All 32 teams in the NFL are in training camp, and almost all 32 have a different approach and are looking to accomplish different things. For some teams such as Carolina they are addressing improving on arguably the already best team in football, and making sure the loss of Josh Norman will not be felt. While other teams such as New England, its preparing one player, in Jimmy Garoppolo, to be the starter for the first quarter of the season. Where does that leave the New Orleans Saints and what are they looking to accomplish? In this article I will explore the top 5 things I want to see coming out of camp that I feel set this team up for the best success if they are to happen.
#1 It’s hard to not put the obligatory stay healthy here as the number one overall want in training camp, however that is the goal of all teams at this point. While staying healthy is my number one thing I would like to see I’m looking at two specific players, as well as two specific position groups. The two players that need to stay healthy are Jairus Byrd and C.J. Spiller, tying into their respective position groups of DB’s and RB. For Jairus Byrd health is a prominent need as it will be his first chance to go through an entire off-season with the Saints actually being able to participate. Not only does this help him gain confidence with the system the team will run but he also gets to spend the off-season building a chemistry with the other members of the secondary, ideally Vaccaro, Breaux, and Lewis. I tie in Byrd’s health to the rest of the DB’s because I believe the four aforementioned players are the best tandem for the Saints to line up with and building a chemistry amongst a set of those guys all being healthy will have positive dividends for the season. Secondly C.J. Spiller is 100% for what I believe his first time in Black and Gold, not only do I think his health is vital for his staying apart of this team but it also allows Sean Payton to formulate a game plan around his hopeful running stable of Mark Ingram, Tim Hightower, and C.J. Spiller.
#2 Andrus Peat needs to win a starting job on the offensive line. Offensive line was probably my biggest concern heading into training camp, as I felt the Saints did just about all they could accomplish to improve the defense this off-season. My overall hope is that both Landon Turner and Peat can respectively win jobs on the line, making it so that Strief would become a rotational big package type of guy, but overall Strief needs to be in that starting line-up. Thus far through camp Peat has been getting the majority of his time at LT due to Armstead being out, and coaches are singing his praises but we all now Armstead is the best piece of this line once he returns healthy. I am encouraged by the work at tackle however because his versatility to play both the guard and tackle position means as long as he plays well Peat will be in the starting line-up some way some form come opening day.
#3 Continue to impress and grab that #2 WR spot Thomas! Heading into camp this was my #2 almost #1 want, but it’s already been pushed down through three days as it seems the rookie is well on his way to accomplishing this. Let me just say my reasoning for wanting this. I personally, am a big fan of both Brandin Cooks, and Willie Snead, however I am not wild about our top 2 receivers both being under 5’10. I think Thomas stepping up and pushing Snead to a slot role actually will help Snead even more this season, as not only have I been comparing him to Lance Moore since last year but so has Sean Payton. Having Cooks and Thomas on the outside with Snead in the slot and Fleener wherever he may be on that particular formation may allow for the best corps of pass catchers since 09.
#4 Anyone, and I mean anyone (although my hopes are with P.J. Williams) needs to definitively take the slot corner role on this team. Subbing in a nickel corner is something teams need to do quite often nowadays in the pass happy league the NFL has transitioned to. Although as said my hopes are with P.J. Williams only because he shows the most upside and talent in my opinion, I do not care who it is but someone needs to be the definitive nickel slot corner. Even if Williams were to continue impressing enough to grab the starting role and push Lewis to nickel I’m still okay with that. As long as we know by the end of camp who the #3 corner on this defense is, I will be happy I don’t want a situation where any of three guys may be the #3 guy depending on the given week and performance.
#5 Intensity. The last and final thing I want to see through training camp as well as being evident in game is intensity from all parties. I don’t care that it’s only pre-season, you’re coming off of two consecutive 7-9 seasons, and two years in a row having been swept by the Carolina Panthers. This team has a hell of a lot to prove and a position of prominence to reclaim. So whether it be fighting for every yard, making your presence known on defense, or just that un-characterize able look a team has, show me the intensity, and motivation of a team ready to re-claim their throne.
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