Sean McVay praises Saints' HC during joint practice with the Saints

The New Orleans Saints came marching into LA today at Dignity Health Sports Park for a joint practice with the Rams, and they meant business. Despite the Rams playing against the LA Chargers this Saturday, August 16th, in a pre-season game, the joint practice was held with New Orleans. A joint practice was originally scheduled between the Chargers and Rams for Wednesday, August 13th, but was cancelled when Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reached out to Rams head coach Sean McVay and cancelled the practice due to player injuries. McVay was left to scramble to find another joint practice opportunity.

“I've always been a big fan of (Saints Head Coach) Kellen (Moore), we kind of just know each other through the coaching (…) I really appreciate how quickly we were able to put this together on short notice,” said McVey. He continued, “I think it's important for our guys that don't play in the pre-season, you know, to be able to get some of the good nerves going in this competition, you're able to run some things that maybe you wouldn't run otherwise, and you're able to get it in a controlled setting. Our first group ends up getting close to 50 shots, so I thought that was really good for both sides (…) and I thought it was important that we get it in.”

Not only did the teams get it in, but both sides brought the pressure.

The tension was high throughout the practice, so much so a small scuffle broke out on the field, which was quickly broken up.  The Rams offense has looked sharper in past practices- their run game was strong, but the pass game left much to be desired.    Both Garoppolo and QB Stenson Bennett threw interceptions. Garoppolo did connect with Davante Adams for a touchdown, but it was a floater that, after an impressive catch, sent Adams into the second field where the Saints offense was up against the Rams defense. Adams exclaimed, “I’m coming over here too,” as he caught his footing.  Both teams' offenses spent about the same amount of time in the red zone, but Rams' defensive front remained as dominant as it was in the Dallas joint practice.

The play of the day went to the Saints, when #28 Safety Julian Blackmon intercepted a Rams ball from Garoppolo . It was his third straight interception in the last three practices. According to Saints reporters on site, Blackmon was signed to the Saints two weeks ago and is already making a splash.