The first day of pads is often seen as the day that physicality and competition ticks up. However, for the New Orleans Saints at least, both of those elements of the game have been soaring all throughout training camp already. So instead, Monday’s fifth practice became a day in which the offense felt the charge to bounce back, the passing game found its rhythm and wide receivers took advantage of new opportunities.
Tyler Shough’s Best Day
Without a doubt, the second-year quarterback looked to be at his best on Monday, as did the rest of the offense. He connected on 11 of his 14 passing attempts and was aggressive in taking shots downfield for big connections. Even though a few fell incomplete, his timing, decision-making and attacking nature were all on full display throughout the practice which eliminated 7-on-7 drills for the day in favor of 1-on-1s.
First Pass Game 1-On-1s
The Saints ran their first collection of these sessions with receivers and corners matching up with one another as well as offensive linemen against defensive linemen. The biggest winners of the day appeared to be rookie receiver Barion Brown (who had a strong day overall), rookie safety Lorenzo Styles Jr., backup slot corner Jayden Price and rookie offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright.
Attendance
No new absences were reported for this practice, aside from wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who was added to the Reserved/Retired list the evening before. Otherwise, offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz (personal absence) and defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (who has not yet been moved to Injured Reserve, but will have surgery in the coming weeks) were not present along with the three players remaining on injury lists: wide receiver Mason Tipton, defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. Tipton was seen observing from the sideline when the team moved outside.
Some First-Team Shuffling
For the first time, we saw the Saints rotate some players in for first-team reps when they were previously not getting any. Two defenders, veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom and second-year linebacker Danny Stutsman received the honors on Monday. Head coach Kellen Moore said that the decisions were not necessarily attached to intended competition at either position but instead focused on getting those players additional opportunities.
Kicker Competition
Incumbent kicker Charlie Smyth was up on Monday, getting an opportunity to stay perfect on camp thus far. However, he missed his first kick of camp from 44 yards out. Just like his competition, Tanner Brown, he was given a re-kick from the same spot, which he then made. Both kickers have each missed one kick a piece now, sinking both retry opportunities. Brown’s miss was from extra point distance.
Smyth’s made kicks on Monday ranged from extra point distance to 54 yards out.
Smyth: 14/15 (1/1 on re-kicks) Miss from 44
Brown: 9/10 (1/1 on re-kicks) Miss from extra point
Team Drill Session 1
Shough
- Travis Etienne Jr. run right, EDGE Chase Young with the stop at the line.
- Shough complete to TE Oscar Delp (S Julian Blackmon in coverage).
- Shough complete to WR Chris Olave (CB Kool-Aid McKinstry in coverage). Olave slipped at the line of scrimmage, but still made the out-breaking route in time for a catch at the sideline.
- RB Alvin Kamara run right side, EDGE Carl Granderson chased the play down from the opposite side.
Rattler
- RB Devin Neal run right, good gain.
- QB Spencer Rattler incomplete to Brown (S Jordan Howden in coverage) on a post deep downfield. Just through the outstretched arms of Brown.
- RB Audric Estime run middle.
- Rattler complete to WR Bryce Lance (Yiadom in coverage) on the right sideline.
Wilson
- QB Zach Wilson complete to TE Moliki Matavao (LB Jackson Sirmon in coverage) in the short-right area.
- RB Ty Chandler run right, Sirmon with a quick stop.
- Wilson incomplete, throwaway. Pressure and possible sack by DE Fadil Diggs.
- Wilson incomplete, throwaway.
Team Drill Session 2
- First-and-15
- Second-and-12
- Third-and-11
- Fourth-and-6
Shough
- Complete to TE Juwan Johnson in the short-right area.
- Complete to WR Devaughn Vele (McKinstry in coverage) in the intermediate-right area.
- Incomplete to Olave (S Jonas Sanker in coverage), possible throwaway here. Granderson with pressure after a great spin move to the inside of the tackle.
- Complete to WR Jordyn Tyson (Yiadom in coverage) on a crosser for a first down. Flag was thrown in the backfield, but no call visible.
Rattler
- Complete to Delp (S Justin Reid in coverage), short-left area.
- Complete to Delp (CB Martin Emerson Jr. in coverage) catch and possible fumble. Could have been a pass breakup as well.
- Complete to Brown (CB Quincy Riley in coverage) for a first down on the right sideline.
- Complete to Lance (Emerson in coverage) on the left sideline, short of the first down.
Wilson
- Incomplete to TE Treyton Welch, batted at the line by DL Ja’Viar Suggs.
- Incomplete on a throwaway, EDGE Mike Heldman with pressure.
- False Start called, but played through for a completion to Welch on the left side.
- Intercepted by CB Dalys Beanum on a target to WR Bub Means down the right sideline.
Team Drill Session 3
Shough
- Shough complete to Etienne in the short-left area off of play action.
- Etienne run left.
- Shough incomplete to Olave (riley in coverage) deep down the right sideline.
- Etienne run left.
Rattler
- Rattler complete to Kamara (LB Isaiah Stalbird in coverage) in the short-left area off of play action.
- Kamara run left.
- EDGE Tyree Wilson and LB Chris Rumph III combine for a sack. Rattler plays through for a scramble.
- Rattler complete to Brown (Emerson in coverage) deep down the left sideline for the play of the day. Brown had to torque his body to track the ball over his opposite shoulder and still managed to make the catch in bounds as he was going to the ground.
Wilson
- Neal run up the middle.
- Wilson complete to Matavao (CB TJ Hall in coverage) on the right side.
- Estime run left.
- Wilson complete to Means (Beanum in coverage).
Team Drill Session 4
These drills happened simultaneously on split fields as Shough received eight reps with the first team and second and third team split their reps on the opposite field. The second and third teams were a play behind and had a false start on a call, and therefore ran one fewer play.
Shough
- Kamara run middle.
- Shough complete to Kamara right side.
- Kamara run right side, stuffed.
- Shough complete to Etienne on the left side, Shough was directing routes while scrambling to the left side.
- Shough complete to Etienne for a big gain in the short-right area.
- Shough incomplete to WR Brock Rechsteiner (Blackmon in coverage) down the right sideline.
- Shough complete to Tyson underneath.
- Shough complete to Johnson, Granderson with another pressure on an inside move.
Rattler
- Chandler run middle.
- Rattler complete to Lance (S Elliott Davison in coverage) in the short-left area.
- Neal run left.
- Rattler complete to Lance (Emerson in coverage) in the short-right area.
Wilson
- Wilson complete to Neal in the short-right area. CB Mike Reid looked to punch the ball out and cause a fumble.
- Wilson complete to WR Trey Palmer (Rumph in coverage) in the right flat.
- False Start, re-huddle.
- Wilson throwaway right side.
Lagniappe
- Kick returners: Chandler, Brown, Price, Palmer, Lance, WR Jalen Cropper and RB Kendre Miller
- Miller did not participate in team drills as a part of his rep management.
- Tyson did not participate in 1-on-1s as a part of his rep management.
- Punt returners: Tyson, Palmer, Brown, Cropper and Price
