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If you couldn't see the field, you wouldn't know.

When Taysom Hill steps behind the line of scrimmage and starts the familiar cadence of "Blue 80", it sounds exactly the same as when Drew Brees does it. The tone of voice. The inflections. The speed. All of it is the same.

It has to be.

"Right now the other two (should) sound like Drew," coach Sean Payton said. "And then when he leaves someday, it's going to be the others sound like whoever the starter is because there are some nuances."***premium***

There is a process, though. This year, things have gotten started a little bit later. During a typical year, very early in minicamp or organized team activities, the quarterbacks will get to work mimicking Brees' cadence. Brees will go through the cadence and clap to signal when it is time for the offensive line to get off. Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston join in, and if the claps aren't in sync, something is off.

Sounds easy, but sometimes it isn't. Knowing how to do this properly is one of the keys to offensive success because it is the first advantage to be gained over the defense. Those guys can try to time the snap, but if they don't get it down, the offensive lineman will always have a slight head start on every snap.

"Every quarterback might communicate at different speeds of who the Mike ID is or how we're setting protections," quarterback coach Joe Lombardi said. "So that's an important period to hear how Drew does it and try to get as close to his way of communicating as possible. If Taysom's in there and he's calling the cadence, we want the center to know it's the same every time."

Listening to these calls is one of the first signs that Winston is still getting settled into the offense. The players aren't expected to sound precisely like Brees, even though Hill has that down, but there isn't much leeway on the rhythm and timing. Winston is starting to get it down, but it didn't start that way.

"The first few days were a little rough," offensive lineman Erik McCoy said. "But now he's kind of, he's really grabbed on to it and grasped it, and I would say he's right there with everybody else now."

HARDEST TASK: One of the hardest tasks in training camp has been covering Deonte Harris during one-on-one drills.

In a real game situation, New Orleans has to be careful about how it uses the 5-foot-6 receiver. He isn't someone you'd run over the middle into traffic. But during a one-on-one, the field is wide open, and it's just Harris and the defensive back at the line of scrimmage.

And as some of the Saints defensive backs have found out, trying to cover the shifty Harris off the line of scrimmage is an incredibly difficult task.

"You've got to be patient and move your feet instead of just trying to be real aggressive on the line with him," defensive back P.J. Williams said. "So, he's definitely learned a lot since he's gotten here and getting a lot better."

There was one rep last week where Williams tried to get a jam on Harris and found out quickly that was a mistake as the receiver blew by him down the field. Williams was reminded of that and laughed.

"Yeah. I learned that," Williams said. "I tried to jump him at the line and missed. So, I feel like it's a guy you got be patient with at the line."

New Orleans is going to find different ways to get Harris the ball this season. Payton said earlier this week that Harris is one of the more mature players on the team.

"As you're around him, for someone who's come from such a small program, he can pick things up very quickly, retain them, and then take them to the field and it's just up to us now really to continue to build and have packages for him and get him more involved offensively as well as in the kicking game," Payton said. "But he is a smart player, and there's a maturity to his game that's very impressive."

The fact that Payton had a whole offseason to dream and scheme ways to use Harris next season is going to show up. The wide receiver probably won't challenge one of the top three jobs, but he will get on the field in specific situations and be a factor in keeping defenses off balance.

BIG DIFFERENCE: One of the things that have stood out most during training camp is the difference in arm strength between Jameis Winston and everyone else. The ball comes out of his hand in a much different manner, with more zip than Brees or Taysom Hill possesses.

The players catching those passes also see a difference and have to adjust their process for catching passes according to who is under center.

"His balls come out a lot faster than Drew's, and he could put some heat on the ball, man," tight end Jared Cook said. "And he's able to just make the right throws and get them in in a timely manner. I think he's going (to) be alright. And I think he's (going to) pick up pretty well. So, he's improving. He's getting better. This is a time where he can really get a step up and kind of learn and continue to, you know, learn this offense and get it mastered, so. And I think he's doing that quite well."

Handicapping the backup quarterback battle is difficult. Winston is still new to the team and learning the playbook, which makes any evaluation premature. Hill has had moments, but his most recent practices have been subpar.

With only 10 practices remaining, we might not know enough about Winston to gauge where he stands before the curtain on camp closes.

That's something to keep in mind with all of these young players. A lot of the stuff the newcomers and rookies are going through right now would have happened during organized team activities. Evaluations on anyone new to the team are premature.

THREE RISERS: Here are three players who I think have helped their stock this week.

S D.J. Swearinger: He would be on my 53-man roster if I were forced to put the roster together right now. I wasn't sure what to expect out of him, but he's played well in camp and has flashed several times.

WR Tre'Quan Smith: A lot of people were ready to cut him before camp. I even referred to it as something of a crossroads for him. The wide receiver has shown up and been a steady presence behind Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

DE Carl Granderson: The defensive end has flashed consistently both as a pass rusher and run defender. New Orleans needs some more options on the defensive line. Granderson is starting to look like someone who can contribute more than he did last year. Granderson bulked up to 277 pounds after playing at 258 last year.

BIGGEST GRIPES: There isn't much on the field to be upset about during the first week. The only things that are to gripe about are the absences of Shy Tuttle and Andrus Peat -- and those are only temporary situations. 

Tuttle is someone who I expect – or expected – to have a breakout season. He got a good amount of pressure last year and never really touched the field in obvious passing situations. Tuttle could easily take the next step this year if he continues to develop. Unfortunately, you can't gauge that growth as long as he isn't on the field.

As far as Peat goes, he looks to be in shape and ready to roll. We just haven't been able to see what that looks like on the field. If Peat is in shape, healthy, and ready to take the next step, the offensive line will be elite.

Both of these guys should get rolling and contributing soon.

BEST DEVELOPMENT: Sheldon Rankins showing some burst has been one of the better things to see so far during camp.

The defensive tackle says he feels great, and while it is going to be hard to tell until he takes the field and actually shows it, there have been glimmers here and there that suggest he can still make plays.

Those glimmers are something. If Rankins is capable of getting after quarterbacks this season, the defense will be significantly improved. Rankins is one of those tipping point players, who, if he hits, can take the unit from very good to great.

The other one: Alvin Kamara looks like his old self. The running back has burst, his quickness is on point, and he seems ready to go – or will be once he gets back from the stomach bug that has kept him sidelined throughout camp.

TY MONTGOMERY HYPE TRAIN: The Ty Montgomery hype needs to get put in the proper context.

The running back isn't about to break down the doors and leap ahead of Alvin Kamara. No, if Montgomery makes the team – and that seems like a certainty at this point – he'll be the fifth or sixth option on offense. In some specialty role, one where he moves around the formation gets some carries and contributes as a receiver, Montgomery could rack up 500 yards from scrimmage.

As many have pointed out recently, Montgomery had a ton of hype with the Jets last year and then never did anything during the season. My counterpoint to that is that Adam Gase isn't Payton. Payton got 300 yards out of Travaris Cadet, and Cadet couldn't run the ball. He'll figure it out with Montgomery.

ROOKIE SPOTLIGHT: One of the big surprises on the first day of camp was seeing Zack Baun on the field with the starters.

The third-round pick is transitioning from being a pass rusher in college to playing off the ball at linebacker. The change hasn't been without its rocky moments. The rookie is learning to see the field in a new way, which isn't entirely natural.

"If you play on the ball, you've got a 50-50 shot if the run is coming to you or away from you, and just a few number of drop angles, whether it's a curl flat, or whatever," Baun said. "(Playing off the ball) you kind of really got to open up your vision and see the full picture. I'm still getting used to that, but each day I'm getting better and getting more comfortable."

Baun has spent most of his time working with the linebackers, but he has some pass-rush ability that could come into play this season.

New Orleans says it will keep its options open with the unique player.

UP NEXT: The Saints will be back in action starting Wednesday, with practices at 8:50 a.m. all week. The week's highlight is supposed to come on Friday with the team due to scrimmage at the Superdome.