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Saints Training Camp 2024: Key Takeaways from Friday, Aug. 23

Offensive, defensive and special teams MVPs picked

Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts on Friday, August 23 during 2024 Saints Training Camp from their open practice at the Caesars Superdome ahead of the their game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.

1. Home in the Dome Quick Hits: The final training camp practice of 2024 was an open practice at the transformed Caesars Superdome, which was definitely the star of the show Friday. The five-year, $560 million renovation (including $180 million from Saints Owner Gayle Benson) is basically complete, with just some minor finishing touches still to be made. Those who have been going to the Dome their entire lives, like myself, are going to be blown away by the changes. The concourses now have been widened, with much more open space to walk around each level. Natural light is also being used now at some of the concourses, which again, have lots more room and not cramped at all. New lounges highlight the club level, with plenty of space and TVs so you never miss any of the action. There are so many more changes for the better that can't even be listed here, all for the total fan experience. The fans will get their first real look Sunday for the final preseason game on Sunday at 1 p.m. vs Tennessee. -- As is the custom, new field turf was also installed prior to the season, so this was the first opportunity for the team to "break in" the new turf, which still has the customary base of rubber underneath the green "grass" fibers. -- As far as the practice itself, it was in shorts and helmets and lasted around an hour and 40 minutes. The team periods were mostly red zone work and very efficient. Kicker Blake Grupe had a perfect day, going seven for seven on kicks, including a 54-yarder from the right hash. Grupe has come on strong since coming back to New Orleans.

2. Camp Offensive MVP: During the first couple of weeks in Irvine this was going to be a tough decision. Then as camp moved along, with the two preseason games completed, it has become crystal clear. It's Taysom Hill . Hill has lined up at quarterback, running back, fullback, tight end, wide receiver, and kick returner, and has had an impact at each position. In the San Francisco preseason game he had some nice runs as a running back, and his blocking as a fullback sprung Jamaal Williams on his longest run of the preseason. We've also seen his pass catching ability throughout camp and especially just this last week with some chunk plays from quarterback Derek Carr . Unfortunately with Rashid Shaheed's foot/toe injury, the pairing of Hill and Shaheed hasn't really transpired during games, but those two were the No. 1 kick return combo during the practices in Irvine, using the speed of Shaheed and the blocking ability of Hill, though Hill is more than capable as a returner with the new kickoff rules. In this new offensive system under Klint Kubiak, the possibilities are endless with Hill's skill set, and opposing defenses are going to have to game plan weekly to try and neutralize what Hill brings to the Saints offense. It's going to be a lot of fun this fall to see what Kubiak has up his sleeve to get Hill involved. I must say though, I would be remiss if I didn't give an honorable mention MVP to center Erik McCoy. In a position group that has been a bit in flux for a month, McCoy has been rock solid. Working with the ones, McCoy hasn't missed one rep of practice since camp began. The availability factor, coupled with his play as one of the best centers in the league, has to give the quarterbacks comfort when McCoy snaps them the ball.

Check out photos of the fan experience inside the Caesars Superdome for Saints Open Practice during New Orleans Saints Training Camp 2024 ahead of the Saints game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.

3. Camp Defensive MVP: This one isn't so clear cut. Through now 22 practices and two games, I have narrowed it down to three. Defensive end Chase Young , linebacker Willie Gay , and cornerback Alontae Taylor . Young's presence was felt the very first day he walked out on the practice fields in Irvine. If there is one word to describe Young during this training camp, that word is disruptive. He has regularly been in the backfield rushing the passer and has recorded several sacks. We saw during the Arizona and San Francisco games his pressure force hurried throws or scrambles from the opposing quarterbacks. The Saints have the potential to have one of the best defensive lines in the league, especially when they deploy the "NASCAR Package," which is four defensive ends rushing the passer. Young is the key component and the fact that he is healthy after offseason neck surgery, will make him a legitimate force. Gay could be the second most important offseason signee for the Saints. Gay has brought energy and excitement to the linebacker room each and every practice. By the way, he's pretty good too. With injuries in camp to Demario Davis and Pete Werner (who have since come back), Gay got numerous reps working with the ones during nickel packages and when the Saints run their base 4-3-4 defense with Davis and Werner, Gay can, and has, moved up to the line of scrimmage as an extra pass rusher. He also has been available every single day and hasn't missed a practice. Coach Dennis Allen has not been shy about his praise for Taylor from Day One. Taylor has done everything that has been asked of him either as the nickel corner, or the No. 1 corner out wide due to injuries to Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Watching the one-on-one battles with receiver Chris Olave during the first couple of weeks of camp in Irvine was especially entertaining. Taylor not only has numerous pass breakups, but also has made tackles in the running game as well, making him a valuable asset. Another theme, as you might have noticed in this column, Taylor has been available every day for the last month. Look for all three of these defenders to have good years in the Black and Gold.

4. Camp Special Teams MVP: As mentioned above, Grupe has been rock solid since camp left California, missing only one kick, a 61-yarder at the indoor facility that hit the left upright. This award though has to go to Irishman kicker Charlie Smythe. What he has done since OTAs and minicamp has been nothing short of remarkable. To put it in perspective, it was one year ago that Smythe kicked an American football for the first time. The leg strength has been noted since he stepped on the Saints campus, it was the consistency kick to kick. He has performed so well though, he turned camp into a legitimate competition between himself and Grupe. Of course, the first ever kick he had in the NFL was the game- winner in Arizona in the first preseason game, another remarkable feat, and he capped off his camp with the 65-yarder at Tulane on Tuesday night. All in all, with one preseason game to go, Smythe ended up 57 for 69 on all kicks, with the majority of those over 50 yards outside in Irvine with a 15 mph crosswind. Smythe ultimately might not win the competition, but he has put himself in the conversation and has definitely been fun to watch by all who covered every training camp practice.We'll have our final edition of Takeaways after the Tennessee game on Sunday!

Check out photos of the newly revamped Saints locker room inside the Caesars Superdome as Saints players get their first look during walkthroughs ahead of their game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL preseason.

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