Saints notebook: D-line now even more versatile
First-rounder Marcus Davenport is a key addition to the Saints' defensive line.
METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans has a lot of versatility on its defensive line. Last year's starting ends -- Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor -- both played inside on occasion, and tackle Sheldon Rankins played outside on occasion when injuries depleted the end corps.
The addition of No. 1 draft choice Marcus Davenport, an athletic end, to the group creates even more versatility.
"We've got a bunch of different combinations," defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen said. "We've got good depth guys that can play. We've got a bunch of different combinations of guys. We'll keep fine tuning the fundamentals and technique and who's working well together before we get to the first game."
--The starting offensive line is pretty well set, but nonetheless there are 17 linemen scheduled to compete in training camp. Tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk, guards Andrus Peat and Larry Warford and center Max Unger all have a strong grip on starting positions. But after Jermon Bushrod, who was brought in to replace Senio Kelemete (signed with Houston as a free agent), Josh LeRibeus and rookie fourth-round draft choice Rick Leonard, there are a dozen long shots fighting to find a way on to the roster.
--The specialists are all set as kicker Wil Lutz, punter Thomas Morstead and long snapper Zach Wood all enter training camp without competition.
--The Saints will hold joint practices with the Chargers on Aug. 23 and 24 before those teams' preseason game Aug. 25 in Los Angeles.
Recent Stories
Rams hard at work despite earning bye
The Los Angeles Rams will continue to stay hard at work despite earning a bye through the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
Players will continue to visit the ...
Packers' lost season includes losing Rodgers to concussion
Green Bay's 6-9-1 season ended with Aaron Rodgers getting knocked out of Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Detroit Lions with a concussion. That was dubious and fitting ...
49ers will retain defensive coordinator Saleh
The San Francisco 49ers gave up a lot of points and did not force many turnovers, but Robert Saleh will return for his third season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, ...
GM Licht says Winston is Bucs' quarterback
Dirk Koetter was fired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach on Sunday, but his quarterback will be staying.
General manager Jason Licht, who will lead the search ...
Chargers get another chance against Ravens
The Los Angeles Chargers didn't have to wait long for a chance to avenge their Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Los Angeles was shut down by Baltimore's stout ...
Latest Player Notes
How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...
Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...
How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects
By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...
Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team
Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...
College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond
The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...
Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback
San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...
Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall
Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...
Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather
CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...
Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense
Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...
Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game
With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...