New Orleans Saints fans should just go ahead and get ready for fireworks later this month when the team visits the Green Bay Packers for joint practices and a preseason game.
The Saints will head to Green Bay for joint practices ahead of their preseason matchup on August 19.
We feel very confident that some drama will emerge from those practices.
And it’s all because of rookie offensive lineman Trevor Penning.
Penning, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Saints, had a reputation coming out of Northern Iowa for being a “nasty” player who has a mean streak.
So far during training camp, Penning is showing that the reputation was deserved.
Penning has been involved in multiple training camp fights already.
Rookie Trevor Penning was kicked out of #Saints practice today after starting a fight for the THIRD day in a row. pic.twitter.com/cCL97kDVrz
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) August 3, 2022
If you think the Saints are going to try to tame Penning, you couldn’t be more wrong.
They don’t want him doing anything illegal, but they’re more than happy to have an aggressive offensive lineman who gets under the skin of opponents.
“If he does something that’s illegal and it’s dangerous and there’s a reaction to it, we’re going to coach on him on you can’t do that,” said New Orleans offensive line coach Zach Strief this week.
“If he’s driving a guy 15 yards down the play and that guy’s response is to get out of the middle of him and throw a punch, we’re going to say ‘great job Trevor’ and we’re going to have the other coach say ‘hey you can’t do that’ (to their player).”
“He’s a very physical, very aggressive tough football player and that’s why he’s here,” added Strief. “We don’t want any of that to go away. We just want him to make sure he’s toeing the line and not crossing the line.”
Really insightful stuff from #Saints offensive line assistant coach Zach Strief about how the coaches are managing OT Trevor Penning in his first camp.@WWLTV pic.twitter.com/hTNhs5Ls9D
— Brooke Kirchhofer (@brookechesney) August 6, 2022
I feel pretty confident that we’re going to see a scuffle break out between Penning and some Packers players. In fact, I’d put the chances at over 95 percent.
The Saints basically want Penning getting in the heads of opposing players. They aren’t trying to coach his aggressiveness out of him — they just don’t want him drawing penalties during games (understandable of course).
Buckle up when New Orleans heads north later this month. I have a feeling we’re going to get some wild reports from the Saints/Packers joint practices.
Featured image via Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
