The New Orleans Saints are two-thirds of the way through minicamp after Wednesday's practice at the team's facility on Airline Drive. There were more fans and there was more heat for the Saints at their mid-day practice. And following the session, there was plenty of good to say about the way the defense played. Here are some observations:

1. The Saints defense bounced back from the offensive highlight that ended Tuesday's practice with a hyper-active effort Wednesday, especially in the secondary. Cornerback Delvin Breaux continues to look very good. He picked off quarterback Drew Brees while defending receiver Michael Thomas, and had his way several other times in coverage. Wednesday was also Marshon Lattimore's best as a Saint; that's according to him. He showed several of his ball-hawking skills. One of those skills broke up a pass intended for Thomas, his former Ohio State teammate. Can't wait to watch more of those battles later this summer.

2. The defense plays faster. Some of that has to do with some very athletic additions. But it's clear now that this group has a better grasp of defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system. That's allowing the group to play faster with less mental processing to bog things down. Stay tuned. We won't really know until the pads come out, and of course, they face folks not wearing black and gold.

3. Here's one quick note on special teams. Kicker Will Lutz is improved. His kicks have a better trajectory, and maybe even some more punch than a year ago. This will be the first summer in a while we won't have a kicking competition to talk about. Lutz is the guy. Oh, and that Thomas Morstead guy has a good handle on the punting.