Reporters are allowed to attend only the last 30 minutes of practices at the Saints indoor facility, or at least that was the case yesterday because Tulane's SID staff did not get there to let us in until that point.
Coming off an unannounced scrimmage on Tuesday night at Yulman Stadium --there was no media availability because of Media Day earlier in the day--the Green Wave practiced without two notable players while I was watching. Defensive tackle Robert Kennedy, who could not do interviews after Monday's workout because he was receiving treatment, was not in pads with an unspecified injury. Willie Fritz said he expected Kennedy to return as early as Thursday afternoon, though. Freshman Alfred Thomas worked with the first team at Kennedy's spot.
The other absence was left offensive tackle Noah Fisher. Joey Claybrook practiced with the first unit in his spot. Fritz said Fisher had suffered a tweak early in practice and was being held out for precautionary reasons.
For the first time while I've been watching, there was a fumbling issue at the Saints facility. Darius Bradwell, Jonathan Banks and a player whose number I did not catch coughed up the ball in quick succession.
Devin Glenn really looks lively in practice. Obviously, when he gets into the open field, no one is going to catch him, and he had a long touchdown off a short pass (again, there was no tackling or contact, so take this with a grain of salt) where he turned on the jets. It appears they may finally have figured out a way to get him involved in the offense after three unproductive years, but Tulane is so deep at running back, how much of a role he plays remains to be seen.
At Media Day Tuesday, Fritz confirmed my camp impression of Darnell Mooney, saying he performs at 100 percent of his ability every day, something he wants to rub off on some of his teammates. Mooney never quits on a play and has that energy you like to see.
Thakarius Keyes continued to practice with the first team at cornerback, this time with Donnie Lewis on the other side. From my talk with defensive coordinator Jack Curtis on Tuesday, I'd say Jaylon Monroe is the likely second starting CB, but neither Curtis nor Fritz is worried about the production of the cornerbacks. They love the competition and expect those guys to play well, with more concern at the defensive line and nickelback than the corners. I agree that Monroe has been the most impressive of the corners. Curtis said he thought he could take over the role that Parry Nickerson had last year as he gained experience.
The second-team defense Wednesday consisted of Taris Shenall and Macon Clark at safety. Monroe and Willie Langham at cornerback, Tirise Barge at nickel (Larry Bryant has worked with the first team from day 1 in camp), Lawrence Graham and I believe KJ Vault at linebacker (I wrote down the wrong number for Vault's spot) and Carlos Hatcher, Jeffery Johnson, Davon Wright and, if I wrote down the number right, walk-on Justin Walton on the line. Remember, this was the end of practice when they sometimes rotate different guys in. I did not notice Jamiran James and have not really noticed him since the start of camp. I will try to see what reps he gets in Thursday afternoon's practice.
I've been a Graham guy from the start. but if I had to guess which linebacker would start alongside Zach Harris against Wake Forest, I'm switching to Marvin Moody. He's always looked the part, and the coaches have been very high on his performance in camp. Both of them will play extensively.
WILLIE FRITZ
What did you think of the first practice indoors?
"It went well. We're so blessed to come over here and work out. We always have a good practice every time we come over here. A lot of good space and we've got great temperature every time we come. I heard the lightning and thunder outside, so we were lucky to be inside."
Did weather interfere with the scrimmage last night?
"No, we ended up getting it in. We had to wait a little while, but we ended up getting it in. We went 54 plays, so that was good. You've got to get a little bit of tackling in and those kind of things. It went well."
Anyone in particular impress you in the scrimmage?
"Carlos Hatcher did some good things as a freshman. At the joker position, the pass rusher (the outside linebacker) we did some good stuff. Patrick Johnson rushing did some things. Our corners did a great job in playing press coverage and mixing in zone."
Is that competition still really tight at cornerback?
"Yes, we've got quite a few guys who can play it. That's a position of strength for us for sure."
Robert Kennedy had an injury the other day. When do you expect him back?
"Hopefully he'll be back tomorrow."
Noah Fisher wasn't out here today?
"He had a little tweak early in practice here. It's just precautionary. We got him out."
Coming off an unannounced scrimmage on Tuesday night at Yulman Stadium --there was no media availability because of Media Day earlier in the day--the Green Wave practiced without two notable players while I was watching. Defensive tackle Robert Kennedy, who could not do interviews after Monday's workout because he was receiving treatment, was not in pads with an unspecified injury. Willie Fritz said he expected Kennedy to return as early as Thursday afternoon, though. Freshman Alfred Thomas worked with the first team at Kennedy's spot.
The other absence was left offensive tackle Noah Fisher. Joey Claybrook practiced with the first unit in his spot. Fritz said Fisher had suffered a tweak early in practice and was being held out for precautionary reasons.
For the first time while I've been watching, there was a fumbling issue at the Saints facility. Darius Bradwell, Jonathan Banks and a player whose number I did not catch coughed up the ball in quick succession.
Devin Glenn really looks lively in practice. Obviously, when he gets into the open field, no one is going to catch him, and he had a long touchdown off a short pass (again, there was no tackling or contact, so take this with a grain of salt) where he turned on the jets. It appears they may finally have figured out a way to get him involved in the offense after three unproductive years, but Tulane is so deep at running back, how much of a role he plays remains to be seen.
At Media Day Tuesday, Fritz confirmed my camp impression of Darnell Mooney, saying he performs at 100 percent of his ability every day, something he wants to rub off on some of his teammates. Mooney never quits on a play and has that energy you like to see.
Thakarius Keyes continued to practice with the first team at cornerback, this time with Donnie Lewis on the other side. From my talk with defensive coordinator Jack Curtis on Tuesday, I'd say Jaylon Monroe is the likely second starting CB, but neither Curtis nor Fritz is worried about the production of the cornerbacks. They love the competition and expect those guys to play well, with more concern at the defensive line and nickelback than the corners. I agree that Monroe has been the most impressive of the corners. Curtis said he thought he could take over the role that Parry Nickerson had last year as he gained experience.
The second-team defense Wednesday consisted of Taris Shenall and Macon Clark at safety. Monroe and Willie Langham at cornerback, Tirise Barge at nickel (Larry Bryant has worked with the first team from day 1 in camp), Lawrence Graham and I believe KJ Vault at linebacker (I wrote down the wrong number for Vault's spot) and Carlos Hatcher, Jeffery Johnson, Davon Wright and, if I wrote down the number right, walk-on Justin Walton on the line. Remember, this was the end of practice when they sometimes rotate different guys in. I did not notice Jamiran James and have not really noticed him since the start of camp. I will try to see what reps he gets in Thursday afternoon's practice.
I've been a Graham guy from the start. but if I had to guess which linebacker would start alongside Zach Harris against Wake Forest, I'm switching to Marvin Moody. He's always looked the part, and the coaches have been very high on his performance in camp. Both of them will play extensively.
WILLIE FRITZ
What did you think of the first practice indoors?
"It went well. We're so blessed to come over here and work out. We always have a good practice every time we come over here. A lot of good space and we've got great temperature every time we come. I heard the lightning and thunder outside, so we were lucky to be inside."
Did weather interfere with the scrimmage last night?
"No, we ended up getting it in. We had to wait a little while, but we ended up getting it in. We went 54 plays, so that was good. You've got to get a little bit of tackling in and those kind of things. It went well."
Anyone in particular impress you in the scrimmage?
"Carlos Hatcher did some good things as a freshman. At the joker position, the pass rusher (the outside linebacker) we did some good stuff. Patrick Johnson rushing did some things. Our corners did a great job in playing press coverage and mixing in zone."
Is that competition still really tight at cornerback?
"Yes, we've got quite a few guys who can play it. That's a position of strength for us for sure."
Robert Kennedy had an injury the other day. When do you expect him back?
"Hopefully he'll be back tomorrow."
Noah Fisher wasn't out here today?
"He had a little tweak early in practice here. It's just precautionary. We got him out."