Da Boot Sports
8/26/2025
Article courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: CCS Staff


   New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that the club has acquired OL Asim Richards (pronounced AH-sum) from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for future considerations. Richards, 6-4, 307, has appeared in 21 games with one start for Dallas over the past two seasons after originally being selected in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.
   
​   Additionally, the club made the following roster moves to reach the National Football League-mandated reduction to 53 players.
   

     The Saints have terminated the contracts of the following five players:
   S - Terrell Burgess
   RB - Clyde Edwards-Helaire
   G/C - Shane Lemieux
   WR - Dante Pettis
   DE - Jonah Williams


      The Saints have waived the following 15 players:
   WR - Kevin Austin Jr.
   CB - Dalys Beanum
   S - Elliott Davison
   DE - Fadil Diggs
   DE - Isaiah Foskey
   QB - Jake Haener
   LB - D’Marco Jackson
   T - Easton Kilty
   CB - Rico Payton
   DT - Jayden Peevy
   CB - Jayden Price
   LB - Nephi Sewell
   K - Charlie Smyth
   TE - Treyton Welch
   RB - Marcus Yarns


         The club also placed the following three players on Injured Reserve:
   DT - John Ridgeway III
   T - Barry Wesley
   T - Landon Young


          Finally, two players were placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list:
   TE - Taysom Hill
   TE - Foster Moreau

   **NOTE: NFL players on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list can return to practice after a minimum of four games of the regular season, provided they are placed on the reserve/PUP list. Once cleared to practice, a player then has a 21-day window to be activated to the 53-man roster. If the 21-day period expires without the player being activated, they must remain on the PUP list for the remainder of the season


   Beginning Wednesday, the Saints may establish a practice squad of up to 17 players (one extra spot available through the league’s International Pathway Program).
   On Sunday, September 7, the Saints will open up the regular season at 12:00 p.m. CT, facing the Arizona Cardinals at the Caesars Superdome on CBS.

Da Boot Sports
8/26/2025
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: CCS Staff


   NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced Tuesday that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start in the team’s regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on September 7 at the Caesars Superdome.
   The decision follows a closely contested quarterback competition with rookie Tyler Shough during the preseason.

   “We’re not getting into this QB debate throughout the season. Spencer’s our starting quarterback. Tyler’s gonna continue to develop,” Moore noted.
   Rattler, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick who went 0-6 as a starter in his rookie season, started the Saints’ final preseason game against the Denver Broncos, completing 5 of 8 passes for 43 yards and leading two field-goal drives. The South Carolina product made two preseason starts compared to one by Shough.
​

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
8/23/2025
By: Terrill J. Weil


   NEW ORLEANS, LA - The Saints (0-2-1), concluded their preseason with a 28-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. The biggest question going into the season opener next week will be, who will start at quarterback? Neither Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough have been able to out-play the other, putting up very similar stats.  

  
 QUARTERBACKS:
   Spencer Rattler had an average day, finishing 5-8 for 43 yards. He led the Saints on two scoring drives that ended with field goals.

   Tyler Shough finished his day going 12-20 for 102 yards with a rushing touchdown.

   Jake Haener went 5-9 for 37 yards.
 

 GAME NOTES:
   *The defense gave up 103 yards rushing.

   *Cornerback Quincy Riley had a big interception to end a long Denver drive. 

   *The Saints once again failed to rushed for over 100 yards, finishing with 76 on the day.

​   *Rejzohn Wright and Jonas Sanker both led the team in tackles with nine each.

   *Jasheen Davis and Khistian Boyd each registered a sack.

   *Offensive Lineman Landon Young was carted off the field late in the second quarter with an injury.

   *The defense gave up 396 total yards of offense. 

 
 THE GAME:
​   
   New Orleans got on the scoreboard first, as they drove 23 yards in six plays culminating in a 56 yard field goal by Blake Grupe. 3-0 Saints. 

   Denver answered with a nice long drive to tie the game at 3-3. The Broncos moved the ball 39 yards in 12 plays, ending with a 32 yard field goal by Will Lutz. 

   The Saints responded to retake the lead with a nine play, 26 yard drive. Another Grupe field goal put New Orleans up, 6-3, late in the first quarter. 

   The lead changed hands again, as Denver moved 72 yards in ten plays, taking the lead on a 19 yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton. 10-6, Broncos with 13:36 left in the first half.

   The Saints gave Denver great field position for their next drive, turning the ball over on downs on their own 36 yard line. The Broncos took advantage, adding a 29 yard field goal by Lutz. 13-6, Denver with 6:35 remaining in the second quarter.

   Tyler Shough entered the game for New Orleans on their next possession. Shough drove the Saints to a score, moving 40 yards in ten plays, culminating with a 48 yard field goal by Blake Grupe to cut the Denver lead to 13-9 with 1:51 left in the first half. 

   Denver quickly moved the ball deep into Saints territory, but had to settle for a Will Lutz 25 yard field goal, extending the lead to 16-9 with only 13 seconds remaining until halftime. 

   Denver moved deep into Saints territory on their first offensive possession of the second half, but the New Orleans defense came up with their first turnover of the day, when Quincy Riley intercepted a tipped pass to end the long, time consuming Denver drive. 

   The Saints returned the favor quickly, when Que Robinson sacked and slapped the ball loose from Tyler Shough. Denver recovered the ball on the New Orleans 19 yard line.  

   Denver turned the Shough fumble into a score when Audric Estime powered into the end zone from five yards out. After a failed two point conversion attempt, Denver now lead, 22-9 with 3:00 left in the third quarter.

   Shough led the Saints on their best drive of the day, going 77 yards in 14 plays, ending with an 11 yard touchdown run by Shough. The score cut the Denver lead to 22-16 with 13:19 left in the contest. 

   Denver then drove into Saints territory, but turned the ball over on downs when Ehlinger was sacked by Jasheen Davis on 4th and six at the New Orleans 42. 

   Jake Haener entered the game as the Saints took the ball over, first and ten and mid-field. Haener was able to drive the team into Denver territory, setting up a Charlie Smyth 52 yard field goal. The Saints now trailed 22-19 with 7:09 left in the contest. 

   Denver responded with a nice drive, moving 79 yards in 14 plays, culminating with a five yard touchdown pass from Sam Ehlinger to Kyrese Rowan. The scoring pass was a prayer thrown up by Ehlinger who was scrambling for his life, under extreme pressure. The two point conversion attempt failed as Denver now led, 28-19 with 2:14 left in the contest.

   Kellen Moore will need to make his final roster cut down by Tuesday August 26 by noon.

   The Saints will open up the 2025 season at home in the Dome against Arizona on Sunday, September 7 at noon. 

​   

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
8/17/2025
By: Terrill J. Weil


   NEW ORLEANS, LA - The Saints showed fight as they scored a late touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars to end the contest in a 17-17 tie. Trailing 17-9 with only 2:39 left on the clock, Spencer Rattler led an 87 yard, 11 play drive for a touchdown and a two point conversion to even the contest. Jonas Sanker then came up with a huge interception with nine seconds remaining as Jacksonville was in New Orleans territory. There is no overtime in preseason. 

 
 QUARTERBACKS:
   Tyler Shough got the start , but had an average performance, finishing, 9-12 for 66 yards. Shough was sacked twice and had to deal with some shaky protection by the offensive line. 

   Spencer Rattler had a solid outing, going, 18-24 for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He made several nice throws and showed poise while leading the team on the late touchdown drive. Rattlers interception was a costly one however, as it came late in the game, deep in Jacksonville territory. A score there could of been the difference in the ball game. 

 
 GAME NOTES:
   The Saints finished the day with 87 yards rushing. 

   Mason Tipton had six catches for 100 yards.

   Dante Pettis had four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.

   Jaylan Ford and Jonas Sanker each registered a huge interception at key moments of the contest.

   Kendre Miller showed speed and toughness as he rushed for 21 yards on six carries. 

   Velus Jones had a couple of nice runs, finishing with 29 yards on four carries to lead the team.

   The punting battle seems to be dead even. James Burnip and Kai Kroeger were both solid, putting up similar stats.

   Quincy Riley led the defense with nine tackles.

 
 THE GAME:

   Jacksonville moved the ball well on the opening possession of the contest, but turned to ball over deep in Saints territory, when an offensive lineman stepped on Trevor Lawrence's foot, tripping him up, causing a poor exchange to Tank Bigsby that put the ball on the turf. Vernon Broughton recovered the ball for the black and gold at the New Orleans 12 yard line. 

   The Jaguars picked up where they left off on their second offensive possession, easily moving down the field against the Saints, driving 55 yards in eight plays, culminating with a seven yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to Parker Washington. 7-0, Jacksonville with 2:32 left in the first quarter. 

   The Saints offense finally showed some life after sputtering on their first two possessions, driving 55 yards in ten plays before settling for a 55 yard field goal by Blake Grupe. With 7:25 left in the first half, Jacksonville clinged to a, 7-3 lead.

   Once again, the Jaguars easily moved down the field to answer the Saints score. Bhayshul Tuten punched it in from three yards out to end a seven play, 66 yard drive, extending the Jacksonville lead to 14-3 with 3:21 left in the second quarter. 

   The Jaguars were able to add to their lead as they drove 40 yards in nine plays to add a 53 yard field goal by Cam Little on the last play of the first half. The contest headed into the halftime break with Jacksonville holding a 17-3 advantage. 

   The Saints took the second half kickoff and with the aid of a 45 yard defensive pass interference penalty, were able to add a 23 yard field goal by Charlie Smyth. 17-6, Jaguars with 11:07 left in the third quarter. Spencer Rattler started the second half for New Orleans. 

   The Saints defense came up with their first big play of the game, when Jaylan Ford made a nice interception on a Nick Mullens pass to end a long Jacksonville drive. The turnover gave New Orleans the ball at their own 15 yard line. 

   New Orleans took advantage of the turnover, driving 68 yards in eight plays, setting up a 40 yard field goal by Charlie Smyth, cutting the Jaguars' lead to 17-9 with :17 left in the third quarter. The highlight of the drive was a beautifully thrown 45 yard bomb from Rattler to Mason Tipton, setting up a first and ten at the Jacksonville 36 yard line. 

   Spencer Rattler then led New Orleans on an 11 play, 87 yard touchdown drive to even things up at 17-17. With :27 left in the contest, Rattler hit Dante Pettis for a 20 yard touchdown. Rattler then ran in the two point conversion. 

   With Jacksonville inching closer to field goal range, Jonas Sanker intercepted a Seth Henigan pass at the New Orleans 36. he returned it 40 yards to the Jacksonville 24 yard line with no time left, ending the game in a tie. 

​   The Saints will close out the preseason on Saturday, August 23, against Sean Payton's Denver Broncos in the Superdome. Kickoff is set for Noon.

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

Da Boot Sports
8/14/2025
Article Courtesy of New Orleans Saints
By: Todd Grffagnini


   The New Orleans Saints held their final practice at Crawford Field in Irvine, Calif., on Wednesday. … Under partly cloudy skies and a stiff south, southwest breeze, the practice lasted just one hour and the team was in shells (helmets and shoulder pads). … The reason for the short practice was that the team announced after practice that on Thursday there will be a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams that will be held at the Dignity Health Sports Park complex, which is the home of the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer. The practice will begin at 11 a.m. Pacific time and last till approximately 12:45 p.m. Coach Kellen Moore mentioned that the amount of reps the respective first team offenses and defenses will get will be similar to a real game. … We will livestream the practice on NewOrleansSaints.com with myself and Team Reporter Erin Summers providing commentary throughout. … The team also announced that wide receiver Bub Means was played on season ending IR due to an ankle injury. … There were three 11-on-11 periods on Wednesday, with quarterback Tyler Shough taking first-team reps until the final period, which was an 11-on-11 final-minute situation. Spencer Rattler would quarterback that final portion, ending the 40-yard drive with 55 seconds left by throwing an interception to safety Julian Blackmon, who coincidentally ended the Tuesday practice the exact same way, by picking off Rattler.


Special teams:   

   Both kickers kicked into the wind Wednesday toward the west goal post and both were perfect. Blake Grupe and Charlie Smyth were successful from extra point, 42 yards from the right hash, and 48 yards from the left hash. Grupe is now 34 of 35 on all kicks since training camp began. … Punter Kai Kroeger held for Grupe and James Burnip held for Smyth. Both punters also got a period where they kicked into the wind. I would say with the punting Wednesday, which is still an ongoing battle, that Kroeger has a slight edge, but both will get ample opportunities live in the joint practice Thursday and in the last two preseason games.

   

Play of the Day:   

   A few candidates, considering how short the practice was. Tyler Shough had a nice 25-yard pass downfield to tight end Juwan Johnson. Rattler converted a beautiful pitch and catch of 25 yards to Brandin Cooks, which was Rattler's best throw of the day. Cooks leaped high in the air to bring it down, which really fired up Saints wide receivers coach Keith Williams, who let Cooks know about it as he came off the field. We have to give it to this one though. During a rare 7-on-7 drill in the past two weeks, the ball was at the 14-yard line and Rattler was at quarterback. Rattler threw a seemingly innocent pass in the middle of the field to Mason Tipton who made the catch at about the 8-yard line. As the defense collapsed on him, Tipton alertly looked to his right, where running back Velus Jones Jr. was even with him on the right sideline. Tipton threw an overhand lateral back to Jones, who caught it, and streaked untouched into the end zone for the touchdown, drawing yelps from everyone in attendance, including the media. We'll see you Thursday in Carson for the joint practice vs the Rams!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams to conduct joint practice on Thursday, August 14!

​   Saints will return to New Orleans on Friday for their 2025 preseason home opener against Jacksonville
​

Da Boot Sports
8/10/2025
By: Terrill J. Weil


​   INGLEWOOD, CA - The Saints dropped preseason game No. 1, 27-13 in a sluggish performance against the Chargers on the road. Three Saints turnovers lead to 17 points for Los Angeles. 

 QUARTERBACKS:   
   Spencer Rattler had five possessions and finished his day going, 7-11 for 53 yards. he also rushed for 22 yards on three carries to lead the team in rushing.  Rattler was sacked three times. 

   Tyler Shough went 15-22 for 165 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

   Jake Haener had limited action late in the game and finished 5-8 for 41 yards and an interception. 

 GAME NOTES:  
   The defense gave up 27 points and 148 yards rushing. 

   The offensive line gave up five sacks and struggled to run block as the Saints only managed 61 yards rushing. 

   14 different players caught a pass for the Saints. 

   New Orleans committed seven penalties for 56 yards. 

   Linebacker Jaylan Ford led the team with eight tackles.

   Fadil Diggs, Chris Rumph II and Khristian Boyd each registered a sack. 

​    INJURIES:
​   The Saints lost two offensive lineman to injury. Two plays into the game, center Will Clapp left the field with a foot or ankle injury. In the second quarter, left guard Trevor Penning suffered an injury. Both players were carted to the locker room.  Also, wide receiver Bub Means and tight end Mason Pline also left the game with injury. 
   


   THE GAME:

​   On New Orleans' opening offensive possession, Spencer Rattler drove the Saints 50 yards on ten plays before the drive stalled at the Chargers 49. But the Saints received a gift second possession when Miller-Haynes muffed James Burnip's punt. Treyton Welch recover the ball at the LA 17 yard line, setting up a first and ten. However, the Saints couldn't take advantage of the turnover as they turned the ball over on downs when Kendre Miller was tackled for a three yard loss on 4th and goal from the one yard line. 

   Los Angeles got on the board first thanks to a 44 yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. The score was set up by a New Orleans turnover when Spencer Rattler fumbled while being sacked on second and nine at the Saints 40. 3-0 The Chargers led, 3-0 with 13:34 left in the second quarter.

   The Chargers extended their lead late in the second quarter as they went on a 14 play, 85 yard drive, culminating with a five yard touchdown run by quarterback Trey Lance. The two point conversion attempt failed. 9-0 Chargers with 1:38 left in the first half. 

   Tyler Shough entered the contest with 1:38 left and drove the Saints to their first points of the day. Blake Grupe ended the 42 yard, nine play drive with a 31 yard field goal with five seconds left in the first half. We went to the break with Los Angeles on top, 9-3. Shough looked good, making some solid throws on the drive.

   Tyler Shough would make his first big mistake of the contest mid-way through the third quarter. On a third and six, Eric Rogers stepped in front of Shough's pass and raced 55 yards for the score. The two point attempt was successful, putting the Chargers up, 17-3 with 9:48 left in the quarter. 

   Shough responded to the pick six with a beautiful 55 yard touchdown pass to a wide open Mason Tipton to end the five play, 82 yard drive. With 7:23 left in the third quarter the Saints pulled to within, 17-10. 

   Los Angeles increased their advantage as Dicker drilled a 40 yard field goal to end a 12 play, 48 yard drive that ate 7:10 off of the game clock. 20-10, Chargers with 4:50 left in the contest.

   Los Angeles added to their lead on an 11 yard touchdown run by Raheim Sanders with only 1:49 remaining in the game.

   New Orleans finished off the scoring with a 50 yard field goal by Charlie Smyth with 15 seconds left.

   Next up the Saints will host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, August 17. Kickoff is set for 12:00pm.

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
8/9/2025
Article Courtesy of New Orleans Saints
By: Todd Gaffagnini


   Friday marked the 13th training camp practice for the New Orleans Saints, the second in Irvine, Calif., and featured a 66-play "call it" scrimmage, featuring extra points, field goals, and special teams periods with kickoffs and punts. … Practice time was 4 p.m. Pacific with a temperature of 80 degrees, and a stiff breeze out of the southwest at 15mph. … Players not participating in the scrimmage were wide receiver Chris Olave (ankle), defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (illness) and defensive back Rico Payton (illness). … After the scrimmage, Coach Kellen Moore told everyone the answer to the one question people have been asking for the last two weeks. Who would start the first preseason game Sunday vs. the Los Angeles Chargers? Spencer Rattler will start the game, followed by Tyler Shough, then Jake Haener. Moore also stressed that just because this was the rotation Sunday, it does not mean that would be the rotation on opening day against the Arizona Cardinals. … The amount of reps for each quarterback Sunday will depend on the flow of the game. Moore also mentioned that the quarterbacks were informed of the decision before Friday's scrimmage. … It was a tough day for kicker Charlie Smyth, who battled the aforementioned wind, as he missed all of his field-goal attempts wide right from 41, 50, and 44 yards. Smyth did make all of his extra-point attempts..


Offensive Play of the Day:   
   There were plenty to choose from, so let's get to it. Rattler capped off an opening drive of nine plays and 65 yards with a beautiful touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed of 31 yards down the left sideline. … Shough hit wide receiver Bub Means on a right sideline pass that Means somehow came down with for 11 yards, despite excellent coverage by Jayden Price. … A few plays later, Rattler found Brandin Cooks on a tremendous back shoulder throw and a better catch by Cooks for 12 yards. …Shough had his own 65-yard drive one series later. This one took only five plays, and the last three were outstanding. On first down at the plus 47-yard line, Shough avoided a blitz from defensive end Jasheen Davis, and rolled toward the right sideline, and uncorked one deep down the sideline where wide receiver Dante Pettis made the catch in traffic (my personal play of the day). The gain would be 32 yards to the plus-25. On the next play, Shough stood tall and calmly delivered a quick slant to the speedy Mason Tipton who by all accounts scored a touchdown. Much to the chagrin of the entire offensive sideline, the official ruling was down at the 2-yard line. Shough then made it moot by executing a perfect fake on a read option to running back Cam Akers, and kept it himself, finding nothing but Bermuda grass for the easy touchdown. … Two series later, Rattler on a third-and-goal from the five, threw a self-admitted ill-advised back foot pass to the back left pylon of the west end zone where Cedrick Wilson Jr. would somehow come down with it, despite being surrounded by black jerseys. … Finally, Shough added his second touchdown on a third-and-goal from the 3. First avoiding a would be sack by Chase Young and tossing a perfect floater to Kevin Austin Jr. for the touchdown.


Defensive Play of the Day:
   Plenty to choose from here as well. Solid plays by linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner littered the first drive. … On Shough's second drive on a fourth-and-1 from the minus 44-yard line, linebacker Nephi Sewell stuffed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, denying a first down and a turnover on downs. … Rookie edge rusher Fadil Diggs registered three sacks Friday, including two drive stoppers on Shough, both on third down plays. … Linebacker Jaylan Ford had his second straight solid day, this time stuffing running back Velus Jones Jr. on a third-and-two with a vicious tackle for loss. … Finally, the only interception of the day occurred with Jake Haener at quarterback. At the plus 40-yard line Haener tried a pass over the middle of the field about 10 yards intended for Kevin Austin Jr. The ball was tipped straight up in the air by linebacker Isaiah Stalbird, and fluttered into the waiting arms of rookie safety Jonas Sanker who grabbed the pick and brought it back for 10 yards. We'll enjoy an off day Saturday, and the next time we will talk it will be preseason football action as the Saints take on the Chargers from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Game time is 1:05 p.m. local and 3:05 p.m. back in New Orleans, and can be seen on Fox-8 with Joel Meyers, Jon Stinchcomb and Erin Summers on the call, and on WWL Radio with Mike Hoss, Deuce McAllister and Jeff Nowak. See you Sunday!

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
8/8/2025
Article Courtesy of New Orleans Saints
By: Todd Graffagnini


   Thursday's padded practice took place at Crawford Field at the University of California Irvine. … The Saints spent a month here last year during training camp due to the construction of the cafeteria at the Saints facility. … Both practice fields are Bermuda grass and orientate east to west. … The temperature at the beginning of practice was 78 degrees under sunny skies, with a steady 10-15 mph wind coming out of the south southwest. … The Saints released punter Matthew Hayball before the trip to California, and re-signed quarterback Hunter Dekkers. … They also signed tight end Mason Pline, a second-year player from Furman. Pline spent 15 weeks on the 49ers practice squad last season. … Cornerback Rico Payton missed Thursday's practice with an illness, while tight end Juwan Johnson and safety J.T. Gray participated fully. … Thursday's practice was originally scheduled for one hour, 40 minutes but ended a full 20 minutes early at 5:20 p.m. locally. … Kicker Blake Grupe remained in the zone, nailing all five of his kicks (for the first time kicking west and into the wind), with his longest coming from 49 yards. Grupe is now 30 of 31 on all training camp kicks.


   It was evident from the time the team walked out on the practice field at Cal-Irvine they were ready to practice and practice hard. After spending the first two weeks in Metairie, batting the heat and humidity, the team experienced really none of that Thursday. Fred McAfee, vice president of player engagement, had the California soundtrack rolling on the huge speaker that plays music throughout each practice and kept the players loose and dancing during stretching and in between individual and team reps. Coach Kellen Moore told the media post practice that the trip to California was like a "good little refocus and hit a little reset button" after the first two weeks of camp. It was one of those practices that was fun to watch as a spectator with nice plays on both sides of the ball, drawing encouragement from each sideline constantly. Also, we saw a special teams period featuring punt coverage and gunners trying to beat the coverage at full speed, also drawing more yells from each side. Friday's practice will be a scrimmage like the one in Metairie last Sunday, just not the length of 126 plays. That will determine for the most part who will play during the preseason game on Sunday against the Chargers.

Plays of the Day:   Lots to choose from here, which again, reflects what type of day it was in Irvine. Quarterback Spencer Rattler rolled out to the left, then tossed a throw back to the right to Juwan Johnson from the 20-yard line. Johnson was in full stride and got stopped at the 1-yard line. On the next play from the 10-yard line, Rattler executed a perfect zone read, and handed the ball off to running back Cam Akers who scampered in for an easy touchdown. Another rep showed inspired play on both sides of the ball. With Jake Haener at quarterback, and the ball at the plus 8-yard line heading into the east end zone, Haener took the snap and immediately got pressure from blitzing linebacker Jaylan Ford from the left side. Haener somehow eluded the fierce rush, and still backpedaling, threw off his back foot to the left sideline, where wide receiver Dante Pettis made the grab, but before he could get in the end zone, he was drilled out of bounds at the 1 by rookie safety Jonas Sanker. Finally, with the teams moving to the west end zone now, with Tyler Shough at quarterback and the ball at the 7-yard line, Shough handed the ball off to Clyde Edwards-Helaire who proceeded to try and find a hole off right guard. About two yards into the rush, Edwards-Helaire stopped on a dime, avoided contact, cut back to the left and waltzed into the end zone, prompting the normally reserved Alvin Kamara to come off the bench for a leaping high five with CEH. It was the second TD of the day for CEH and capped off a fun day on the West Coast.

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
8/6/2025
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Todd Graffagnini


   As we are officially in game week, Tuesday's practice was a bit shorter coming off the 126-play scrimmage Sunday, but still repetitions were maximized as they have been all camp long. … Coach Kellen Moore mentioned post practice that running back Devin Neal has a hamstring issue and will be out a couple of weeks. Wide receiver Moochie Dixon was out with a shoulder, and tight end Juwan Johnson did not practice either, but Moore was not concerned at all. … Kicker Charlie Smyth continued his uphill battle against Blake Grupe by going three for five on field goals with misses from an extra point and from 51 yards. Both misses were wide left. Smyth is now 15 for 26 in all his camp kicks. … All three punters saw work, with each getting one live rep punt. Matthew Hayball had one for 40 yards, James Burnip for 47 yards, and Kai Kroeger ended the day with a 50-yarder, which was also against the wind. … Each punter did very well on the down the ball drill near the end of practice. … For the final 11-on-11 period, the team split up to work on both fields, with Tyler Shough running the first team nearest the Saints facility on the south field, while Spencer Rattler ran the twos nearest Airline Drive on the north field, making the yet another sellout crowd very happy considering most of the practice was run on the south field away from them. …Despite Rattler running the twos in the final period he still ran a bunch of reps with the ones on Tuesday. ... The jerseys were switched back to the first week of camp with the offense wearing white jerseys and the defense black jerseys.

   Defensive back's coach Terry Joseph has come full circle. From a standout baseball player from Archbishop Shaw to a stellar career at Northwestern State then a four-year pro career, to a 19-year college football assistant coach and now to an NFL assistant in his hometown. As the practices continue to build, it appears more and more that the defensive back room could be one of strength for this Saints team. We saw more of that during Tuesday's practice as Alontae Taylor stepped in front of Alvin Kamara during 11-on-11 drill but was not able to hang on a sure pick-six, but nonetheless, a PBU. Safety Jordan Howden continued to get reps with first team, (along with Justin Reid) and had a tremendous sequence during the split field 11-on-11. Against Tyler Shough, Reid jumped a sideline left route and like his counterpart Taylor, drop a sure pick-six. Just a few plays later though, Howden would not be denied. This time Shough looked to wide receiver Chris Olave on the left hash for about 20 yards. Howden would have none of it, sprinting over to his right and making the interception near the sideline and raced back up the field for big yardage. On the right side, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry did not allow one completion from his cover Tuesday, and Taylor continues to wreak havoc as a blitzer and a strong cover on the slot receiver. The opportunity to see them all in action Sunday against another team is one that each player and coach is excited about.

   We'll go with a couple here. During the first 11-on-11 period and Spencer Rattler at quarterback, he threw a deep cross to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed who was moving right to left and wide open. Shaheed made the catch easily and turned immediately up field for a huge gain, that if it was during a game, could have been a touchdown with Shaheed's speed. The other play came on the first rep with Tyler Shough at quarterback. He rolled right, avoiding a sack by Carl Granderson who came in hard from the left side. It appeared that Shough was going to throw the ball away and live for another down as he was only one step from the right sideline, but that wasn't the case. Instead Shough threw on the run and somehow found wide receiver Chris Olave who was surrounded by black shirts yet came up with the catch for a big play of 25 yards, drawing the loudest reaction from the fans of the entire practice. … It's plays like that one that Shough was known for in college and we are starting to see those plays slowly but surely at the professional level.
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Da Boot Sports
8/3/2025
Article Courtesy of New Orleans Saints
By: Todd Graffagnini

    Team ran 126 unscripted plays during longest practice of camp
 
   The New Orleans Saints took the opportunity Sunday to hold a full scale scrimmage, complete with regular pregame warm-ups, outside at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. … In attendance was Joe Dumars, New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations, as well as the Southern Miss football team. … Officially, not including field goals, there were 126 plays run during the scrimmage, which lasted for 2 hours and 30 minutes, the longest practice of camp. … All three quarterbacks had numerous opportunities with different and multiple situations. … Tyler Shough would be the only quarterback to find the end zone, leading the second team offense on an 11-play drive that began at his own 35-yard line, capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Jacobson. … Kicker Blake Grupe continues to have a brilliant camp, connecting on all six of his field-goal attempts, including 59- and 54-yarders, and his only extra point. Grupe is now 25 for 26 on all kicks during training camp. … Punter Matthew Hayball got all of the punting work Sunday, and showed very good consistency with several booming spirals that went over 50 yards. … The Saints will get a much deserved day off Monday before returning to work Tuesday in a padded practice, before flying to Irvine, Calif., on Wednesday.

Kellen Moore Press Conference: 8/3/2025

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