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Saints Training Camp 2025: Key Takeaways from Sunday, August 3

Team ran 126 unscripted plays during longest practice of camp

1. Quick Hits:

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.

2. Highlights:

Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener all had opportunities at quarterback, and all made good plays and not-so-good plays. The interesting thing about the scrimmage was no quarterback had an idea of what the play calls would be, or as Coach Kellen Moore simulated a real game situation for all the players AND the coaches. … Shough did show the ability to make quick decisions, especially on the touchdown drive, and really targeted the tight ends. The offense played well during the first half of the scrimmage, then the defense began to even things out during the back half. … Wide receiver Chris Olave continues to be a favorite target for the quarterbacks, including several catches that moved the sticks for first downs. … The running game was held in check for the most part, with the biggest runs coming from Kendre Miller with a 20-yarder, and Shough, who scrambled for 20 more. Defensive end Chase Young continued his solid camp with a two sacks in three plays, beating rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks, Jr. Nephi Sewell registered an interception when he picked off Shough in the end zone on a pass intended for Rashid Shaheed. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry also had an interception of Rattler on a pass intended for Kevin Austin Jr. on the left sideline. McKinstry has taken every rep at the starting right corner spot and seems to get better every practice. Rookie linebacker Danny Stutsman continues to improve as well, registering a pass break up and a huge tackle on running back Cam Akers preventing a first down on a third-and-3 situation.

3. Play of the Day:

Other than the lone touchdown from Shough to Jacobson, and Grupe's exploits, there wasn't a great deal of chunk plays from the offense. One particular play that stood out does summarize Haener's ability at quarterback. With drives beginning at their own 10-yard line, Haener threw completions to wide receiver Mason Tipton and tight end Moliki Matavao to get to midfield. After a couple of running plays to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, it was fourth-and-1 from the plus 49-yard line. Haener took the snap, stood tall in a collapsing pocket, avoided the sack and began to roll to his right. As he continued to roll, nobody downfield was open, so Haener took matters in his own hands and headed toward the right sideline and the first down stick. The third-year pro took off with a head-first dive about a yard shy of the first down and got it with two yards to spare, showing guts, determination and effort. After the play, defensive end Chase Young, who was on the sideline right where Haener landed, started jawing at Haener, who promptly fired the football right at Young's chest before running back to huddle and on to the next play. Young wasn't fazed at all by it and flashed a big smile as Haener jogged back to the huddle.

Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2025 Training Camp presented by Rouses Markets at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Sunday, Aug. 3.

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