Team bonding has become an evident priority for the rookie head coach.
The New Orleans Saints wrapped up mandatory minicamp on Thursday with a cancelled practice turned team outing, heading into the summer with an afternoon of golf at Five O Fore in the city.
The feel-good story emphasizes an initial theme as the Saints have gone through their earliest team activities in recent weeks: an evident focus on team building and chemistry.
The squad left the right impression on the coaching staff in the opening two days of minicamp, and first-year head coach Kellen Moore touched on his delight with the players’ performance in his media availability.
“We felt as our offseason program progressed, I thought our players were just doing an outstanding job,” said Moore.
The cancellation of the third and final practice of minicamp in favor of an afternoon to bond highlights the 36-year-old head coach’s early insistence on setting the culture, and the feeling around the team appears overwhelmingly positive.
“I think it’s really important to build on a solid foundation, [and] that foundation is really built around people first and foremost,” Moore explained.
As many players have touched on, the feel-good factor is just as present on the field as it is off of it.
“Everybody’s gelling well with this offense,” said second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler. “We’re pretty deep into the playbook, and it feels good.”
The chemistry is building on all fronts, with players and coaches alike sounding satisfied with the progress made throughout the offseason program.
What are your biggest takeaways from OTAs and minicamp? Are you onboard with Moore’s early emphasis on team chemistry? Let us know in the comments below.