NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Take One: Quick Work
My first impression of the Kellen Moore-led Saints training camp is things move quickly. None of the three practices lasted longer than an hour and twenty minutes.
Some of that is by design with the ramp-up period within the CBA but other aspects look like a sign of things to come.
The team moves quickly between periods. Drills are intentional but don’t last incredibly long and take over the majority of practice time. Plus, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of time standing around in between sessions. Even when things go to full pads next week, the schedule doesn’t show many extremely long workouts.
This is something many of us who’ve covered the team are unaccustomed to with so many of those Metairie practices lasting well over two hours with multiple stoppages and breaks in between.
With this regime, the goal is to get as much work done in as short amount of time as possible. Plus, Moore has been very open about being intentional with the sports science staff.
If this approach in July and August leads to a healthier team in November and December, then it will definitely be worth it.
Take Two: Quarterback rotation
All eyes have rightfully been on the quarterback competition where Moore was true to his word and given Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener first team reps.
Through three practices, Rattler appears to be the most comfortable in the new system. His overall sense of timing is better and looks more decisive. He had a really good practice Friday. Rattler didn’t throw an incompletion and ended practice with a dime to Michael Jacobsen over the middle. His chemistry with receivers that he worked with a season ago is evident.
Haener received first team reps on Friday and did a nice job. He executed a screen nicely on a blitz and had a nice connection to Rashid Shaheed on a bootleg drag during Thursday’s practice. Haener worked with the third team for the first two practices. He knows he’s the underdog but as we’ve seen in the past two training camps, Haener has a way being relevant this time of year by making plays.
Obviously, Shough has gotten a lot of attention and thus far has been a mixed bag. His first day was a bit of a struggle as he looked indecisive. When he ran with the first team Thursday, he closed out strong with a touchdown throw to Shaheed on a shallow cross against a blitz. His Friday practice was incomplete. Shough ran with the third team and only took six snaps in team and threw just one pass. Obviously, rep distribution isn’t going to be exactly equal, but that felt like a missed opportunity by the coaches to get Shough a few more reps.
Overall, this competition is still a long way from being complete. All three of these players should improve, and eventually one will separate from the pack.
Take Three: Where are the fans?
New season. New coach. New quarterback. But they’re doesn’t seem to be a new excitment from the fan base at the moment for the Saints season. Crowds have looked noticeably thinner than in training camps past on Airline Drive.
That’s what four straight seasons of no playoffs can do to even the most loyal of fan bases. At least early on, it appears the Who Dat nation is keeping things fairly low-key this training camp. But as we all know, when the team needs them, they will be there.
Take Four: Flying under the radar
Three practices in there have been a few players that have flown under the radar.
Running back Velus Jones, Jr. has shown a quickness early on. With his wide receiver and running back versatility, he should factor into the competition.
Last year at this time, Kendre Miller was rehabbing after suffering a soft tissue injury in warmups. This year, he looks to be in much better physical shape and has made a few nice cuts. The team is not ready to give up on Miller. Hopefully, he can stay healthy and become a consistent contributor this season.
Wide receiver Mason Tipton was on fire Friday. He finished with five receptions. All three quarterbacks completed passes to him. Tipton battled his way onto the roster a season ago but really leveled off when the regular season rolled around.
Defensively, rookie Danny Stutsman has flashed a few times with his sideline-to-sideline range.
Take Five: Other Observations
The Saints have definitely caught a break with the weather over the first few practices. Things haven’t been as unbearably hot or stormy as in training camps past in Metairie this time of year. Rookie Quincy Riley has the only interception of camp so far. He picked off Rattler in the back of the end zone on Thursday.Thursday’s red zone was very sloppy for the offense. In a stretch of four plays, they committed four false start penalties. Blake Grupe has been perfect thus far in field goals. Charlie Smyth struggled going 2-5 on Thursday. Julian Blackmon is a nice addition to the Saints safety room with Tyrann Mathieu retiring, He nearly had an interception Friday. Things should ramp up quite a bit Monday when the team is scheduled to go full pads.
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