Untitled

Dennis Allen spent a lot of time during summer practices prowling the field, keeping tabs on everything happening around him.

At one point, you might spot the Saints head coach watching the wide receivers and showing one how to detail a route better; then five minutes later, you might see him perched behind the quarterbacks or defensive backs.

Allen looked like a head coach, someone taking in the full view instead of zeroing in on the defense he spent the past several years coaching into one of the best units in the league.

But as Allen bounced around the field, it called to mind one unanswered question: Who was calling plays for the defense?

New Orleans has a unique coaching structure in that both Kris Richard and Ryan Nielsen serve as the defensive coordinators and split the responsibilities along with Allen. Richard made calls to the secondary throughout the summer, but the primary responsibility of calling plays into linebacker Demario Davis fell to Nielsen.

"It's been good," Nielsen said. "It's been a while since I've done it. It's like getting back in the saddle. So far, so good."

Nielsen last called plays at Northern Illinois in 2012, though he made some calls while at North Carolina State from 2013-16.

He said the biggest challenge calling plays so far is setting things up, which makes sense since the team has only had a few competitive team periods during these camps. During a game, Nielsen might build up to certain looks from series to series. In offseason camps, it takes days to tell the story. So, Nielsen spent time thinking about what he might have done a week ago with one look and how he can now bring pressure off that same look or drop someone into coverage.

He'll get a chance to do more of that. During his introductory news conference, Allen remarked that it would be hard to stop calling plays during games, but he hadn't yet made that decision. However, the coach told NewOrleans.Football this week he has decided to continue to retain the responsibility during games this season.

"The plan right now would be that I'm going to call the plays during the season," Allen said. "I would think there will be times during the preseason (Nielsen) will do it. I see him (doing) the majority of play-calling during this time of year, training camp, and then probably during the season I see that flipping back over."

Allen said this is part of Nielsen's development as a coach and added he's doing an outstanding job in the role.

"I always knew if I had this opportunity again that he's a guy who I'd want to be my coordinator," Allen said. "I think he and Kris and the rest of the defensive staff have done a great job with what they're doing this offseason. I've been more involved in all the other aspects of being a head coach and probably less involved defensively, but it's just because I got so much confidence in those guys."

TAYSOM'S TIME: Dan Roushar is excited about the possibilities that exist for Taysom Hill.

The football player was in the tight end meeting room during minicamp, which is new this year after Hill spent the past several years serving primarily as a quarterback. Roushar, the tight ends coach, already notices a difference.

When Hill played tight end in the past, he was essentially winging it. This year, he's studying the position and understanding defenses from a tight end’s perspective rather than a quarterback’s.

"When you think about the evolution of him, it's phenomenal," Roushar said. "The things he'd go out and do when we asked him to play in that tight end role, he never actually practiced it. He's such a unique and gifted athlete. It's mind-blowing to think about how well he's done that and never invested any time or energy into actually doing it."

Roushar believes Hill's growth this year can be significant. The team still intends to use him in various roles, but his primary focus has shifted.

BIGGEST REASON FOR HOPE: A few reasons for hope after watching summer practices:

Chris Olave looks like the real deal. The rookie wide receiver appears comfortable, knows how to get open and should make plays this season.

Jarvis Landry is healthy, knows how to find space in coverage and should open areas of the field that were closed last year. Starting quarterback Jameis Winston already looks like he trusts the veteran receiver, which should prove a massive benefit to the offense.

All the veteran players look how they should look. Marshon Lattimore moved well and was locked in, even during the walkthrough sessions of practice. The cornerback was knocking down passes and not letting pass-catchers do anything in his area of the field. Demario Davis is moving well; Alvin Kamara looks the same, and Cam Jordan is as energized as ever. Early signs are good.

The new players in the secondary seem to enjoy one another. Everyone is already gravitating toward Tyrann Mathieu, and Marcus Maye looks like a natural fit. Rookie Alontae Taylor is already getting along with all the veterans and can be seen talking to them throughout practices, learning the best ways to get things done.

BIGGEST REASONS FOR CONCERN: A few reasons for concern:

Not sure we saw anything at tight end that makes it feel like the outlook at the position will be drastically different. Maybe those players just need some time to sort things out. While getting a ton of production out of that spot isn't a huge priority, the Saints need some. There is pressure on Adam Trautman to step up and deliver.

Same feeling on the offensive line. There is no way to judge how the players are performing when they're not in pads, so not sure how any feelings could change here, but it's hard not to look at the group and wonder if they'll be able to answer the question marks at right guard and left tackle.

These unsettled contract situations shouldn't impact the season at all, but there is no doubt some guys want to get new deals signed. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Erik McCoy, Marcus Davenport and David Onyemata are among those set to play on expiring deals.

DEMARIO'S APPROACH: There has been some speculation Davis wants a new contract.

The linebacker is signed through 2023, his age-34 season, at an average annual value of $9 million. Considering how well Davis has played, there is no question he is underpaid. But he didn't share much insight when asked about his future this week.

"It's been a first-class organization for me," Davis said. "This year for me is really about the teammates and the city. I have a lot of brotherhood in this locker room. A lot of the brothers have gone different ways, but the core of that is still here. My brothers in the locker room and the city have given a lot of love for me and my family. That's what this season is really about for me. Then from there we'll see."

Davis later added that he understands the NFL is a business and that his focus is only on this year. Where it goes from there is anyone's guess.

For the Saints, the situation they need to navigate is Davis' age. He's been playing his best football since about the 2019 season and nothing about his performance suggests decline, though the possibility of a downturn must be part of any decision.

Davis' contract situation isn't likely to become an issue – at least not immediately. He was at mandatory minicamp, and he likely will be in attendance for training camp. But there is no doubt he is one of the best bargains in the league, and while he was unwilling to say anything about it, he wouldn't be wrong to seek a raise.

DID YOU KNOW? Winston only targeted eight slants last season. The route was a popular one during minicamp, however, with Winston finding Landry on it multiple times. Perhaps the new personnel will open the middle of the field.

DEONTE'S SITUATION: The Saints and Deonte Harty have a long way to go before reaching an agreement on a new contract. A source said the distance between the two sides is significant.

Harty caught 36 passes for 570 yards last year, an average of 15.8 yards per reception, which easily led the team. He also returned 21 punts for 199 yards and 29 kicks for 690 yards. Harty was a first-team All-Pro in 2019.

The exploding wide receiver market saw salaries soar at that position. Marques Valdes-Scantling, who only has one season with more than 600 yards receiving, signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chiefs. New Orleans was one of the teams interested in acquiring him.

That market has become so hot that there are likely to be many of these standoffs around the league. The soaring market also is one of the reasons the Saints moved so many assets forward to draft Olave. Signing free agents to fill gaps at wide receiver now comes at a huge cost.

BIGGEST RISER: We spent a good portion of the week hyping defensive back Bryce Thompson, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he lands in this spot. Justin Evans could still fight his way back, as it is still early, but Thompson left a good impression on the coaching staff before everyone heads off on vacation for the next month.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT: Zack Baun and Ian Book both have a lot to prove during training camp. Book produced some good moments and some bad, but he'll need to keep showing why he should be developed. When things are clicking, he looks like someone who could be a good backup, but he needs more consistency.

As for Baun, this is going to be a make-or-break summer. The former third-round pick needs to step up in a hurry to protect his job. He needs to look like the guy who showed up for the first preseason game last year and not the one who appeared in the other games.