IRVINE, Calif. — The New Orleans Saints returned to training camp on the campus of UC-Irvine in California on Friday, a day after enjoying a day off following the first three days of practice in pads.
Before Day 8 commenced, the Saints were already making news with the return of wide receiver Marquez Callaway, who was signed for a third stint with the team on Thursday, along with the departure of tight end Tommy Hudson, who waived following a hamstring injury sustained the day before.
Prior to practice, the Saints also announced the contract termination of fourth-string quarterback Nathan Peterman and the signing of wide receiver Samson Nacua, the older brother of Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua (L.A. Rams) and younger brother to Kai Nacua, who most recently played with the middle sibling with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League.
Another newsworthy item was notable the return of second-year defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, who missed all week due to a foot injury.
Referees were also spotted during one-on-ones and team practice on the day. It's an official presence that will play a role in the next few days, said Saints head coach Dennis Allen following practice.
"Look, this was the first day to have them out here...and I told them, 'Anything that they would call in a in a regular-season game, I want to see the yellow on the film,' you know," explained Allen. "I wanted them to throw the flag as many times as they felt like there was a foul that occurred. It's the only way that we get an opportunity to coach our guys.
"I don't know that the full impact of it really takes place until all sudden they start seeing these yellow hankies on the field and they start to realize how that's hurting the football team," he continued. "It was good to have those guys out here."
Allen also addressed the return of Callaway and the signing of Nacua due to what he called natural attrition during training camp and needing to get some fresh legs into practice.
"Obviously we've had Callaway, so I think we have an understanding of the type of player he is," Allen told media after practice. "Yet there's 'how does he fit into this scheme?' Then Nacua is a bigger, kind of more physical type receiver. Look, I mean, just a couple of plays caught my eye in terms of just blocking today. So, yeah, I think that's kind of what we were looking at."
Callaway talked to the media after his first practice back and discussed catching on to the new system in a wide receiver room filled with new faces.
"From what the guys [are] saying, they say they like it," shared Callaway. "They say It wasn't hard for them to learn it, so that's good for me to know. They look good out there. I could see a little bit of how coaches and what they're trying to do, and I'm telling you to give me a couple of days, man.
"You know like I say it's good being back," the 26-year-old added. "Familiar city, familiar guys and trying to make the most of it this time."
Another guy trying to make the most of his opportunities, no matter the position, is Saints standout defensive back Alontae Taylor.
"Last year I was back and forth trying to figure out if I was going to buy in and play the nickel or if I really just wanted to be a corner," Taylor explained. "But now...my mentality is just put it all together, and if I'm playing nickel, then I'm gonna play outside then I'm gonna be the best outside corner I can be."
The second-round selection from Tennessee in the 2022 NFL Draft is coming off a solid sophomore season with the Saints registering 75 tackles (56 solo), one sack, 14 passes defended and two interceptions.
Taylor discussed his relationship with teammate and former Super Bowl-champion defensive back, Tyrann Mathieu, and shared advice the "Honey Badger" once received that could help the 25-year-old take his game to the next level as he enters his own Year 3.
"I had a really good conversation with Tyrann this offseason, and seeing how he had an OG vet that just kind of just told him this was the year to put it all together. He was in his third year and so that's my mentality.
"I just gotta put it all together whether it's right inside or outside," he continued. "I'm comfortable now for sure. I think I know the playbook well. I mean, they got me taking reps at nickel and at corner, so I already know what the linebackers are doing, but also know what the corners are doing, and knowing what my responsibility is, I can kind of win at my leverage or where my responsibility is."
Dennis Allen, Head Coach
Coach Allen on bringing refs in to officiate Day 8 practice at training camp
Marquez Callaway, Wide Receiver
Callaway talks signing with Saints for third stint at wide receiver
Isaiah Foskey, Defensive End
Second-year Saints DE on no longer dwelling on mistakes of rookie season
Anfernee Orji, Linebacker
Second-year linebacker on what makes him a better Saint in Year 2
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