Saints offseason in full swing as OTAs begin
By Ty Anania
The New Orleans Saints are back on the field.
While we’re all stuck here behind our computers, waiting for the pindrop of breaking news and flipping through youtube highlights of Stephone Anthony — yes, he has potential, shut up, I can’t hear you – our New Orleans Saints are out there sweating. Phase III of the offseason started, and the first of three OTAs kicked off today.
OTAs: organized team activities. No contact, no pads. Voluntary. But 7-7, 9-9, 11-11. Receivers vs. cornerbacks, running backs vs. linebackers. Coaches getting the install in. Defensive schemes shouldn’t be too different this year; if anything, we should see more of what Dennis Allen had planned originally for the defense after the injury-gods played hacky sack with the secondary and forced some schematic changes.
We’re all going to look closely at every bit of news that comes out of the camp. Who gets a reception on who? Who bats down a pass? How does Garrett Grayson look? Fans that still follow the team through this part of the year are, let’s say, nearing the edge of obsession. But who am I to judge? I’m right there with you.
But take it all with a grain of salt. Nothing performance-wise indicates much of anything yet.
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Game speed is weeks away. This is about installing schemes, about getting familiar with the new faces, with the terminology.
There’s one thing to watch for, but even that is little more than a rough sketch in the sand. That’s roster projections. In some important roster battles, namely at linebacker and defensive end, who the Saints plugin with the first team will be somewhat telling. I expect we’ll see Alex Okafor with the starting nod. What about linebacker? Will Alex Anzalone run with the ones? Craig Robertson? Manti Te’o? I expect we’ll see Ellerbe and Klein as WILL and MIKE, respectively. Maybe Anzalone as SAM. Or, who knows, could be Anthony… Don’t tell me otherwise. You don’t know!
The backend battles at wide receiver, cornerback, safety and OL might also make for some interesting offseason reading. I mean, if you’re into that sort of thing.