Five Things You Need To Know From Saints Training Camp: July 22

IRVINE – Each day of New Orleans Saints training camp, we will bring you the five most important pieces of information that you need. From big plays, to notable comments and important health updates, you will have everything you need to know from Saints camp each day in a quick and easily-digestible five-point list.

1. Running Back Alvin Kamara wants to retire a Saint

The New Orleans Saints and Kamara have been engaged in contract negotiations for some time. The progress of those talks stagnated so much that the star running back ended up leaving early from the final day of mandatory minicamps. There were questions circulating as to whether or not Kamara would be with the team in Irvine, Calif. for training camp or if he would end up holding out or holding in as the negotiations continued.

Instead, not only did Kamara attend the first day of camp, he participated in everything. From walkthroughs through a pair of team drill periods, the running back was a full participant to kick off camp and then immediately took the chance to speak with the media. During his availability he made it clear that he has no desire to go elsewhere.

“I’ve said it before, I want to be Saint,” he said. “I want to retire here. If I’ve got to play football somewhere else, I’ll probably be somewhere with my feet kicked up in Africa somewhere.”

2. Kendre Miller has been challenged by head coach Dennis Allen

Miller entered the league with an MCL injury that limited his draft process. The hope was that the team would help him rehab it, and get his explosive play to the field as soon as possible. That process was delayed by another right knee issue in August, followed by hamstring tightness later that month. 

Miller got to the field for seven games before suffering an ankle sprain that would sideline him until a promising showing in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. 

Coming into 2024, the hype around Miller was at its peak, only for it to crumble the first day of training camp. The former TCU back left the opening day of practice with a hamstring injury during individual drills. After practice, head coach Dennis Allen did not mince his words about the expectations and clear frustrations around Miller.

“Look, that’s a player that’s going to have to figure out how to stay healthy,” he said. “Because it’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time.”

3. Chase Young participated in walkthroughs and individual drills

Set to be the most anticipated debut at Saints camp, Young is already out on the field. While he did not participate in team drills, he did do walkthroughs with the team and some individual/special teams drills. Seeing him out of the field this early means he is well ahead of his expected timeline.

4. Rookie QB Kool-Aid McKinstry takes second-team reps opposite Alontae Taylor

With their full compliment of cornerbacks to start camp, the Saints did not do any nickel work to open camp. Instead, they spent most of their time in base sets (four linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs). Lattimore and fellow starting cornerback Paulson Adebo took the first team reps While Taylor and McKinstry took second team snaps.

5. The Saints second level looks like it’s primed to take a step forward in playmaking.

The standout unit of the opening practice was without a doubt the linebacker group. Linebacker Demario Davis had an interception on Carr that would have been a pick-6. Meanwhile new addition Willie Gay made play after play in the run game, constantly in the right position to muck things up for the ball carriers. He also looked fluid and active in coverage and the run game.

The Saints have slowly seen more and more playmaking from their second level over the years. The addition of Gay looks to set them up to take another step forward in that endeavor in 2024.