Saints defense shows some exotic looks in nickel and dime packages

The New Orleans Saints defense was fun to watch - and hard to keep up with - during Thursday's OTA session. They were installing nickel and dime packages, so new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's versatile 3-4 scheme was on full display.

For most of the time, there were no true defensive tackles on the field, with the field packed with pass rushers and defensive backs. At one point, almost everyone on the defense was standing up, with outside linebacker Will Smith, Junior Galette and Martez Wilson all out on the field together. And on the very first play of team drills, inside linebacker Curtis Lofton shot through the middle for an apparent sack of quarterback Drew Brees (though they aren't going full-contact at this stage of the offseason).

For those wondering about veteran Will Smith's transition from end to outside linebacker, Thursday's practice session was a good demonstration of how he might be used this year. At times, he was lined up on the outside edge. At other times, he had his hand on the ground inside, with another linebacker outside of him.

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