Tag: practices

Saints say logistics, not NFL rules, are a hurdle for inviting fans to training camp

Saints team president Dennis Lauscha said that onsite logistics at UC-Irvine, not NFL rules, are a bigger hurdle for inviting fans to their 2024 training camp:

The New Orleans Saints didn’t make a popular decision in moving their 2024 training camp to California, with operations traveling from Metairie to Irvine for weeks of practices this summer. And a report that NFL rules may prohibit the team from inviting fans to camp wasn’t welcomed warmly.

But Saints team president Dennis Lauscha explained that onsite logistics, not NFL marketing rules, are a bigger hurdle for the team. He believes that finding room for fans at UC-Irvine’s campus is going to be challenging.

“I think that (rule) may pertain more to sponsorship,” Lauscha said during a recent press conference. “I can tell you we have a great relationship with the Rams and Chargers, and that’s not an issue for us that I’m aware of.”

Finding room for thousands of fans in addition to a hundred or so players and nearly as many coaches, trainers, and other support staff is an undertaking in itself. But the Los Angeles Rams pulled it off in recent years, which is partly why the Saints were attracted to UC-Irvine itself. The school doesn’t have a football team but its 2,500-seat soccer stadium can host a decent crowd.

Still, it’s too soon to say whether Saints fans in California will be able to see their team in person. Lauscha continued: “I think there is some plans, I don’t know if it’s going to happen based on the layout and what’s happening there. And again we’re going to try to get back to New Orleans as quickly as we can. We’re also working right now on having offsite practices like we did a couple years ago. So we’re talking to a couple venues that would have us, that would welcome us, and hopefully we can use those facilities, too.”

The Saints are exploring opportunities to move some of their upcoming organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp practices to local venues around New Orleans, so stay tuned for updates on that front. It isn’t the same as opening up training camp to local fans, but giving their strongest supporters the chance to, say, catch practice at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium or another accessible arena is a great gesture. Let’s see what the Saints have in store.

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Saints plan on returning to New Orleans for their 2025 training camp

The Saints plan on returning to New Orleans for their 2025 training camp, with more amenities for fans attending practices in the works:

It’s safe to say the New Orleans Saints moving their 2024 training camp to California isn’t a very popular move. Taking one of the most accessible events for fans and sending it halfway across the country, where NFL rules may not even allow fans on the West Coast to attend practices, has drawn a lot of criticism.

Ongoing renovations to the team headquarters and the construction of a new cafeteria meant the Saints would be taking their training camp on the road this summer. But the plan is to be back for 2025 and beyond. Team president Dennis Lauscha addressed that during a Saturday press conference.

“No one wants to be back more, I can promise you, than Ms. Benson, Mickey (Loomis), myself,” Lauscha said. “We get it. We love having our fans there. It stinks when we don’t have our fans here. That’s kind of why we put off this construction as long as we did, to be perfectly honest with you. Because we were hoping there were perhaps a better way not to impact our training camp. But at some point you have to suck it up and you do it, and that’s where we are.”

Obviously there are lot of unknowns when you’re talking about things more than a year away. A severe weather event like a major hurricane could change the plans at the last minute. We just don’t know. We don’t even know if  Dennis Allen will be head coach or if Derek Carr will be the quarterback in 2025. But right now the plan is for the Saints to take training camp to California in 2024 before returning in 2025 with plenty of opportunities for fans to come out and support the team.

There are plans for more fan amenities in the works like permanent bleachers with shading and cooling areas to help manage the Louisiana summer heat and humidity. But that’s all part of the next phase after they complete renovations to the cafeteria and indoor practice facility, among other projects (with similar upgrades breaking ground next door at the New Orleans Pelicans’ base of operations). The Saints are making a ton of off-field investments to improve the fan experience. Hopefully their efforts on the field line up with it to give those fans something to cheer for.

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Report: Saints fans may not be able to attend 2024 training camp in California

An NFL rule may prevent New Orleans Saints fans from attending the team’s open training camp practices in California:

There might not be much of a fan presence at New Orleans Saints training camp this summer. With construction on a new team cafeteria occupying the Ochsner Performance Center, the Saints have announced they are moving their training camp from Metairie, La., to Irvine, Calif. The move will bring a change of pace for the Saints and an escape from the heat. But because of a league rule, the move may also result in an escape from fans.

According to the MMQB’s Albert Breer, there is a league rule that prevents teams from hosting fan events in competing markets. That includes open practices during training camp. Irvine falls within the Los Angeles market, which gives the Rams and Chargers ownership and priority in organizing fan events.

The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in the same predicament as the Saints, having made plans to hold training camp in nearby Costa Mesa, Calif. Both teams will have to try to work out an agreement with the L.A.-based teams in order to have practices open to the public. But if no agreement can be reached, Saints fans may have to wait until next year’s training camp, when the team returns to Metairie.

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Laiatu Latu helping his draft stock at Senior Bowl practices

UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu is helping his draft stock at Senior Bowl practices. It’d be hard for the Saints to pass him up — if he makes it to their pick:

The New Orleans Saints are getting a good look at one of the top defensive ends in the draft this week at the Senior Bowl. UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu has been off to a very hot start in Mobile, Ala.

Latu was once medically retired from football after a neck injury while playing at Washington. He then transferred to UCLA where he was cleared to play and has dominated ever since. He finished with 34 tackles for a loss and 23.5 sacks in his two seasons as a Bruin, as well as five forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus charting credited him with 127 quarterback pressures during that span.

The Saints have always gone after their archetype at defensive end, and college scouting director Jeff Ireland reiterated that importance earlier this week when talking about pass rushers with the media.

He also opened up about thinking outside of that box: “I still think you have to play with power, but they come in all shapes and sizes and you have to be ready to have a really clear vision for how are you going to utilize that player.”

Latu has the size that the Saints like — having weighed in at 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds, with 32.5-inch arms giving him an impressive 79-inch wingspan– as well as looking like a faster defensive end as well at times. He’s seen as a first-round lock in this year’s draft class but he could lift his stock into top-10 territory if he keeps up this strong week of practice in Mobile.

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Notes and observations from 2024 Senior Bowl National Team practice Day 2

Notes and observations from 2024 Senior Bowl National Team practice Day 2

With the 2024 NFL draft just months away, the NFL world has gathered in Mobile, Ala. this week for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Teams will be watching how some of the top draft-eligible players across the country perform as they compete against each other in practices leading up to the all-star game.

The team’s took the field for a second time as units on Wednesday. Here is our notebook for the second day from the National Team practices:

How to watch the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl practices and all-star game

How to watch the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl practices and all-star game

It is time for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Some of the best draft-eligible players in the country will gather for a week of practices and an all-star game at the end. The New Orleans Saints will be well-represented with scouts and coaches on hand evaluating this year’s top prospects.

Here is the practice schedule and how you can watch the game on Saturday:

What we learned from two days of Saints-Chargers joint practices

The Saints and Chargers wrapped up joint practices on Friday. We learned the receiving corps is in great shape, and the defense is meeting high expectations | @southexclusives

The Saints have wrapped up their joint practices with the Chargers. Due to weather, we may or may not see a preseason game between these two. In a situation like this, at least you have the two days of joint practices to fall back on for evaluation. It isn’t a perfect game substitute, but it does include individual, team and situational drills against another team. The two days have featured some ups and downs on both sides of the ball for both squads. Overall, here’s what we learned:

Chiefs training camp: Stock up and stock down after Day 9

Check out all of Kansas City’s risers and fallers on this training camp edition of #Chiefs stock watch.

The Kansas City Chiefs will need contributions from every player they carry into the 2023 regular season as they endeavor to defend their Super Bowl LVII title. Several Chiefs have seen their stock rise over the course of nine days of practices in St. Joseph, while others have yet to prove that they belong on Kansas City’s championship-caliber roster.

With the preseason just a week away, now is the time for players on both sides of the ball to show coaches exactly what they can bring to the field next season.

Check out all the risers and fallers from Kansas City’s training camp on our first training camp stock watch:

New Orleans Saints announce training camp schedule with 7 practices open to fans

The New Orleans Saints announced their training camp schedule with seven practices open to fans — here’s how you can attend:

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There we go: the New Orleans Saints announced their training camp schedule on Wednesday, with seven practice dates open to fans. These practice sessions are free to attend but limited by space, so fans must reserve tickets online (which can be done at the team’s website here).

Here are the open practice dates at the Ochsner Sports Performance Facility, with gates opening at 8:15 a.m. CT and players hitting the field at 9 a.m. CT each day:

  • Friday, July 28
  • Saturday, July 29
  • Monday, July 31
  • Friday, Aug. 4
  • Saturday, Aug. 5
  • Sunday, Aug. 6
  • Thursday, Aug. 10

Saints season ticket holders will get first access to open practice reservations beginning July 17, with waitlist members receiving access on July 18. The general public will have access on July 19 at 10 a.m. CT.

Unlike in years past, the Saints have not yet announced plans to end training camp in front of a larger crowd at the Caesars Superdome or Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. That’s usually a big draw and the only opportunity for many fans who can’t afford pricey game tickets to see their team in person, so hopefully that decision hasn’t yet been finalized rather than shelved altogether.

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Brandon Staley says rookies ‘proved themselves’ at Chargers’ offseason program

Brandon Staley said that the Chargers’ rookie class “proved themselves” during offseason practices.

The Chargers’ 2023 rookie class looks particularly strong heading into the new season.

With multiple players in the group expected to take on important roles during the team’s 17-game schedule, head coach Brandon Staley will rely on his younger talent to buoy the team over the course of the coming season.

Asked about which players stood out to him during offseason workouts in a press conference after practice, Staley made it clear that Los Angeles’ first-year players have impressed and seem poised for a great season.

“I think all of the rookies that we drafted, I’m really excited to work with,” Staley explained. “I think they all proved themselves in one shape or form. Certainly, with the linemen, you’re not getting to see them in that way of the physicality and the pads and stuff.

“I think the guys that we drafted, and there are going to be some undrafted guys that I know that are going to make an impression on you guys in the training camp, I’m confident in that. The rookies, I think, really showed a lot of professionalism. They showed the ability that they’re going to be a factor come training camp.”

Particularly for the undrafted players in the rookie class, the training camp and preseason will determine their use in the Chargers’ game plans. Still, Staley’s words of praise are a sure sign that the up-and-comers will factor into the equation.

With a little over a month between the NFL hopefuls and their dress rehearsal for action in the league, the hype surrounding their potential seems to have reached a fever pitch.