Coach Pete Update: Not Good on Davenport. Some on Hill and Bridgewater, Some Saints Good News also (1 Viewer)

[Swimmer]

It was reported that Davenport (MD), reported to camp having added 15 pounds of muscle. Coach Pete found out that 15 pounds was fat around his gut. The Saints did not assign a designated coach to MD during the offseason. He showed-up to camp very out of shape and is struggling to get caught up. DA was not very happy about this - at all. For those of you that noticed MD not playing as well as you would have liked, your group was spot-on.

Hendrickson is having a good camp and the coaches are aware and excited about that, but he will never be a disruptor. However, he may well be a top rotational player. With MD still not in pro level shape, expect Henrdickson to see more playing time.

Coach Pete is hearing from Saints coaches that this is the most talented Saints team since 2009. The coaches expect the defense to make major improvements. Apple js looking very good as well as Marcus Williams. Bell has taken another step. Besides MD, the coaches are very pleased with the D-line.

According to Coach Pete, Bridgewater is not the long term replacement for Brees. He's a solid average QB and good leader, but has some major weaknesses in passing. Taysom Hill has made a major step forward but is also likely not the future QB after Brees. And Hill adds so much value in so many areas, the coaches are satisfied with the roles he is playing. And Hill's roles will be expanded this year again. Hill is doing better this year at adjusting his speed to the ball speed in the air from passes. The coaches have developed a limited playbook for Hill to exploit the seam from the slot and TE. He will be involved in pass receiving this year and Pete expects him to throw a good deal more this season.

If Brees holds up the entire year, the coaches think a SB is very attainable with this team.

 

[Madmarsha]

According to Coach Pete, Bridgewater is not the long term replacement for Brees. He's a solid average QB and good leader, but has some major weaknesses in passing. Taysom Hill has made a major step forward but is also likely not the future QB after Brees. And Hill adds so much value in so many areas, the coaches are satisfied with the roles he is playing. And Hill's roles will be expanded this year again. Hill is doing better this year at adjusting his speed to the ball speed in the air from passes. The coaches have developed a limited playbook for Hill to exploit the seam from the slot and TE. He will be involved in pass receiving this year and Pete expects him to throw a good deal more this season.

None of this is a surprise. Just adding this little anecdote, Mike Tannenbaum on NFL Live today was suggesting that the Colts, with Luck gone, would be a good spot for Taysom. The rest of the panel laughed at that. Apparently he has no idea how many "Taysom plays" reside on SP's menu. Don't know what's going to happen next year, but at least WE know he's not going anywhere this year.

 

[Filaphill]

Man, Davenport has to lay off of the McDonalds you’re a professional athlete. I know it’s extremely hard but he has to watch what he put into his body and as you can see his performance took a hit because of it.

 

[Taker597]

Sophomore slump hit Lattimore like a freight train. Lets not rag on Davenport for making the same mistakes as others have. Just hope he can overcome it and catch up.

 

[ThrowbackSaintXXL]

Embarrassing for MD but 15 lbs shouldn't be too hard to shed for a guy of his age n physical calibur. CSP will work his arse off in practice

 

[superchuck500]

 

[insidejob]

Embarrassing for MD but 15 lbs shouldn't be too hard to shed for a guy of his age n physical calibur. CSP will work his arse off in practice

Seriously. Especially for a guy that tall. 15 lbs. could probably be dropped in a couple weeks. If that's the weight he showed up to camp at, I'm willing to bet it's already gone.

 

[Swimmer]

Man, Davenport has to lay off of the McDonalds you’re a professional athlete. I know it’s extremely hard but he’s has to watch what he put into his body and as you can see his performance took a hit because of it.

Agree 100%. Coach Pete shared some info about Davenport which I found very interesting. This is from his coaches. Davenport is:

1) Extremely intelligent with very high football IQ
2) A dedicated student of the game who studies film and playbook extensively
3) Explosive violence on the field
4) And yet he is very shy. Because of his shyness, he didn't participate or stay in contact with many other Saints players and coaches during the offseason. This is a major reason he got so out of shape along with some immaturity of a 21 year old kid

 

[Krodwhodat]

It’s like you went through the site and put all the popular points in one thread!

 

[Filaphill]

Sophomore slump hit Lattimore like a freight train. Lets not rag on Davenport for making the same mistakes as others have. Just hope he can overcome it and catch up.

Davenport will bounce back no doubt just a bit of immaturity he has to overcome.

 

[DaveXA]

It’s like you went through the site and put all the popular points in one thread!

I bet Coach Pete reads the site.

 

[jmalon3]

I kind of feel like Cam took him under his wing during training camp this year. Hopefully this shows up when the whistle blow on 9/9.

 

[BooBirdSaint]

Too much expiation's on a small school high ceiling talent like Davenport IMO. Weight could be a product of being hurt last season and not rehabbing effectively or just not being prepared. From what I've read the dude isn't a type A balls to the wall personality. He's Marcus Colston at DE. I have no idea about his offseason regiment but he has all the makings of a dude that is smart but not ultimately motivated by the game. I could just as easily see him walk away if the pressure gets too intense for him. Fortunately, he's on a defense with Cam Jordan who has the personality and motor to go with the talent to be the number 1. Honestly, Davenport scares me with regard to his dedication to playing at a high level. I mean how many times have we seen this? History is riddled with 1st round talent that just doesn't ever develop.
Its still early and we often see the leap in year 2.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

Davenport was under the supervision of the coaching staff for much of the offseason, wasn't he. You mean he put on 15 pounds between the end of offseason training in June and reporting to camp in late July?

I suspect that had Davenport added so much weight during that brief period, the coaching staff would have so irate that those in the media would have been talking about early and often.

I was not in favor of the trade when it was made and still have serious doubts about whether it should have been made. But with all respect to Swimmer and Coach Pete, I would like to get some confirmation of this from someone else because I think Deuce and Strief at some point would have commented on this.

 

[superchuck500]

Davenport was under the supervision of the coaching staff for much of the offseason, wasn't he. You mean he put on 15 pounds between the end of offseason training in June and reporting to camp in late July?

Dem Popeyes sammiches are delicious