For the first time in six practices, the New Orleans Saints are out of pads going into day 11 of training camp. The reprieve from pads will only last a single day before the Jacksonville Jaguars come to town.
On day 11, the team may look to slow things down as an offense seeks an opportunity to rebound again. Here are three players worth watching closely in that endeavor.
QB Tyler Shough
Earlier in camp, quarterback Tyler Shough was presented a bounce-back opportunity after throwing a pair of interceptions. Those interceptions, however, weren’t of a concerning ilk. On Wednesday, he has another opportunity ahead of him.
On practice day 10, he fired another pair of picks with one being on a fourth down launch to the endzone, which carries a little less weight. But now, he faces another chance and likely expectations for a rebound day.
RT Taliese Fuaga
When facing surging pass rushers like Chase Young and Carl Granderson all camp, things have to remain in perspective. But from an individual player standpoint, some of that competition can be used as motivation.
Third-year right tackle Taliese Fuaga has been a part of an offensive line that appears to have given up a notable amount of pressure so far throughout camp. All things within reason, of course, understanding the low-contact nature of practices.
While pressure is more of an offensive line unit conversation rather than an individual player one, tackles are often left on an island. With the physicality potentially dialing back without pads, this could be a good opportunity for young protectors to focus back in on technique and slow things down before a new opponent arrives the next day.
K Charlie Smyth
The two kickers were pitted against one another in alternating kicks on day 10. During which, challenger Tanner Brown went 5/5 on his scripted kicks (7/7 on the day) and incumbent Charlie Smyth with 4/5 (5/6 on the day).
The preseason will tell us more about this competition, but both kickers will need to keep things close up until then. Day 11’s events are important for that purpose.
