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jeanpierre

BY NICK UNDERHILL | NUNDERHILL@THEADVOCATE.COM AUG 18, 2018 - 6:54 PM

Dress code: Shorts and shells

Attendance: CB Arthur Maulet, S Rickey Jefferson, DE Alex Okafor, G Andrus Peat and TE Michael Hoomanawanui missed practice.

Overview: The Saints practiced in the late afternoon inside of the indoor facility. The practice mostly focused on individual work and situational drills. There was a short team period, but it was an otherwise low-key practice. The team is back in action Sunday.

Good developments: DE Marcus Davenport returned to practice and took part in individual drills. The rookie defensive end did not do anything in team drills, but he stayed after practice and got in some additional work. It looks like everything is progressing in the right direction for the first-round pick after he missed the last two weeks of camp with a muscle pull. The Saints will have quality depth at the position once everyone returns to action.

Play of the day: There is little doubt that Michael Thomas’ one-handed grab with Marshon Lattimore in tight coverage was the play of the day. The wide receiver often does things that players of his size probably shouldn’t be able to do, and he makes it look easy. This was one of those moments. Thomas looks set to have another big year.

The throw of the day: J.T. Barrett showed some serious poise and confidence when he ripped a pass to Keith Kirkwood with Sharrod Neasmon in tight coverage over the middle. There was a tiny window for the ball to get in, and Barrett laced it through. The quarterback rotation had Drew Brees leading things, Tom Savage playing second, Taysom Hill third and Barrett last.

Situational work: The Saints worked on several late-game situations on Saturday, most of them geared toward killing the clock and showing the proper awareness in specific situations, like not downing the ball when the defense goes all out to block a punt and does not attempt to return it. The team also worked on on-side kicks.

Good coverage: Justin Hardee might be good enough to make the teams strictly on special teams, but his ability in the secondary keeps showing through. A converted wide receiver, Hardee has made a handful of good plays this summer, and nearly had an interception on Saturday when Tommylee Lewis failed to pull in a pass. If the team believes Hardee is progressing as a corner, and it looks like he is, his odds of making the team grow stronger.

Notes: It looked the defense had another good moment. While working in the red zone, the defense forced Brees to throw the ball away on consecutive throws. … With Peat out and Larry Warford taking some reps off, Josh LeRibeus and Will Clapp worked as the first-team guards. It looks like New Orleans likes the things Clapp can do. … The offensive line jumped offsides at one point during the situational period. … S J.T. Gray got some work on the onside coverage team. … WR Cam Meredith had a good catch with cornerback Marcus Williams in coverage.

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

Barry from MS

Clapp is gonna be a good one. In his 2nd preseason game ever he played both C & OG, and pretty well. Not against the 1s, but Thursday's game showed something for him & what the coaches think.

Last year I said the LBers were gonna be the strength of the D...this year it's the DLine. I got the "privilege" to see the Cards broadcast Thurs, and even as big of homers as they were they said we ruled the LOS on both sides the entire game regardless of our personnel. This is the best & deepest Saints DLine I've seen in awhile. And they are still very young. Very young. I think we're seeing the fruits of the really good coaching of that group...

"I'd far rather be happy than right any day" ~ Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
"Honor: if you need it defined, you don't have it" ~ Ron Swanson

jeanpierre

Round 1, Pick 14 (No. 14 overall) [via Green Bay]: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

Payton's ego, need to make a draft statement still p*sses me off; on many levels I hate this selection; MD being MIA his rookie camp doesn't help...


Round 3, Pick 27 (No. 91 overall): Tre'Quan Smith, WR, Central Florida

Was disappointed in this pick as I'd preferred DT Harrison Phillips; while I still like Phillips, Smith looks like our second best WR right NOW; he may start ahead of Ginn...


Round 4, Pick 27 (No. 127 overall): Rick Leonard, T, Florida State

If Leonard continues progressing, the back of the draft will yield gems; Leonard should be safe year 1 by virtue of his 4R pick; maybe Roushar, Strief can save this pick...


Round 5, Pick 27 (No. 164 overall): Natrell Jamerson, S, Wisconsin

DB Coach Glenn seems to have the same man-crush for Jamerson that I had - only I had him playing safety and nickel-back, not outside corner...


Round 6, Pick 15 (No. 189 overall): Kamrin Moore, CB, Boston College

Has become the forgotten draft pick between nicks and bumps and being severely behind in the skills department has left him side-lined; should be a safe PS stash...


Round 6, Pick 27 (No. 201 overall): Boston Scott, RB, Louisiana Tech

Despite the Jonathan Williams buzz, Scott is a better runner with spin moves and toughness; plus Scott returns kick offs...


Round 7, Pick 27 (No. 245 overall): Will Clapp, C, LSU

Clapp should have been selected in Leonard's slot, his progress certainly suggest it; Clapp looks like a lock for a roster spot even outplaying the veteran LeRibeus...


2017 UDRFA: Dan Arnold, WR, Wisconsin-Platteville

One of my camp watch list guys, he's blessed with size, hands; Saints had need at TE and an invitation to dinner; he's progressing nicely in size, with his blocking...


2017 UDRFA: Justin Hardee, WR, Illinois

Hardee's progression learning CB since coming in as an UDRFA WR last year has been as impressive as his size, athleticism; special teams alone he's a near roster lock...


2018 UDRFA: Keith Kirkwood, WR Temple

The other watch list guy, he's surging at the right time despite deep competition at WR; may have best hands after Thomas at WR; prefer his promise over Floyd...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

Cruize

Barrett has been through the wars at Ohio St. and has won. He's not going to wow anyone with his arm, but, he's smart, athletic, and has a definite pocket awareness. I wish he could have got the reps in camp instead of Savage. In the numbers game, I don't see how Leonard makes it. Clapp can play guard and center. Bushrod can play both tackles and guard. I didn't get the DB picks. Neither has shown anything and the Saints were deep at CB and S. Neither will come close to making the 53. I understand signing Meredith before the draft. You have no idea Smith will be there and look SO good. Kirkwood sure looks the part. Big with great hands. Always making plays. I was shocked at the Davenport pick. Using two #1's is always big. That player has to make an impact. Injuries are a part of the game and he's been nicked up. The good news is on the DL, a player can have impact in situations and with limited reps. I didn't like the price, but it absolutely could pay off.

Barry from MS

I still don't like the MD pick either. He needs to show me just a little something these last 2 preseason games before I can quit hating this deal.

Persistent hustle would help a whole lot. He's gonna be lost at times, but I want to see level-headedness in those moments. His physical talents are outrageous, but I also want to see a passion to play this game.

We have TRex & Okafor thankfully, so MD can continue this year to do what he does best so far: watch & study film.

Rugby Saint II

I like how he handles himself with his team mates and the media. I like that he asks a lot of questions, watches a lot of film and stays after practice with coaches. I like that he is motivated, has monster measurables and his coaches says he improves every practice. I like how much potential he has to bring and I don't care if it cost two first round draft picks. We have missed on too many first round draft choices for me to be upset about the cost of a potential future franchise player. He will make us forget the cost real soon I do believe!

Barry from MS

[QUOTE=Rugby Saint II;808798We have missed on too many first round draft choices for me to be upset about the cost of a potential future franchise player. He will make us forget the cost real soon I do believe![/QUOTE]

I hope so.

Regarding the misses, I've been thinking for years that we should just immediately trade out our 1st rd pick for a bunch of 2nd/3rd rd picks every year. The thoughts of Knight, Ellis, Meachum, Sullivan, Molden, etc are nauseating. True we've hit with Roaf, Deuce, Cam & Lattimore but it seems this organization historically has some kind of 1st rd hoodoo stank on it. We do much better in the 2nd & after since Payton arrived.

jeanpierre

That's some cold-hearted schitte right there, Brother...

His arms are norm'l to most folks, just slightly short for a defensive end...

Barry from MS

I like "T-Rex" b/c Hendrickson has 27 letters in it & he's gonna eat OTs, QBs & RBs for Sun lunches & Mon suppers.