Saints Training Camp Day 12: Back to Cali

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

By Rivers Hughey

IRVINE, Calif. — The New Orleans Saints took the practice field at the University of California, Irvine for the first time in nearly a year on Thursday. With a scrimmage practice upcoming on Friday and game on Sunday, the team kept things to pre-scripted situational work on Thursday.

The Saints focused on some field progression, working from the opposing 35 yard-line to the red zone, going-in reps ahead of the red zone and red zone situations.

Overall, it was a strong day on both sides of the ball with some clear indications of where things are headed at the quarterback spot.

Quarterback Battle

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough was back with the first team. Spencer Rattler was with the second team, while Jake Haener was back with the third team.

Quarterback Hunter Dekker, who was re-signed this week, participated in individual drills but no team drills.

Shough Rep Summary

Shough saw the same number of reps as Rattler but with the first team and took more passing attempts.

Two of his incompletions were well-thrown passes to Olave in the endzone, but better plays by cornerback Alontae Taylor to break them up. He had a great throw to Jack Stoll on a play action rollout as well and looked comfortable, composed and aggressive.

He’s clearly settling in. He also found places to use his legs and made some really great reads both in the passing and run game. His lone touchdown pass in the day was to wideout Brandin Cooks in the red zone, but could have had a few more on the day. Also, he had no obvious turnover-worthy throws, though Taylor could have stolen one in the end zone.

Rattler Rep Summary

Rattler started 1/1 with a great throw to Juwan Johnson open across the field and he also had a nice run in his first series. After going 0/2 in his second, he bounced back going 3/3 on some quick passing decisions in going-in red zone snaps.

He finished the day completing four of his last five attempts, including a touchdown to running back Kendre Miller and another touchdown to Olave. He became the first Saints passer this camp with double-digit touchdown flings.

Haener Rep Summary

Haener’s day was light with the three, attempting just five passes but maintaining his high completion percentage. It’s become clear that he’s been phased out of the quarterback battle.

Passing States (Running Totals):

Shough: 8/15 and a passing touchdown (90/135, six passing touchdowns and four interceptions)
Rattler: 8/11 with two passing touchdowns and rushing touchdown (97/135, 10 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, four interceptions)
Haener: 4/5 (846/124, five passing touchdowns, one interception)

Attendance and Injury Updates

All non-PUP players were present except for cornerback Rico Payton. Per head coach Kellen Moore, he only missed with an illness.

Running back Devin Neal (hamstring) was working off to the side.

Tight end Juwan Johnson (calf) was back to participating in team drills today.

Chris Olave Disappointed

When Olave spoke with the media following Saints practice, he said that he felt he didn’t have a great day. Olave had a couple of targets in the endzone that he couldn’t come up with thanks to tight coverage by corner Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Nonetheless, Olave looked determined to bounce back from a lighter day of production.

He’ll have a great opportunity on Friday to rebound thanks to the team’s upcoming scrimmage-like approach. That should provide Olave some nice chances to get back at his opposing teammates.

Blake Grupe Perfect Yet Again

It was Grupe’s turn kicking field goals and he went a perfect 5/5 again with makes from extra point distance, 39 yards, 42 yards, 45 yards and 49 yards. The wind can be a little unpredictable outdoors in these California beach cities, but Grupe managed well.

With punter Matthew Hayball released, undrafted rookie James Burnip was Grupe’s holder.

Punt Returners:

Rashid Shaheed, Donavan Peoples-Jones, Dante Pettis and Alontae Taylor

Kick Returners:

Shaheed, Velus Jones Jr., Kendre Miller, Pettis, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Cam Akers and Peoples-Jones.