1. Bring in the Kool-Aid
New Orleans Saints second round draft pick Kool-Aid McKinstry wasn't seen during OTAs and minicamp due to a Jones fracture in his right foot, which also prevented him from participating in the NFL Combine. Still the Saints were confident enough in his abilities as a cornerback to make him the 41st pick in the draft. The Alabama product made his professional debut this first week of training camp running with the second team the first couple of practices. Unfortunately early in Day 3, cornerback Marshon Lattimore left practice with a hip flexor. That thrust McKinstry into the ones group at right cornerback in place of Lattimore. Alontae Taylor would remain in the slot during nickel packages with Paulson Adebo staying at his customary left cornerback position. Day 4 on Saturday would continue to see the same rotations, during 7-on-7 drills and all team periods. A 5-foot-11 200-pounder, McKinstry often lined up in press coverage opposite Saints wide receiver Chris Olave and held his own in many reps. Saints Coach Dennis Allen mentioned post practice that McKinstry has a ton of ability (and came out of a great system in college) but because he missed the entire offseason he was way behind in reps and needs to get up to speed. Obviously, getting Lattimore back sooner than later is paramount to the success of this Saints defense, but each day Lattimore is away is going to give McKinstry the opportunity to get every possible rep with the No. 1 defense.
2. Kicking competition:
Last year at this time a heated battle was taking shape at this position between the incumbent Wil Lutz, and the new kid on the block (no pun intended), Blake Grupe . When the dust had settled at the end of training camp and the three preseason games, Grupe won the starting job and Lutz was off to Denver. This year, Grupe is the incumbent, and Northern Ireland native Charlie Smyth is the contender. We will continue to chart each kick weekly on Takeaways and give an update once a week. So far in camp Grupe has gone a perfect 15 for 15. The first eight kicks being no more than 34 yards on Day 1. On Friday, Grupe went 7 for 7, 34 yards in the middle; 39 yards right hash; 41 yards left hash; 34 in the middle; 42 yards right hash; 44 yards left hash; and 52 yards left hash. It is to be noted that both Friday and Saturday the kickers had the same weather conditions with a 10-15 mph crosswind from left to right out of the south southwest. Smythe has gone 11 for 12 in his three separate opportunities, missing a 39-yarder on his second rep in Day 2. He hasn't missed since. In Saturday's work he went 7 for 7, 34-yarder left hash; 37-yarder right hash; 41-yarder left hash; 34-yarder middle; 42-yarder right hash; 46-yarder left hash; and a MOST impressive 59-yarder right hash that just got over the crossbar despite that stiff crosswind. Smythe has a booming right leg and it appears another riveting kicking battle is unfolding in front of us in Irvine. Stay tuned.
3. Play of the Day:
Just like the first few days of practices there have been plenty to choose from. This time we're going to go with a play that occurred during the first team period. With the first team offense moving left to right (east to west on the northern field at UCI Crawford Field, quarterback Derek Carr dropped back to pass after a play-action fake. Defensive end Cameron Jordan was rushing hard from the left side. Tight end Foster Moreau was able to come over and pick up Jordan and held him off long enough for Carr to step up in the pocket and deliver a perfectly thrown ball down the middle of the field, finding a sprinting Rashid Shaheed (who was cutting over the middle from right to left) for a huge gain of at least 25 yards, leading to the customary hollering by the offensive group. The more we see of this new Saints offense under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, it appears the more opportunities the Saints are going to have this season for explosive plays, and Saturday was no exception.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Saturday, July 27.
