larry holder

By Larry HolderNew Orleanians often resist change.At times, it’s endearing. At other times, it’s frustrating.I never thought I’d leave the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Ever. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the late great columnist Peter Finney. Tell the stories that moved sports...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneInjuries occur during training camps across the NFL. Nothing new there.Sometimes the team will walk over to the injured player and move on with practice drills while the medical staff attends to the player. Other times the player will hobble to...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneThe wall.Often NFL teams hit the training camp wall. The New Orleans Saints have seemingly crashed into it judging by Monday’s practice session.Some sloppy play arose on both sides of the football on Airline Drive, especially early during...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneSaints training camp Day 9New Orleans Saints defensive end Alex Okafor would likely take snaps over 2018 first-round pick Marcus Davenport even if Okafor and Davenport were both completely healthy. Davenport has missed the last couple of...

By Jeff Duncan | NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneLarry Holder and I break down the New Orleans Saints training camp on the second episode of the Dunc & Holder Podcast on Thursday.In Segments 1 and 2, we discuss what we like and dislike about the first week of Saints camp, including the...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneProjecting the 2018 New Orleans Saints 53-man roster heading into training camp might appear simple.The starting lineup could be tinkered a touch, but nothing unexpected. Depth at a few positions should make life a tad bit easier for the...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneDefensive prowess continues to be the theme for the New Orleans Saints during training camp with the trend extending into the team’s sixth practice session.The team practiced indoors with helmets, shells and shorts Wednesday (Aug. 1) after three...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneA rightfully skeptical bunch of New Orleans Saints fans would often ask questions a year ago about the defense.Words from training camp often portray vast improvements many times given the blanket coverage of every practice snap. For example...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneSheldon Rankins speaks openly about how dissatisfied he’s been with his play from 2017. The New Orleans Saints defensive tackle spent much of his downtime this offseason working to improve his game.The Saints are seemingly pushing Rankins to...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneDefensive coordinators probably haven't walked with a sense of comfort around the New Orleans Saints practice facility in quite a while.The longest shelf life for a defensive coordinator with the Saints under Sean Payton's watch has spanned...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-Picayuneobservations from Saints training campThe Saints' first-round pick is a work in progressRookie defensive end Marcus Davenport is going through the typical rookie growing pains early on. The first-round pick from Texas-San Antonio beat Terron...

By Larry Holder - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneThe New Orleans Saints defense prepped for the arrival of the rowdy Who Dats on Saturday (July 28) by performing quite well during Friday’s practice session.While still without pads for one more day, the Saints defense flexed its muscle against...

By Larry Holder NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune We're ranking the New Orleans Saints' top players for the seventh consecutive offseason. We'll publish a new player each weekday as we inch closer to training camp.Seven players from last year's list no longer reside on the...

By Larry Holder 1. Alvin Kamara is still a weapon Michael Thomas typically earns superstar status with his habitual impressive receptions during practices. With no Thomas on Tuesday, Alvin Kamara reminded the fans he’s still a weapon to be reckoned...

By Larry Holder NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Mark Ingram fits in snuggly with the All-Pro team of all the NFL players sitting out organized team activities and/or minicamps this early offseason. From Khalil Mack to Odell Beckham Jr.Then you have Julio Jones and Earl...