3 Players to Watch at Saints Camp Day 15
The preseason could not have started in a more intriguing fashion for the New Orleans Saints. Rookie performances brought in a considerable amount of attention for differing reasons, the first team offense and defense looked good and audiences even got to enjoy a game-winning field goal. But above all, going into Tuesday's practice, the new face returning to town is generating a ton of conversation.
Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams (31) reacts against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
RB Darrel Williams
The signing of Williams is mostly connected to the Saints' bad injury luck at the running back position. But as it stands in August, he may have been the best possible fit left on the market. Honestly, Williams would have been a solid addition back before OTAs and minicamps. He is a reliable pass-catching back and does not seem to struggle getting to the outside in the run game. Seeing him back in his hometown area is great, and seeing him excel in his early opportunities would be even better.
WR A.T. Perry
Perhaps the MVP of the team's first preseason game, Perry has a chance to take the confidence he built on Sunday and bring it back to the Saints facility on Tuesday. Catching each of his 6 targets for 70 receiving yards and a touchdown, Perry impressed quite a bit. Especially by reeling in some contesting looks and working his way open through zone defenses. Perry's practices have been up and down throughout training camp, but here is his chance to show that he can string together some consistent success after one of the biggest moments of his life.
QB Jake Haener
Much like Perry, Haener's preseason performance proved to be something different than what had been shown previously throughout camp. Unlike Perry, that is not good news for the rookie quarterback. Now there is obviously no reason to overreact and consider Haener cooked coming out of the gate, but it will be interesting to see how he rebounds in practice. We really got an early glimpse at his ability to respond after he completed 4 of his 5 passing attempts in his first two-minute drill opportunity ending in a touchdown strike to running back Ellis Merriweather. Perhaps that is representative of what we will see in practice on Tuesday.
