Category: Chris Olave

Chris Olave may be going back to his college jersey number

With the loss of Jameis Winston to the Cleveland Browns, Chris Olave has floated the thought of changing back to his jersey number:

The offseason is in full swing, and with that, the New Orleans Saints are reportedly going to be losing Jameis Winston to the Cleveland Browns. It’s an opportunity for wide receiver Chriis Olave to return to his old college jersey number.

In his first two seasons at Ohio State, Olave wore No. 17 as his teammate J.K. Dobbins was using  No. 2; however, Olave would snap it up in his junior and senior years. Then he had to move on to No. 12 in the NFL with Jameis Winston having already claimed it. However, with Winston reportedly gone, that frees up Olave to return to his preferred number.

Olave responded to Alontae Taylor, who wears No. 1, on Twitter when Taylor asked if he wanted to rep the “1 & 2 combo” and his brother Josh Olave would also send out a post about the potential number change:

If this number change were to go into effect, Olave would be the first wide receiver to wear it for the Saints. There have only been six others to wear No. 2 for New Orleans, all of whom were kickers or quarterbacks:

  • K Chip Lohmiller: 1995
  • QB Aaron Brooks: 2000-2005
  • K Olindo Mare: 2007
  • K John Kasay: 2011
  • K Zach Hocker: 2015
  • QB Jameis Winston: 2020-2023

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chris Olave reflects on playing with Derek Carr, moving on from Pete Carmichael

Saints star wideout Chris Olave reflects on his experience playing with Derek Carr, moving on from longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael:

It wasn’t pretty at times as Derek Carr worked to get in sync with his young wide receiver Chris Olave, but the playmaker made some big strides as the 2023 season wore on. Olave improved on all of his numbers from his 2022 rookie year, catching more passes at a higher rate and picking up more first downs while putting more points on the board.

So how does Olave feel about catching passes from Carr again in 2024? An expected contract restructure will tie Carr to the team (and Olave, critically) for at least the next two seasons.

“Oh yeah he’s a veteran, man,” Olave told the CHGO Sports podcast. “He’s 10 years in the league, he’s played real good ball with the Raiders. First year with the Saints offense, we’ve just got to build. It’s just about chemistry.”

Of course that’s just one part of the equation. Few positions are as reliant on others to find success as wide receivers. They need a talented quarterback to throw the ball their way and a skilled play caller to put them in a position to win.

To that end, he’s grateful for what he learned from Pete Carmichael through his first two years in the NFL. But Olave can’t help but be excited about what’s ahead of him, telling Bleacher Report’s Scott Polacek: “We had really good relationships with the offensive coaches my past two years, but I wish (Carmichael) the best moving forward. Having someone new come in means there’s going to be a new scheme and new offense, so I’m excited to learn the playbook here and keep moving forward.”

San Francisco 49ers passing game specialist Klint Kubiak will be coming to New Orleans as their new offensive coordinator after Super Bowl LVIII; he can’t formally accept the job and sign a contract until after the title game, but the Saints have already begun pursuing candidates to fill out his staff. And Kubiak’s experience in the high-flying 49ers offense could be tremendous for Olave. More reps with Carr and a more-creative play caller should help him take the next step and, hopefully, earn his place among the league’s best receivers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chris Olave’s goal for 2024 is clear: Win a Super Bowl in New Orleans

Chris Olave is pleased with his personal growth in the NFL so far, but he has a bigger goal for 2024: Win a Super Bowl in New Orleans

There aren’t many players more important to the New Orleans Saints’ success than Chris Olave. The former Ohio State Buckeyes standout is going into his third season with the Saints, and while he’s pleased with the positive growth in his game, he has higher expectations. He wants to bring New Orleans a championship.

And he knows he has a chance to do it in his own backyard. When discussing his goals for 2024, Olave made his ambitions crystal-clear.

“Super Bowl, baby,” Olave told Bleacher Report’s Scott Polacek. “And it’s in New Orleans.”

Next year’s Super Bowl LIX will be played at the Caesars Superdome and Olave knows how meaningful it would be to bring the city a title on their home turf. It’s been done only twice in the 58-year history of the championship game, but both instances were recent: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did it in Super Bowl LV and the Los Angeles Rams repeated the feat in Super Bowl LVI.

And more impressive games from Olave will help the team go the distance. Olave improved on all of his numbers in his second season with the Saints — he played in more games (16 over 15), drew more targets (138 over 119), aught more passes (87 over 72), gained more yards (1,123 over 1,042) and scored more touchdowns (5 over 4) while picking up more first downs (57 over 48).

His catch rate increased with Derek Carr throwing to him instead of Andy Dalton (63.0% over 60.5%) and he averaged more catches and yards per game, becoming a more well-rounded threat with 12.9 yards per catch over 14.5 in his rookie year. His average depth of target fell from 14.2 yards to 13.3, but he gained a full yard more per reception after the catch.

And he’s pleased with that development, reflecting on his second season: “It went really well. The first goal is always winning, but just as a personal season it went well. I feel like I can maximize my potential a bit more, but I had great teammates and great coaches around me. I’m excited to keep growing and keep moving forward.”

The Saints are going to ask a lot of him in 2024. Olave is going to draw even more targets with Michael Thomas expected to be released into free agency in March. His fellow third-year wideout Rashid Shaheed will return as an exclusive-rights free agent, and second-year draft pick A.T. Perry made some great plays down the stretch in 2023. It’ll take all of them to get New Orleans to the Super Bowl this time next year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Report: Chris Olave has the flu, expected to play vs. Panthers

NOF reports that New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is expected to play against the Carolina Panthers despite missing practice with the flu:

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was a surprise add to the injury report this week with an illness, but it’s not expected to slow him down much in Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers. Olave is officially listed as questionable for this matchup, but NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that he’s expected to play after coming down with the flu.

Olave has gone on a tear in recent weeks with receiving totals of 119, 114, and 94 yards in his last three games, and the Saints need him on top of the depth chart with Michael Thomas on injured reserve while Rashid Shaheed deals with a thigh injury.

And it sounds like that’ll be the case on Sunday. Other receivers on the depth chart include A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden Jr., and Keith Kirkwood with Marquez Callaway, Jontre Kirklin, and Shaquan Davis on the practice squad.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Dennis Allen won’t blame Saints’ red zone problems on Derek Carr

Dennis Allen won’t blame the New Orleans Saints’ red zone problems on Derek Carr. It’s a bad look when he doesn’t hesitate to criticize other players:

This isn’t a good look for Dennis Allen. The New Orleans Saints head coach was asked Wednesday about the team’s red zone struggles, and how much blame his handpicked quarterback Derek Carr deserves for them.

“We’re not really in the business of blame game. We’re in the business of production,” Allen told NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. When asked what Carr can do to improve in that phase, Allen responded, “To try to single him out is not the right way to go.”

But Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league this season when the offense gets inside the opposing 20-yard line. 18 quarterbacks have attempted 40 or more passes in the red zone this season, and out of that group Carr ranks 17th in completion percentage (44.7%) and 18th in touchdown passes (8). He’s struggling where other players are thriving.

Even players on his own team: Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are a combined 5-of-6 in the red zone with 3 touchdown passes. Obviously that’s a dramatically smaller sample size (and teams guard those quarterbacks differently from Carr), but it highlights his unique struggles. It’s not something Allen should be deflecting from. His handpicked quarterback is underperforming. There may be other factors at play like Pete Carmichael’s play calling and dropped passes by his receivers, but Carr is the common denominator. He’s paid more than anyone else on the team because he’s responsible for more of their failures or success than anyone else.

And what’s concerning is Allen’s willingness to call out other players this season — like Chris Olave. The second-year wide receiver was blamed by Allen for incorrectly running his route on an incomplete pass back in Week 7, saying that, “Chris didn’t run that route the way that it needs to be run. That’s what happened and we ended up having a throw-away there.”

Except that’s not what happened. Michael Thomas pointed out publicly online that Olave wasn’t part of the progression on the play, which was designed for him to clear out space for Taysom Hill. When the throw to Hill wasn’t there, Carr should have switched to Rashid Shaheed or Thomas himself, who were next in the progression. Carr threw the ball away instead and went after his teammate after the play, and Allen endorsed him for it.

It’s easy to understand why Allen is giving Carr special treatment: his future with the team is tied to Carr’s performance, and he badly needs the quarterback to thrive after convincing the front office to overpay Carr so steeply. A failure for Carr is a direct reflection on Allen. Carr is here because Allen believed he was an upgrade over Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton and the other quarterbacks the Saints have tried to lean on in life after Drew Brees, but at this point there isn’t an appreciable difference between Carr’s execution of the offense and what we’ve seen from guys like Trevor Siemian — except that Allen is making excuses for him every week.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chris Olave (concussion) makes surprise appearance at Saints practice

Chris Olave entered concussion protocol midway through the Falcons game, so it’s a surprise to see him back at practice so soon. The Saints would be in rough shape without him:

Chris Olave entered concussion protocol midway through last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons game, so it was a surprise to see him back at practice so soon. The New Orleans Saints’ leading wide receiver was spotted at Wednesday’s practice session participating in some drills with his teammates, though the extent of his work is unclear.

The Saints would be in rough shape without him. They’re already missing veteran wideout Michael Thomas (on injured reserve) and are likely going to be without Rashid Shaheed after he injured his knee against the Falcons. The Detroit Lions have a weak pass defense but the Saints need their receivers in order to take advantage of it.

We’ll stay tuned for updates on Olave’s status. He’ll have to clear concussion protocol by Sunday’s kickoff with Detroit in order to be allowed to play, and most players designated with concussions this season have missed about two weeks while recovering. If he can’t go, expect more targets for receivers A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden Jr., and Keith Kirkwood with Marquez Callaway or Jontre Kirklin coming up from the practice squad.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chris Olave represents the Saints on ESPN’s All-Youngster Team

Chris Olave represents the New Orleans Saints on ESPN’s All-Youngster Team, but the team needs more young talent:

It’s tough to undersell just how important Chris Olave is to the New Orleans Saints. The 23-year-old wide receiver is the focal point of their passing attack, with all the skills and athletic traits needed to succeed in the modern NFL.

And he was recognized on ESPN’s All-Youngster Team of 2023, assembled by analysts Matt Miller and Matt Bowen as a highlight of the NFL’s best players under 24 years of age. Here’s what Miller had to say in justifying Olave’s place on the first team:

Olave broke out in his rookie season, catching 72 passes for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns in 2022. He’s a silky-smooth route runner with excellent quickness and the agility to tie up the feet of defensive backs. His numbers are quieter this season — 63 catches, 771 yards and three TDs — but Olave has all the traits to be a perennial All-Pro candidate.

Olave was joined by Ja’Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson on the first team, with George Pickens, Puka Nacua, and Jordan Addison backing him up. The sky is the limit for him given Olave’s clean routes, reliable hands (he’s dropped just two passes on 103 targets this year after dropping seven of them on 119 targets in his rookie season), and high-end athleticism.

But he can’t get the Saints up to speed on his own. New Orleans must make better of use of its draft resources to add more young talent as their core players continue to age. The Saints have spent 22 picks in the last four draft classes, but just six of them are playing more than 50% of snaps on offense (Olave, right guard Cesar Ruiz, and left tackle Trevor Penning, who was benched) or defense (linebacker Pete Werner, cornerbacks Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor). That’s not a great use of resources, and it’s why they don’t have more players included on these “best under 24” lists.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

WATCH: Chris Olave secures a must-see TD catch vs. Vikings

WATCH: Saints wide receiver Chris Olave secures a must-see touchdown catch vs. Vikings

The New Orleans Saints offense had not had much to cheer about against the Minnesota Vikings. up until Chris Olave came down with the first touchdown of the day.

Jameis Winston entered the game for an injured Derek Carr in the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings. He went 3-for-3 during his first drive and capped it with a great throw on the 14-yard touchdown to Olave. It was Winston’s first touchdown pass of the season.

Though the season has not consistently been what many had hoped for with Olave, he still has these flashes of star potential every now and then. There is still a lot to be hopeful for with the young receiver. He’s up to three touchdowns on the season and seven for his career.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chris Olave shares his Mount Rushmore for Ohio State wide receivers

Chris Olave shared his Mount Rushmore for Ohio State wide receivers — earning points for humility after declining to name himself as the school’s receiving TD leader:

This was a fun conversation: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was interviewed on the Richard Sherman Podcast to explore a range of topics, including something he’s uniquely positioned to cover — the greatest wideouts in Ohio State Buckeyes history. Olave had the privilege of sharing a locker room with some talented future pros as well as the opportunity to watch elite prospects setting the standard in his youth.

When Sherman asked for his four-man Mount Rushmore, Olave singled out these names as the best he’s ever known:

Wins are on Chris Olave’s mind in Year 2: ‘I’ve never lost that much in my life’

Wins are on Chris Olave’s mind in Year 2 after his rookie season didn’t go as planned: ‘I’ve never lost that much in my life’

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

Chris Olave has a simple goal for his second year in the NFL: get back to winning games. The New Orleans Saints’ star receiver opened up about his tough rookie year on Richard Sherman’s podcast, sharing that he didn’t expect to suffer so many losses — it’s a new feeling for him after his teams found rare success in college and high school.

Sherman asked Olave for his goals in 2023, and he’s making it clear that he’s focused on team accomplishments.

“Man I’m just trying to win, man. Last year was tough for me. I’ve never lost that much in my life. That shit took a toll on me, I can’t,” Olave exhaled. “That don’t sit right with me. I’m just trying to be the best version of myself, help my teammates, help them be better, help us win and get to the playoffs.”

He’s not lying. Here’s how each of Olave’s teams performed previously:

  • 2015: 5-6 (Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif)
  • 2016: 7-5 (Mission Hills in San Marcos, Calif.)
  • 2017: 12-1 (Mission Hills in San Marcos, Calif.)
  • 2018: 13-1 (Ohio State)
  • 2019: 13-1 (Ohio State)
  • 2020: 7-1 (Ohio State)
  • 2021: 11-2 (Ohio State)
  • 2022: 7-10 (New Orleans)

So Olave joined the Saints having only lost 17 games since he began playing varsity football, only to suffer 10 losses in his first year as a pro. Olave’s team lost nearly as many games in 2022 as he saw in total from 2021 to 2016. He never lost double-digit games in a single season before. That’s a gut punch for someone who has only experienced success on the gridiron, so of course it’s going to leave him feeling restless. He’s putting that energy to good use.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]