1. Sunday Quick Hits
Sunday was originally a scheduled day off, but was changed to a 2:30 p.m. practice in Irvine following the preseason game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday night. Monday will be a scheduled day off. Sunday's practice was bit shorter than what we have come to witness the last week or so, finishing up at 4:15 p.m.. --- Several Saints were back on the practice field Sunday, most notably wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who had missed the last five practices with a hamstring injury. Also back were receivers Bub Means and Equanimeous St. Brown. Running back Kendre Miller was also working on the side field (along with Demario Davis and Juwan Johnson) with a trainer. It was the first time we have seen Miller since he injured his hamstring in the first training camp practice. Wide receiver Mason Tipton was also at practice but did not participate. Not at practice Sunday was quarterback Spencer Rattler , who has a thigh contusion but is not expected to miss much time. With Rattler out, Jake Haener was able to get extensive reps during practice. The other injuries were, as Coach Dennis Allen said, the normal bumps and strains after a game, but nothing that would be deemed as catastrophic. The most serious seemed to be linebacker Isaiah Stalbird, who twisted an ankle. Even though there was no kicking or punting during Sunday's shortened practice, the goal posts were moved back to the western end, after spending one week on the eastern side. The difference moving forward this week will be the wind - which was pretty stiff from the SSW on Sunday afternoon - will be working against the kickers and punters now instead of helping. -- The Saints also signed wide receiver Shaq Davis after a visit and released Marquez Callaway. Davis was at practice and participated during individual drills, wearing No. 80.
2. Punter shout out
With so much focus placed on the kicking battle, there are two other specialists who definitely need to be mentioned. Those are the punters Lou Hedley and Matthew Hayball. Both have had outstanding camps, and that definitely translated to the preseason game against the Cardinals. It has been evident that Hedley has worked on his craft during the offseason and those who have watched every training camp practice has taken notice. Hedley had a specialty of the sidewinding directional punt, but during this camp many of his punts are turning over for deep, booming spirals that have been downed deep in opponent territory. In his first live action of the preseason Hedley continued to impress, averaging 46.8 yards per punt on four attempts, with three of those downed inside the 20-yard line. Hedley is also the holder for kicker Blake Grupe, who was a perfect 2-2 on field-goal attempts and one extra point. Hayball is an undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt who has also displayed a very strong leg during camp. In a drill during practice last week, Hayball had three punts downed perfectly at the 1- or 2-yard line. Hayball also performed well against the Cardinals, averaging 53 yards per punt, including a 61-yarder, which was the long punt for either team. Unfortunately, his net average was hurt by one touchback and a 19-yard return by Xavier Weaver after the 61-yarder, the classic outkicking the coverage. Hayball was also the holder for Charlie Smyth's game-winning 37-yard field goal with five seconds left in the game. We will continue to watch this competition for the next couple of weeks.
3. Play of the Day
This took place toward the tail end of practice during team red zone on the western end of the southern field at UC-Irvine. From the 10-yard line, quarterback Derek Carrthrew a perfect fade pattern to the back right pylon of the end zone where Kevin Austin Jr. made a beautiful touchdown catch over cornerback Alontae Taylor. As soon as Austin secured the catch a loud "BOOM!" was exclaimed by Carr, who obviously was pleased with the result. As Austin came off the field, he got a high-five from wide receivers coach Keith Williams. Austin continues to make big plays during camp and this one was no different. We heard another "Boom" from Carr five plays later when he connected on a perfect 4-yard slant pattern for a touchdown to Cedrick Wilson Jr., highlighted by solid protection by the offensive line.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Sunday, August 11.
