1. Pads Are On!
Without a doubt the most anticipated day of training camp is when the full pads go on for the first time. Monday in Irvine was that day. It's when you can truly start to evaluate a football team. It's the first time since January that, as Coach Dennis Allen mentioned, "we can simulate real football." There are also different individual and team drills that we haven't seen yet in camp. Offensive line vs. defensive line with running backs which is 9-on-7. Wide receivers vs. defensive backs in one-on-one drills with the quarterbacks throwing to the receivers. Then, of course, during the team periods full contact complete with tackling and the occasional hard hit. All in all it went well, complete with our first training camp "scuffle." It occurred during the second team period. Quarterback Derek Carr handed it off to running back Jamaal Williams, who went off left tackle. Williams got about five yards, but continued to fight for extra yardage after contact. After he final got to the ground a few yards later, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. and cornerback Alontae Taylor got into a brief but heated shoving match that was quickly broken up. Allen said post practice that was to be expected especially on the first day in pads but cautioned that those types of things can't happen during a real game without penalty consequences.
2. First team period reps for Chase Young
As was mentioned in our first edition of Takeaways, defensive end Chase Young has been working his way back from offseason neck surgery, participating in individual drills but then sitting out the team periods. Monday that changed when Young took three separate reps during team period. Each rep was specifically designed for him as a pass rush rep and not a running play. Young was impressive to watch. Using his power, quickness, and size, he bull-rushed offensive linemen Landon Young and Jesse Davis back into quarterbacks Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, the latter which could have been constituted as a sack. Allen praised Young post practice for his willingness to follow his rehab perfectly, also noting that the rehab has been very carefully planned out by the doctors and training staff. Every day we'll continue to see a little more from Young. As far as first impressions go, a healthy Chase Young should really bolster this Saints defense.
3. Time for Tipton
Every single training camp, a relatively unknown player emerges and makes impressions on not only the coaches, but the people who cover the team. Five practices in this training camp, that player is undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver Mason Tipton. Time and time again, Tipton has been the recipient of big plays. Tipton is running with the second and third teams, so he has not gone against the starting defensive backs, but that is of little consequence to Tipton, who is just, as he mentioned after practice, "trying the earn the respect of his teammates." The Yale graduate has worked hard since becoming a Saint and has the ability to run the entire route tree combined with being a legitimate deep threat. Coincidentally or not, Monday's Play of the Day occurred with Tipton as the target. During the second team period and the offense moving right to left (east to west on the southern field), Haener dropped back and threw a deep out down the left sideline where Tipton was matched up against cornerback Rezjohn Wright. Tipton made the catch falling toward the ground with Wright draped over his back for a 30-yard gain, taking up chunks of Bermuda grass in the process. For the second straight day, Allen mentioned Tipton as someone who really catches your eye. As camp starts to get into the real grind, it will be interesting to see if Tipton gets more reps working against the first and second team defenses. If he continues on his present path, those reps would seem inevitable.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Derek Carr (4).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Derek Carr (4).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Derek Carr (4).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including defensive back Rejzohn Wright (28).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including cornerback Alontae Taylor (1).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including punter Lou Hedley (15).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) and defensive back Will Harris (5).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including safety Tyrann Mathieu (32), cornerback Alontae Taylor (1), safety Ugo Amadi (0) and cornerback Mac McCain (42).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including Kool-Aid McKinstry (34).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including defensive back Jordan Howden and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34) and safety Tyrann Mathieu (32).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including cornerback Alontae Taylor (1).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including long snapper Zach Wood (49).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including punter Lou Hedley (15) and kicker Charlie Smyth (39).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including tight end Dallin Holker (85).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including running back Jacob Kibodi (35).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including defensive end Niko Lalos (57).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including linebacker Willie Gay (6).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including linebacker Willie Gay (6).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including center Sincere Haynesworth (61).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including offensive lineman Lucas Patrick (62), tackle Josiah Ezirim (72) and center Sincere Haynesworth (61).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed (22).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including linebacker Willie Gay (6).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including cornerback Alontae Taylor (1).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including cornerback Paulson Adebo (29).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including cornerback Paulson Adebo (29).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including guard Tremayne Anchrum (79)
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Mason Tipton (84).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Chris Olave (12).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including safety Ugo Amadi (0).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Chris Olave (12) and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Jake Haener (3).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed (22).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29,
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including running back Jacob Kibodi (35).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. (14).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Taysom Hill (7).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Chris Olave (12).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Taysom Hill (7).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Taysom Hill (7).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including running back Jamaal Williams (21).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Jake Haener (3).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Jake Haener (3).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Derek Carr (4), wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed (22), tight end Dallin Holker (85) and running back Alvin Kamara (41).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (11).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including quarterback Spencer Rattler (18).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver A.T. Perry, and cornerback Paulson Adebo (29).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Mason Tipton (84).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Chris Olave (12) and defensive back Rejzohn Wright (28).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Chris Olave (12).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including safety Ugo Amadi (0) and wide receiver Jermaine Jackson (80).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Bub Means (16) and cornerback Mac McCain (42).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed (22) and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed (22) and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (34).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including linebacker Willie Gay (6).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including tackle Trevor Penning (70).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Mason Tipton (84).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including linebacker Willie Gay (6).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including linebacker Willie Gay (6).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including tackle Trevor Penning (70).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including long snapper Zach Wood (49).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including wide receiver Mason Tipton (84).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including long snapper Zach Wood (49).
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 29, including head coach Dennis Allen.
