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Brees tosses two INTs; Morstead has booming night

The Saints practiced Sunday night under the lights at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium.

The estimated 12,000 fans in attendance were treated to a show, as big plays on both sides of the ball were set to the tune of classic rock-n-roll songs on the PA system.

Here are Sunday’s observations:

Linebacker A.J. Klein, linebacker Demario Davis, defensive end Mario Edwards and guard Larry Warford returned after missing Saturday’s practice.

After an impressive start to camp, Butler has missed four straight practices since leaving Tuesday’s workout. Kirkwood has missed three straight practices after leaving Thursday’s workout.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan and wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. were on the field for stretching and conditioning, but then the two players took off their pads and watched the night’s practice in what appeared to be a veteran’s day off for each.



OFFENSIVE-DEFENSIVE LINE SWAPS

With Armstead out, left guard Andrus Peat slid to left tackle. Michael Olah came in at left guard.

Edwards, who did not practice Saturday, took Onyemata’s spot inside the defensive line alongside Malcom Brown.

BUCKYEYE BATTLE

One of the more fun things to observe at any Saints practice is how hard wide receiver Michael Thomas and cornerback Marshon Lattimore go at it.

A couple of days ago, Lattimore got the best of Thomas on a slant pattern when the cornerback stuck in his arm to knock away a Drew Brees pass.

Sunday night, though, Thomas beat Lattimore deep down the left sideline, and Brees connected on an estimated 20-yard connection.

Both players have said in the past that going against each other makes them better, and it’s easy to see why when two of the NFL’s top players at their respective positions compete on a daily basis in practice.

PICK AWAY

After being mostly free of turnovers through the first eight days of training camp, Brees threw two interceptions in the same series of 11-on-11 drills.

Brees’ first pick went to rookie Saquan Hampton, who picked off a pass down the seam intended for tight end Jared Cook. This marked the second straight practice that Hampton recorded a pick, the first coming Saturday when he intercepted Teddy Bridgewater.

Brees’ second interception came on another pass intended for Cook. This time, cornerback Eli Apple tipped the ball, which linebacker Demario Davis secured for the turnover before running the other way. Apple has enjoyed a solid training camp.

FIVE STRAIGHT DAYS

Rookie Erik McCoy once again started off the 11-on-11 team drills at center with the first-team offense.

For anyone keeping count at home, this marks McCoy’s fifth straight practice working with the first-team offense. The Saints started off camp with a rotation between McCoy, Cameron Tom and Nick Easton, but it's been McCoy since Tuesday.

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SmashMouth

I went to it and had a blast with my bestest better half.

My observations:

Peat looks big and out of shape, maybe lazy. He struggled with the conditioning, did not even cross the field from sideline to sideline, the only one not to do it on the whole team.

13, 15, 10, 7, 41, 85, 3, 6, 83, 33, 23 all looked great.

9, Brees had two INTs, one by Saquan, the 6th rookie.

There was a sighting of 32, Ozigbo. He looked good.

FB looked good.

Dan Arnold looks much improved, dare I say a scary asset.

27, Washington looked average.

14, Travis Dural got lots of looks and did not drop any.

7, Taysom Hill goal line looked in mid-season form.


We're loaded at WR and TE, the whole team really.

W h o D a t !

Beastmode

Ozigbo will be the 2RB by game 5. Great vision and more flexible in passing. Murray will be a repeat of AD.

Utah_Saint

That's a bold prediction.

K Major

12,000 fans ... awesome turnout.

K Major

That's really concerning Smash. Hadn't been sold on Peat from Day 1 of the draft. He has not lived up to his draft status thus far and I don't think he ever will.

Last night on WWL, Bobby Hebert echoed some of what you stated. His lower body movement has been lethargic, slow footwork and was beaten consistently by Davenport when he moved over to tackle. If and when Terron goes down, Andrus is a guy you don't want protecting Drew's blind side.

He's been an average player who's biggest value is playing multiple positions.

Get it together. Texans game is only a month away.

"We're a violent team & a tough team. We find ways to put ourselves in position to win. We just have to WIN". Alvin Kamara

SmashMouth

My thoughts exactly. I don't think he gets a second contract here, maybe even gets traded at some point.

I think Ozigbo gets stashed. He scored a TD yesterday. Not impressed with Washington. Murray will surprise some.

They were praising the 7th rounder, Ellis. And Saquan looks great.

Biggest surprise was how much improved Dan Arnold was. He looks legit.

K Major

Great to hear on these guys.

Rugby Saint II

Keep it coming.....

jeanpierre

If Peat is that bad, then shame on Mickey and Sean for not keeping Kelemete...

Was curious how Clapp looked (LG still?)...