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Saints 2019 Training Camp (Sunday Night Practice at Tulane University): Offense Continues to Fire On All Cylinders

In what used to be formerly known as "The Black and Gold Scrimmage", the New Orleans Saints offensive attack was on full display during their annually-scheduled

Barry Hirstius

Saints 2019 Training Camp (Sunday Night Practice at Tulane University): Offense Continues to Fire On All Cylinders
Saints 2019 Training Camp (Sunday Night Practice at Tulane University): Offense Continues to Fire On All Cylinders /

In what used to be formerly known as "The Black and Gold Scrimmage", the New Orleans Saints offensive attack was on full display during their annually-scheduled Training Camp Practice at Tulane University's Yulman Stadium in uptown NOLA last night; and it goes without saying that the unit continues to "fire on all cylinders" and appears more than ready to began the 2019 NFL Regular Season.

A crowd of at least 12,000 Who Dats attended last night's very-spirited Practice session / scrimmage; and it was evident that the team and the offense in particular, responded with one of their most competitive Practice sessions of the Summer up to this point ⁠— a sentiment that was echoed by Saints head coach Sean Payton during his post-practice interview with local NOLA media.

“I think anytime you change the routine up, push practice back, they handled it well. The other thing is we get a great turnout. I think it’s just more exposure for our fans. But the facility is fantastic. You get a sense, the crowd is right on you here. Our training camp attendance has been great. I think this is a real good change-up. I think it’s good for the fans and for us,” Payton said.

There were an entire litany of nice plays turned in by the offense; both by the starters on the 1st Team as well as the 2nd team.

The "play of the night" was turned in by QB Drew Brees and WR Michael Thomas; as the 3rd year superstar and NFL's now-highest paid pass-catcher did what he does best: as he made a MAGNIFICENT catch deep down the left sidelines while going up against double coverage in the secondary against 3rd year veterans Marshon Lattimore and free safety Marcus Williams.

But several other Saints offensive performers stood out individually. particularly back-up QB Taysom Hill (who has had a phenomenal Camp thus far), starting #1 RB Alvin Kamara, and WR's Tre'Quan Smith and Rishard Matthews. 

As we've mentioned previously: this Saints team has been practicing all off-season and now Training Camp with a very much more notable focus and intensity than perhaps they have done in previous years; which no doubt in part is because of the manner in which the franchise and its passionate "Who Dat Nation" fan-base has endured back-to-back heart-breaking losses in the Playoffs the past two seasons.

This team undoubtedly is already "game ready" for the start of the Regular Season — which is still over a month away with the start of their Pre-Season schedule beginning this upcoming Friday Night at home at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against the Minnesota Vikings.

OTHER NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:

Photo courtesy of Sean Fazende, WVUE-TV FOX 8 New Orleans
Photo courtesy of Sean Fazende, WVUE-TV FOX 8 New Orleans

Those Saints players sitting out last night's Practice / scrimmage included WR's Deonte Harris, Emmanuel Butler. and Keith Kirkwood; DB's Patrick Robinson, Chris Banjo, and T.J. Green; fullback Michael Burton, offensive tackle Terron Armstead; offensive guard Ethan Greenidge; rookie TE Alizé Mack, and DT David Onyemata.

The Saints defense still had a pretty good night in their own right; particularly in pass coverage as they managed to intercept two Drew Brees passes; one by veteran linebacker Demario Davis (on a tipped deflection by CB Eli Apple) and the other by impressive rookie safety Saquon Hampton.

Saints kicker Wil Lutz — who recently has become one of the more popular players for those folks who participate in Fantasy Football every year — drilled a 60-yard field goal with room to spare (it would have been good from at least 65 yards).

The Saints will practice later this morning from 8:50 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., before taking the day OFF on Tuesday.......

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Barry Hirstius
BARRY HIRSTIUS

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