and it came on the day we saw Daniel Carlson kick for the first time. The former Raiders kicker looked to be knocking off a little rust at points, but he knocked through his first seven kicks of the day -- including one from 55 -- before missing his final kick from 48. The final miss was frustrating, but I put the performance seems within the margin for what it'd take for him to win the job. To Tanner Brown's credit he went 8-for-8, while Charlie Smyth went 7-8 with his lone miss from 55.
The Saints will look to get each player kicks in the preseason game, though Carlson would likely get priority.
Here's the updated kicking stats:
- Daniel Carlson: 7-8, 87.5% (miss: 49; 1-1 from 50-plus)
- Tanner Brown: 47-54, 87% (misses: PAT, 38, 39 (2), 45, 51, 54; long of 56; 7-9 from 50-plus)
- Charlie Smyth: 46-57, 81% (misses: 39, 44, 45 (2), 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56; long of 54; 6-12 from 50-plus)
Going by the numbers, it'd feel like the decision will come down to Carlson or Brown. What's working against Brown is the lack of experience and the short misses. He's missed four kicks within 40 yards and doinked in an extra point. The short miss late against the Rams is a lasting image that will be difficult for him to erase in one final preseason audition. If Carlson looks sharp in the preseason finale, he'll be difficult to beat out.
