3 position groups set to benefit from Saints-Rams joint practice

By Ross Jackson

Joint practices typically provide teams an opportunity during the offseason to practice against unfamiliar talent and test a team’s progress against another. The New Orleans Saints will get their chance to do both Thursday while facing the Los Angeles Rams in Carson, Calif. 

The entire team will find (the few) ways to benefit from this practice structure. However, three players or positions in particular will benefit most. 

Quarterbacks

One area that will see the greatest benefit from this joint session is the quarterback battle. 

Second-year passer Spencer Rattler opened up a wide margin early on in camp, and rookie Tyler Shough has been picking up some valuable momentum as of late. Head coach Kellen Moore said during his Wednesday media availability that the joint practice will feature about a 60% workload for the first team with both passers rotating. 

That should give each of the young options a chance to do something they’ll never get the chance to do in a preseason game: compete against a top-flight opponent with a full complement of starters versus a full complement of starters. That should provide some key information toward the impending quarterback decision for the Saints. 

Defensive Line

The last two times the Saints and Rams squared off, running back Kyren Williams ran for 104 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in each game. He has been a thorn in the run game’s side for a couple of years now. Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley knows Rams head coach Sean McVay well and will look to counter his duo run scheme and have his defensive line ready to go. 

Offensive Line

The Saints’ offensive line will square off with talented Rams edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young along with productive interior defenders Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner. New Orleans’ new-look protection front will very much be put to the test while the group manages the brief loss of starting left guard Trevor Penning. 

Lagniappe: Head Coach 

Not a position group in terms of player, but Moore will have a unique opportunity to parallel his offense against one of the NFL’s best in McVay and the Rams. Moore showed a lot of innovation even in the first preseason game. 

Now, he will be able to put his offensive scheme on display against a formidable Rams defense while offering a comparative look for himself against McVay’s Super Bowl-winning approach.