Julian Blackmon makes his mark early in Saints camp

When Julian Blackmon recorded his first interception in practice with the New Orleans Saints, there was no one more excited than defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. As soon as the safety picked off quarterback Jake Haener, Staley yelled: “I’ve waited five years for that!” It had been a long time coming. SEE MORE >>

Chris Olave knows it’s coming. He’s waited nine months to get hit again on the football field. Nine months of waiting and wondering. No one was more excited to don pads Monday for the New Orleans Saints’ first day of full-contact practice than Olave, the team’s supremely talented fourth-year receiver. After nine months of meetings, doctor’s visits, and consultation about his health and football future, Olave was in his element and back on the field, the place he feels most at home. SEE MORE >>

On his 30th birthday, Alvin Kamara watched from under the brim of a bucket hat as his New Orleans Saints went through a training camp practice. That it was his birthday was beside the point, but the early rest day was telling. Under coach Kellen Moore, the Saints are factoring load management into the equation with their veteran players. For Kamara in particular, that idea may leak into the regular season as well. SEE MORE >>