IRVINE, Calif. — The New Orleans Saints switched from shells to pads on Monday for the fifth day of practice at training camp on the campus of UC-Irvine in California.
One particular player of interest was offensive tackle Trevor Penning, who has not fulfilled his own expectations to live up to the No. 19 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft just eight picks behind Saints receiver and fellow first-rounder Chris Olave, who has worked himself into the team's No. 1 receiver.
Penning literally started his career off on the wrong foot as he spent the majority of his rookie year on injured reserve due to a torn ligament in his foot, which he sustained during the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. A sophomore slump then ensued and ultimately cost him his starting job.
However, 25-year-old Penning, who switched from blind side to right tackle, is optimistic that he is close to fulfilling his potential as a dominant force on the O-line.
"I feel a lot more confident, for sure," Penning told reporters following practice. "I feel like I'm not afraid to make really a mistake. I mean, obviously, you don't want to make mistakes, but I feel like mistakes are kind of how you learn. And, I think the previous two years, I think I've been, you know, it was hard to kind of make it, like making mistakes kind of bothered me.
"But now it's kind of like a learning moment," he continued. "You can learn from it and, you know, use it and try never to make it again, but, use it to learn and, keep going."
Penning credits some of his time spent in the offseason with former Saint and five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Terron Armstead (Miami Dolphins), who he met up with after OTAs.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pounder out of Northern Iowa described Armstead as a mentor and shared some of what he learned during their time together.
"A lot of technique, a lot of the mental side of it," Penning explained. "What he was trying to help me with is kind of develop a plan before you even get to a line of scrimmage. Know what you're going to do to them and not let the rusher dictate what you're going to do.
"Taking more of [an] offensive approach and being the guy who will kind of set the tone over what he's gonna do."
When asked about the importance of his third season, Penning was forthright.
"Very important, It's very important for sure," he said. "The first two years, you know, it's not what I really wanted. I want to go out there and show what I can do because I know I can. I just got to do it."
On the injury front, offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri is nursing a calf injury, while there are no further updates on running back Kendre Miller, who is currently recovering from a Day 1 hamstring injury and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who suffered a hip flexor on Day 3. Bryan Bresee was also out due to a foot injury.
Backup quarterback Jake Haener who was expected to move up the depth chart with the departure of Jameis Winston in the offseason, is back working with the No. 2s as expected after making way for rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler last week, who worked out with the 3s on Monday.
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