It’s common for tempers to flare during training camps. What is unusual, however, is for that unrest to come from a first-round pick, as in the case of Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning.

New Orleans/Munich – There is arguably no more heated time in the NFL than training camps before the start of the regular season.

Around 90 players per team fight for just 53 roster spots. The training days are long, hard and usually take place in sweltering heat – no wonder that many a player blows a fuse.

In the first week of preparation with the New Orleans Saints, there is even a repeat offender in this regard.

New Orleans Saints: Rookie makes for messy scenes

Trevor Penning has been a professional NFL player for just under four months and is facing his first setback before the first game of the season. With the Saints, the 19th pick in this year’s draft was supposed to fill the void created at the left tackle position.

Instead of attracting attention with his performances, the 23-year-old made negative headlines when he clashed with a defensive teammate for the third time during a practice session.

Penning made a successful block on defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, who tried to punch the rookie in the helmet after a typical scramble at the line of scrimmage. The burly O-lineman shoved his opponent off of him before the two exchanged a few blows.

Saints rookie 1st round pick, OL Trevor Penning, has been kicked off OTAs on Wednesday after starting a fight at practice for 3 consecutive days. pic.twitter.com/ZYj5yMJcdg

– Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 3, 2022

According to “ESPN”, the situation already seemed to be relaxed when another teammate came along and pushed Penning away again. As a result, there was a scuffle in which ten other players are said to have been involved.

New Orleans Saints: Head coach Dennis Allen cracks down after brawl

Practice had to be suspended and Penning and Roach were sent home early.

“We don’t have time for this,” Head Coach Dennis Allen rumbled to the assembled team after practice. “We need to learn as a team how to compete, how to play, how to train and how to get the most out of all of us without pushing boundaries. “

Such scenes are completely normal as part of the preparation, Allen further assured, yet they do not want to see such disputes.

“We’ll talk about it and move on from there,” the new Saints head coach concluded the debate.

Trevor Penning: repeat offender in preparation

A few days earlier, Penning had tangled with two other pass rushers, Payton Turner and J.T. Gray.

With Turner, this year’s first-round pick engaged in a brief but arguably violent scuffle after a block. Gray, on the other hand, actively shoved him aside after a play – a teammate was just able to keep the brawlers apart.

“That’s football, we compete,” Penning played down the situation. “It’s a tough game for tough people, you just have to be able to take it. “

New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning leaves a lasting impression

The 23-year-old has certainly made an impression on his more experienced teammates.

“When you think he’s done with his play, he steps it up,” centre Cesar Ruiz described Penning’s attitude. “He definitely has that ‘finishing mentality’ in him – you love that in an offensive lineman.”

The rookie left tackle has already earned the praise of his teammates. Come September 11, he can also earn the praise and respect of Saints fans – hopefully without a brawl.