The New Orleans Saints took the field for their first mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday, the first of two such practices. Before even hitting the practice field, the biggest story of the day was in development.
Cam Jordan is Back
15-year New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan was at the facility, holding a meeting with Saints brass to hash out a contract that would allow him to return for another year with the team. As the practice day concluded, reports rolled in that the deal, a one-year, incentive-heavy agreement, was complete, putting season No. 16 for Jordan and the Saints in motion.
“One city. One team. One final season,” a recent social media post by the 2011 first-rounder outlined. Setting up not just another year, but what appears to be Jordan’s final year in New Orleans and possibly the NFL.
Attendance:
The following players were not seen during Tuesday’s practice:
- WR Mason Tipton
- WR Bub Means
- RB Devin Neal
- DT Zxavnian Harris
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver was not in uniform, wide receiver Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson were limited in participation similar to previous weeks and running back Kendre Miller observed without participating.
Oscar Delp’s Big Day
Throughout the day, the top target for the team’s offense was rookie tight end Oscar Delp, who returned to team drills for the first time since managing a hamstring injury beginning the second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
The third-round draft pick was targeted four times by the three quarterbacks with a trio of receptions in the process. He was the most targeted player through both team and 7-on-7 drills upon his return to action.
The Saints’ have high hopes for what Delp will bring to the offense both from a blocking and athleticism standpoint, being that he was underutilized in his collegiate system as a pass-catcher. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Delp won’t see such a limited role in head coach Kellen Moore’s offense.
A Heavy Workload In Team/7-on-7 Drills
During OTAs, New Orleans would only do two periods of either 7-on-7 or team drills. During the first minicamp practice, the team added a third session. Two were team drills with an extra 7-on-7 session tagged on. Here’s how those reps played out:
Team Drill Session 1
Tyler Shough’s Reps
- QB Tyler Shough incomplete attempt to TE Noah Fant, pass batted at the line of scrimmage.
- RB Travis Etienne Jr. run up the middle, looked like a decent hole to run through.
- Shough complete to WR Devaughn Vele (S Justin Reid the closes in coverage) in the left flat area.
- Shough complete to Etienne out of the backfield, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry quickly closed for a simulated tackle.
- Shough incomplete to Vele on what looked like may have been a miscommunication. S Julian Blackmon almost chased down an interception on the throw, showing impressive range.
Spencer Rattler’s Reps
- WR Barion Brown run to the left end
- QB Spencer Rattler complete to Delp (LB Jaylan Ford closest defender) on the short-right side off of play action.
- Rattler complete to Delp (CB Martin Emerson Jr. in coverage) short left side.
- Rattler complete to WR Ronnie Bell (CB Jayden Price in coverage) on a quick pass over the middle.
- Rattler complete to WR Bryce Lance (CB Isaac Yiadom in coverage) on the right side.
Zach Wilson’s Reps
- QB Zach Wilson complete to WR Trey Palmer (CB TJ Hall in coverage) on a rollout to the right on a quick pass.
- RB CJ Donaldson run up the middle.
- Wilson incomplete on throwaway to the area of WR Barion Brown. DT Coziah Izzard with pressure.
- Wilson intercepted by CB Beanie Bishop while targeting TE Cody Hardy. The ball was dropped by Hardy and Bishop was able to secure it mid-air.
- Wilson complete to Bell (Hall in coverage) short-middle area.
Team Session 2
These drills added progressive down and distance from first and 10 to second and nine and third and four. If a first down was gained, the offense was given another first and 10 rep.
Shough’s Reps
- Etienne run to the right side.
- Shough incomplete to TE Moliki Matavao (Blackmon in coverage) in the short-right area.
- Shough complete to Matavao (LB Pete Werner in coverage) play action quick pass.
- Shough complete to Etienne (S Jonas Sanker in coverage). Throw was out to the left flats and Sanker crashed down quickly for what would have been a quick takedown.
- Pre-snap penalty defense, no play.
- Shough scrambles up the middle on third and four, likely would have gained the first down.
Rattler’s Reps
- Pre-snap penalty, no play.
- RB Audric Estime run up middle.
- Estime run left, really good block here by T Asim Richards to seal the left edge.
- Estime run right, stopped quickly by DT John Ridgeway III.
- Rattler incomplete to Delp (S Terrell Burgess in coverage) short left area.
- Rattler complete to WR Kevin Austin Jr. (Sanker in coverage), first down over the middle on third and four.
Wilson’s Reps
- Wilson complete to Bell (LB Jackson Sirmon in coverage) crosser over the middle.
- WIlson complete Bell (Bishop in coverage) intermediate right area, first down on second and long.
- RB Ty Chandler run up middle.
- Wilson complete to TE Treyton Welch (LB Isaiah Stalbird in coverage) in the short middle area.
- Wilson complete to to Welch, open over the middle for a first down on third and four.
7-On-7 Session
Shough’s Reps
- Shough complete to Fant (LB Kaden Elliss in coverage) over the middle
- Shough complete to Etienne over the middle after play action.
- Shough incomplete to TE Juwan Johnson, DE Carl Granderson batted the pass down at the line of scrimmage.
- Shough complete to Johnson (Werner and Reid in coverage) crossing to left-intermediate area. Best throw of the day.
- Shough incomplete to Vele (CB Kool-Aid McKinstry) down the left sideline. McKinstry pushed Vele out of bounds before he could come down with the pass.
Rattler’s Reps
- Rattler incomplete to Bell (Price in coverage) at the sideline on the left side.
- Rattler complete to Delp in the shallow right area.
- Rattler complete to TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (S Jordan Howden in coverage) over the middle.
- Rattler complete to Bell (Burgess in coverage) underneath in the middle.
- Rattler complete to Matavao (Burgess in coverage) in the short-left area.
Wilson’s Reps
- Wilson incomplete to Brown (Hall in coverage) crossing the field.
- Wilson incomplete to Mitchell-Paden (Hall in coverage) along the right sideline.
- Wilson incomplete to Mitchell-Paden (S Elliott Davison in coverage) in the intermediate right area.
- Wilson complete to Bell (Hall in coverage) short right area at the sideline.
- Wilson complete to Brown (Davison in coverage) in the intermediate right side.
Slot Rotation Hold Steady
Sanker, Price and Bishop continued to rotate, in that order, down first, second and third team drills at STAR/slot defender, though Price appeared to leave early.
Charlie Smyth Kicks
It was another work day for kicker Charlie Smyth, who went 4-of-6 on his kicking attempts. He was good from extra point distance, 42, 46, and 56 yards out with misses from 51 and 54 yards.
