DEFENSE STANDS OUT AGAIN

The defense had another impressive day during team periods, and Payton said as much.

"I thought the defense had a pretty good day," Payton said. "Overall, I think they've got their legs underneath them."

The offense started out strong with quarterback Drew Brees opening up the first team period with completions to wide receiver Michael Thomas, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, Thomas again and tight end Jared Cook before things went off the rails. On Brees' last attempt of that series, he overthrew a pass that appeared to be intended for wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith.

When Brees came back into the team drills, he launched a pass intended for Thomas, but cornerback Janoris "Jackrabbit" Jenkins broke it up and Brees was less than pleased. On the next play, Brees had Cook in his sights but the ball fell incomplete, resulting in more frustration from Brees. Brees ended that three-play series with a completion to Thomas.

In the second period of team drills, defensive end Carl Granderson, defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis all sacked Brees. Additionally, both Jenkins and safety Ceedy Duce nearly came up with interceptions of the Saints quarterback.

WINSTON UPDATE

Quarterback Jameis Winston had an increase in reps Friday with Taysom Hill absent, but not everything went according to plan.

In the first team session, one of Winston's first passing attempts was batted down by defensive tackle Jalen Dalton. Winston was later sacked. He rebounded by connecting with wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, but then overthrew rookie receiver Marquez Callaway on the next play. Winston bounced back with completions to running back Ty Montgomery and Callaway.

On the last two plays of the first team session, Winston took a bad snap and completed a pass to wide receiver Deonte Harris. He then connected with wide receiver Emmanuel Butler.

Winston started off the second team session with a handoff to running back Dwayne Washington, then had four straight incompletions. Cornerback Patrick Robinson was in on the coverage for two of those missed passes and cornerback Justin Hardee was involved with another. The fourth incompletion was overthrown. Winston wrapped up his six-play series with a completion to wide receiver Juwan Johnson.

The second team period of practice ended with Winston having three more plays. He completed two passes to wide receiver Bennie Fowler III, but between those catches, cornerback P.J. Williams had an interception on a pass intended for rookie tight end Tommy Stevens.

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I don't see anything negative here. Except for maybe Winston's continued struggles. So, how does this support your premise that Brees will be replaced by Winston by week 4 AND that Brees is struggling AND Winston is "by far" the best QB in camp?

Try again.

For those that do not understand how things progress in the NFL preseason, the defense is always more prevalent due to the complexity of offense and the timing involved. Do not make the mistake to judge either unit or individual after only four practices.

Winston/Hill whoever doesn’t really matter. Not everything is unicorns and rainbows when it comes to Brees. You selectively post anything you can find as long as it fits your opinion. You asked for a reliable source and there it is, I didn’t just copy and paste the parts that support my opinions like you do.
I for one don’t care who our starting QB is. We have a very legit chance of making it to the Super Bowl with the amount of talent and depth we have on both sides of the ball.