The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the New Orleans Saints. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Encouraging victories have been interspersed with disturbing defeats throughout the 2023 season. The team has never found its rhythm, nor its game. Carr, the new quarterback, has been used as a scapegoat. And the players have even rebelled against their head coach. Yet, New Orleans has had a season with a positive record and has come very close to making the playoffs. Is the glass half full or half empty?
Last season: 9 wins – 8 losses, 2e in NFC South
Off-season moves
Notable Arrivals: Chase Young (DE), Willie Gay (LB), Will Harris (CB), Cedrick Wilson Jr. (WR), Shane Lemieux (OL), Nathan Peterman (QB), Khaleke Hudson (LB), Equanimeous St. Brown (WR)
Re-signings: Jonathan Abram (S), Ugo Amadi (DB), Shemar Jean-Charles (CB)
Draft: Taliese Fuaga (OL), Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB), Spencer Rattler (QB), Bub Means (WR), Jaylan Ford (LB), Khristian Boyd (DT), Josiah Ezirim (OL)
Notable losses: James Hurst (OL), Jameis Winston (QB), Andrus Peat (OL), Isaac Yiadom (CB), Marcus Maye (S), Michael Thomas (WR), Trai Turner (OL)
Each year, the Saints must spend sparingly. Their unique management of the cap space allows them to retain their talent longer than other franchises, but the limit was again seen this year when it came to bringing in talent, which is nevertheless necessary.
Chase Young arrives with a tag of pass rusher number 1, while waiting for the expected development of the youngsters. Willie Gay will also play a meticulous role, and complement Demario Davis and Pete Werner the leaders of the defense. And that's all…
So the Saints had to look to the draft to add talent to their roster. roster. They could not count on the quantity with a number of picks premium more than discounted. Nevertheless, by all accounts, their draft is quite successful, with talented guys who will play a role very quickly like Taliese Fuaga and Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The first round (Fuaga) will even have to perform. Behind him there will no longer really be any substitution options. OL has seen a number of departures (Peat, Turner), retirements (Hurst), uncertainties (Ramczyk) and catastrophic performances (Penning).
The New Orleans Saints All-Star Team
Quarterback: Derek Carr – Running Back: Alvin Kamara – Receivers: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, AT Perry – Tight End: Juwan Johnson – Offensive Line (left to right) Taliese Fuaga, Lucas Patrick, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Trevor Penning .
Defensive Line: Cameron Jordan, Nathan Sheperd, Khalen Saunders, Chase Young – Linebackers: Pete Warner, Demario Davis, Willie Gay – Cornerbacks: Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor (Nickelback) – Safeties: Tyrann Mathieu, Jordan Howden
The strong point(s) of the New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave is the Saints' attack. The receiver once again surpassed 1,000 (1,123) receiving yards in 2023, he added 5 touchdowns for a total of 87 balls caught. If the statistics are not alarming, they must be put into perspective with the rest of the attack. Olave performed when everyone was waiting for him.
THE backfield The Saints' defense was the most royal squad last year with 16 interceptions and 17 touchdowns allowed. However, the year was not easy with major injuries to Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Maye.
The rest of the unit filled in for his absences. Paulson Adebo bounced back after a difficult second year. Tyrann Matthieu was the boss. And Alontae Taylor, although struggling, showed some interesting episodes.
And Derek Carr? The marriage took a long time to be consummated but at the end of the season the quarterback carried his team. The completion percentage of 68.4% (6e NFL) is good. The 25 touchdowns (10e) count. And his interception percentage is 1.5% (3e). All this offers perspectives.
The weak point(s) of the New Orleans Saints
The offensive line was one of the highlights we talked about in our previews just a year ago. The 2023 season was simply a disaster for this unit. It was a team effort with 20+ pressures given up by each of the starters.
More importantly, some have made the running game ineffective. turnover is important in its positions this year but the area for improvement remains deep.
The defensive line, meanwhile, failed to find solutions to stop the run or the pass last year. Unlike its counterpart on offense, there were no major upheavals. The same players will have to take on the same tasks. Is Dennis Allen counting on the progression of his youngsters or does he have a way to turn Chase Young into a Terminator?
The X Factor: Klint Kubiak (OC)
Klint Kubiak is the new offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints. You have to appreciate that statement, since fans have been calling for the head of his predecessor, Pete Carmichael.
Kubiak will have the daunting task of redrawing the entire offensive playbook for the Saints. His second contribution will be to call those same plays in games. The advantage is that Gary's son has already done all of that in Minnesota and Denver.
Schematically, the young coordinator (37 years old) brings with him very interesting elements. He will be able to draw inspiration from the ground approach of Kevin Stefanski and Kyle Shanahan, and from his father's precepts for the pass. Dennis Allen confirms.
“Schematically, this attack will be based around races and the play action. There will be dropbacks (quarterback drop from the line of scrimmage), but the main focus will be on our ability to run, run efficiently and then be able to create opportunities in the passing game from play actions. »
Total confidence is therefore given to Klint Kubiak, who will have to make do with the players in place. But again, Denis Allen is enthusiastic and knows why he chose his man.
“I think this system has been really effective in the league, and for a long time. […] I think we have the players who are a good fit for this system. […] Derek Carr doesn't get enough credit as an athlete. I think his athleticism will work well in this system. Derek took advantage of some of the things we did later in the season, some of the play actions in the passing game. […] I suspect it's something he'll thrive in.”
Player to watch: Alvin Kamara (RB)
Some consider him a cornerstone of the attack. Others go so far as to label him undesirable. There is very little nuance left in the Alvin Kamara debate.
In fact, the jack of all trades is on the decline. He has been injured more often and performing less for 3 seasons now. Last year he even had his lowest total rushing (694 yards) and only 466 yards receiving. More than that, in attitude he has seemed less dynamic.
Still, there are mitigating circumstances. The offensive line and Pete Carmichael have blunted the offensive impact of their running back. That's good, these “problems” are partly no longer there.
2024 will therefore be the year of answers. And Alvin Kamara will have no more excuses.
2024 New Orleans Saints Schedule
Panthers, @Cowboys, Eagles, @Falcons, @Chiefs, Buccaneers, Broncos, @Chargers, @Panthers, Falcons, Browns, bye, Rams, @Giants, Commanders, @Packers, Raiders, @Buccaneers
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
To exist this year, the Saints are counting above all on a new brain to draw the attack and on the stability of its group. The calendar does not seem the most complicated and the Louisiana franchise has a real card to play. Be careful, on the field, victory will come above all through the lines.
