The New Orleans Saints are looking forward to turning the page to the next chapter. All that is behind them now as next week, they’ll start training camp with their first-year head coach, Kellen Moore. The Saints had a rough 2022 season, going 5-12 on the year. Now, they are looking to turn the page and rebuild/rejuvenate their roster through a combination of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance. This year’s camp will focus on addressing key positions and integrating new players to strengthen the team’s performance.
Cameron Jordan is back, which is a huge return for the Saints. He’s about to start his 15th season with the franchise! As a seasoned veteran, Jordan’s experience will be crucial in guiding younger teammates through the rigors of training camp and the upcoming season. Along with Jordan, team captains Demario Davis, Taysom Hill, and Tyrann Mathieu will provide stability and leadership during this transitional phase.
A Quarterback Quandary
The most pressing issue for New Orleans has to be at quarterback, as they were all but forced into retirement Derek Carr’s in May. The nonprofit was thus hell-bent on filling the void left by Carr. They went several routes to try to find a spark plug starting quarterback that would make 13 points a victory. Among the most prominent is Spencer Rattler. He fills an important need after starting six games last year when Carr went down, showing poise and promise as a fill-in starter.
Rattler’s knowledge of the game at this point will go a long way as he competes with other qb’s for the starting position. The new coaching staff will evaluate each player’s performance closely during training camp to determine who will headline the offense.
On top of everything else, the wide receiver corps has thrown its share of challenges at Jones. The assumed starting wide receiver trio would be Brandin Cooks, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed. Each of them is under 6 feet in height and under 200 pounds in weight. That’s the size that brings questions about their ability to win contested catches, but Cooks is still bullish on their upside.
“At the end of the day, wideout play is ‘Can you beat your guy in front of you?’ I think a lot of us can do that,” – Brandin Cooks
Cooks shows you that even when they look the same physically, it doesn’t matter, because they have the ability to create separation with their skills that gets him open.
Integrating New Talent
Alongside their founding members, the Saints have brought in some new blood recently, specifically on their defensive roster with the addition of safety Justin Reid. Reid’s presence further solidifies what is already one of the most skilled and deep secondaries in football. His new coaching staff says he’s a perfect fit for their defensive schemes. They look to address those ghosts from yesteryear, such as missed tackles and run defense.
Definitely keep an eye on Kool-Aid McKinstry! The second-year player looks to be the heavy favorite to win one of the outside corner spots in the secondary. His further development will be crucial as the Saints try to retake their former defensive glory entering a new season.
Tyrann Mathieu’s unflinching attitude on defense should not be underestimated. He played 86% of defensive snaps last season while fighting through those injuries, a testament to his resilience and grit. His experience will prove invaluable as he mentors some of the younger players and helps anchor down the defense.
As training camp commences, the team is eager to assess how well these new additions will mesh with established veterans. With an emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, the Saints aim to cultivate a cohesive unit prepared for the challenges ahead.
Leadership Amidst Transition
The Saints’ leadership structure remains intact. It’s a quality that has the Saints’ veterans—players like Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis stepping up to make crucial plays—crying for. Davis just recently turned 36 in January. Since signing with the team in 2018, he had been a permanent fixture as well as a consistent starter at inside linebacker. His veteran status means that, in addition to his skill, he brings SV Håkan wisdom to the younger players.
Jordan and Davis lead the D line with remarkable ability. Taysom Hill’s return is up in the air, as there’s no indication how long he’ll be out with an undisclosed injury. Hill’s versatility has shown his value to the offense, as he was missed greatly during training camp, working in all roles.
Second-round pick Alontae Taylor was equally confident that he could help the team’s defense make big plays as it transitioned to a new era.
“I think I’m going to help the defense out in many ways,” – Alontae Taylor
With this training camp being the first led by Moore, expectations across the board for veterans and rookies are soaring. The combination of seasoned players like Jordan and Davis alongside promising talents like Rattler and McKinstry may provide the foundation needed for a successful season.
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