Dennis Allen gives some updates on injured players and reveals the Saints starters will play in the preseason.
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00:00 >> All right guys, so look, injury updates, Kirk Merrick left practice with a hamstring,
00:05 Jesse James with a groin, AJ Johnson groin, he came back and finished practice.
00:10 Both of those in terms of what I was just informed with the training staff,
00:14 none of those seem significant, but we'll evaluate them and
00:19 see where we're at, we're gonna update them all, so get those guys treated up.
00:24 Hopefully get them back out here pretty quick.
00:26 >> I know you were kinda optimistic about the Mario situation before,
00:28 is that still- >> That's still a mop up.
00:29 >> Optimistic about it. >> Yeah.
00:31 >> With all these soft tissue deals, there's varying degrees to which they are.
00:37 And so most of these I don't think are a long time, longer than I would like.
00:46 But don't expect any of them to be long term.
00:49 >> And he didn't have any- >> And he didn't have any-
00:50 >> Grandma's rest even though he's had a couple.
00:52 >> Yeah. >> Any update on Andras Pete?
00:54 >> No, I mean, he's working through his soft tissue injury.
00:59 >> I mean, you don't think that's gonna be a-
01:01 >> No, no, I don't.
01:02 >> Okay, how would you say James Hurst has done with the reps he's gotten in that spot?
01:07 >> Yeah, I think he's done a pretty good job.
01:09 I mean, James is a veteran player.
01:12 Obviously, he played tackle course last year, he's been working in the guard
01:15 primarily this year.
01:16 He's a guy that we feel like gives us a lot of flexibility
01:22 in terms of where he can play on the line.
01:23 Left to right tackle, he can play guard.
01:29 So he's a good veteran to have in terms of just that flexibility and
01:34 things he can do for us.
01:35 >> Safe to say you're comfortable if he has to start wherever?
01:39 >> Yeah, he started a lot of games for us, he played really well.
01:41 So yeah, we're comfortable with him, absolutely.
01:44 >> How do you think Eric did in the two minute run?
01:47 >> I thought he executed it outstanding, which was good to see.
01:55 Today we worked a first half two minute,
01:58 which is different than a second half two minutes.
02:00 So it wasn't like the game was on the line, it was get ourselves in the field goal
02:05 range, let's secure the field goal first.
02:07 And then if we get a chance to take a shot at the end zone, we can.
02:11 So a lot of situational work, a lot of third down,
02:15 third goal down there in the red area.
02:17 So kinda where we're at in camp now,
02:21 where we're getting into a lot of the situational type stuff.
02:25 >> Is that kind of a better evaluation of the kicker too,
02:27 a little bit more game like coming in, trying to hit it?
02:31 >> Yeah, we try to create as much of a game like situation as we can.
02:35 We work the May Day field goal there at the end.
02:37 And then obviously, you have a chance to kick it at the end of the half.
02:43 So just trying to replicate the game as best you can in a controlled environment.
02:50 >> It's preseason, but you are playing a game on Sunday.
02:54 Does that add anything to the environment, getting ready for a game?
03:00 >> Well, look, it's different than a regular season in that
03:04 we're still working through our installs right now.
03:07 We'll be until later in the week that we get into some of the game planning for
03:13 the game.
03:13 But obviously, there's a little bit of excitement as you get towards the end of
03:17 the week, ramping up to get ready to go play on Sunday.
03:20 >> Derek, how would you describe it?
03:23 Would you describe the camp that you and his comfortability with Gary?
03:28 >> Yeah, I think it's been pretty good.
03:32 I think we're still in the passing game, working through a few things.
03:38 But I think overall, I think that timing and
03:43 that relationship is really pretty good.
03:50 Yeah, I would expect our guys to play at least in the first preseason game.
03:55 We'll see where we're at.
03:55 >> [INAUDIBLE]
04:04 >> Yeah, I would expect that we'll see
04:06 a lot of Haener, yeah, absolutely.
04:07 We'll see Derek, we'll see Jameis, we'll see Haener.
04:13 >> Haener talking about- >> [INAUDIBLE]
04:20 >> All these rookies,
04:21 I'm curious to see how they handle a game.
04:23 I've never seen any of them in a live game situation,
04:29 where I'm there in the building watching them play.
04:33 So I'm anxious to see how all these guys respond on the sideline.
04:37 How do they respond to a good play?
04:38 How do they respond to a bad play?
04:40 Yeah, and Jake's no different than any of the other rookies.
04:44 >> When you say we'll see after the first preseason game,
04:47 does that mean you're treating the first like, we used to know the pattern when it
04:51 was for you, but that's the one starters are most likely to play in, or?
04:58 >> Yeah, I'm planning on playing starting players in the first preseason game, and
05:02 then we'll get to where we're at in the second and the third.
05:05 >> Is working in a new quarterback kind of factor in there,
05:07 where the reps are a little bit more important this year?
05:11 >> That probably plays a little bit into account.
05:14 I think it's more about, it's a new season, it's a new group.
05:20 And we'll see how that plays.
05:24 >> Dennis, when you talk about the first preseason game,
05:28 then when you go on to LA, because the Chaucers and the Texans coming down.
05:33 Maybe for certain individuals, just the important practices we can have against
05:37 those teams versus actual games as far as playing?
05:40 >> Yeah, I would think so.
05:42 Obviously, when we get into those practice environments against another team,
05:48 you're probably seeing a little bit more of the ones and twos in that environment.
05:54 And the threes probably aren't getting quite as many reps in that environment.
05:58 And then, so obviously, in those situations,
06:03 then the game becomes a paradigm for those guys.
06:06 So, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to that one.
06:11 But yeah, the first preseason game, I'm expecting to play our guys.
06:15 >> Dennis, some of these guys that have recently missed time, like Raycon and
06:18 Rasheed, how many practices would they need to have before you'd feel
06:23 comfortable putting them in a game?
06:26 I guess I'm saying, but they have to be back on Wednesday or Thursday.
06:28 >> I'm gonna lean on the medical people in that regard to see where they're at.
06:32 When they're healthy enough to get out there and play,
06:34 then we'll plan on playing them.
06:38 >> There's no baseline that we need to get them ramped back up through two
06:41 practices or three or- >> No,
06:43 there's not a number that we have in mind that says they have to have this many
06:47 practices before we play them.
06:49 >> Dennis, Chris made a really, really nice catch.
06:53 I think it was one on one today.
06:54 Contested catch over Lunday.
06:56 Is that something you've seen him add to his game this year?
06:59 I know he said he added some strength.
07:00 Have you seen him improve in that area?
07:02 >> Yeah, and I think that's still a work in progress.
07:04 I think that's still an area that he can improve on.
07:07 But yeah, it's nice to see he's made a few of them in training camp.
07:11 So that's part of the evolution of a receiver.
07:15 Like in our league, there's a lot more tight coverage in our league than there
07:20 is in college, and so you're gonna have to be able to make some contested catches.
07:25 And I think he's worked really hard at trying to improve in that area of his
07:28 game.
07:29 >> What about Trevor Penning?
07:31 Has he had a really outstanding camp?
07:33 Did y'all put him on the board as coach?
07:34 >> Yeah, well, look, he's kind of been a little up and
07:39 down in terms of the volume, just coming back off the injury.
07:45 But when he's been out here, we've tried to soak him with some reps and
07:48 try to give him an opportunity to get some work.
07:53 There's a lot of improvement that has to be made.
07:54 He hasn't played a lot of football.
07:56 But I like the way he's working and I like the trajectory he's on.
08:03 He's just gotta keep working and keep getting better.
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