5 things to watch for as the Saints begin the practice portion of camp
In this pandemic world, where nothing moves as quickly as before the novel coronavirus washed ashore with a vengeance, the New Orleans Saints will soon do something they haven’t been able to do as a team in more than 200 days.
Play football.
On Wednesday, the Black and Gold will enter Phase 2 of Camp COVID-20 and go through their practice regimen in helmets and shorts under the watchful eye of Coach Sean Payton. Players will have the option of wearing a newly developed mouth shield from Oakley. The shield connects to the facemask and reportedly limits the direct transmission of droplets from both the nose and mouth.
Social distancing is not required between the lines, though tackling is taboo.
Five days later, the Saints are scheduled to enter Phase 3, marking the first of 14 permissible padded practices under the revised Collective Bargaining Agreement (tackling is permissible), all leading up to Game 1 on Sept. 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at what likely will be an empty or partially-filled Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
I’d like to say the long-awaited season opener will be here before you know it but we know there are miles to travel before that day arrives.
As practice begins to ramp up, here are my 5 Things to Watch:
▪ The progress of No. 1 draft pick, guard/center Cesar Ruiz. Look for Payton to throw Ruiz to the wolves immediately. The Saints didn’t take Ruiz at No. 24 to sit and watch. Ruiz should get first crack at right guard after the release of veteran Larry Warford in free agency. Ruiz made a name for himself playing center at Michigan but that position is in good hands with Erik McCoy, who also could play right guard, if necessary.
▪ How quickly free agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and quarterback Drew Brees mesh on the field and which receiver establishes himself as No. 3. Brees traveled to Denver this summer to work with Sanders and initiate the bonding process. Ideally, Tre’Quan Smith, now in his third season, will ratchet up his game and fill the bill at No. 3. Austin Carr, Taysom Hill, Bennie Fowler, Deonte Harris and Lil’Jordan Humphrey are in the mix.
▪ With MLB Kiko Alonzo starting camp on the physically unable to perform list (knee), the Saints recently shored up the position with the signing of veteran free agent LB Nigel Bradham. Also, look for third-round draft pick Zack Baun of Wisconsin to push Alex Anzalone at strongside linebacker.
▪ How well backup quarterback Jameis Winston absorbs Payton’s multi-dimensional playbook and acclimates himself in meeting/locker rooms and with his new teammates. In the event something would happen to Brees, I suspect Winston would go under center in order for Payton to utilize Taysom Hill in his many roles on offense and special teams, much like what happened last season when backup Teddy Bridgewater filled in admirably when Brees went down with a bum right thumb.
▪ And finally, two players already have landed on the league’s newly created Reserve/COVID-19 list — linebacker Kaden Ellis and long snapper Zack Wood. The Saints have established a voluntary housing option for players and team employees at a downtown hotel. Payton is attempting to create a “bubble-like’‘ or safe haven, protocol-driven environment during training camp, though there are no guarantees against this invisible disease.
Stay well my friends and continue to follow the recommended protocol guidelines.