For big chunks of the New Orleans Saints’ seventh training camp practice, the first team offense moved the ball well against the starting defense — but there was still a feeling of wanting more when it was finished.
Quarterback Tyler Shough threw a pair of interceptions in the end zone Thursday, a downer on a day when he otherwise completed 11 of his 14 pass attempts. His other incompletion came on a throw he left a bit too low and inside to an open Devaughn Vele in the end zone.
Both of Shough’s interceptions could be explained away. The first came in the red zone when he was trying to throw the ball away, only the pass didn’t get high enough and Kool-Aid McKinstry was able to make a remarkable leaping grab in the back of the end zone. The second came on a desperation heave toward Chris Olave at the end of a two-minute drill, which Quincy Riley chased down and snared in the back of the end zone.
Still, the Saints are looking to put together some consistency on that side of the ball, even as they are seeing some bright spots individually from a handful of offensive players.
Here’s what else to know from Thursday’s practice.
Attendance
The following players were not spotted during Thursday’s practice: running back Alvin Kamara (rest), defensive tackle Christen Miller (toe), receiver Mason Tipton and defensive linemen Keeshawn Silver and Bryan Bresee. Coach Kellen Moore described Miller’s absence as “day-to-day” after practice.
Running back Kendre Miller (back), offensive guard Jeremiah Wright (shoulder) and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris were present and in uniform, but not participating.
Running back Devin Neal (hamstring) and linebacker Chris Rumph (ankle) left practice early.
A tough call
There is still so much time to go, and the preseason games are going to give the best gauge of how things really look, but going by early indications, the Saints are going to have some difficult decisions to make when it comes to which running backs to keep on the roster.
Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara aren’t going anywhere, and neither has given any indication through training camp that they’ve lost a step — if anything, Kamara has looked rejuvenated.
But how many spots will the Saints keep behind them, and who will those spots go to?
Going into camp, it felt like a choice of one or two between Devin Neal, Audric Estime and Kendre Miller. All three of those players have done some nice things in camp, though both Neal and Miller are currently nursing injuries (something that is an obvious concern with Miller). Before he tweaked his hamstring Thursday, Neal showed great vision and burst to follow a crease off left guard for a big gain.
But it’s not just them in the mix. Ty Chandler, acquired this offseason as a free agent from Minnesota, ripped off a big explosive run Wednesday and then took advantage of some second-team reps Thursday, logging a pair of consecutive explosive runs off left tackle.
Even undrafted rookie CJ Donaldson has shown a knack for picking up dirty yards, using his 6-1, 230-pound frame to bulldoze defenders. Donaldson is not especially sudden, but he could find a niche role as a short-yardage back.
Put another way, there really isn’t anyone on the roster right now who doesn’t look like an NFL running back. The final roster decisions may then come down to who complements the top two best, and who can add the most value on special teams.
Odds and ends
- The Barion Brown hype train isn’t slowing down any time soon. He shut down practice by catching a 46-yard bomb from Spencer Rattler for a “game-winning” touchdown in a two-minute situation. The rookie receiver from LSU was best known for his ability as a kick returner coming into the league, but he has consistently made splash plays as a receiver.
- Thursday’s practice put a damper on what has otherwise been an excellent training camp showing for kicker Charlie Smyth, who missed three straight attempts (from 39, 45 and 51 yards). Before Thursday, Smyth had connected on 15 of 16 attempts. He rallied to make his last two kicks, retries from 39 and 51. Misses can be magnified in a training camp setting — kickers get five or six live attempts every two days — and coach Kellen Moore didn’t put any additional weight on the uneven performance after practice.
- The Saints took practice to the indoor facility, which Moore said was previously planned as a way to not push players too hard in the heat while they’re practicing in pads. The Saints will be off Friday before two consecutive outdoor practices this weekend, both of which will be padded practices.
- A few players and coaches will not be present for Saturday’s practice, as the Saints are sending a contingent to Canton, Ohio, for Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame enshrinement.
