Saints wrap up day eight of training camp with free form scrimmage

METAIRIE, La. (WGNO) – The New Orleans Saints took a break from the heat on their eighth day of training camp. The Black and Gold held their July 31st session at their indoor facility with VIP members in attendance.

The select members of Who Dat Nation got a chance to watch the team’s new play callers, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, battle it with their players, during a live scrimmage to end practice.

“I think it’s really good for all of our guys just to get in these college situations, where you kind of get off the scripts. Scripts can be a little bit of preparation. Preparation is associated with scripts. For these guys just to go play, react to a bunch of different situations that are going to come up, ultimately that’s how games are played, and we’ll start implementing that throughout these practices moving forward,” head coach Kellen Moore added.

The defensive players may have a gripe with the live scrimmage though. A controversial pass interference call, during the final drive of practice, allowed the offense to play an untimed down for a walk-off score, and third-year safety Jordan Howden strongly, and jokingly, disagreed with the officiating.

“We all knew it was a scramble. I feel like that was acceptable for him to push him out. When a QB is not in the pocket, scrambling, the scramble rule is to where we can push everybody out of bounds to where they’re ineligible to catch the ball. I feel like that was clean, but I don’t know. You know how refs be,” Howden added.

Multiple units took part in the scrimmage: starters, second stringers and beyond, including former LSU Tiger and returning Saints Will Clapp.

The offensive lineman is entering his second stint in the Black and Gold. Clapp began his NFL career in New Orleans, playing with the Saints from 2018-2020.

During his previous time in the city, Clapp was part of an offensive line which included former All-Pro right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and former Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead, but with Kelvin Banks, Jr. and Taliese Fuaga now manning those positions, Clapp sees the same potential possible for the team’s new offensive line.

“It’s actually kind of scary, the comparison, because it’s very real. Tali is by far one of the most naturally talented offensive lineman I’ve ever been around. This dude does things you don’t even have to coach, and then KB, the set and the way he moves around on the field reminds me a lot of Ram,” Clapp stated.

The offensive line will look to dominate the trenches as a “run-first” unit, but only one ball carrier is set in stone: Alvin Kamara.

The Black and Gold are still figuring out who will be the main backup to AK41, and rookie Devin Neal’s ability to excel in pass protection has continued to earn him praise from head coach Kellen Moore.

“Really starting even my last year in college, I really wanted to emphasize that. I just wanted to start out on a good foot when I came here, and really pick up those pressures, and have the quarterbacks trust me,” Neal said.

The quarterback room shrank on Thursday though. Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener remain, but the Saints cut undrafted free agent Hunter Dekkers and signed Kai Kroger in his place, which makes him the third punter on the team’s roster.

“Anytime you get the opportunity to go out and hit some kicks, I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job, even in the spring here, and I know I’ve had a pretty good summer as well,” punter Charlie Smyth said.

“I trust everything that they see and the way they’re evaluating guys. I know they had a workout. Whoever comes out on top of this is going to be a good punter. I have belief in all three,” kicker Blake Grupe added.

The Saints will be back outside for the next three practices (all fully-padded) starting on Saturday.

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