New Orleans Saints news: Minicamp open to fans next week, rookie contract details emerge

Wednesday’s New Orleans Saints news is packed full of goodies, as the Black and Gold Celebrity Softball game will be played at Turchin Stadium this evening. Plus, The Advocate’s Nick Underhill passes along some contract details for Marshon Lattimore, Alvin Kamara, and Marcus Williams. Also, the three-day minicamp will be open to the public next week (June 13-15) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

After frightening 2016 concussion, Saints CB P.J. Williams feels good - ESPN
Williams has been working as a starting cornerback during the first two OTA practices open to the media so far.

“I’m definitely happy they’re giving me a chance like that, but at the end of the day, you’ve gotta work for it. So every day I’m working, trying to prove myself to them and trying to get better,” said Williams, who insisted that he wasn’t bothered by the Lattimore pick.

So far, Lattimore has split time between the second- and third-string units -- though that could change later in the summer as he learns his new defense and adjusts to the NFL game.

Saints' Larry Warford arrives with familiarity in scheme, impresses teammates | NOLA.com
"As far as the offense goes, it's very similar to what I ran a few years ago," Warford said. "So the transition has been smooth, play calls and all that.

"It's more about the technique. How we handle things is a little different, and that's going to be my big goal -- as far as these OTAs (organized team activities) go -- is trying to change my instinct on how I do things."

Adrian Peterson will help the Saints, whether in form or not | Who Dat Dish
If Frank Gore could reach 1302 total yards and 8 touchdowns last year at age 34 (also behind a sub-par offensive line), it’s a safe bet that defenses will keep a close eye on where Adrian Peterson is this year. He’s a physical anomaly. Regardless of how old he is, or how many injuries he endures, he will always have the potential to impact a game.

Coaches in the NFL understand that to be successful, you have to give your team the best chance to win on every play. They won’t leave it to chance to stop Adrian Peterson. His presence on the field and the focus he draws from defenses will create opportunities for every player in the Saints offense.

Superstars acquired late in career like Adrian Peterson is a mixed bag for Saints | The Saints Nation
The praise goes on and on (Terron Armstead and Kenny Vaccaro checking in among others) and if you want to check it out, I recommend checking out the Triplett piece. It’s nice to hear, but remain cautious: these are OTAs we’re talking about and we’ve heard all this before. I’m as hopeful as you that the Saints have fleeced the entire league and have a bonafide stud in their back pocket, but it’s June. Aging superstars can be a crapshoot – a Godsend, mediocre or a complete and total waste of time (and cap space!). Here’s our list of the best, the worst and the shades of grey in between:

Saints News: 5 Reasons to Be Excited By the Saints in 2017 • Saints News Network

The Saints front office brass is under a lot of pressure to produce tangible results (in other words, WINNING MORE GAMES) this upcoming season, or else some major --- and I do mean MAJOR --- changes could be made after the 2017 season, if this Saints team is unable to show any significant improvement from the 3 straight 7-9 losing seasons that they have produced in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons.

The Saints haven't been to the NFL Playoffs now since the 2013 season, and only a trip there at the end of 2017 will save the jobs of more than a few familiar faces in team management, and prevent even the most iconic of players (yes, I'm talking about Drew Brees) from flirting with the idea of seeking a Super Bowl opportunity with another team --- just as his famous counterpart Peyton Manning did a few years ago (and Brett Favre just missed out on doing a few years before that).