The New Orleans Saints were back in the Louisiana heat on Wednesday afternoon at the final day of open Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in front of the local media. During that time, the team focused on third down work and ran 11-on-11 team drills for the first time. It was a strong defensive day forcing a lot of scrambles and second-phase action by the offense with strong coverage and some pressure.
Team Drills
Tyler Shough Reps
- Shough complete to TE Moliki Matavao in the short right area, S Justin Reid in coverage
- RB Travis Etienne Jr. run up the middle, great cut up the middle with good vision. Nice gap created by the offensive line. Likely a nice gain in action.
- Shough complete to TE Noah Fant in the short middle area, S Jonas Sanker in coverage
- Etienne run right, well defended.
- Appeared to be a false start, re-huddle.
- Shough incomplete to WR Trey Palmer in the middle of the field, dropped but had space underneath Reid, who was over the top.
During these reps, Sanker remained in control of the STAR/slot defender role.
Spencer Rattler Reps
- Rattler throwaway to the right sideline.
- RB Devin Neal runs up the middle.
- Rattler complete to Palmer in the short left area, LB Danny Stutsman the nearest defender.
- RB Audric Estime run up the middle.
- Rattler complete to WR Ronnie Bell in the short left area, CB Isaac Yiadom in coverage.
During these reps, offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins II took the center snaps and cornerback Jayden Price was in the slot.
Zach Wilson Reps
- RB Ty Chandler run up the middle, well defended.
- Wilson complete to WR Barion Brown, open in the right flat wide open in the area.
- Wilson complete to TE Juwan Johnson in the left flat, open in the area.
- Re-huddle, no play.
- RB C.J. Donaldson run up the middle.
- Wilson complete to Palmer in the middle of the field, CB Rejzohn Wright in coverage.
During this session, offensive lineman William Sherman was in at center while cornerback Beanie Bishop was in the slot.
7-On-7 Drills
Shough Reps
- Shough complete to Fant in a scramble drill to the short right area, CB Quincy Riley in coverage.
- Shough complete to Palmer short right with run after catch available. Likely first down on the second and long. S Julian Blackmon in coverage.
- Shough incomplete to WR Kevin Austin Jr., another scramble drill, targeted downfield in the middle-intermediate area with Riley in coverage.
- Re-Huddle, no play
- Shough incomplete to Matavao after another scramble, targeted in the short right area with S Jordan Howden in coverage.
- Shough complete to WR Bryce Lance on a crosser over the middle in the right area with Sanker in coverage. Enough for a first down on the simulated third and 11.
Rattler Reps
- Rattler incomplete to WR Devaughn Vele along the right sideline, Howden in tight coverage.
- Rattler complete to TE Treyton Welch in the short left area, S Terrell Burgess in coverage.
- Rattler complete to Bell in the short middle area with Bishop in coverage.
- Rattler complete to TE Cody Hardy (a new arrival to practice), win the short middle area with Burgess in coverage.
- Rattler complete to Vele in the intermediate right area, just short of the first down on third and 11. Yiadom in coverage.
Wilson Reps
- Wilson intercepted by LB Isaiah Stalbird targeting Bell over the middle. It looked like WIlson didn’t see Stalbird underneath. The linebacker would have been in store for a big return. Young and Reid ran out to the field from the sideline to celebrate the takeaway.
- Wilcon complete to Johnson, open in the left flats with Wright as the closest defender in coverage,.
- Wilson complete to Bell across the middle in the right area, LB Jackson Sirmon in coverage.
- Wilson complete to WR Ja’Lynn Polk in the flats to the left, DE Fadil Diggs was the closest defender
- Wilson complete to Donaldson open in the short right area, Bishop would have stopped him short after the catch on third and 11.
Quarterback Numbers
- Shough: 6/8 on the day.
- Rattler: 6/8 on the day.
- Wilson: 7/8 and an interception on the day.
Attendance
Not seen:
- WR Chris Olave
- WR Bub Means
- RB Alvin Kamara
- DT Christen Miller
- DT Zxavian Harris
- DT Nathan Shepherd
Observing:
- WR Jordyn Tyson
Limited Participation:
- TE Oscar Delp
- RB Kendre Miller
- DB Lorenzo Styles Jr.
New:
- TE Cody Hardy
Charlie Smyth’s Kicks
It appeared that Smyth made all six of his field goals between extra point distance and about 54 yards out. There is some debate as to whether or not his attempt from around 52 was good, as it was tight to the left upright.
Ryan Wright’s Punts
Being outdoors, the Saints’ punter finally got a chance to kick in front of the media. Almost all of his punts were from plus territory and all of the punts appeared to focus on directional work. Therefore, there wasn’t much opportunity for hang time. That being said, here is the hang time for each punt:
4.46s, 4.18s, 4.28s, 3.70s, 4.31s, 4.23s, 4.10s, 3.55s, 3.73s, and 4.23s.
Punt returners included WRs Barion Brown, Jordyn Tyson (did not field his punt), Ja’Lynn Polk and Trey Palmer as well as defensive backs Jayden Price and Kool-Aid McKinstry.
