Saints Minicamp Pressers 2021: Cam, Payton, Allen, Deonte, Callaway, and more - June 9

Wednesday's Saints press conference saw the assistant coaches and several big players take center stage.

John Hendrix | Jun 10, 2021

The Saints had another round of interviews lined up for Day 2 of minicamp festivities, as they continue on with their offseason workout program. Wednesday focused on the assistant coaches and several other players.

Credit: New Orleans Saints; Cam Jordan at 2021 Saints Minicamp

Here are some takeaways from the press conferences.

Coach Notes and Quotes

Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said, "There's going to have to be some young guys who have to step up." Allen also said Zack Baun had a hamstring injury in training camp last year. He said he lost a week to 10 days of camp reps, development was slowed because of that.
On new secondary coach Kris Richard: "He's highly competitive, extremely intelligent. Brings a championship pedigree that gives him instant credibility."
Allen said they were just talking about Marcus Davenport prior to joining the call, and said he's looking like a 4-to-5 year vet. "You're beginning to see the light bulb go off," Allen said. Part of the past limitations have been due to Davenport's injuries, so he's been able to go through a full offseason.
Special teams coach Darren Rizzi says Blake Gillikin's twin brother has been a starting long snapper at Northwestern the past two years when asked about who would be the holder for the team. In other words, Gillikin has plenty of holding experience working with his twin brother. Rizzi said whoever wins the job should be the holder. Nolan Cooney has experience too from time at Syracuse.
Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael said that Cesar Ruiz being at guard is what best suits the team right now.

What happens next for the Saints? Don't miss out on any Saints news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our FREE newsletter and get breaking Saints news delivered to your inbox!

Player Notes and Quotes

Ryan Ramczyk said he won't be holding out or anything over his contract.
Deonte Harris mentioned that he had some surgery when asked about particulars he's spent a lot of time working on this offseason. Said he had to start back from square one. Harris also said that a lot of young guys coming out of college have reached out to him for some insight regarding the transition to the NFL. Harris said he's always trying to put out some motivational items and be a role model for them.
Latavius Murray on Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston's impressions so far: "Both stepping up vocally and being the leaders that they are. Coming in with the mindset to get better." Murray said that his goals for this season are to be better and more efficient.
Tanoh Kpassagnon on Payton Turner: "That guy likes to get after it for sure. He loves to learn and he's not afraid to ask us questions, and you see him every day trying to learn from the older guys."
Adam Trautman on Taysom Hill: "He's a brilliant dude. He busts his tail." He said that Hill could fill in any role on the team.
Cam Jordan wouldn't get into specifics regarding playing hurt some last season, but did mention that he didn't have to 'go under the knife' this past offseason. Jordan also shared a story about Payton Turner visiting his home and his four-year-old daughter calling him Marcus Davenport. Now, he goes by Marcus Davenport Jr. Jr.
Both Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway praised rookie Kawaan Baker and his work ethic so far.
Tre'Quan Smith said Jameis Winston reached out to him a few times to do workouts. Winston actually paid to fly Smith out to Los Angeles and put him up in his home.

Get more Saints news! Take a second and sign up for our FREE newsletter and get breaking Saints news delivered to your inbox!

Read More Saints News

SNN Saints Associates

Published Jun 10, 2021

JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net