1. Friday quick hits
Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee returned to practice Friday after missing the last three practices with a foot injury. Bresee participated in individual drills and had a couple of reps in defensive line vs. offensive line one- on-one drills but did not participate in any team periods. -- Newly signed wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Samson Nacua were dressed and practiced with their new team, with Callaway wearing No. 82 and Nacua No. 89. Both participated in individual and one-on-one drills between the wide receivers and the defensive backs. Callaway got a couple of reps during regular team period, but both got multiple reps in the final developmental period that was discussed in Wednesday's edition of Takeaways. --- The goal posts at UCI-Hawthorne Field were moved from the west side to the east side for the first time since training camp began. The wind has remained consistent from the SSW, so there will be a little help from the crosswind for the kickers instead of it hurting when the posts are on the west side. ---Officials from NFL referee Ron Torbert's crew were present Friday and will be for the next couple of days. Their presence was noted as flags were thrown during one-on-one drills and team periods, helping players adjust their games to see what is being called where they might have been able to get away with certain things in the first seven practices.
2. Kicking update
As mentioned last week we will keep you posted on the kicking battle between Blake Grupe and Charlie Smyth . Both had solid weeks, but Grupe has moved ahead slightly. This week Grupe attempted 15 kicks, missing two, and all against the 10-15 mph crosswind from left to right. All are good unless otherwise noted … Extra point (33 yards); 39 yards right hash; 42 yards left hash; extra point; 44 yards right hash; 47 yards right hash; 56 yards left hash, no good wide right; 56 yards left hash, no good, wide right; extra point; 37 yards right hash; 41 yards left hash; extra point; 44 yards right hash; 46 yards left hash; 52 yards right hash. Grupe's total through eight practices is 28 of 30 with the only two misses coming form 56 yards. For Smythe, attempted 16 kicks, missing four. Extra point; 39 yards right hash; 42 yards left hash; extra point; 44 yards right hash; 46 yards left hash; 61 yards left hash, no good, short and right; 61 yards left hash, no good, wide left; New goal post position … Extra point, no good, wide right; extra point; 37 yards right hash; 41 yards left hash; extra point; 44 yards right hash; 44 yards left hash; 59 yards right hash, no good, wide left. Smythe's eight-day total is 23 of 28, with three of the misses coming from 59 yards or more.
3. Play of the Day
We saw red zone team periods Friday for the first time during training camp. There were some notable touchdowns, including a 7-yard pass from quarterback Spencer Rattler to tight end Dallin Holker, and a 5-yard designed quarterback draw from Jake Haener. The play of the day occurred two reps prior to the draw. With Haener at quarterback and the ball placed at the 3-yard line and third down, deemed as the defense calls a "four point play." A stop and the offense kicks a field goal for three instead of the seven if it scores a touchdown. Haener took the snap and on a perfectly timed throw to the front right pylon, found tight end Michael Jacobson despite excellent coverage from safety Roderic Teamer. Jacobson reached out, caught the ball with his hands, and in one motion spun to his right and reached the ball over the plane of the goal line, as his body followed, a place similar to Lance Moore's two-point conversion in Super Bowl 44, just not quite the same stakes. The play drew one of the biggest cheers from the offensive players. Haener, as Coach Dennis Allen stated after practice, had his best day thus far in training camp, but big kudos to Jacobson whose catch and subsequent touchdown was as impressive as the throw.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 2.
