Tyler Shough was just happy to get a golf cart this time.
For his third appearance at the annual Manning Passing Academy, Shough received additional perks that he didn’t during his two previous invites when he last served as a camp counselor in college. That included transportation, so the 25-year-old did not have to walk everywhere and could escape the blazing sun when needed.
The treatment was the camp’s way of taking care of the New Orleans Saints quarterback — especially after he asked to be there.
“We don’t really ask NFL quarterbacks to come back and this is kind of their break time,” Peyton Manning said, adding, "We’ve never wanted to bother guys that are still playing ... but Tyler reached out to my dad and said he wanted to come (help). … It says a lot about him that he’s here.”
Shough wouldn’t have it any other way. The second-round pick, who has stuck around Louisiana this offseason, said it was a “no-brainer” to come back and that he wanted to because of his relationship with the Mannings. And this year, Shough said he’s looking forward to sharing his draft experience with the handful of college quarterbacks who have also attended the camp.
Shough’s attendance was part of what has been a busy summer for the rookie. And he has no plans to slow down.
Once the camp concludes Sunday, Shough said his next step will be to go work out with the Saints’ receivers in Dallas and Oregon. The goal is to build on the chemistry that started to form over the last few months of organized team activities (OTAs).
Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks organized the get-together, Shough said.
“For me, I know the window of opportunity is only so big for anybody,” Shough said. “You have to come in and be prepared. Now that we’ve got the playbook installed … I just want to continue to grow and then attack training camp.
“There’s a sense of urgency,” he said later. “We’ve got to get going.”
Before then, Shough’s focus was helping out at the Mannings’ camp. Shough said his biggest advice to the college quarterbacks would be not to worry about preseason rankings and draft lists. After all, at this time last year, Shough was simply a transfer at Louisville, focused on rebuilding his stock after a handful of injuries. He knew he wasn’t on the draft board for a lot of teams back then, let alone the eventual second-round pick he’d become.
Shough’s path, though, was motivating for Miller Moss — Shough’s replacement at Louisville who served as a camp counselor this year. The 23-year-old said Shough’s rise factored in his decision to transfer to the program after spending four years at USC. He remembers seeing how Shough thrived at the line of scrimmage, able to audible into run plays correctly to benefit the offense.
The two got to know each other when Shough sat down with Moss on his visit with the Cardinals, but this week would provide another chance for them to catch up.
“It’s awesome that he takes the time to come back and give back to the guys who were in his position not too long ago,” Moss said.
Peyton Manning said Shough’s commitment shows that he “loves football,” adding it was a great way to ingratiate himself with the state. Eli Manning said he could tell the academy “had an impact” on Shough.
Each brother noted the opportunity the rookie faces with the Saints, given Shough has a chance to start from Day 1 if he wins the team’s quarterback competition over Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
“Every day is going to be a learning opportunity for him,” Eli Manning said. “But I think he’ll have a great chance to get in there and I’ll be rooting for him.”
Added Peyton: “For Kellen (Moore) and Doug (Nussemier) to draft him where they drafted him, tells you they have a lot of excitement and confidence in him. I know he’s going to be coached hard.”
Even the Manning Passing Academy was another chance for Shough to learn. The quarterback recalled how he talked with former NFL coach Jon Gruden for an hour on Thursday, The coach emphasized the need for urgency, Shough said, and the quick “mental process” a quarterback has to have.
Shough said he hopes he gets a chance at some point to work out with Gruden, who has also mentored Haener and fourth-string quarterback Hunter Dekkers.
But Shough will have to find the time. Beyond the trips with his receivers and preparing for training camp, Shough still technically has to finalize his rookie contract with the Saints.
The Saints and Shough have been in a holding pattern, waiting to see what happens around the league as 30 of the second round’s 32 picks remain unsigned.
Many, including Shough’s camp, are negotiating over the guaranteed portion of the fourth-year salary after the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns made history by fully guaranteeing the contracts of second rounders Jayden Higgins and Carson Schwesinger.
“The whole second round, (we’re) just seeing kind of where things lie,” Shough told The Times-Picayune when asked about his optimism that a deal gets done before camp begins. “There’s not like a demand or — obviously, you’re super optimistic. That’s just part of it, this whole process, so yeah, we’ll see.”
The situation, however, has not been a distraction for the Saints and Shough. The rookie participated in the entire offseason program, and deals for second-round prospects, in particular, tend to take longer to finalize.
“I want to fight for as much as we can get, but at the same time, there’s a lot of things that have yet to unfold with other guys ahead (of me),” said Shough, the 40th overall pick. “For me, the biggest thing was getting here, learning the playbook and doing everything I can.”