Saints 2019 Training Camp (August 12): Saints Defense Gets Feisty Before Heading to California

The New Orleans Saints are scheduled to leave for the Los Angeles suburb of Costa Mesa in Southern California this Wednesday Morning immediately following their day off tomorrow; but not before their team's defensive unit — which drew the ire of some passionate Who Dat fans after their somewhat disappointing performance this past weekend in their 34-25 opening Pre-Season loss to the Minnesota Vikings — got a bit feisty at the team's abbreviated Practice session a short while ago.

For the second time in the past two weeks. it was 3rd year defensive end Trey Hendrickson in particular who got into a scuffle with a member of the team's offensive unit; this time around with 4th string center Marcus Henry before it was quickly broken up by teammates. and the two men then appeared to let any lingering animosity go afterwards.

Today's brief skirmish came on the heels of a fracas 2 weeks ago; when Hendrickson and rookie tight end Alize Mack exchanged a series of punches at each other before being separated by their teammates. In that battle, it was 2nd-year defensive end Marcus Davenport who was the one that had to keep them separated to prevent an all-out brawl.

Hendrickson understandably has a reason to be upset. since he was one of the few Saints defenders that was singled out for praise in his performance against the Vikings this past weekend; as the unit yielded a whopping 8.0 yards per play to the Vikings offense.

Hendrickson was able to generate the most consistent pressure out of all the Saints D-Linemen in last Friday Night;s loss, so to say he might have a bit of a "chip on his shoulder" would be an understatement.

Whether that was actually the case today or not, it was after yesterday's Practice that Saints head coach Sean Payton had suggested that it was the oppressive New Orleans area Summer-time heat that may have played a factor in the team's "sluggish performance" at Camp on Sunday Morning; as well as their overall mood and attitude recently.

"The key is the correction right mid-stride when all of a sudden, whether things are going well for your side of the ball or the other side finding a way to respond and fighting through it,” Payton said.

Photo courtesy of Michael C. Hebert

The Saints are OFF tomorrow. then they depart NOLA on Wednesday Morning and fly out west to Southern California to face the Los Angeles Chargers in two joint Practice Sessions on Thursday and Friday Morning at the Chargers Training Facility in Costa Mesa, California, just outside of L.A.

The Saints will then have a "walk through" Practice on Saturday before facing the Chargers next Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Central time, in a nationally televised game on CBS.

OTHER NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:

Photo courtesy of WVUE-TV FOX 8 New Orleans

Those not participating in today's Practice in lieu of the flight out to Los Angeles to face the Chargers later this week: RB Alvin Kamara, LB Alex Anzalone, OT's Will Clapp and Terron Armstead, TE's Alize Mack and Garrett Griffin, OG Ethan Greenidge, WR Keith Kirkwood, FB Michael Burton, safety Saquan Hampton, and DB / kick returner Marcus Sherels.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards visited and chatted with team owner Gayle Benson and Payton, along with QB Drew Brees and LB Demario Davis. after Practice was over. Edwards is a well-known and long-time ardent supporter of the team. and was in attendance to watch Practice as a special and honored guest of the franchise.

But after Practice, he spoke to the media and proudly announced that progress is being made towards both major renovations to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome; as well as a long-term lease extension between the state of Louisiana and the franchise well into the future.

Then just to make the Governor's day even more special: he got to participate alongside Brees and back-up QB's Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill, in the daily post[practice QB Challenge.

The "play of the day" of today's Practice session belonged to 3rd year WR Tre'Quan Smith; who made an impressive catch on a pass from from Brees in the middle of traffic during the team's 2-minute / hurry-up offense during the 11-on-11 portion of team drills.......