Saints Training Camp Practice #9 (Saturday Aug 4th): One Marcus Shines While the Other Marcus Misses 4th Straight Practice

The New Orleans Saints were forced to move their Training Camp practice indoors once again due to rain, and in today's 9th scheduled practice it was two players with the first name "Marcus" that stood out for the Saints defense — albeit for much different reasons.

As first reported by Canal Street Chronicles managing editor / beat writer John Hendrix, the Saints defense had a very spirited performance throughout the length of practice; and once again for what seems to be a daily occurrence recently, it was 2nd year safety Marcus Williams that had a spectacular day.

Hendrix says that Williams continued his impressive training camp with an interception in the end zone against starting QB Drew Brees in a full-team red-zone drill.

#Saints practice over. Today's session was pretty spirited, defense was on point for most all day
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 4, 2018

Marcus Williams had a real nice end zone interception on Drew Brees. Very next play Brees hit Ted Ginn Jr. for a score.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 4, 2018

In 11-11 drills, Marcus Williams picks off Drew Brees. #Saints @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/m0eqou9kUU
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) August 4, 2018

But as Hendrix also observed: Brees and the Saints offense bounced quickly, as the future Hall of Famer found Ted Ginn, Jr. for a TD and then later hit WR TommyLee Lewis — who Hendrix noted had a huge day catching the football — for another score later in the session.

Will Clapp ran with the first team at left and right guard...thought he held his own. Had a good block on a screen that sprung Ingram
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) August 4, 2018

11-11, red zone drills. Drew Brees finds Alvin Kamara for the score. Kamara with the emphatic spike after the TD. #Saints @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/FsFeNPreGi
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) August 4, 2018

Among some of the other highlights by the offense: Brees hitting Alvin Kamara for yet another TD (for the umpteenth time this week alone); and rookie center Will Clapp got the "Play of the Day" nod while he filled in at both left and right guard spots; unleashing a DEVASTATING block on a screen pass that would have allowed RB Mark Ingram to score a TD.

DAVENPORT MISSES PRACTICE YET AGAIN

For the 4th straight practice, rookie defensive end Marcus Davenport missed participating in any type of drills; though he and WR Cam Meredith (who missed his 2nd practice in a row) were both present and doing some activity off to the side, according to ESPN beat writer Mike Triplett.

Saints DE Marcus Davenport and WR Cameron Meredith remained out of full-team work in practice. But both were present and doing some activity off to the side.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 4, 2018

The Saints still haven't addressed Davenport's current status since he's missed those 4 days, and speculation continues to grow in the meantime.

Is Davenport hurt by something other than the torn thumb ligament on his right hand that is still healing from the surgery he had in late June after slightly tearing it in OTA's?

Is he "overwhelmed" by the adjustment of going from a small school (University of Texas-San Antonio) college to the NFL level, while his head is "swimming" in a sea of information and terminology that's the equivalent of having to learn a foreign language?

Just what is going on with the young man, Saints fans want to know.

With the 1st Pre-Season game coming up in 5 more days from now at Jacksonville against the Jaguars, perhaps we'll get our answer sooner rather than later.

OTHER NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:

During the 2-minute drill, AJ Klein and Alex Anzalone were the first-team LB's, while Craig Robertson and Demario Davis were the 2nd-teamers.

Triplett reports that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and LB coach Mike Nolan have constantly been "mixing and matching" at the LB position, throughout the length of camp thus far.

During 2-minute drill, AJ Klein and Alex Anzalone were the first-team LBs, while Craig Robertson and Demario Davis were the second-teasers. Constant mixing and matching at LB in camp.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 4, 2018

Brees working one-on-one with Meredith after practice, showing him routes in end zone
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) August 4, 2018

Additionally, New Orleans Advocate beat writer Joel A. Erickson reported that Brees was working one-on-one with Meredith after practice, showing him routes in the end zone.

Missing practice besides Davenport and Meredith were tight end Ben Watson (also his 4th straight missed practice), TE Michael Hoomanwanui (who left practice early yesterday), and CB JT Gray.

The Saints resume Practice tomorrow when they will hold the annual Miller Lite Fan Fest Saints Training Camp practice presented by Verizon at Tulane University’s Yulman Stadium.

The Miller Lite Fan Fest will take place on Brown Field, located just outside of the Reily Center on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be live music provided by the Bucktown All-Stars as well as appearances from team mascots "Gumbo" and "Sir Saint".

During the event, there will be fan activities with food and drink available for purchase. The Miller Lite Fan Fest is open to the public and is a free event. The gates to Yulman Stadium will open at 6 p.m. The practice is scheduled to run from approximately 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. followed by a brief player autograph session.

This will be the final Saints practice open to the public prior to the team departing for Jacksonville for their preseason opener at the Jaguars on Thursday, Aug. 9th. Open practices will resume on Saturday, Aug. 11th at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center located on Airline Drive in Metairie.

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