The Saints conclude their offseason program next week with three mandatory minicamp practices at the team’s practice facility in Metairie.
It will be the first Saints minicamp for newcomers such as Derek Carr, Jamaal Williams and Bryan Bresee, and the first time the entire roster is together this offseason.
In preparation for the workouts, our Saints coverage team got together to discuss the team’s offseason workouts so far and to look ahead to the minicamp practices. Here's the discussion:
What has been the biggest surprise of offseason workouts?
Terrin Waack: Michael Thomas’ return. I did not expect him to show up to any of the voluntary organized team activities. The media hadn’t seen him since September. And honestly, I’m still a little surprised he’s still with the Saints. Maybe it’s because I didn’t cover the team in 2019 when Thomas broke the NFL’s single-season receptions mark with 149 catches for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. Obviously, that’s impressive. Or maybe it’s because he has played in only 10 games over the last three seasons because of injuries. Obviously, that’s not impressive. Thomas did have a strong opening three games in 2022 before his injury, scoring three touchdowns. It’s a positive for the Saints he’s back already, at least in some capacity.
Rod Walker: The biggest surprise was seeing rookie running back Kendre Miller in person for the first time. If someone told you to go into a lab and create a running back, Miller is probably what the results of the experiment would look like. He’s listed at 6 feet and 210 pounds, and my best guess is that almost all 210 pounds are muscle. He hasn’t actually been able to do much in practice because he’s recovering from a knee injury suffered in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan, but he passes the eye test. You can’t help but be eager to see what he can do once he gets healthy. On draft night, Dennis Allen had this to say about Miller: “He runs with violence.” That’s not hard to believe.
Jeff Duncan: I’ve been surprised at how good Derek Carr has been. And I don’t just mean as a player on the field, where his arm strength, accuracy and command of the huddle have opened eyes. He’s impressed me with his leadership skills and presence. He clearly understands his role as the franchise quarterback. He’s exactly what this team needed as a leader at the position. I have no idea how he will play once the season starts, but my initial impression of him has been extremely positive.
What has been your most positive takeaway from the workouts?
Waack: Derek Carr’s adjustment. Within just 10 OTA workouts, the new quarterback seems to have quickly settled into running the offense. He felt more comfortable in the final week, and Saints coach Dennis Allen thought Carr looked more comfortable. Carr always was talking to someone, too, whether that be a coach or teammate. He took feedback and cracked jokes. He bonded. Execution during the regular season is what will matter most, but as of right now, Carr’s effort and desire are obvious. All-around positive feedback.
Walker: The improvement of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. The two second-year receivers, both from San Diego, had rock-solid rookie seasons. It’s been quite clear in practice that they are not satisfied with what they did in Year One. Both have made big plays in practice and look to be making giant strides in their second season. It’s the type of hunger you want to see in young players who aren’t satisfied with where they are.
Jeff Duncan: The attitude and buy-in from the players and coaches have been impressive. There’s a real positive vibe around the team. The acquisition of Carr seems to have lifted everyone’s spirts, and there’s just a lot of positive energy around the team right now. Teams are usually optimistic at this time of year, but the overall enthusiasm up and down the roster is noticeable. That's a positive sign for coach Dennis Allen in the second year of his tenure.
What has been your biggest concern?
Waack: Linebacker room. When Kaden Elliss departed to the Atlanta Falcons, I expected the Saints to draft a high-potential rookie or sign a well-known veteran to fill his void. Neither happened. Demario Davis and Pete Werner handle the starting roles, but what if one gets injured like Werner did last year? There’s not another big name to step up if needed. Granted, Elliss wasn't considered a big name when he was called upon last season, so the Saints very well may have another trick up their sleeve. But still, linebacker was the only position that wasn’t truly addressed this offseason.
Walker: It’s probably way too early to call it a concern, but seeing center Erik McCoy as the only starting offensive lineman at camp wasn’t ideal. Especially for a team breaking in a new starting quarterback this season. Ryan Ramczyk, Andrus Peat and Calvin Throckmorton all chose to skip the voluntary OTAs. Cesar Ruiz and backup tackle Trevor Penning are still recovering from injuries. The silver lining in that is some of the younger guys are getting some work. But a key to the Saints offense will be how the O-line jells this season. That jelling starts in the offseason. With the mandatory minicamp coming this week, Ramczyk, Peat and Throckmorton should be back in the mix.
Duncan: This has nothing to do with workouts, so I’m probably cheating with this answer, but Alvin Kamara’s looming court date is obviously a major concern. It seems likely that he will face some kind of league discipline as a result of his legal issues. The Saints bolstered the running back position by signing Jamaal Williams and drafting Kendre Miller this offseason, but it’s a stretch to think that either of those guys will be able to replace Kamara’s all-around playmaking ability. Kamara arguably is the biggest star on the Saints, and teams have to account for him all over the field.
Which player or aspect of the team will you be focused on at minicamp?
Waack: The offensive line. Center Erik McCoy was the only starter who was active during OTAs. Cesar Ruiz and Trevor Penning were present but inactive because of lingering foot injury rehab responsibilities. Andrus Peat and Ryan Ramczyk never showed. Apparently, the Saints' fourth-round draft pick, Nick Saldiveri, injured his calf, so he was sidelined for OTAs, too. There are still other options given the Saints’ depth at the position, so it’ll be interesting to see who lines up where once all of the bodies are present. There’s plenty of time left until the regular season begins, but it's important the offensive line is healthy this season to protect its new quarterback.
Walker: The running backs. With Alvin Kamara probably facing a suspension at some point this season, I’m interested in seeing how the team divides the reps among Kamara, free agent signee Jamaal Williams and rookie draft pick Kendre Miller. Will the Saints practice as if Kamara will be there the whole season? Or will Williams and Miller get more reps than usual since they will be counted on in Kamara’s inevitable absence. Also, I’ll be curious to see whether Miller is a guy who can step in and make an immediate impact, mush like Kamara did as a rookie in 2017.
Duncan: I’m still worried about the pass rush, and we won’t get a true feel for that part of the defense until fall camp, when the pads go on and contact drills start. The Saints tried to address this area by drafting Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey, but both are unproven. Defensive tackles Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd are known more for their run defense than pass rush. So the pass rush remains a major question mark. If there's a weak link in the defense, it could be the ability to pressure the passer.
What’s the most important thing left for the Saints to accomplish before the start of training camp?
Waack: Get healthy. Wide receiver Michael Thomas. Running back Kendre Miller. Offensive linemen Cesar Ruiz, Trevor Penning and Nick Saldiveri. Those are names simply mentioned during OTAs as still in recovery mode. Regardless, injuries really hindered the 2022 season.
Walker: I'll agree with Terrin here. Get healthy. They need to get guys such as Thomas and Ruiz on the field before the season starts. The sooner they can do that, the better this team can be in reaching its potential.
Duncan: The offense needs to coalesce. Next week’s minicamp will be the first time that key offensive players such as Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, Ryan Ramczyk and Andrus Peat will get a chance to work with Derek Carr. And we aren’t expected to see Thomas, Ruiz or Penning on the field until fall camp. So there are a lot of moving parts on offense that need to come together.
