Although the New Orleans Saints’ offense started the day strong, Day nine of training camp quickly turned back into a dominant performance by the defense. Big plays, pass rush and another season-long loss to injury headline the Saints’ penultimate installation practice.
Defense Extinguishes Offense’s Hot Start
In the early goings of practice, it looked like the Saints’ offense was on the way to a big day. In the opening team series, which focused on drive progressions, quarterback Tyler Shough completed three consecutive passes to his top wide receiver trio.
Shough connected on a strike to Chris Olave on a 2nd-and-8, a pass to Devaughn Vele for a first down on 3rd-and-1 and then with Jordyn Tyson on a pass to the right side of the field for what looked like a gain of double-digit yards.
Then, it took the second team only two plays to put together a highlight moment as quarterback Spencer Rattler connected with rookie wideout Bryce Lance down the right sideline for a 59-yard touchdown on a 2nd-and-4.
The session was an unscripted “call-it” session in which head coach Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley were calling plays against one another. But for the rest of the day, Staley’s group had the offense’s number as the day’s work transitioned into situational drills.
Sacks, run stuffs and a ton of pressure on the quarterback changed the tone of the day relatively quickly, including the defense shutting down a pair of end-of-half two-minute drives. While the defense never recorded a takeaway and the offense still found a couple of nice plays, it was a day commanded by the defense.
Another Impactful Injury Loss
The Saints saw another player suffer a season-ending injury, this time on the offensive line. Veteran lineman Dillon Radunz suffered a torn ACL, Moore announced after practice. This is an unfortunate blow for New Orleans, as Radunz was set to be the team’s top depth piece along the line.
His versatility has made him a valuable asset for the Saints as a player that can stand in at either guard or tackle spot. Without Radunz, the team will be looking for a new “sixth man” while possibly being left in need of new additions to add to the group.
Fortunately for New Orleans, rookie guard Jeremiah Wright has been progressing in his recovery from a shoulder injury, Moore indicated after Sunday’s practice.
Kicker Competition
The Saints’ kicker duo of incumbent Charlie Smyth and challenger Tanner Brown hasn’t separated much and the reason the battle is so tight is less than ideal. Both kickers have missed a number of attempts, keeping the door open for either to pull away. If neither does soon, the close race may require a new option to be pursued, a situation both kickers would like to avoid.
On Sunday, Smyth went 4/7 on the day. He had six planned kicks during the kicking portion of practice, of which he made four. He missed an additional from 50 yards out during the second-team two-minute drill simulation.
On the day, Smyth made kicks from extra point distance, 39 yards, 45 yards and 51 yards while missing attempts from 47, 56 and 50.
Brown will see another opportunity to create some distance in coverage on Tuesday when the team returns for its final installation practice.
Running Totals
Smyth: 22/29 with misses from 39, 44, 45, 47, 50, 51 and 56.
Brown: 21/25 with misses from extra point distance, 39, 45 and 54.
Attendance
- Not seen: RB Kendre Miller (back), WR Bub Means (personal, DT Christen Miller (toe), LB Chris Rumph III (ankle), OL Dillon Radunz (knee) and EDGE Cameron Jordan (hamstring).
- Sidework: WR Mason Tipton (leg), RB Devin Neal (hamstring), CB Rejzohn Wright (undisclosed).
- Observing: OL Jeremiah Wright (shoulder)
Team Drill Session 1 (“Call-It” Drive Progression)
Shough
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-35: RB Travis Eteinne Jr. run middle for a good gain.
- 2nd-and-8 from the minus-37: Shough complete to Olave (CB Kool-Aid McKinstry in coverage) for a nice gain to the left side.
- 3rd-and-1 from the minus-44: Shough complete to Vele (McKinstry in coverage) for the first down.
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-35: Shough complete to Tyson for a nice gain to the right side.
Rattler
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-35: RB Audric Estime run up the middle for a good gain.
- 2nd-and-4 from the minus-41: Rattler complete to Lance (CB Isaac Yiadom in coverage) down the left sideline for a 59-yard touchdown.
Wilson
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-35: RB Ty Chandler run up the middle.
- 2nd-and-9 from the minus-36: Wilson sacked by EDGE Mike Heldman, played through for a completion to WR Brock Rechsteiner.
- 3rd-and-11 from the minus-34: Wilson complete to Rechsteiner (LB Isaiah Stalbird in coverage) in the right flat.
Team Drill Session 2 (Early Downs)
Shough
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-37: Etienne run up the middle.
- 2nd-and-5 from the minus-37: Shough incomplete to TE Juwan Johnson (EDGE Carl Granderson in coverage) pass defended along the sideline.
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-37: RB Alvin Kamara run middle, DL Davon Godchaux with the stop.
- 2nd-and-4: Shough sacked, Granderson and LB Kaden Elliss in the backfield. Played through for a complete pass to Olave (McKinstry in coverage) to the right side.
Rattler
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-37: Rattler complete to WR Barion Brown (CB Jayden Price in coverage) on a swing pass to the right side.
- 2nd-and-5 from the minus-37: Chandler run up the middle.
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-42: Rattler complete to Estime (LB Jackson Sirmon in coverage) on a dump off to the right in play action.
- Estime run to left-center, EDGE Anfernee Jennings with a stop.
Wilson
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-42: RB CJ Donaldson run for a big gain, one-cut up the middle and then down the left sideline for a breakaway run.
- 2nd-and-7 from the minus-42: Wilson complete to TE Treyton Welch (Sirmon in coverage) on the right side.
- 1st-and-10 from the minus-42: Chandler run right.
- 2nd-and-4 from the minus-42: Re-huddle
- 2nd-and-4 from the minus-42: Wilson complete to Welch (CB TJ Hall in coverage) in the intermedia-left area
Team Drill Session 3 (End of Half, 2-minute Drill, Offense 17-14)
Shough
- 1:30, 1st-and-10 from the minus-40: Shough incomplete to Olave (McKinstry in coverage) a little off target on the quick throw.
- 1:34, 2nd-and-10 from the minus-40: Shough complete to Johnson (S Justin Reid in coverage) in the middle of the field for a first down.
- 1:16, 1st-and-10 from the 50: Shough complete to Olave (McKinstry in coverage) for again of eight yards over the middle.
- 0:55, 2nd-and-2 from the plus-42: Shough complete to Tyson (S Jonas Sanker in coverage) for a gain of one, out of bounds to stop the clock.
- 0:50, 3rd-and-1 from the plus-41: False start, loss of five.
- 0:50, 3rd-and-6 from the plus-46: Shough sacked by Elliss, Granderson also in the area. End of drive.
Rattler
- 1:30, 1st-and-10 from the minus-40: Rattler complete to WR Kevin Austin Jr. (EDGE Tyree Wilson the nearest defender) for a gain of six.
- 1:12, 2nd-and-4 from the minus-46: Rattler sacked.
- 0:46, 3rd-and-8 from the minus-42: Rattler complete to Estime (LB Jaylan Ford in coverage) for a first down. Gain of 14.
- 0:31, 1st-and-10 from the plus-46: Rattler complete to TE Noah Fant (S Terrell Burgess in coverage) for a first down on the right sideline. Fant got out of bounds to stop the clock. Gain of 14.
- 0:21, 1st-and-10 from the plus-32: Rattler throwaway right.
- 0:16, 2nd-and-10 from the plus-32: Rattler throwaway right.
- 0:11, 3rd-and-10 from the plus-32: Rattler throwaway right.
- 0:06, 4th-and-10 from the plus-32: Smyth’s 50-yard field goal is No Good.
Team Drill Session 4 (Drive Progression)
- 1st-and-10
- 2nd-and-6
- 3rd-and-6
- 4th-and-3
- 1st-and-10
Shough
- Eteinne run middle.
- Kamara run mid-right, Godchaux with the run stuff.
- Shough incomplete to Olave (Sanker in coverage) down the left sideline, deep.
- Jennings offsides, re-huddle.
- Shough sacked with multiple defenders in the backfield, played through for an incomplete pass to Etienne.
- Shough complete to Etienne (Reid the closest defender) on a dump off to the right.
Rattler
- Rattler complete to Lance (Price in coverage on the left sideline.
- Rattler complete to Kamara on a short pass to the right side.
- Price sack, Rattler played through for a scramble up the middle.
- Rattler complete to TE Oscar Delp (Ford in coverage) in the short-middle area for a first down.
- Rattler incomplete to Rechsteiner (Price in coverage) Price read this all the way and jumped the line of scrimmage to step in the way of a quick outlet pass to the left side. Almost picked it off.
Team Drill Session 5 (Mid-Field)
- 1st-and-10
- 2nd-and-8
- 3rd-and-8
- 4-and-4
- 1st-and-10
Shough
- Kamara run right, Sanker shot the gap for a potential tackle for a loss.
- Shough complete to Etienne in the short right area for a nice gain, EDGE Chase Young with pressure.
- Shough complete to Olave (CB Quincy Riley in coverage) over the middle in the short area, Shough stepped up to avoid pressure to deliver this one.
- SHough scramble up the middle.
- Kamara run right.
Wilson
- Chandler run right, LB Deion Jones shot the gap for a potential stop at the line.
- Wilson complete to Chandler on a swing pass to the left side.
- WIlson complete to WR Ronnie Bell (CB Mike Reid in coverage) deep downfield for a 48-yard touchdown completion.
- Wilson complete to Welch (CB Dalys Beanum in coverage) on a quick throw close to a first down.
- Wilson throwaway in the short-left area. Was looking for Bell, but the throwing lane was cluttered so he dirted it in the area of the receiver.
Team Drill Session 6 (Third Down from the Minus-46)
- 3rd-and-3
- 3rd-and-10
- 3rd-and-5
- 3rd-and-15
- 3rd-and-3
Shough
- Shough complete to Fant (Elliss in coverage) for a first down in the intermediate-right area.
- Shough incomplete to Vele (Riley in coverage) on the right side.
- Shough incomplete to Brown (McKinstry in coverage) deep down the right sideline.
- Shough sacked by Granderson, played through for a completion to Tyson for a first down.
Rattler
- Rattler complete to Brown (S Jordan Howden in coverage) on a crossing route for the first down.
- Defensive Offsides, Re-huddle.
- Rattler complete to Estime (EDGE Fadil Diggs the nearest defender) in the short-left area. Tyree Wilson with pressure.
- Rattler complete to Welch (LB Danny Stutsman in coverage) in the short-left area.
- Rattler complete to Donaldson (Stalbird in coverage) shot, Stalbird with the immediate stop.
Wilson
- Wilson complete to Chandler (Sirmon in coverage) in the intermediate-middle area.
- False State, Re-huddle
- Wilson complete to Estime (S Lorenzo Styles Jr. in coverage) in the short-right area.
- WIlson complete to Lance (Styles in coverage) in the short-right area, close to a first down.
- Wilson incomplete to Bell (Beanum in coverage) on a sidearm attempt to the right side, Beanum had great coverage here.
Lagniappe
- Blackmon was back on the field after leaving Saturday’s practice early with a knee injury.
- Stutsman took a wealth of first-team reps at linebacker while starter Pete Werner was sidelined with a groin injury.
- Defensive lineman John Ridgeway III didn’t finish practice with a back injury.
- Burgess shared in his post-practice media availability that the defensive backs spent some off-the-field time together over the offseason playing pickleball. He credited Blackmon as the top pickleball player among the group but didn’t shy away from giving himself a nod as well.
- Punt Returners: Tyson, Palmer, Brown, Price and WR Jalen Cropper
- Kick Return Tandems: Lance and Styles, Brown and Cropper. Price and Chandler, Rechsteiner and Styles, Estime and Donaldson, Lance and Rechsteiner, Cropper and Chandler, Brown and Donaldson and Price and Cropper.
