Hurry-Up: Get up to speed on Saturday's Training Camp practice

Today the team completed day nine of training camp at the campus of UC Irvine.

Inside today’s practice

Weather: 82° Clear skies

Practice playlist:

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Some of the songs played during Day 9 of camp

Here are today’s key points

ACTION

A look at the headlines from Saturday’s practice:

Priority:

• Spencer Rattler and the offense dominated in the 1-on-1 and team periods.

• Alontae Taylor came up with a big red-zone interception during the final team period.

•The Chris Olave and Derek Carr connection was on display during the team period with Rashid Shaheed out. Carr found Olave for a touchdown during the team periods.

Analysis:

• The injuries are beginning to pile up with key players like Demario Davis (foot), Marshon Lattimore (hip flexor) and now Rashid Shaheed (hamstring *held out as a precaution) added to the list.

• The offense was the sharpest we’ve seen in the team period throughout camp, a full breakdown of the big day

• On his second day back at practice coming off a foot injury Bryan Bresee looked sharp. Dominating in the 1-on-1 and team periods.

What the coaches are saying

Post Practice Headlines

Dennis Allen's key points:

• Despite the current uncertainty with Alvin Kamara’s contract situation, Kamara is still a valued piece of the new Klint Kubiak offense. Kamara can excel in this new system. “I think he’s highly engaged in what we’re doing,” Allen said. “I think our guys are utilizing him in many different ways. He’s lined up in a lot of different spots. We’ve motioned him, given him the ball out of the backfield, thrown the ball to him out of the backfield, lined him up outside. So he’s done a lot of different stuff and I think he looks good.”

• The Kubiak system is a change for the entire team. It not only is a new offensive scheme but it allows the defense to see a new play style every day in practice that will help them adjust to similar playbooks during the season. “I think that’s going to prepare ourselves defensively throughout the course of the season,” Allen said. “We’re seeing some things that stress the defense, stress our technique, stress our rules and so when you see those things you have to be able to adjust. It’s been refreshing to see in particular from a defensive coaches perspective.”

What the players are saying

Jamaal Williams' key points:

• Throughout the team periods of the past two practices the usually happy and cheerful Williams can be heard “jawing” with the defense in-between plays. Fights and “jawing” are nothing new in training camp but Williams being a part of it is a change of pace. “Once you get me going you have me until the rest of the day until we take these pads off,” Williams said. “That’s just my competitive drive and just how I am. I’m grateful for my teammates who are bringing that out every day. It’s Training Camp, these are long days. Technically and for real I’m sore and irritated.”

• The Saints wrapped up Day 9 of Training Camp practice marking 12 days of being away from New Orleans. While the distance has been cited as giving the team a chance to get in work away from the distractions of being home, Williams misses his familiar environment. “Right now, I’m really going through it mentally,” Williams said. “I miss my cats, I miss my daughter. I mean we’re doing it for football but I just miss the things that bring me peace when I’m done with football and I don’t have it right now, so I’m for sure sore and irritated at the moment.”

Khristian Boyd’s key points:

• The Saints are no strangers to drafting small-school players. This year’s small school draft pick is Boyd, who has flashed during camp as a powerful player. Boyd has taken almost every opportunity he’s had to showcase his skills. “I feel like I got great penetration, I can get off the ball and create great knockback,” Boyd said. “I feel like I can handle double teams really well, I feel like that’s why they bought me here. So I’m going to try to capitalize on it.”

• Even though a late-round pick Boyd has access to a wealth of knowledge. Whether it’s from first-round pick Bresee or Super Bowl champion Khalen Saunders. Boyd is focusing on constantly improving. “I would say my hands, trying to make sure I get my hands on one guy my main blocker,” Boyd said. “And training my eyes so once that ball moves and that shoulder moves know to attack it right away. I’ve been hammering that before and after practice.”

Dallin Holker’s key points:

• Undrafted rookies are usually a longshot to make the 53-man roster but with Juwan Johnson out with a foot injury Holker has quickly become a favorite to make the final squad. A skill needed by tight ends in the Kubiak offense is the ability to block. Holker is excited to be in the trenches.”It’s definitely a lot easier to block somebody when they have pads on,” Holker said. “It’s always nice to get the pads back on and hit people.”

• The most successful tight end in the Kubiak system is San Fransisco 49ers’ George Kittle. Kittle is regarded as one of the best tight ends in the modern NFL and Holker is hoping to gain some insight on being successful from watching Kittle. “This offense is super fun, especially for tight ends,” Holker said. “You get to do a variety of things. It’s been fun watching Kittle in the offseason and seeing what he’s been able to do in the offense. It’s fun to watch.”

Kool-Aid McKinstry’s key points:

• Being coached in Nick Saban's system McKinstry comes into the league with a diverse skillset that allows him to be used in multiple ways. “I feel like the plays are kind of the same,” McKinstry said. “The scheme I’ve already kind of been in the same type of defense. So the scheme is no different for me.

• Even though the SEC is seen as the closest thing a collegiate athlete can get to NFL experience being in the league is the real thing. McKinstry has gone against NFL talent in practice and on the field while at Alabama but the NFL is a step up. “With speed, I feel that difference is with every play you’re going against someone who is good,” McKinstry said. “In college, it’s kind of up and down (with the skill level). “