Underhill: Saints training camp Day 4: Tre'Quan Smith keeps making plays, early sleepers, more
By Nick Underhill | The Advocate
Attendance: Wide receiver Brandon Coleman and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui were the only players who did not practice. Center Cameron Tom (shoulder) and wide receiver Travin Dural (broken humerus, according to sources) left the session early. Some veteran players like defensive end Cam Jordan, wide receiver Cameron Meredith, defensive end Alex Okafor and guard Andrus Peat were given most of the day off.
More changes: We’re going to keep noting lineup changes, but at this point they don’t mean a whole lot. On Sunday, Vonn Bell and Kurt Coleman served as the top safeties, after it was Bell and Marcus Williams the day before. Sheldon Rankins replaced David Onyemata as the first-team defensive tackle, and P.J. Williams manned the slot. And just like it has almost every day, the linebackers changed again, this time with Manti Te’o and Alex Anzalone serving as the starters. Josh LeRibeus continues to start at left guard in place of Peat. The Saints will eventually settle on a set of starters. Until then, a lot of the changes seem to be about getting different looks at players more than it signifies someone moving ahead on the depth chart.
Early sleeper: It will take some time before this year’s surprise players fully emerge. But after four days, Dan Arnold, who is transitioning from wide receiver to tight end, is in the early the mix. He’s managed to get his name in the notebook repeatedly this week. Popping out a few times during the first week of camp assures Arnold nothing, and there are a lot of things he will need to improve upon, such as his blocking, but he’s off to a good start. ...
Full Story - The Advocate
By Nick Underhill | The Advocate
Attendance: Wide receiver Brandon Coleman and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui were the only players who did not practice. Center Cameron Tom (shoulder) and wide receiver Travin Dural (broken humerus, according to sources) left the session early. Some veteran players like defensive end Cam Jordan, wide receiver Cameron Meredith, defensive end Alex Okafor and guard Andrus Peat were given most of the day off.
More changes: We’re going to keep noting lineup changes, but at this point they don’t mean a whole lot. On Sunday, Vonn Bell and Kurt Coleman served as the top safeties, after it was Bell and Marcus Williams the day before. Sheldon Rankins replaced David Onyemata as the first-team defensive tackle, and P.J. Williams manned the slot. And just like it has almost every day, the linebackers changed again, this time with Manti Te’o and Alex Anzalone serving as the starters. Josh LeRibeus continues to start at left guard in place of Peat. The Saints will eventually settle on a set of starters. Until then, a lot of the changes seem to be about getting different looks at players more than it signifies someone moving ahead on the depth chart.
Early sleeper: It will take some time before this year’s surprise players fully emerge. But after four days, Dan Arnold, who is transitioning from wide receiver to tight end, is in the early the mix. He’s managed to get his name in the notebook repeatedly this week. Popping out a few times during the first week of camp assures Arnold nothing, and there are a lot of things he will need to improve upon, such as his blocking, but he’s off to a good start. ...
Full Story - The Advocate