Mandatory minicamp is now in the rearview mirror for the New Orleans Saints. Wednesday’s work focused on red zone and two-minute concept installations, which created a competitive environment for both the offense and defense, working in closed quarters with uptempo and scoring opportunities abundant.
Biggest Story of the Day
Leave it to defensive end Cameron Jordan to be the player that signs a contract on the first day of mandatory minicamp and then attend the second and final day immediately.
Jordan wasn’t involved in team drills or 7-on-7s, but he was involved in individual drills and the stretch period while remaining engaged and cheering the team on from the sideline. Jordan’s return to New Orleans has been the story of minicamp so far. His immediate participation in practice, albeit limited, was a perfect finishing touch.
Another Big Return
Rookie defensive tackle Christen Miller made his debut in team drills in front of the media on Wednesday. He was very involved in mostly first team reps next to Bryan Bresee on the interior.
More Competitive Work
New Orleans continued its trend of dialing up the competitive nature by incorporating more team and 7-on-7 drills throughout practice. The team again held a pair of full team drills and a series of 7s with each of the top three quarterbacks leading the way.
Here’s how those reps broke out throughout the day.
Team Session 1 – Redzone
First Team Reps
- QB Tyler Shough complete to RB Travis Etienne Jr. open in the right flat.
- Etienne run up the middle from under center, good cutback to the gap in the center.
- Etienne run up the middle, stuffed by LB Pete Werner.
- Shough complete to WR Trey Palmer (S Julian Blackmon in coverage) for a touchdown in the right back corner on a simulated third and goal.
- Shough incomplete to Palmer (Blackmon in coverage) in the left back corner, appeared to be dropped.
Second Team Reps
- QB Spencer Rattler complete to RB Ty Chandler on a dump off over the middle, Chandler appeared to fumble, recovered by the defense.
- RB Audric Estime run left.
- Rattler complete to TE Oscar Delp (CB Beanie Bishop) in coverage in the right corner of the endzone for a touchdown.
- Rattler throwaway after a scramble to the right side, DE Chris Rumph II with the pressure. Coverage held up well in the endzone.
- Rattler complete to WR Bryce Lance crossing the back of the endzone for a touchdown.
Third Team Reps
- RB CJ Donaldson run up the middle-left area.
- QB Zach Wilson complete to TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (S Elliott Davison in coverage) on a play action rollout to the left.
- Chandler run up the middle for what looked to be a touchdown.
- Wilson scramble to the right for a touchdown (signaled by officials) on third and goal.
- Wilson complete to Donaldson for a touchdown on fourth and goal.
Team Session 2 – 2-Minute Situational, No Clock
These plays all followed the same cadence over each quarterbacks four plays:
- First and 10 from the 50.
- Second and seven from the plus-47.
- Third and four from the plus-44
- First and 10 from the plus-38
First Team Reps
- Would have been a sack by DE Carl Granderson who won around the right edge. Shough played through for a scramble.
- Etienne run up the middle.
- Etienne run up the middle, stuffed by DT Davon Godchaux and CB Kool-Aid McKinstry.
- Shough complete to TE Juwan Johnson, good for a first down.
Second Team Reps
- Estime run right.
- Estime run left.
- Rattler complete to TE Moliki Matavao on play action to the left, good for a first down.
- Rattler complete to Estime (impressive leaping catch as Rattler had to get the ball over a closing DE Anfernee Jennings) left side, possible first down.
Third Team Reps
- Wilson complete to WR Kevin Austin Jr. on a swing pass to the right side. Good yards after catch opportunity.
- Wilson complete to Mitchell-Paden (LB Jackson Sirmon in coverage) over the middle.
- Donaldson run middle.
- DE Fadil Diggs sack.
7-on-7 Drills – Redzone
First Team Reps
- Shough complete to Estime, short right area, McKisntry with a good crash down.
- Shough throwaway toward Johnson.
- Shough complete to WR Ja’Lynn Polk (S Jonas Sanker in coverage) in the back left corner of the endzone for a touchdown.
- Shough compete to Etienne (Blackmon in coverage) in the middle of the field for a touchdown.
- Shough complete to Lance (McKinstry in coverage) crossing the back of the endzone for a touchdown.
Second Team Reps
- Rattler complete to Austin (LB Kaden Elliss in coverage) in the middle of the field on a quick route.
- Rattler complete to Chandler (S Terrell Burgess in coverage) checkdown to the left side.
- Rattler complete to WR Steven Sims (Sirmon in coverage) over the middle.
- Rattler complete to WR Barion Brown (CB Isaac Yiadom in coverage) quick pass to the right. Brown looked to actually step in front to prevent a PBU or worse by Yiadom.
- Rattler incomplete to Brown (LB Jaylan Ford in coverage) appeared to be dropped in the back of the endzone.
Third Team Reps
- Wilson complete to Delp (Sirmon in coverage) in the short right area.
- Wilson complete to Lance (CB TJ Hall in coverage) right side.
- Wilson complete to Palmer (Hall in coverage) crossing to the left.
- Wilson incomplete TE Treyton Welch, DE Mike Heldman appeared to get a sack before the release.
- Wilson incomplete TE Cody Hardy over the middle.
Participation
While wide receivers Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson didn’t participate in team or 7-on-7 drills, as usual, they did participate in walkthrough. Both players are expected to see their involvement ramp up when the team reports back for training camp in July.
Running back Alvin Kamara remained limited as well, mostly observing for the day. He too will likely see his participation tick up as camp begins.
Players Not Seen
WR Mason Tipton
RB Devin Neal
CB Dalys Beanum
CB Jayden Price
Defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver and running back Kendre Miller observed their position groups throughout the day with Miller joining during walkthroughs. Wide receiver Bub Means worked with a trainer off to the side during the early portion of practice. Means is dealing with what head coach Kellen Moore referred to as a “little lower body injury,” as the team works to get him ready for training camp.
With Price out with injury, Bishop stepped in to get more reps at the STAR/slot defender role, which Sanker retained first team reps doing. Burgess saw a little work there as well.
Sims was present for a tryout while two new signees, wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper and quarterback Hunter Dekkers received limited exposure. Newly-signed kicker Tanner Brown did not kick, but was present.
