Tag: Practice

Derek Carr details the benefits of Saints’ new fast-paced practice

Darren Rizzi picked up the tempo at Saints practice on Wednesday. Derek Carr said it’s been a long time since he ran that many plays in practice:

Darren Rizzi’s first practice as the interim coach of the New Orleans Saints was extremely fast paced. Every coach has their own individual style and certain tweaks were expected when making the switch to Rizzi from Dennis Allen. While Klint Kubiak is still coordinating the offense, Rizzi is putting an emphasis on time on task at practice.

It started with the locker room layout, then shifted to coaching staff changes, and the latest change is the pace of practice. Derek Carr described the practice as “Extremely fast. Upbeat, fast, nonstop moving.”

Carr said, “That’s the most plays we’ve ran in a practice in my career in a long time.” The increase in plays gives more time to hone in on specific looks and also attack a larger array of objectives.

Rizzi’s approach should lead to a greater attention to detail and, in turn, lead to better performances. That’s the quarterback’s hope as well. Carr added: “You get more time on task on something, we get better at it. Lord knows we need to get better at what we’re doing right now.”

It’ll be interesting to see how consistently they use this pace throughout the week and the season. The benefits are there, but it may simply be unsustainable on the regular. Regardless, it’s a change of pace that hopefully leads to change of results.

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Saints changing practice routine in the face of recurring injuries

The Saints have had eight injuries happen during practice this year, so now they’re shifting their pre-practice routine:

Health has been one of the New Orleans Saints biggest enemies this season. New Orleans has been on the losing side of that battle for the majority of the season.

The injury bug doesn’t discriminate with the timing of the injuries either. The Saints have suffered injuries in game and in practice. The latter is making Dennis Allen switch their practice routine.

The most notable injuries such as Derek Carr, Erik McCoy and Chris Olave happened in live action. Pete Werner, however, missed three games with a hamstring injury he suffered in practice. Kool-Aid McKinstry is missing the Carolina Panthers this week with a hamstring injury suffered in practice, too.

The Saints have suffered 8 injuries in practice this year. Allen said they are “looking at hydration levels, a little more pre-practice stretch, activation period.”

A focus the lead up to practice is integral. Hamstrings have been one of the most common injuries. The stretches and activation period alterations are aimed to getting the body prepared for more strenuous activity. These changes were needed. What they’ve been trying wasn’t working. Hopefully it makes a positive difference.

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First look: Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins lands in Kansas City ahead of debut vs. Raiders

DeAndre Hopkins is officially in Kansas City, and was spotted stepping off a plane and practicing ahead of his #Chiefs debut.

The Kansas City Chiefs made waves by acquiring star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Tennessee Titans this week.

With wide receivers Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown both on the defending Super Bowl champions’ injured reserve list, Kansas City desperately needed to add another pass-catcher.

Hopkins is a tested veteran who has earned first-team All-Pro honors three times in his career and should make an immediate impact for the Chiefs when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on October 27.

On Thursday morning when the trade was officially announced, the team posted photos of Hopkins stepping off a plane in Kansas City.

 

Hopkins participated in the Chiefs’ practice session on Thursday and was seen wearing a No. 8 jersey, the number previously worn by practice squad pass-catcher Justyn Ross.

 

Stay tuned to see how Hopkins fits in Kansas City’s offense this weekend when the Chiefs travel to Las Vegas

Russell Wilson on role vs. Raiders in Week 6: ‘Preparing my mind to get ready to go’

Russell Wilson answered the media’s questions about his availability in Week 6 with the poise and maturity of a starting QB.

The reporters were asking all the right questions during Thursday’s media availability ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

QB Russell Wilson, who has participated fully in back-to-back practices, may finally have healed from his calf injury. However, it was reported on Wednesday that while Wilson is a full participant at practice, Tomlin allowed Fields alone to get the first-team reps.

Reporters asked Wilson what his role might look like in Week 6 and beyond. Wilson answered as honestly as he could.

“That’s a big question. Yeah, no, I think for me, I’m preparing my mind to get ready to go and everything else. So that’s kind of my mentality — to help us win, whatever that is. So, yeah, I’m just getting prepared for Friday.”

Wilson’s focus on contributing in any way he can is not only commendable, it shows maturity, something that the Steelers offense has sorely lacked as of late.

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The Wilson Connection: Russell and Roman practicing with second-team

Roman and Russell Wilson have practiced in full on Wednesday. Will the Wilsons make their seasonal debuts in Week 6 against Las Vegas?

Fans were treated with one of the most beautiful sights of the Steelers’ 2024 season: Russell and Roman Wilson building on their chemistry, connecting with some nice throws in their practice with the Steelers second-team offense.

It was reported that while Russell Wilson was practicing in full for the first time in six weeks, Mike Tomlin would allow Justin Fields alone to practice with Pittsburgh’s first-team offense, in order to not ‘disrupt his preparation.’ Roman Wilson has also practiced in full for six straight practices, but is being deligated to second-team reps.

The wonderful Wilson duo will most likely have to prove themselves onto the field.  However, Steelers fans can certainly get used to the sight of the Wilson to Wilson connection.

https://twitter.com/Aaron_M_Becker/status/1844079794100834655

Could the Steelers offense use the assistance of the Wilsons in their Week 6 efforts against the Raiders?  Pittsburgh looks to stop the two game losing streak as they travel to Las Vegas this Sunday, October 13th at 4:05 PM EST.

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Buccaneers evacuate to New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Milton

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel to New Orleans early and practice at Yulman Stadium this week to avoid Hurricane Milton:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be moving their practices to New Orleans this week, as they move to avoid Hurricane Milton throughout the week, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This comes as the Buccaneers are set to take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, which makes the logistics of this move somewhat easier on their end as they were able to get a hotel in the area.

Additionally, they will be practicing at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium throughout the week, per Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan. The Buccaneers have multiple connections to Yulman Stadium and Tulane as well which Duncan mentioned later, including the club lounge at Yulman being named the Glazer Family Club.

Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane according to the National Hurricane Center, and is expected to make landfall later in the week between Wednesday and Thursday according to current projections. Ultimately for the Buccaneers, the decision was made as Tampa Bay is well within the projected range of where the storm will hit, and for the safety of the team and employees it made the most sense to move further west to New Orleans.

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Here’s what Kendre Miller needs to show his coaches to play vs. Chiefs

What could keep Kendre Miller off the field when the Saints kick off with the Chiefs on Monday night? Dennis Allen says there are a few hurdles in front of him:

New Orleans Saints fans got some positive injury news this week when Kendre Miller returned to practice, but the second-year running back may not be ready to suit up against the Kansas City Chiefs just yet. He’s been out of action with a hamstring injury since the first day of training camp back in July, but now he’s working hard to show his coaches what they need to see to give him the green light.

So what’s keeping him off the field now? Is it Miller’s health or command of the offense making hurdles for him moving forward? That’s what Saints head coach Dennis Allen was asked.

“I’d say both, you know what I mean?” Allen responded Saturday.

Allen continued: “Look the biggest thing, you know, has been health. Is he available? Can he get out and practice? Can he get out and do some things? And you can’t really find out whether he knows the offense until he goes out and starts practicing and doing some things. I think he had a good week of practice, and it was good having him out there. I was excited about having him out there. We’ll see how he continues to go and make our decisions as we move along.”

On paper, Miller should be a great fit running behind Klint Kubiak’s zone-heavy blocking scheme. He has the combination of twitched-up agility, patient vision, and real speed in the open field to do some damage. But these three practices this week were his first exposure to Kubiak’s system. The coaches just don’t have much to work with in designing the game plan, so it’s all projection.

So will Miller dress out on Monday? That might be overambitious. But he has a chance, and so long as he stays healthy and keeps stacking good days of practice, it shouldn’t be too long before he makes his 2024 debut.

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Kendre Miller returns to Saints practice on Thursday

Kendre Miller has returned to practice for the first time since July 24th. What is the next step for the running back?

It’s been over two months since the last time the New Orleans Saints seen Kendre Miller. Miller broke that drought when he returned to practice on Thursday. Miller suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of Saints training camp that led to him landing on injured reserve.

Technically, Miller is still on injured reserve. Miller’s return to practice does not guarantee he’ll play against the Kansas City Chiefs this Monday. Dennis Allen says the team is still undecided on Miller’s immediate future.

What the return does is activate a 21-day window for Miller to return to the active roster. If Miller isn’t placed on the active roster by Oct. 24, he will be relegated to injured reserve permanently.

Though he could jump straight to the active roster, it’s best to look at the next three weeks as a ramp up. Because of Miller’s past injury history, the team will be cautious with his process.

Saints could play Falcons without all five of last year’s offensive line starters

There’s been turnover along the Saints’ offensive line. Now Cesar Ruiz has a knee injury, and if he can’t go all five of last year’s starters will be out on Sunday:

This is worth watching. Right guard Cesar Ruiz missed Wednesday’s New Orleans Saints practice with what head coach Dennis Allen said was a knee injury. And as Nola.com’s Rod Walker noted, if Ruiz can’t play on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints will be without all five of their starters from last year’s offensive line.

Center Erik McCoy is going on injured reserve with a groin injury. Last season’s left tackle, Andrus Peat, is currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. The left guard will either be Oli Udoh, Landon  Young, or Nick Saldiveri, none of whom played many snaps there on last year’s team. Ruiz’s replacement at right guard would be anyone’s guess. And right tackle Trevor Penning was benched last season after initially playing left tackle.

Some turnover was needed given how poorly the Saints’ offensive line performed a year ago, but this is excessive. Being down one starter is bad enough; that it’s McCoy, the unit’s best player, getting sidelined for six to eight weeks is even worse. Working without Ruiz as well would only exacerbate their problems.

We’ll watch out for updates carefully throughout the week. Ruiz was able to play through his knee issue last Sunday but that may not be the case for him in their next game. Hopefully he’s able to go and do a better job slowing down the Falcons than we saw last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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WATCH: Bills players try to guess teammates’ baby photos

WATCH: Bills players try to guess teammates’ baby photos

While preparing to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on ‘Monday Night Football’, the Buffalo Bills took a moment after a walkthrough on Saturday to have a little fun.

Presented with numerous baby photos of their current teammates, Bills players try to guess who is who. Khalil Shakir, Joe Andreessen, and others try their hand at it and some realize it is harder to do than they thought.

Watch the full video below: