Transcript: Coach Sean Payton Training Camp media availability 7-28-19

New Orleans Saints head coach speaks to the media after Day 3 of training camp.

Jul 28, 2019 at 02:51 PM

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton
Training Camp Presented By Verizon
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Post-Practice Media Availability

It looks like the defense is flying around out there making plays.
"Yes. We had a couple of good (team) periods. I thought they played well. We had pressure period. Today was the first padded practice and the key is for each side of the ball is that momentum swings back and forth throughout the course of the practice to be able to regain that. Overall, I thought we carried the pads well. We'll look at the film and see where we're at."

Do you sense a different energy when the pads come on?
"Yeah. It's different. You're able to do more things that really are specific to the game. So, clearly, it's different. It was a little bit warmer, but we managed the heat. I think the level of the type of practice you have changes once you're in full gear."

First time you saw Erik McCoy in pads. What did you think?
"Good. We will look at the tape. But it was good. It was good. He's strong. He is a physical player."

As far as an overall evaluation?
"It's too early."

When you are working on the running game in practice and you have a run period versus when you have a run play in a team period, isn't that advantageous to the defense?
"Yes. If you are in a 9-on-7 drill then obviously you're going to get 12 run plays in a row. You are still playing a front. The safeties are back and so those guys are just coming in late to fill. Both sides are getting something from how to handle strong-side, weak-side. Is it split flow, is it the backfield sets? When you get into the team settings then you're defending a little bit more. There's a progression."

What have you seen from Cyril Grayson Jr.?
"He made a play yesterday inside that was a good play. He can run. As camp continues here and we get into the preseason, we will have a chance to see, how can he help us on offense and how can he help us in the kicking game."

Purely as a passer, where have you seen Taysom Hill grow the most?
"Well, his grasp of the offense, his ability to take the play into the huddle out to the line of scrimmage, get us in the right play. I thought he threw the ball pretty well the last couple of days. And then the things that are harder to see or the things that can happen in a game when a play breaks down and he can advance it. He's doing well."

Are you curious to see what Emmanuel Butler can do in games?
"I would say yes. He has kind of been intriguing. He has made a play a couple plays each day. He's big. I'm excited."

How does a guy like that go undrafted?
"It is a good question. Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is going to be were there injuries? (His) Playing time maybe was sporadic. He was at a small school, Northern Arizona. I think he did battle some injuries. He has done some good things."

Was he a guy on your draft board?
"I mean he was a guy that we were actively recruiting (immediately after the draft), but I'd have to go back to see if he was in a draft eligible position. He's certainly done some things to open your eyes here."

He's a tall receiver.
"He's strong. I like him. It's a good first impression."

Last year you used Taysom (Hill) in so many different ways. This year teams will know how you are going to use him. How do you keep him as someone that is not (predictable)?
"I think throughout the course of the year teams prepared how do you want to play him when he's the quarterback versus when he's the tight end or slot. All those things take place in game and each team may be prepares a little differently, but he's one of those guys that just a good football player. We will keep looking for things that we think he does well."

What has it been like having D.J. Williams working with the quarterbacks, serving as an offensive quality control assistant?
"He's doing a good job. He was here a year ago in a different position. He's a worker. He's young and receiving his first taste of it if you will and working at it."