OTAs are here

Good morning, and welcome to the May 21 edition of the Saints Insider newsletter. The offseason is about to pick back up with the start of OTAs, or organized team activities. 

Reporters are granted access to the first of the three practices this week on Tuesday, but we'll have plenty of content coming over the course of the week. 

Here's what to watch for:

Attendance

Remember, these sessions are voluntary until mandatory minicamp begins in mid-June. So it's worth keeping tabs on who bothers to show up. Defensive end Cam Jordan, speaking with reporters Monday at the Saints' Hall of Fame golf tournament, said participation at other workouts this offseason has been around 90%. That's a solid number, especially for a veteran-laden team like the Saints. 

There will also likely be a number of players who will be in attendance but still limited because of injuries. Some of those players are likely to include: 

• Defensive end Chase Young, who is working his way back from neck surgery and will be sidelined until training camp. Coach Dennis Allen said Monday that Young has been able to participate in walkthroughs. 
• Jordan is also working his way back slowly while he rehabs from ankle surgery. He said Monday that he's almost cleared for running and "trending in the right direction." 
• Rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, recovering from foot surgery, said during rookie minicamp that he's still in the rehab stage. Allen previously mentioned the second-rounder should be healthy by June. 

Tackle Ryan Ramczyk's knee is also a big question mark, and his status is less certain.

Installing the offense

By now, you know the Saints have a new offense in place. OTAs are a perfect opportunity to start really getting up to speed with the offense. 

New Orleans' offense will have to be especially sharp next season given the opponents on deck next season. Our Rod Walker wrote recently about how next year's slate of quarterbacks are no joke.

As the Saints work to incorporate a new scheme under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, OTAs will also be a chance for the run game, reworked offensive line and New Orleans' wide receiver competition to come into focus. 

Anyway, that should be it for it now. Make sure to read our coverage and listen to our podcast, which drops Wednesday as usual. 

Take care,

Matthew Paras