The coaches can watch film and make evaluations, but players are frequently lined up against the same teammates. Having another team in camp provides the opportunity to see them perform against different players, who have varying strengths and weaknesses.
It also provided the Patriots and Saints players the opportunity to tangle with new faces, ones they don’t have to see nearly every day for the next five months.
And the fact that New Orleans is reigning Super Bowl champion just increased the interest level.
“It’s neat scrimmaging against them just because of the simple fact of what they accomplished last year as a football team and an organization,’’ said Kevin Faulk, a Louisiana native. “As far as the competition level, they are the best in the business right now, so to compare your team and compete against the best in the business, that’s one thing you want to do.’’
The practices followed a similar script to New England’s usual practice: warmups, position drills, one-on-ones, special teams work, seven-on-seven scrimmages, and full-team work, including two-minute and red zone drills.
But the pace was a little quicker, and though there was no live tackling, there was plenty of bumping and a few knockdowns, particularly in the afternoon session.
“What’s pretty neat about this deal is that you’re not really sure what they’re going to do,’’ Patriots quarterbacks coach/de facto offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said. “It’s preseason. They’re not really sure what we’re going to do. So it gives us coaches [on both sides] a good chance to go back in and say, ‘OK, here’s what they did to take advantage of this.’ And come back out and make some adjustments.’’
Nick Caserio, the Patriots’ director of player personnel, said that with the pace still a bit slower than game speed, he was looking more for timing and execution.
The Patriots’ offense seemed to be off in the afternoon when Brady shouted, “Let’s go!’’ to no one in particular, and he slammed his helmet to the grass in frustration a couple of minutes later.
