Saints Camp Update: Friday practice features situational scrimmage

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS POOL REPORT
FRIDAY, AUG, 28

LENGTH: 1 hour, 45 minutes

ABSENT: Alvin Kamara, Malcolm Jenkins, Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Davenport, Cesar Ruiz, Zack Baun, Anthony Chickillo, Andrus Peat, Ty Montgomery, Jalen Dalton

LEFT PRACTICE: Saquan Hampton, Chase Hansen

RETURN TO PRACTICE: Michael Thomas

HIGHLIGHTS: The Saints ran a scrimmage-style practice outdoors at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Some good moments from both side of the football. Patrick Robinson ended the first drive by intercepting Drew Brees on a diving snag intended for Emmanuel Sanders near the goal line. Brees bounced back on his next drive to connect with Michael Thomas for a touchdown. Sheldon Rankins halted one drive on fourth and 1 with a run stuff and looked sharp overall. Brees added a TD strike to Bennie Fowler. Jameis Winston continued his hot streak with TD throws to Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Deonte Harris. Latavius Murray and Dwayne Washington added scoring runs. The defense elevated its play by the end of practice. D.J. Swearinger picked off Brees in Brees’ final drive. Undrafted rookie Keith Washington wrapped up practice on a high note by intercepting Winston in a two-minute drill. Trey Hendrickson and Malcolm Roach picked up a couple of “sacks.”

Q&A: Sean Payton C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Malcolm Roach

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton
Training Camp Video Call with New Orleans Media
Friday, August 28, 2020

Can you just give us an overview of practice today? You had the official full pads and contact?
“Yeah, our plan was to get a scrimmage in. We were able to do that. I thought we got a lot of work done. We probably got through about eight different roles. We implemented the kicking game throughout. I thought we handled the heat pretty well. And there’ll be a lot of film for us to watch now and get on with our players. Overall, it’s not until you watch the tape, there were some good things, some things obviously that we’ll need to be better at. But I thought it was good work this morning.”

Can you talk about the day for D.J. Swearinger this morning and what you’ve seen from him overall? It seems like he had a good day today.
“Yeah, look, he’s a veteran player. I feel like I know the player well, we played against him at a couple of teams. He was at Washington, he was at Arizona. He’s someone that can do a number of things. I think he’s someone that is helping us in the kicking game as well. So his versatility, obviously football IQ, all of those things are positives for us. He’s a real good run player. I have kind of been encouraged with the camp he is having. I think football is really important to him.”

A lot of times between seasons one and two, you see a lot of growth in the player. Are you seeing the growth you’re hoping to see out of C.J. (Gardner-Johnson)?
“Look, he’s played mostly in the in the nickel, we’ve kind of moved him around. He has he has strong safety flex(ibility), he’s dime flex. I think he’s a good athlete. He has good ball skills. I think he’s going to continue to obviously receive more and more work and be an important part of what we’re doing defensively. So I’ve been encouraged.”

What’s your assessment of the backup quarterbacks at this point in training camp so far? Are they where you want them to be or expected them to be at this point?
“Well, they’re never where you want them to be. You’re always, as a coach, wanting more and more. I think they are two different type players and yet, I really like the room. I think obviously Taysom (Hill) gives us a different type of threat at that position. And I think Jameis (Winston) has come in and picked things up very quickly. This last week for him has been really positive. I’m encouraged with their work. I think it’s a good room overall and I feel like we have some versatility that position.”

(Patrick Robinson) has seemed to have a few good practices, good start to camp. What have you seen from him?
“He’s turned the ball over a few times for us and taken it away. He’s stayed healthy. He’s a real good foot athlete, he can run. I’d say your observations are correct. I think he’s playing pretty well.”

With Taysom Hill, it seems like every summer he gets these four weeks, six weeks to play quarterback and install as a quarterback. When do you turn the calendar and say, all right, now we’ve got to prepare you to be playing all those other roles that you’re going to play?
“He’s playing those other roles in the kicking game right now. When he goes in and plays some of the F for us, we kind of evolve into what we want to do each week by game plan. He is very smart and he understands the overall scheme. We will slowly have an install plan relative to how we see him fitting in when he’s not at quarterback, but he is playing in the kicking game units just like he always has. He provides a lot of versatility.”

Have you seen anything in particular in (Taysom Hill’s) development? One month is all you really get to really evaluate him.
“Yeah, look, he’s got a real good grasp as to what we’re doing offensively. We keep pushing the tempo, but he understands our protections well and I think that with the reps that he’s getting and the reps that Jameis (Winston) is getting, all those things we’re building on, making corrections. So it’s a process with those guys.”

Would you say it’s almost surprising a little bit how quickly Sheldon Rankins has sort of returned and looks quick again? Would you say you’re at all surprised by that, I’m sure if so it’s a pleasant surprise?
“Yeah, look, I think so and yet, I think realistically back in the winter, when we’re projecting when players will be healthy and when we see them being able to be technically full go, this was expected. He’s someone that is a tireless worker. He spent a lot of time in his recovery and rehab here. I’m encouraged to see him move around, because he’s a big plus for us inside not only versus the run, but particularly in the passing situations.”

Can I follow up on the defensive line and talk about the depth there? You sign a guy like Margus Hunt, who’s been in the league for a long time, and I guess potentially how difficult cuts could be because you have so much depth and seemingly a lot of talent there?
“Yeah, I would agree. I think we’re a little deeper there than we have been in recent years or really for the most part since I’ve been here. It’s helped us because we’re playing a lot of players throughout the course of the game. I think Ryan (Nielsen) and that group over on the defensive side of the ball (have) really done a good job of developing those guys. We’re seeing a number of the younger players come on, Trey Hendrickson’s playing well, Carl Granderson’s playing well. We’ve added a few guys that have come in here and not only on the inside, but on the outside. (Malcolm) Roach, the young players had a good camp so those are good problems to have. We’ll see how this thing unfolds here in two weeks.”

Has Adam Trautman’s blocking ability held up the way you thought it would?
“Yeah, look, he’s working on that. I would say he’s probably a little further along in the passing game and yet he’s grinding on these installs. I think he’s a good study. So a lot of that is his time on task and we see improvement each day. I’ve been encouraged with the camp he’s had.”

Is Jameis (Winston) more aggressive than the other quarterbacks in going down the field? It all seems like maybe he goes down a little more than the other two.
“I do not know. He jas made some plays down the field. He is certainly confident with his arm strength. He has exceptional arm talent. He has done a good job. I think working in the pocket and I see someone who is athletic enough to climb and make some of those funny body throws. But he has also understood and stayed within the offense that we are running. A lot of it’s his confidence level in not only the play, but the receivers outside.”

When you guys are evaluating them, is it more you’re looking at his decisions then like complete, incomplete, like, is it just day by day you want to see he’s making better decisions?
“Look, it’s all the above. Where’s he going? Is it the right decision? What’s his feet look like, his mechanics look like and then you know how well is he doing it? The first job for that position is to move the ball and get the team in the end zone and so you’re evaluating every part of that.”

Your team is in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome tomorrow night. What are you looking to get out of that?
“Just getting used to (it). Tomorrow will be really getting a feel for the turf. Every year they lay a new turf in there. It was a mixture of rubber and sand. Sometimes it’s a little too spongy, sometimes maybe a little firm. So the first time we’re in there, we’re having a practice, but you’re also getting used to the footing. And then there’s enough time between that practice and when we practice again next week for them to add one or the other, roll it some more. So it’s really the footing. And then obviously the lighting and all the other elements that some of these guys haven’t experienced yet.”

Is it a big setback for (Cesar) Ruiz to not be able to play today just because of the amount of team you did when there’s not that much time left to get those reps?
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. I think that we’re dealing with a player that’s very smart. He will be back very quickly and getting the work again. Obviously, you’d love to have all of your players out there, but it’s just the way it is.”

Do you see Malcolm Jenkins coming back this week? I wasn’t sure if it was injury related or personal?
“Yeah, at some point definitely.”

When you design stuff for a guy like Deonte Harris as a play caller or a play designer, I know that sounds goofy, but for you, is that fun? To try to come up with ways to get him the ball in space? Do you enjoy that part of play designing?
“I think all of us, we enjoy the part where it works in a game (laughter). Look, it’s our job, and it is fun. But you’re trying to come up with different ways that fit what we’re doing and then when it comes to fruition on a Sunday, yeah. I think anytime, as a teacher, you see one of your students do well, that’s why you do it.”

Would it be safe to say Deonte gives you sort of a unique package to work with? Maybe you haven’t had anybody quite like him before with that? Would you agree with that?
“Yeah, we’ve had a few other unique players, but I would agree with you. He’s got a skill set that obviously gets us excited and we can build on it. I would agree with you.”

Is there more of an emphasis on finding players like C.J. (Gardner-Johnson) who can do a lot of things defensively and play a lot of different positions. Are you finding maybe more of those players now than a couple years ago?
“Yeah, look, I think there’s a little bit more pressure on the defenses to find guys that can cover in man and play in the nickel, play in the dime. People say it’s a passing league and part of that’s true. Obviously, you have to be able to tackle and play the run well, but his versatility is an asset, certainly.”

Are Taysom (Hill) and Jameis (Winston) competing to be the number two quarterback or you liked the setup last year where Jameis could go into a game if needed so Taysom could be playing that other role on a game day?
“Look, number one, they’re always competing, Mike (Triplett), very practice. The roles that they’ll have for us on gameday will be determined and yet, every practice out here, these guys are trying to put their best foot forward and improve.”

New Orleans Saints Quarterback Taysom Hill
Training Camp Video Call with New Orleans Media
Friday, August 28, 2020

You’ve had a busy week, a birthday, being a dad, what has this been like for you?
“Oh man, this has been an incredible week. Having the opportunity to be in the hospital and be with my wife and welcome our first child into the world was, man, one of the best moments that my wife and I have experienced together. We’ve been through that process and we’re trying to figure it out. But, man, it’s been an incredible week for the Hill family for sure.”

Obviously, we know your career arc that you want to be a quarterback ultimately, and you’re willing to play this role you’ve played in the meantime, how does that play out during like summer and training camp? You’re obviously so focused right now on quarterback. Do you feel like this is my one month where you get to show how much you’ve developed and learned at this position? And then you have to put it on the back burner for another 10 months? How do you treat that?
“I think that’s probably a fair assessment. As I get into the offseason, I’ll tell you my focus is really on becoming as good of a quarterback as I can. I’d say through my workouts and stuff I made sure that I try to implement enough strength training, conditioning to make sure that I’m I can do all the things that I’m asked to do. But right now’s kind of a special time for me where I get to hone in, really learn from Drew (Brees) on the field, from the coaches, be coached hard, and it is a really fun time for me to do that. I think as we look forward to the (regular) season, we all know there are going to be different things to what I’m doing. But I also think that can continue to expand as well. Maybe it means a little more quarterback looking into the future and season. But some of those things we’ll continue to see how it plays out.”

In this offseason in particular, no preseason games and really less time to work with the starting offense probably. How do you how do you measure your growth and development? Where do you see yourself at right now?
Yeah, it’s a little disappointing not having preseason games for a guy like me because it really is an opportunity to make sure that I’m getting live reps, game time reps in those games, but I think right now the focus is making sure that I take every practice rep that I get like it’s a game situation. (I need to) Make sure I go out to practice having everything ready to go. And I think we’ve really done a nice job this year of treating practices like game reps, making sure we’re taking care of each other. But even if it’s not a full speed tempo, making sure mentally we’re sharp, I’m sharp as a quarterback to make sure that when we get to these first games, we’re ready to go.”

First of all, congratulations. Second, in your multiple roles, do you feel like you’re able to play more quarterback now because you know those other roles so well and you don’t really need to focus as much on them during this time?
“Yeah, I think that’s fair. As I’ve had conversations with other position coaches, the way that this whole thing started was I never really did it in training camp. This was an experiment that happened in the middle of the season. So as we look at how that evolved, I wasn’t practicing this in training camp, I just kind of went and did it. And I think we’ve just kind of adopted that mentality. I think as we’re getting closer to game time, I’ll start to take a few more reps doing different things. Just so the week leading up to Tampa is not the first time that I’m doing some of this stuff.”

Just considering your own journey and having that really successful first preseason as a rookie in Green Bay, what do you kind of think about guys that maybe are in the position you were in once not having that opportunity to kind of show what they can do in games?
“Yeah, this is a conversation that I’ve had with a number of people. I am honestly disappointed (there aren’t preseason games). I think the young guys, the undrafted free agents are the ones that that are hurt the most without doing this, and frankly, I don’t know if I’d be here if this was my situation in 2017, my rookie year. The nice thing is, at least for the Saints, Coach (Payton) has created opportunities where guys can showcase what they do. Today was a great example that, but these guys are missing out on opportunities to build a resume for the other 31 teams. We’ve had conversations with a few young guys, I have specifically. And it’s really just man, you’ve got to make sure that you take advantage of every rep you get in practice.”

You mentioned kind of what your focus is on during training camp, but what are some of the areas you kind of worked on and some of the areas you were looking to improve?
“Yeah, I would say the more comfortable I get inside the offense, the better I’ve played. And so I’d say making sure that I get through my reads quickly. If you look at it (I have looked at) Drew (Brees) and studied his tape, ability to get a play (ready), get a call, get up to the line of scrimmage, recognize what the defense is trying to do, and then assessing where and how we’re going to attack that defense with the play we’ve called. So there’s a lot going on from when the plays called from when it’s actually ran. I’d say for me, it’s making sure I speed that process up, making sure I’m not late with my decision making, throws. And then as a quarterback, I don’t think you can ever stop working on accuracy, your footwork and getting through your progression. I would say that has been my main focus has really been the mental side of everything in trying to expedite that process.”

Jameis (Winston), he goes from being your division rival and now he’s in your position room with you every day. What have you seen from him as he’s adjusted to becoming a Saint?
Yeah, I have really enjoyed having Jameis around. Jameis is a guy that has brought a lot of energy into the QB room. You can tell he loves football. He has been a lot of fun to have in the QB room. This is a room that’s really close and we all get along really well and Jameis (has) stepped in and really fit in well with us and it’s going to be a great room this year. I think that obviously, with Drew (Brees) the way that he is, It’s going to be a productive room.”

New Orleans Saints Defensive Back C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Training Camp Video Call with New Orleans Media
Friday, August 28, 2020

You’ve made our jobs harder as we’re trying to figure out how to type your name and everything. Can you just explain what you meant by wanting to be Ceedy Duce meaning like, are you even exploring like a legal name change? Are you just talking about a nickname that means a lot to you, what’s the background there?

“It’s complicated. But, at the end of the day it’s like right now, I’m focused on football. My coaches call me “Ducey”. So that’s why I put the word Duce. And I put “Ceedy” because it’s something that like, I’m my own person, I’m my own person. I got (Gardner) with my biological dad, changed my name (added Johnson) for my stepdad. But I feel like going into year two I want to be about myself. I just want to be focused on, how can I help my team win the Super Bowl? Like what’s my best option. But, the name change is something I want to go by. And the legal part, we’ll talk about that later. But right now I’m just focused on football, ready to win football games.”

So both are okay to use in print? You’re not offended if somebody still calls you C.J. Gardner-Johnson?
“No, I’m not.”

Going from year one to year two. How do you feel that you’ve grown from last year to this year?
“I feel like this year was a good year. I feel like definitely with what’s going on now, having Malcolm (Jenkins) coming, having an older guy who’s been there, done that, won two Super Bowls. I feel like we’re learning as a defense on how to be a team something that’s together. And being together is just like, knowing your assignment, knowing your alignment, knowing who you are, knowing your role on the team and just being there for each other.”

Coach Payton says you are playing multiple roles on defense. You played multiple roles last year. How much more familiar with it are you and how much more effective do you believe you can be?
“Very dynamic. Wherever they put me, I’m going to play. I’m not really worried about who’s in my way. Coach Payton drafted me for a reason, and to be a dynamic player. That is what I did last year. And this year, I am going to keep doing the same thing. Keep improving mentally, as a person as a player, just going in, focusing on my job and doing what I have to do. Because at the end of the day, I know I am good at what I do. So there is no need for me to continue to try to outdo myself. If that makes sense.”

How much mentally do you have to put into it because you play multiple positions on defense?
“A lot. You have to go home and study like, this is not a game. Like DA (Dennis Allen) said, the game’s 90% mental toughness, 10% physical. So, the moment I can go out there and be 90% mental and focus on my job, cool. (The) Physical part can come later because everybody know, you can (work your way up) to be 210 pounds, 215 pounds. It does not mean anything if you don’t know what you’re doing on that field.”

What’s the most difficult thing you had to do? What’s the thing that’s like that kind of stresses your skills the most if you’re doing a bunch of different things?

“Oh, it’s not really stressed. It is more of how can I dial in and put everything into a box to make sure that I’m on point for my teammates. So it is not really a stress, it is my job. I wake up, eat, sleep, dream, football. So, my job is to go out there and do my assignment and do what I got to do.”

Can you give me your scouting report on Alvin Kamara, as a fellow versatile guy that you line up across the field from all the time?
“As a jack of all trades, you can’t really put your finger on one thing. He can run the ball, catch the ball. He also can just be that all-around dynamic back for the whole offense. Like I said he can go out on a Y, come in the slot, he goes in the backfield. So, it throws the team off by seeing a guy like him move around and do what they have to do every day.”

How beneficial, helpful has it been for you and all the other young DBs to have Malcolm Jenkins specifically in that room now?
“It’s been easy. Like with Malcolm (Jenkins), he opened our eyes to what’s more than just football. You got to study the game. You got to actually study your opponent’s habits, your opponents, like what do they do for their daily game routine. It’s something they go in with every Sunday. So that’s something you have got to pay attention to. Okay, his stance, his alignment. Okay. What is he looking at for the play? What is he not looking at for the play? So, stuff like that. I like that he’s teaching those little things. It’s just helping us grow as a defense.”

When Taysom Hill comes in there, what is your thought changed to as a defensive back? I mean, obviously, you have to be on the lookout for all different stuff with him, I guess?
“Get ready to get physical. Because he is tough (and) he is an athlete. He is the ultimate competitor. He’s a definition of a Saints player and the Saints way. Somebody who’s going to get it done regardless, on offense, special teams, which is considered a defensive player (on some of what he does on coverage). So he’s somebody that you got to really take home to because that’s a guy that really gets the team going with how he plays. And you can see last year, I think it was Minnesota. We were down, made a couple big runs, big plays and sparked the whole team and got everybody going. So a guy like Taysom is somebody you can really rally around, because you see you make plays on special teams, blocked punts, you see him do a lot of things. So a guy like me just sits back and (has the opportunity to) just learn from him. Because sometimes it might not be his day. Sometimes it might be the next guy’s day to make a play on defense or special teams. So just learning from a guy like Taysom (Hill) and seeing him step on that field and give his ultimate and give his all, is just something that you’ve got to see, so you got to go and match him.”

We kind of hear about like the positionless player on defense. Do you consider yourself as like a guy with a position or do you think about it?
“Put me anywhere. I don’t really care. I just go out there and play football.”

You said a few weeks ago you’re ready for Gronk (Rob Gronkowski). How do you feel about week one?
“Let’s go! How am I supposed to feel? Everybody got this whole , around this game. Let’s just play football. Like, I realized it is more than just Gronk, it’s Tampa Bay. Enough with the offseason talk, now we’re in camp, I’m with my teammates, we (are) playing ball. So, now it’s going out there having fun. And how can we practice better and get better than the next team each day when we step on that field? And I feel like in a couple of weeks, we’re going to be ready.”

New Orleans Saints Defensive Lineman Malcolm Roach
Training Camp Video Call with New Orleans Media
Friday, August 28, 2020

What’s it been like for you to essentially be less than a hundred miles from home, playing for your hometown NFL team?
“Like I’ve been saying, it’s like a dream come true. It’s something I dreamed about for a long time, just making the most of this opportunity every time I come here, every day, working my tail off and just trying to get better every day. And like I said, it’s a dream come true to be here.”

You mentioned you know, trying to make some plays. What’s kind of been your goal as you’ve been out at these practices?
“My biggest goal is just to get better every day. Just do things to pop off on the screen, be noticed and things like that and just get better every day. (I’m) Doing what Coach Nielsen’s telling me with the technique. Once I do those things, when we get out there on the field, I feel like it’s helping me make plays and things like that.”

And what’s been some of the feedback you’ve gotten from Coach Nielsen and some of the other coaches?
“They just tell me to continue to play hard. Continue to do what I’ve been doing and just continue to learn. Each day I come in, they tell me I’m like a sponge. (I’m) Just trying to learn and just being around those veteran guys, Malcolm (Jenkins), Sheldon (Rankins), Cam (Jordan) and David (Onyemata). They’ve been able to coach me up on things that, what coach (Nielsen) sometimes can’t see when we’re out on the field. It’s just been a lot of help (all) around, helping me get better every day.”

How have those guys been advising you?
“They just keep on telling me to continue to play hard, continue doing what I’ve been doing. I feel like I’m gaining those guys’ respect. Every day I come in and they just see the tenacity and the motivation I play with. the biggest thing is I’m trying to do (is) just gain those guys’ respect. Once I gain my peers’ respect I feel like I’ll be able to fit in with the team just like them.”

Are you being asked to do kind of a similar thing to what you were asked to do at the University of Texas? Or you have kind of a new role here in the pros?
“Yeah, I move around positions. Going from both interior positions, so not as much move around as I did in college and things like that. Here it’s just mainly those two positions, just making the most of it.”

You guys are going to practice in the Dome tomorrow. I know as a kid growing up in Louisiana, just how excited are you every time you get to go play inside there?
“I’m very excited, growing up in Louisiana, that’s one thing you dream of, playing in the (Mercedes-Benz Superdome) Dome. If you’re playing in the Dome you’re either in the state championship, or you’re playing Sugar Bowl or playing for the Saints. So, growing up as a kid, that’s one thing I always dreamed about. Anytime I got the opportunity to play in the Superdome just make it memorable. Every time I did, I tried to”.

Have you learned any moves from some of these guys, like are you picking up a Sheldon Rankin spin move or anything like that?
“Yeah. I’ve been working on the spin move with Sheldon. I got it in there a few times, in these last few practices I’ve done it. Just working with Sheldon on the spin or working with David (Onyemata) on cross chopping, arm over, things like that. Big Mal’s (Malcom Brown) helping me get my hands up quicker, things like that. So it’s been all around for the guys helping each other”