Recapping the New Orleans Saints first week of OTAs
Compete, compete, compete. It’s a must for success at the NFL level, and something the New Orleans Saints want their players to be a part of all summer long, and eventually on into the regular season.
New street sign at the #Saints facility. Payton calls it a "point of emphasis" this season pic.twitter.com/YdUmCE8465
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 28, 2015
The Black and Gold will be closing out their first round of early OTAs this week. Coach Sean Payton spoke with the media Thursday afternoon, giving a recap of the first few days back to work.
For starters, following the news of the Houston Texans receiving HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ gig this season, the Saints will not be holding joint practices with them anymore, Payton confirmed. Instead, the New England Patriots will visit the Greenbrier in West Virginia before they go head-to-head in their preseason contest.
Payton confirms joint practice with Patriots at Greenbrier. No joint practices with Texans.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 28, 2015
Payton said Hard Knocks was not primary factor in not having joint practices with Texans.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 28, 2015
Coach Payton touched up on a number of other topics.
Jairus Byrd still doing some "maintenance things" with knee, per Payton, but practicing in OTAs.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 28, 2015
Payton on Junior Galette's possible disciplinary status with league: "There's no status update. I'd know if there was."
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 28, 2015
Sean Payton on Brandon Browner: 'He's competitive, he's driven.' Character makeup played a big role in his acquisition.
— Shooter McGavin (@ajshoestir) May 28, 2015
Payton on #Saints rookies: They've handled it well. So far, it's been a good young group. They're pretty mature and pretty focused.
— Shooter McGavin (@ajshoestir) May 28, 2015
Running back Mark Ingram walked off the field with an ailment Thursday, but it was nothing specific and nothing serious.
Ingram backed off of practice with a foot/ankle, Payton said. Didn't sound serious.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) May 28, 2015
Payton said they just backed off Ingram today, no specific injury
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) May 28, 2015
Sean Payton also spoke on the recent transactions surrounding the kickers, including the release of veteran Shayne Graham, and the signing of Zach Hocker.
Payton doesn't judge kickers by youth or experience. He judges them by whether they're good kickers or not. High on Hocker and Hopkins.
— Shooter McGavin (@ajshoestir) May 28, 2015
Payton says it's tough to have 3-kicker competition and they liked Hocker, so team decided to cut ties with Shayne Graham.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 28, 2015
Missing big time with injuries a season ago, safety Jairus Byrd, WR Brandin Cooks and S Vinnie Sunseri were all full participants at OTAs.
Jairus Byrd, Brandin Cooks, Vinnie Sunseri full participants at OTAs http://t.co/YX06f4QCDM via @nolanews
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) May 28, 2015
Rookie QB Garrett Grayson was not at practice Thursday due to a mandatory rookie seminar. Also not present at OTAs, center Max Unger, who is the father of a new child his wife gave birth to this week.
Following Payton was New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, who spoke on preparations, new faces and his potential targets for the upcoming season.
Drew Brees on C.J. Spiller: There's really not anything he can't do.
— Shooter McGavin (@ajshoestir) May 28, 2015
Brandin Cooks is everything u want in a teammate
— The Sports Hangover (@_SportsHangover) May 28, 2015
Drew Brees
Brees on B. Coleman & S. Jones: They do a lot of things well. They're both big, physical guys that can go up and get the ball.
— Shooter McGavin (@ajshoestir) May 28, 2015
Brees: Ben Watson is a stud
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) May 28, 2015
Brees says he likes the joint practices. Breaks up the monotony of camp
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) May 28, 2015
Drew Brees says there is definitely a different vibe with #saints at OTA's coming off disappointing 7-9 season.
— Paul Boron (@pboron88) May 28, 2015
Some more interesting storylines to follow as the New Orleans Saints progress through their offseason program:
– Rookie ILB Stephone Anthony
Stephone Anthony had a nice interception in practice. Dropped into zone, quick reaction to grab a throw over the middle
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) May 28, 2015
– Tight end battle
Player of the day at #Saints OTA may have been TE Ben Watson. Fed often, short and deep balls alike. The next Jimmy Grajam?
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) May 28, 2015
Brees on Jimmy Graham: You can't dwell on who you don't have. I love Ben Watson. I love Josh Hill. I feel like they can make a big impact.
— Shooter McGavin (@ajshoestir) May 28, 2015
– Brandin Cooks, his second year as a Saint, and bounce-back from injury
Brees on Brandin Cooks: The more time we have on task together, the more we can build our relationship. He's already come back stronger.
— Shooter McGavin (@ajshoestir) May 28, 2015
G.McMahon excited about talent in return game"we got CJ & Brandin Cooks-speed, Jalen Saunders played well for us, impressed w/Marcus Murphy"
— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) May 28, 2015
Quick video highlights from today's OTA http://t.co/HYyqUFYqrF #Saints pic.twitter.com/BC0LM5hBtK
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 28, 2015
Spi‼️er 💯 more photos from today's OTA http://t.co/YITeCvE5oM #Saints pic.twitter.com/UVvpDMYdGc
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 28, 2015
With the first week of organized team activities in the books, Sean Payton said the New Orleans Saints will run OTAs again next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We’ll be sure to keep you updated during the entire offseason program here at Who Dat Dish.
Next: Saints OTAs: 5 things to watch for