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5 Takeaways From New Orleans Saints OTAs Week 3

By Andrew Schuster

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The New Orleans Saints are closing out their third week of organized team activities.  Next stop, mandatory minicamp, where the fans get to witness the club’s progress firsthand heading into the 2015 NFL season.

With the final session of early OTAs in the books, I give you five takeaways.

5. Delvin ‘Chip’ Breaux is earning his spot

A former Canadian Football League standout and New Orleans native, Delvin Breaux was all over the field Wednesday, running with the first team while Brandon Browner was on the sideline.  Whether it was breaking up several passes or coming away with a one-handed interception, Breaux had a great week displaying his promising athleticism.

As minicamp and training camp approach, Breaux will continue to battle his way to a spot on the final roster.  With nine cornerbacks currently in the mix, it will certainly be no cake walk, but so far so good.

4. The eagle has landed

After shining at rookie minicamp, the New Orleans Saints No. 1 pick Andrus Peat has been missing in action for OTAs, but for good reason.  The intelligent young man has been busy finishing up college at Stanford and graduating.

However, Peat finally returned to New Orleans and attended his first practice Wednesday afternoon.  He should play a vital role in the protection of Drew Brees from day one if he continues to show out.

3. Brandin Cooks continues his growth and knowledge of the offense 

The Saints first-round pick a year ago continues to look good out on the field, learning, growing and communicating will with QB Drew Brees.  Brandin Cooks looks to bounce back in 2015 after his rookie season fell short six games due to a Week 11 injury last year.  He was on the verge of a solid first campaign, totaling 550 yards and three touchdowns on 53 receptions.

You can see his knowledge of the game and performance growing as Coach Sean Payton has been pointing out, so with the starting job in his hands, he’ll look to shine in his second year.  He’ll certainly be a fun watch out at minicamp next week.

2. Sean Payton has no plans to change the offense

Many believe with the growth of Mark Ingram and the acquisition of C.J. Spiller, the New Orleans Saints will be looking to transition into a more run-heavy approach on offense.  That’s false, according to Sean Payton.

In a Wednesday press conference, Payton said that’s not the plan.  He said like always, they’ll be moving the football to score.  “Some weeks we may be running it more, some weeks we may be throwing it more.”  Plus, it’s hard to believe the Saints will convert to a ground-and-pound offense while Drew Brees is still under center.  That high-powered air attack is not going anywhere.

1. Things are not looking good for Junior Galette

After rumors circulated about Junior Galette‘s pectoral injury, Payton finally confirmed.  Galette has been sidelined, and could be for a while.

Of course, we can’t forget about that immature video of Galette speaking on the injury, among other things.  There’s no telling what the team has planned for its leading pass rusher in 2014, but he certainly hasn’t been helping his case after a bumpy offseason.  This will be a storyline to continue to monitor as the weeks progress.

New Orleans Saints mandatory minicamp is set to kick off Tuesday, June 16 and will run through that Thursday (June 18).  Practice will run from 11:00 AM to 1:20 PM each day and will be open to the public, weather permitting.  With a ton of intriguing talent and a plan to turn things around after a down 2014 campaign, it’s time for the fans to witness this hopefully revamped club firsthand.

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