By Ross Jackson
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.
- Defense wins the day again.
The New Orleans Saints defense has been ahead of the curve each year when it comes to training camp and this year was no exception. With a couple more interceptions to kick off camp, the team is already up to four in just the first two days. The offense will eventually close the gap, but for right now linebacker Demario Davis and the defense have been outstanding. And they have yet to include newly signed defensive end Chase Young into the mix yet, who is set to have a major impact once healthy.
- Running back Kendre Miller was not present, Jordan Mims moved up in rep rotation.
Miller was challenged by head coach Dennis Allen during his day 1 presser. The second-year running back left with injury, which has unfortunately been all-too-common an occurrence for his young career. He missed practice today, and backup running back Jordan Mims assumed his spot in the rotation. Mims took running back snaps behind starters Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams and also moved into the kick returner role in place of Miller as well. The Saints have several pairings of returners that they rotate. This gives Mims a lot of opportunity to show what he can do while Miller misses time.
- The Saints are establishing rules on offense to handle defensive adjustments.
After a conversation with offensive lineman Landon Young, the biggest takeaway was that the offense is no longer responding in the moment to defensive adjustments. Instead, they all have a rehearsed set of rules that dictate how they respond to a defensive shift. If two safeties line up deep, but one rolls into the box at the snap, all 11 Saints on offense will know how to respond. If a blitzed flies in hot off of the edge, all 11 players know what will happen next. It seems like such a simple concept, but preparing 15 or more rules to try to cover all bases is a tall task. A challenge it may be, but if the Saints get it right, this could be a huge reason for offensive success in 2024.
- Rookie Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is already standing out.
McKinstry was already the perfect fit for this defense the moment he was drafted. Spending time with the Alabama Crimson Tide and player in former head coach Nick Saban’s defense uniquely prepared him for the press-man heavy and attacking nature of Saints head coach Dennis Allen’s defense. The rookie corner looks every bit the part of a ready-made product on the field. He is big, he is physical, he is composed and calm under pressure. He should contribute to the Saints having one of, if not the, deepest cornerback room in the NFL.
- UDFA Defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat and veteran Offensive lineman Shane Lemieux left with injury.
It was a scary injury for Jeffcoat who writhed in pain on the field for a solid few minutes. Trainers were looking at his arm until the cart came on to the field to take the big defensive end off. Not a great sign to see someone carted off with an upper-body injury. It seems likely he will miss some time with the injury, a dislocated elbow per Saints On SI’s John Hendrix. But it does sound like he will not require surgery. Good news for the undrafted rookie.
Lemieux is dealing with an ankle injury. Likely be a pesky one, but hopefully he will be able to hit the field soon. With OT Justin Herron already out with a knee injury, the team cannot afford to lose much on the offensive line.
