New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - The Advocate Saints DB Marshon Lattimore working to refine technique after 'going off instincts' as rookie

BY NICK UNDERHILL | NUNDERHILL@THEADVOCATE.COM AUG 15, 2018 - 3:58 PM

The thing about training camp is that much of the information that gets passed along is incomplete.

How much can a snippet tell you? Every time Michael Thomas makes a catch in practice, someone posts a video to social media, and people react to what they’re seeing. Sometimes those reactions include pointing out that Marshon Lattimore was in coverage, which can be jarring because he rarely gave up catches last season.

So any time he gets “beat” it feels notable, but the truth is, more often than not, it doesn't mean anything.

“The media, man. They catch a pass, aww man, he caught it,” Lattimore said. “They don’t even really know what’s going on.”

Here’s what you need to know about Lattimore: He won the rookie of the year award, made the Pro Bowl and held quarterbacks to a 45.3 rating when targeting him last season while relying on natural ability and instincts. Take that in and think about it. It's an incredible feat.

He was extremely raw when he arrived in New Orleans after only appearing in 16 college football games, and part of his growth process was stunted while battling injuries in camp. He didn’t have a high-level understanding of the nature of the coverage, where his help was coming from or of route concepts last season. A lot of times, he was out on the field just doing what felt natural to him.

He’s now working to refine his talent. That means introducing new techniques that might feel awkward for a while. Lattimore wouldn’t share what some of those things are, referring to them as his “secret sauce,” but once mastered they will help him take his game to a new level. Until then, that means letting people see you chasing in a video from time to time, but that’s what training camp is all about.

“You got to work it because if you never work it, and you just continue to use old habits because if it feels good, but it’s going to get you beat sometimes, you’re not doing any good,” secondary coach Aaron Glenn said. “You might get beat on a couple plays, but you got to focus on what we are trying to work on. What is the goal here? Is the goal here to change it and make sure we’re dominant doing the things we’re trying to do or just revert back to your old techniques, and you’re not really sound in the things we’re trying to teach?”

That isn’t to say that Lattimore isn’t winning his fair share of reps. There was one day he covered so well in a one-on-one drill that he completely prevented two throws, which is an achievement considering the wide receiver and quarterback have the entire field at their disposal. Lattimore also often takes his game to another level during the two-minute portion of practice. He says he relishes the competition during those periods.

But he also admits that over the course of a long camp there are times when he finds himself battling the monotony and has to remind himself to bring it every single play. That’s what he’s looking forward to next week’s joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers, but even more so the season.

“I’m ready,” Lattimore said. “Training camp is so long.”

Even though there are times when Lattimore says he has to “push through" in practice, there is a fire burning behind his laid-back persona. He often grabs Glenn and puts in extra work after practices, and he spent the offseason working alongside fellow Saints defensive back Justin Hardee, who grew up with Lattimore and knows how badly he wants to become one of the best defensive backs in NFL history.

“He’s trying to be a legend. I respect that, that’s my expectations for him anyways,” Hardee said. “He was defensive rookie of the year. I know this year he knows that the standards are high. As he said his interviews earlier, he’s living up to expectations for himself, not anyone else. I know his expectations are higher than anyone’s anyways.”

That’s what makes this an exciting time for the Saints. Players like Lattimore and safety Marcus Williams are just scratching the surface of their talent. Glenn is expecting a lot more from Lattimore. He says the cornerrback is "not even close to where he needs to be at.” Lattimore agrees.

“I’m not even in my prime yet,” Lattimore said. “I’m going to be much better than I was last year.”

No one will need Lattimore and Glenn to decipher what they’re looking at if that happens.