Saints quarterback Derek Carr said he was tired of facing his defensive teammates in training camp, but he still saw plenty of familiar faces for the joint practice with the Chargers on Thursday.
Carr faced the Chargers twice a year playing in the AFC West the past nine seasons with the Raiders. He’s had a few memorable trash-talking battles with edge rusher Joey Bosa, and he knows plenty about L.A.’s other Pro Bowl edge rusher. Carr and Khalil Mack are close friends from their four seasons together with the Raiders.
The Chargers defense gave Carr fits early Thursday for their first of two joint practices in Costa Mesa, Calif. Carr threw an interception to star safety Derwin James, but he quickly adjusted with his many new weapons with New Orleans.
Here’s what we saw from our training camp visit with the Saints.
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Best play I saw: Justin Herbert’s offense jumped to a strong start against the Saints starting defense, but momentum changed after cornerback Marshon Lattimore scooped a fumble for a touchdown return.
Initially, Herbert had plenty of success throwing in receiver Keenan Allen’s direction. But the New Orleans secondary quickly settled down after Lattimore’s scoop-and-score.
“I thought we did alright,” safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “That’s a good group of guys that we’re practicing against. It’s a lot of different looks. They got a lot of good skill players. They got a great quarterback. I thought we did well in the red zone.”
Last season, the duo of Lattimore and Mathieu only played seven games together because the Pro Bowl cornerback was sidelined due to injury.
Best thing I heard: With Carr back on the West Coast, he was asked for an update on the adjustments he’s had to make with his new team. He said he finally got to experience all the delicious restaurants New Orleans has to offer.
“We still have our house in Vegas,” said Carr, who played the past three seasons there. “Coming to a new city, the first thing I’ve learned is that Chipotle is not the only food in New Orleans. You learn that quick. I’ve learned a lot of things since joining, but for me … whenever you get released somewhere, that fire, you get rejuvenated, all those things. And you feel refreshed.”
The rookie who caught my eye: The Saints might have gotten a draft steal with rookie wide receiver A.T. Perry, a sixth-round pick from Wake Forest.
Perry has quickly impressed his teammates and coaches this summer. It was easy to see why during his snaps against the Chargers defense. He mostly linked up with backup quarterback Jameis Winston, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he works his way to the first team with the many plays the 6'5", 205-pound wideout made Thursday morning.
Perry also has the luxury of learning from talented teammates in Michael Thomas and Chris Olave.
Veteran who caught my eye: Speaking of the Saints’ top two wideouts, Thomas and Olave made a handful of plays, especially during the one-on-one drills.
Olave had a few heated battles against Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., as did Thomas against James. If Thomas manages to stay healthy after a few injury-riddled seasons, the Saints could have one of the best receiving tandems in the league. But that also depends on how Carr does in his first season in New Orleans.
