Saints 2022 Training Camp: Top 5 takeaways from Day 5
The fifth day of New Orleans Saints training camp is officially in the books. What did we learn about the team after they had a day off on Sunday and returned to practice on Monday?
Teams have almost been in training camp for a week now and the goal remains the same — Stay healthy until the start of the season. That’s been easier said than done for the New Orleans Saints and we’ll start with injuries and absences in our takeaway segment from Day 5, the first day where the team sported pads.
Still no Honey Badger
We knew entering training camp that Tyrann Mathieu had been excused for personal reasons and he still is not at camp nearly a week in. Mathieu joined the Saints this offseason after spending the past three years in Kansas City and going to two Super Bowls with them while winning one in the 2019 season.
Mathieu is going to be an excellent addition to a secondary that lost Malcolm Jenkins to retirement and Marcus Williams to free agency. The team lost key players but adding Mathieu, a former LSU standout, gives them a fantastic unit entering the 2022 season.
Head coach Dennis Allen noted that they expect Mathieu to return at some point but they want him to handle his business. He’ll be welcomed back when he is ready to return.
Dennis Allen said there is a point where they need Mathieu back at practice, but they haven’t reached that point yet. He said they’re giving him space to handle his business and will welcome him with open arms whenever he comes back.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) August 1, 2022
Adebo is rocking and rolling
A player who needed to have a good camp this year, as unfair as it may be, is Paulson Adebo. The second-year cornerback had a solid rookie season in 2021 but with the selection of Alontae Taylor in the second round of this year’s draft, Adebo found himself needing to hold onto his starting job.
Well, he’s definitely done that so far.
It’s hard not to be mega-excited about Paulson Adebo’s performance thus far. Flashing constantly. Was in the WRs’ hip pockets (Jarvis and Olave twice) on 1V1 reps, then broke up a pass targeting Jarvis in team drills. Impressive. #Saints
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) August 1, 2022
As Jeff Nowak notes in the tweet above, Adebo is constantly making plays and has been the star defensively so far in camp. He still has to show up in the preseason games and continue to outplay Taylor but right now, he’s been one of the brightest stars in camp.
Penning living up to his reputation
Draft profiles frequently mentioned that Trevor Penning was someone who definitely played — as Luke Johnson phrased it in the tweet below — “as a guy who plays, ah, through the whistle”.
Broken up very quickly. No retaliation from 70. Figured it was only a matter of time though. Penning’s lived up to his reputation as a guy who plays, ah, through the whistle.
— Luke Johnson (@ByLukeJohnson) August 1, 2022
The Saints drafted Penning in the first round to be their left tackle of the future but he’s competing with James Hurst for the job. According to the media in attendance, Penning was part of the team’s first camp scuffle, as he and second-year defensive end Payton Turner got into it following a full team rep.
Johnson mentioned in his tweet how Turner took a swipe at Penning’s facemask after the play. Katherine Terrell pointed out that Turner was not the first one to be annoyed with Penning during Monday’s practice.
Also, he’s not the first DL to be annoyed with Penning today. First day in pads often brings the 🔥
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) August 1, 2022
Pete Werner is back
After missing the first few practices, second-year linebacker Pete Werner returned to the field. He had mostly been doing his own thing on the sidelines during the first stretch of practices so it was good to see him back. He’ll be an important piece in the Saints’ defense this year.
Pete Werner was back in action for walkthroughs this morning. It’ll be interesting to watch how involved he is the rest of the way, but regardless so positive progress for the second-year LB. #Saints
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) August 1, 2022
Landry scuffed up
Fans were a bit worried when newcomer Jarvis Landry got dinged up on a play when he went against Paulson Adebo. He limped off the field but fortunately, he returned later on and made a nice move against Bradley Roby.
Really good sign for Jarvis Landry here. He went down and was limping after his first rep, but came back and created some easy separation from Bradley Roby here. #Saints pic.twitter.com/dj3uwUdzPp
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) August 1, 2022
Landry was a big get for the Saints this offseason to help their wide receiver room. The hope is that he can come in and be yet another explosive weapon for Jameis Winston in 2022.
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The fifth day of practice was an interesting day for the New Orleans Saints but it’s in the books! Onto Day 6!