The player intrigue – at least, for these five players to watch – isn’t about who will make the gameday roster for the New Orleans Saints in 2024. It’s about monitoring for progress, comfort, usage and/or possible slippage. It’ll be an interesting stint in Irvine, Calif., for these five, and many others.
1. Quarterback Derek Carr has played to rave reviews during the offseason workouts as he diligently has worked to assimilate to the offense being installed by coordinator Klint Kubiak. But reality is that those impressive reps have come in shorts and helmets – “underwear,” Kubiak said – and the real work must be accomplished against more stringent opposition. Carr’s final five games last season (1,117 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 74 percent of his passes as the Saints won four of five) were outstanding, and Kubiak’s offense will rely more on the run game and motion to try to help Carr remain on that arc.
2. Has Trevor …