The theory was simple: Give Trevor Penning a fresh start at right tackle, a new OL coach and a new scheme and see what happens.
In practice, that's been a lot more complicated, and we've seen those complications manifest throughout the preseason. Penning has struggled, though he did take steps forward in Week 2 of the preseason after a difficult opener. That didn't stop the Saints from hedging their bets this week, for the first time having Penning and Oli Udoh trade off sets working with the first team offense.
"Those guys will compete," head coach Dennis Allen said after Tuesday's session at Tulane. "We’ll see what happens.”
The Saints have gotten more familiar with Udoh, a veteran who has started games 18 games in his career, after he was working back from surgery earlier in the offseason. To this point we've seen him take snaps at both tackle spots as well as left guard. Udoh worked with the second team during the Saints' Week 2 game against the 49ers and earned a 75.7 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Still, when asked after Wednesday's session, Allen said he'd still give the advantage to Penning at this point in terms of ultimately landing the job.
"I’m still waiting on the one guy that’s gonna jump out at me and say, man, this is my freaking job," Allen said, echoing his thoughts on other position battles on the roster, "and I think when it happens, I think we’re all gonna know when it happens. We’re all gonna see it, and so I’m still kind of waiting for that moment right now.”
The biggest question remaining in the preseason will be how those reps are split up in the finale against the Titans on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
There were no major chances in terms of attendance on Wednesday, though safety Johnathan Abram and LG Lucas Patrick each left with cramps -- likely a product of the return to Louisiana and a bit more sweat than normal. The first hour of practice was held outside before moving into the indoor facility to finish out the day. UDFA Kyle Hergel continued to take first-team reps at guard in Patrick's absence.
Here's who we didn't see participating in practice:
- WR Rashid Shaheed (toe)
- CB Marshon Lattimore (hip)
- RB Kendre Miller (hamstring)
- CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (knee)
- CB Rico Payton (shoulder)
- LB Isaiah Stalbird (ankle)
- LB Jaylan Ford (hamstring)
- LB Monty Rice
- G Nick Saldiveri (calf)
- DL Trajan Jeffcoat (elbow)
- WR Mason Tipton (hamstring)
- TE Dallin Holker (ankle)
- TE Kevin Rader
- DE Chase Young (personal)
We did see Mason Tipton and Rico Payton working off to the side with trainers, a sign that they are close to returning.
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There was some more positive news in the form of Alvin Kamara (back) and Paulson Adebo (groin) getting into team drills for the first time since going down with injuries. Neither would be considered a full participant, but they're clearly both nearing that stage. Juwan Johnson continued to ramp back from foot surgery, but did not participate in team sets, same for Taliese Fuaga (back).
ABSENT FRUSTRATION
It's not exactly a secret that the Saints want their players on the field, and for the second time in as many days the head coach went in on the idea that in order for this offense to function at its highest level, players need to be available to do the work. Allen did say Shaheed's injury isn't expected to keep him out long, but it's clear his absences in camp, he also missed time with a hamstring issue, have been something of a point of frustration. Those absences pale in comparison, though, to that of Kendre Miller, who drew some sharp criticism from his coach for the second time this camp.
Miller has been absent since a hamstring injury suffered on the first day of training camp practice in Irvine. In a season with such a drastic offensive shift, not having a young player available has made determining how he fits in the scheme and roster difficult to evaluate, to say the least.
"I know he’s talented," Allen said, "but I don’t know if he can learn the system. I don’t know if he can pick up the system because I haven’t seen him out there.”
The head coach did add that he feels comfortable with the depth in his running back room, which right now looks like it will be a combination of Kamara, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims. Miller's roster spot could be in jeopardy, though the team could also opt to have him start the season on IR and miss at least the first four games. That's a decision we'll be talking a lot more about over the next week.
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DRESS REHEARSAL
There might not be a ton of game-planning that goes into a preseason game, but those processes need practice, too. The final set of team drills for the Saints today were what Allen referred to as "carded" looks that the Titans might show in the preseason finale. It's less about scouting the Titans as it is getting the coaching staff and team ready for that process in the regular season. It's clear that the team is trying to simulate game week scenarios to iron out any issues prior to the regular season.
SPECIALISTS
The hype was on Charlie Smyth on Tuesday, but Wednesday was Blake Grupe's chance to answer. Kicking indoors (something we've yet to really see much of from Smyth), Grupe went 6-7, hitting one kick from outside 50. His lone miss came on an attempt from 61 yards out. The boot had plenty of distance, but the ball struck the left upright about a third of the way up the post.
My numbers have Smyth at 57-69 (82.6%), with Grupe now at 64-76 (84.2%). It's a really interesting competition on the whole.
If Smyth goes 7-for-7 on his next set of attempts, they'd go into the final practice and preseason game tied in percentage. I've had a few folks tell me that if they're tied, the team should go with the guy who has the bigger leg. I'd disagree. Grupe has the leg to make a kick from 60-plus, we've seen him do it this camp and he missed left by a matter of inches today. To me, the difference won't be the ability to make a kick you'd attempt maybe once every three seasons, it'll be who you trust to make the highest percentage of his kicks inside the 50.
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On a similar note, I thought this was a solid bounceback day for Lou Hedley. He's continuing to work on his spiral kicks and he got excellent distance on them today, though the direction on one didn't quite go to plan and it bounced into the end zone rather than angling out of bounds. The rest of the day was impressive, though, and he dropped a pair of kicks inside the 5 to close out the session. The gunners on those plays deserve mention, too, with Rod Teamer and A.T. Perry getting downfield to down the ball just shy of the goal line.
LAGNIAPPE
There was an interception for a second straight day, both in almost identical scenarios. Again it was Spencer Rattler throwing the ball, but this time Jordan Mims who had a ball bounce off his hands and pop up the air. D'Marco Jackson hauled it in for a big play. It's tough to be critical of the QB, though he did seem to rifle the ball in when a touch pass would've been more appropriate, particularly with the target being a RB. On Tuesday it was Kevin Austin Jr. who had a ball bounce off his hands. ... Foster Moreau made a couple more nice grabs today and continues to have a strong camp. He's just a guy that will have a job for a long time in the NFL based on consistency alone. ... The biggest play of the day went to Cedrick Wilson deep down the left sideline after beating Jordan Howden in coverage. Wilson also drew praise from his coach for a block he threw in Sunday's game. That's typically a good sign. I think he continues to be well positioned as the WR3 on this roster.