The New Orleans Saints wrapped up their final joint practice of the offseason by facing the Los Angeles Rams in Woodland Hills, Calif. The practice provided the team some elite competition against one of the Super Bowl favorites.
Against them, the Saints’ offense, led by quarterback Tyler Shough, had its standout moments while the defense was tested all day.
A Clean Practice
Unlike the practice against the Dallas Cowboys, the Saints’ practice with the Rams was focused more on the football portion than the extracurriculars. New Orleans held clean and easy practices against the Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars this year, despite the display that set in against the Cowboys.
Both the Saints and the Cowboys bear the burden of Tuesday’s actions, however, with both teams being fined $500,000 for the brawls. Both teams can appeal and no individual players were fined, though the teams could certainly make their own decisions to fine players that contributed to the wild practice day.
WR Bryce Lance Shines Again
While rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is sidelined for the near future with a hamstring injury, questions arose concerning which wideout would step up in his absence.
The answer has been fourth-round pick Bryce Lance.
Lance was targeted five times by Shough in first-team drills, reeling in all five for receptions, two of which in the endzone.
While Tyson focuses on his recovery, the Saints’ focus appears to be on Lance to be one of the players that can contribute to the passing game early in the season.
WR Chris Olave Gets Some Rest
Two veteran players received rest days against the Rams after full workloads against the Cowboys: wide receiver Chris Olave and linebacker Kaden Elliss. While Olave rested, wideout Devaughn Vele returned to action. Meanwhile, linebackers Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman held down linebacker responsibilities.
Stutsman, in particular, stood out with his play. He found opportunities to impact all over the field and was very active throughout the practice in Elliss’s stead.
Olave’s camp has been excellent so far, and he was outstanding against the Cowboys and clearly earned a day off going into the Rams joint practice.
New Quarterback Rotation
The Saints have recently begun to blend and rotate their second and third teams during joint practices. With that, on Tuesday against Cowboys, quarterback Spencer Rattler was up first with veteran passer Zach Wilson to follow.
Against the Rams, the order reversed with Wilson taking the first spot in the rotation.
Head coach Kellen Moore said after practice the team hasn’t yet made a decision on which quarterback will star Saturday’s second preseason game against the Rams. With the way the rotation has gone, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Wilson and Rattler reverse their roles from the exhibition opener against Jacksonville.
Shough Passing Stats
Shough went 15-of-21 with another incompletion wiped out by defensive pass interference. A yardage estimation put him around 115-120 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions that added up to a strong day overall.
However, he was under constant pressure from the Rams defensive front that, minus edge rusher Myles Garrett on the field, was still loaded with talent. Our practice observation noted five sacks that led to plays begin blown dead. Pass protection is an obvious area of growth after the joint practices with the Rams and Jaguars, during which Shough was under constant pressure.
On the flip side, the Saints’ defense got after Rams’ starting quarterback Matthew Stafford as well. The team recorded four sacks, while also getting one against rookie quarterback Shough Passing Stats.
Edge rusher Chase Young was again a nuisance for the Rams. Meanwhile, edge Carl Granderson continued to impress with constant pressure.
Cornerbacks Dalys Beanum and TJ Hall Jr. each had interceptions.
Stafford also found three receivers for touchdowns, leading the Rams’ offense into the endzone four times (including one rushing score). With only 10 red zone plays, the percentages weren’t in New Orleans’ favor much like their practices with Jacksonville.
An overall rough day for the defense with some bright spots
Four players did not finish practice. Offensive lineman Ceaser Ruiz, Beanum, defensive lineman John Ridgeway Jr. and wide receiver Trey Palmer. Ridgeway appeared to suffer the most serious injury, while Ruiz and Palmer appeared to be minor with both players walking around fine after practice. Beanum will be one to keep an eye on going forward.
Attendance
- Not Seen WR Jordyn Thompson (hamstring), WR Mason Tipton (leg), CB Rezjohn Wright, CB Quincy Riley (groin), RB Audric Estime 0(ankle), RB Alvin Kamara (knee), DL Christen Miller (shoulder), LB Chris Rumph II (ankle), EDGE Cameron Jordan (hamstring)
- Observing Olave and Ells
- Returning DL Davon Godchaux
