Check out photos from Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Saints Training Camp as New Orleans continues their preparations for the 2020 NFL season.
Observations from the New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from the outdoor practice fields at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center:
- THE WIND WON: Usually, we'll let you know whether or not we believed the defense or the offense had the upper hand on a particular day. And if it only was relegated to those units, then, yes, the Saints defense had the upper hand on the offense Wednesday. But wind gusts – the byproduct of Hurricane Laura's approach to southwest Louisiana – were as much a factor as anything during practice. Thomas Morstead boomed a punt that likely would have gone at least 45 yards, but got caught up in the wind, and maybe traveled 20. Passes fluttered if they weren't tight spirals, and sailed over intended targets if they were.
- CENTERING CESAR: For the third consecutive practice, rookie Cesar Ruiz was the center with the starters. Likely, it's the more natural position for him instead of right guard but, too, that probably is the case for Erik McCoy, who has been at right guard the last three practices, but started at center last year. The Saints drafted him in part because he's a fast learner; looks like they're speeding up the process.
- IN AND OUT: Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk (rest) and running back Alvin Kamara (stomach virus) returned to practice after missing a couple of days. Safety Malcolm Jenkins didn't practice, and quarterback Drew Brees, who was present, didn't participate in practice beyond stretching.
- NUMBER SWAP: Also, rookie linebacker Zack Baun didn't attend practice. However, according to the Saints' roster, Baun has switched numbers, from 57 to 53.