Saints Training Camp Day 18: QBs go head-to-head

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Saints moved their Wednesday practice to the Caesars Superdome and put together an intriguing wrinkle for their “call-it,” or live-called, sequences.

A New Wrinkle

Rather than having each of the front-runners at quarterback, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough, both take reps throughout the called period of practice with the first team, Rattler led the first team offense in a scrimmage like format against the second team defense. Meanwhile, Shough led the second team offense up against the first team defense.

This created a back-and-forth between each team to try to get points on the board in an end of game scenario.

Here’s How It Went

The second team defense took the field against the first team offense protecting a seven-point lead. Rattler and the first team offense marched down the field with eight consecutive passing plays, with Rattler completing seven six different receivers. The only receiver to catch multiple passes was Chris Olave who reeled in a pass on the left side of the field and followed it up with a deep route down the right sideline.

On the deep route, Olave accelerated past the tight coverage of cornerback Rico Payton creating just enough separation for his quarterback to place a pass over his inside shoulder to the outside arm. Olave, with late hands, let the ball fall into his right arm for a one-handed catch with Payton creating contact. The big catch inspired a huge celebration in the end zone.

But with time still left in the scenario, Shough and the second team got their chance to respond.

Shough completed three of his five passes, but one completion and one incompletion were wiped out by offensive penalties.

The defense gave up ground with some penalties of their own, a pair of defensive holding calls that helped to advance the offense along with a spectacular throw by Shough who took an impressive arm angle to find wide receiver Dante Pettis in the middle of the field. A few plays later, including a sack wiped out by one of those defensive penalties, the field goal unit took the field and kicker Charlie Smyth booted a 58-yard field goal to put the second team ahead for the win.

A fun and exciting way to push more competition across the roster.

Quarterback Rotation

During the scripted period, Rattler and Shough each got one sequence with the first and second team offenses against their respective defensive units. In the third team drill, Rattler was with the first team offense against the second team defense and Shough was with the second team offense against the second team defense. That served as the warm-up for the “call-it” period.

Jake Haener was with the third team.

QB Stats (Running Total)

NOTE: These stats will include 7-on-7 drills

Rattler: 18/25 and a passing touchdown (164/231, 16 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and six interceptions)

Shough: 8/16 (127/212, 10 passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and four interceptions)

Haener: 3/6 (100/149, six passing touchdowns and two interceptions)

Haener received additional snaps at the end of the practice in developmental drills, as well.

Attendance and Injury Updates

Every player on the 91-man roster was seen at some point during today’s practice.

Running back Devin Neal participated in team drills and 7-on-7s throughout the practice, showing some progress from his limited day on Tuesday.

Safety Terrell Burgess was back in a limited capacity and long snapper Zach Wood was back in action.

Cornerback Alontae Taylor and defensive tackle John Ridgeway III were seen walking laps around the field, continuing their recoveries to get back on the field.

Left guard Trevor Penning was seen observing with a boot on his right foot.

Tight ends Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill were seen observing.

Punters Go Head-To-Head, Too

Another battle is ongoing deep into the preseason for the Saints at punter. Rookies James Burnip and Kai Kroeger have been going back and forth since the West Coast portion of camp, following the release of incumbent punter Matthew Hayball. It might mean nothing, but this was the first time we’ve seen Kroeger first in the punter rotation.

Kroeger hangtimes: 4.59s, 4.50s, 4.68s, 3.53s, 4.88s, 5.10s, 4.81s, 4.75s, 3.12s, 4.31s

Burnip hangtimes: 4.91s, 4.38s, 4.94s, 4.59s, 4.87s, 4.43s, 4.69s, 4.91s, 5.03s, 3.59s

Grupe and Smyth Both Impress

Both kickers had perfect days inside the dome. Grupe had a very successful camp, having missed just one field goal which took place during a random rain storm. That continued on Wednesday.

Grupe nailed kicks from extra point distance twice, 42 yards out, 44 yards out and 53 yards out.

He is now 39/40 in camp, 41/42 including his two preseason field goals.

Smyth was also perfect on the day with the highlight being his 58-yarder to seal the win for the second team in the call-it period.

The second-year kicker was good from extra point distance, 42 yards out, 49 yards out and 58 yards out. He is now 26/49 in camp, 29/52 with his three preseason makes.

Lagniappe

• The energy was fantastic throughout practice and was fun and jovial again on Wednesday. The roster clearly loves when head coach Kellen Moore gives these game situations. 
• The Saints’ defensive line might surprise in 2025. Edge rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson were again standouts throughout the day. But so were interior defenders Bryan Bresee and Davon Godchaux, who both stood out in pass rushing and run stopping situations.
• The secondary dominated 7-on-7 drills. Of the 12 passes thrown during these drills, only three were complete. Meanwhile, at least four were broken up, six were contested and one was more of a throwaway than a real target. Standout work three teams deep in the second here in a drill that’s heavily weighted in favor of the offense.
• The Saints also showed some fun trickery throughout practice. It feels important to mention that Moore’s offense will have its wrinkles, bringing about some fun moments this season.

Up Next

The Saints will treat Thursday’s practice as a lighter walkthrough day. The team is treating it like a Friday in-season practice. New Orleans will then host the Denver Broncos on Saturday afternoon at Noon CT.