New Orleans Saints get first style of dwelling crowd in Sunday’s observe at Caesars Superdome

Sunday’s open observe for the New Orleans Saints contained in the Caesars Superdome wasn’t precisely a exact duplicate of what’s anticipated for Friday’s preseason finale, when the Saints play the Los Angeles Chargers at 7 p.m.

However with lots of the 30,000 tickets distributed in use, the group obtained just a bit style of what is likely to be in retailer when he wraps up the preseason and prepares to open the house regular-season schedule on Sept. 18 in opposition to Tampa Bay. The regular-season opener is Sept. 11, on the highway in opposition to Atlanta.

“Good to be again right here within the Dome,” Coach Dennis Allen mentioned. “Good to have the followers out right here. I believed it was a very good environment and a very good, spirited observe. We obtained a number of good work accomplished immediately.”

First-round decide Chris Olave already has one Superdome recreation on his resume: In opposition to Clemson within the Allstate Sugar Bowl, in a School Soccer Playoff Semifinal recreation as a junior at Ohio State, Olave caught six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s 49-28 victory.

“Performed one recreation right here, however I am excited,” Olave mentioned. “I am excited to play some dwelling video games this 12 months and see what the fan base is like.”

The Sugar Bowl was performed in a less-than-capacity Superdome.

“It was a Covid 12 months, so there wasn’t too many followers,” Olave mentioned. “Nevertheless it was a enjoyable recreation. It type of went our method that day.”

NOT ON THE MIKE: Receiver Michael Thomas was one among a number of notable gamers who did not observe Sunday. Included on the record have been left deal with James Hurst and proper guard Cesar Ruiz.

“Michael Thomas is coping with somewhat little bit of a hamstring,” Allen mentioned.

As for the opposite lacking gamers, Allen mentioned, “I do not recall there being anyone that was on a selected relaxation day immediately. In the event that they weren’t out right here, it is most likely one thing to do medically.”

KIRK MOVE: First-year receiver Kirk Merritt lined up within the backfield for a number of snaps Sunday, a sign that the Saints are taking a peek to see what he would possibly provide on the place.

It isn’t unprecedented: Although Ty Montgomery was listed as a receiver the earlier two seasons, Montgomery’s expertise at working again – coupled with some accidents – allowed Montgomery to get recreation snaps at working again. He topped 100 yards in a recreation in opposition to Carolina. Merritt’s working again expertise primarily got here in highschool, at Destrehan Excessive.

“I believe we’re going to check out it just a bit bit,” Allen mentioned. “He is obtained expertise in that place, so it is one thing we wished to check out.”

JAMEIS ON THE COMEBACK: Quarterback Jameis Winston took one other step ahead in his doable return to full observe Sunday. Winston had been out, them restricted, after spraining his foot Aug. 8.

“That is a part of the pure development,” Allen mentioned. “I am hopeful that we’ll start to get him into some group work this week and see the place he is at.”

SEWELL SIGHTINGS: Undrafted rookie linebacker Nephi Sewell seems to have labored his method into the sight strains of the teaching employees. He took some snaps with the first-team protection Sunday, and was included in some sub-packages as effectively.

“I believe he is a younger man that performs extraordinarily arduous,” Allen mentioned. “He is good, he is instinctive. We’re simply going to maintain shifting guys round and determining what that proper 53 is.”

OLAVE CONFIDENT: Olave had two productive days of observe within the Saints’ joint exercises with Inexperienced Bay, then caught two passes for 28 yards and a landing in opposition to the Packers within the preseason recreation Friday evening.

“I do know I can play on this league,” he mentioned. “Simply going in opposition to among the high guys in Inexperienced Bay, it was enjoyable positively competing, with some new competitors. It was positively enjoyable being on the market with the blokes.

“I am simply attempting to get higher daily. I do know after I’m at my greatest, I will be the most effective within the league. I am assured in myself and what I carry to the desk. We have got a number of weapons, so it is going to be enjoyable enjoying this 12 months.”