a day ago
Kellen Moore explains how a rookie QB ended Saints minicamp early
Kellen Moore explains how a rookie QB ended Saints minicamp early Players went into the summer break on a high note
Many teams cut their mandatory minicamp practice schedule short if the coaches like what they've seen early on, but Kellen Moore took a creative approach with the New Orleans Saints this week. After a spirited offense-versus-defense basketball game before Thursday's final practice session, Moore gave the team an opportunity to get the day off. And a rookie quarterback stepped up and seized the moment.
"Today Hunter Dekkers made a three pointer in the team meeting, and so we chose to go to Five O Fore Golf and spend some time as a team. So, it's been awesome," Moore told reporters afterwards. When asked why Dekkers was the pick to make the key shot, he said that was up to Juwan Johnson, the offense team captain in the basketball game. He continued, "The offense won, and we doubled the ante, and gave Hunter a shot. If he made it practice was over. So he made it, he had confidence, he let it go. He's got a little high school basketball in his background, so no one was surprised."
Dekkers was a multi-sport athlete at West Sioux High School in Iowa, competing in not just football and basketball but also baseball and track, too. So it clearly didn't take long for him to earn some respect from vets like Johnson for his athletic ability. But what if he had missed? Would Moore have sent the team out to the practice field, or was the plan all along to take the day off for another group activity after they played paintball last week?
"There might've been a few more shot opportunities, hopefully. Really glad it was the first guy that made it. Didn't have to go down that road," Moore grinned.
Moments like these matter. Giving the undrafted rookie a chance to shine in the spotlight and have the whole squad cheering for him matters. Getting the offense and defense to compete against each other away from the practice field matters. Showing the young guys and new free agents around town (and supporting one of their teammates' businesses; Alvin Kamara is an investor in Five O Fore) matters. That's how you build culture and camaraderie, and it's clearly a priority for Moore. Hopefully it makes a difference in the fall.
