Category: Saints on Social Media

Emmanuel Sanders unloads: ‘What the heck is going on with these refs?’

New Orleans Saints WR Emmanuel Sanders called for an explanation over bad calls against his team on the “17 Weeks” podcast from SiriusXM.

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Emmanuel Sanders has seen a lot in his long NFL career. When he suits up for Sunday’s game with the Detroit Lions, the New Orleans Saints wide receiver will be taking the field for his 159th career game in his 11th year at the pro level.

So he’s as perplexed as anyone at how his games have been officiated. In an appearance on the “17 Weeks” SiriusXM podcast, Sanders called into question whether the NFL’s officials are dealing with the Saints and their opponents with an even hand.

“I’ve never seen the type of calls that they’re calling on the team over and over and over,” Sanders said, via Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. “I’ve never been part of a team where we’re the second most penalized team.”

Sanders pointed to fouls for defensive holding and pass interference, noting that he’s seen inconsistent officiating from the sidelines: “I’ve been in the league 11 years, I’ve never seen the calls that they make and then the calls that we don’t get, you know? Like, I see a running back running down the sideline and I see the cornerback get held and I know the refs see it but they don’t throw it. Sometimes I sit back and analyze like what the heck is going on with these refs?”

The numbers back it up. The Saints lead the league in penalty yards for defensive pass interference after the first three weeks, and by quite a large margin. They’re a statistical outlier:

So either their coaching staff is teaching players to work differently — and illegally — than 31 other teams, or three different officiating crews have each happened to throw more flags against the Saints defense than anyone else. We’ll see what happens in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, with third-year referee Shawn Smith working his third career Saints game.

This is the sort of problem that should regress to the norm after a few more weeks, but the Saints have dealt with more scrutiny from officials before. It’s either a coaching flaw from the Saints coaches, consistent bad luck, or as Sanders suggests, a series of bad calls. Here’s hoping the issue, whatever it is, clears up soon.

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LISTEN: Alvin Kamara chops it up on Cam Jordan’s podcast with Mark Ingram

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was the first guest on the new “Truss Levelz” podcast with Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram.

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New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan had an eventful summer. He collaborated with his former teammate Mark Ingram on their new “Truss Levelz” podcast from The Players Tribune, and their first guest is an old friend: Alvin Kamara.

The trio held a wide-ranging discussion on Kamara’s college career (which started with plenty of friction with Nick Saban, who put Kamara into a “timeout box” during Alabama practices), his rare success with the Saints, their favorite New Orleans restaurants, and Kamara’s viral offseason workouts and semi-vegan diet.

Saints slot receiver Austin Carr also caught some strays for his poor fashion sense, which Jordan wrote off as him being a Northwestern grad and young father. It’s a treat.

You should be advised that the podcast features explicit language, so maybe don’t fire it up when the kids are in the car.

However, the most interesting story was Kamara’s reflection on his 2019 injuries — plural. After spraining his ankle in practice before a game with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kamara initially tried to roll with it, but his cleats caught in the turf and he ended up being buried beneath a pile of other players. Saints doctors helped him off the field for further evaluation.

Kamara recounted his experience in the blue medical tent: “So [Director of Sports Medicine Beau Lowery], you know Beau’s like, ‘A.K., what do you want to do?’ So I tell him to tape me up, I’m good. I’m gonna play smart. Tape it. I’ll just get through this game, get the MRI, and on Monday we’ll figure it out.”

The Saints won 13-6, with Kamara running 11 times to gain 31 yards while catching 7 of 8 targets for another 35 yard. He and Jordan agreed it was an ugly game, but he doesn’t regret going back into it.

“I’m happy I played that game, because I had a feeling it was going to be close. It was closer than it should’ve been. But not to say if I wasn’t injured it would’ve turned out different. I’m happy that I did play so we don’t have to know,” Kamara said.

Kamara added that he spoke with Lowery after the MRI results returned, showing a Grade 2 tear on his MCL. And the timeline wasn’t promising: an 8-month recovery, with rest being the only real cure. Instead, he sat out two weeks before returning, gutting out the pain and frustrations of playing on such a severe injury.

“The locker room knows what I went through,” Kamara continued. “Same thing, Terron [Armstead] every play, after every drive, would check with me and ask if I’m good. He’d rock with me. Same thing with Drew [Brees]. And I’m like, ‘Man, I’m trying.'”

But he’s healthy now, and already reaping the rewards. Kamara has been the Saints’ best player through two weeks with 241 yards from scrimmage and four combined touchdowns scored. He’s poised for another prime-time performance against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.

So maybe he’ll get to reflect on it if Jordan’s podcast gets renewed for another season. Listen to the full episode if you haven’t already.

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LOOK: Raiders light up Allegiant Stadium before kickoff with the Saints

The New Orleans Saints are set to visit the Las Vegas Raiders at their very shiny new Allegiant Stadium, which is making its NFL debut.

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So fresh, so clean: the Las Vegas Raiders have rolled out the welcome mat for the New Orleans Saints at their new home. The lights are on at Allegiant Stadium, and they’re ready for some football.

It’s a gorgeous venue, but we can’t help but think of how great the Saints’ “Color Rush” alternate jerseys are going to look on the crisp natural turf (Bermuda grass, for anyone keeping score at home).

Grown outside and rolled into the stadium on a huge tray for game days — because UNLV shares the stadium, but insists on playing on artificial turf — this will be the first real test for the surf after a handful of Raiders training camp practices.

Raiders Nation won’t be crowding the stands, but reporters on the scene have noticed pilgrims just outside showing up to support the silver and black:

Sure, it’s a beautiful stadium. Now maybe the Saints can play the Rebellion to the Raiders’ “Death Star” and hand Las Vegas a loss at its own homecoming

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Cameron Jordan, Mark Ingram launch a podcast; Alvin Kamara is guest No. 1

Former Saints teammates Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram will co-host their new “Truss Levelz” podcast with Alvin Kamara as their first guest.

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Mark Ingram might be scoring touchdowns for the Baltimore Ravens these days, but he’s still very tight with his old New Orleans Saints teammates — so much so that he’s co-hosting a weekly podcast with Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, entitled “Truss Levelz” (derived from each player’s on-field celebrations and catchphrases) and produced by The Players’ Tribune.

Ingram and Jordan were both drafted by New Orleans back in 2011 as first-round picks (Jordan at No. 24, Ingram at No. 28), and they’re each ranked high in the franchise record books. Ingram bested Deuce McAllister’s career touchdown runs record (50) before leaving for the Ravens in free agency a year ago, while Jordan is a couple of good years away from competing with Rickey Jackson’s all-time sacks record (Jackson had 115; Jordan is next-best with 87).

The pair plans to give listeners an inside scoop to two of the NFL’s most vibrant locker rooms, having lined up interviews with all-star teammates like Alvin Kamara, Lamar Jackson, and Marquise Brown. Their list of guests includes other big names such as Travis Kelce, Bobby Wagner, George Kittle, Derrick Henry (another proud Alabama product and Heisman Trophy winner, like Ingram) and Mike Evans, which might get contentious.

Episode 1 drops Wednesday, Sept. 23 on all major podcast platforms, and The Players’ Tribune website, and Kamara will be their first guest appearance. So we’ll be sure to tune in; while you’re looking them up, be sure to subscribe to our own Saints Wire weekly podcast to review the latest happenings for the black and gold.

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WATCH: Thomas Morstead gets his ‘College GameDay’ appearance

New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead gets his ‘College GameDay’ appearance on ESPN, but it may have come at his own expense.

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It was a tough day at the office for Matt Campbell, a young punter for the Citadel who may have booted the worst punt in college football history; stuck in his own end zone, he botched the kick and dropped the ball directly into the hands of a South Florida opponent for the closest thing you’ll see to an own-goal in American football.

So Campbell understandably needed some support from his peers, including masters of their craft like New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead. Morstead took up an invitation from Pat McAfee to join a “For the Brand Therapy” session on ESPN’s College GameDay program, talking through his most traumatic punting fail. The message to Campbell was clear: he’s not alone in making a highlight reel for the wrong reasons.

“January 11, 2014,” Morstead said deadpan, fixing the camera with a thousand-yard stare. “I had a ball go through my hands, and hit me straight in the nuts. Shortest punt of my career.”

He referenced a 2013 Divisional Round playoff game with the Seattle Seahawks, in which Morstead punted just 16 yards after the Saints offense went three-and-out on their opening drive. That play alone didn’t lose the game for New Orleans, but the painful memory still resonates with Morstead years later. He’s only had two other punts travel fewer than 25 yards (both in his 2009 rookie year, for 22 and 23 yards, but the latter was wiped out by penalty when an opposing player ran into him during the kick) in his lengthy Saints career.

But for added context: Morstead petitioned College GameDay to be named a guest picker when his SMU Mustangs visited the Memphis Tigers last year. He’s finally gotten his wish to at least appear on the program, but maybe not in the circumstances he’d prefer. Still, at least reliving his most painful personal failure may have done something to help a youngster move past his own low moment. See the full video for yourself:

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Report: ‘No connecting dots’ between Dez Bryant, Saints

The New Orleans Saints have not expressed interest in ex-Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, and that hasn’t changed after Michael Thomas’s injury.

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Knowing that the New Orleans Saints would have superstar wide receiver Michael Thomas on the mend for a few weeks, some have wondered if the team would consider bringing Dez Bryant back to town for another shot after his 2018 debut was derailed by an Achilles injury. Bryant has remained a Saints fan and rooted for them to beat his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, in last year’s matchup.

Those fires were stoked when Bryant was spotted working out at a public park in a New Orleans Pelicans jersey (Zion Williamson’s, of course). He obviously took to the city and team culture right away, but Saints coach Sean Payton has reacted mildly when asked if a reunion with Bryant could be in the cards.

And now a report from NFL Network’s Jane Slater may have put this speculation to rest. Slater is tight with both the Cowboys and the Saints, frequently representing NFL Network at training camp, and after inquiring with her sources she reported that there isn’t any interest here.

That shouldn’t shock anyone. The Saints are in a much better position to play without Thomas now than the last time he missed a game, thanks to free agent investments like Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook. Their wide receivers depth chart is still fairly deep even without Thomas at the top, and Sanders has a history of impressing against their next opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders.

There are reasons to feel optimistic that Thomas being sidelined is a storm the Saints can weather, and Bryant’s presence would not change that. Hopefully he finds his way back to the NFL sooner or later, giving his impressive Cowboys career the coda it deserves. It just may not happen with the Saints.

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WATCH: Baldy’s Breakdowns highlights Saints offensive line vs. Bucs

The New Orleans Saints offensive line earned a shout-out from NFL analyst Brian Baldinger for their efforts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Nobody cuts a better highlight reel than Brian Baldinger. The veteran NFL analyst spent a dozen years in the league before taking a turn into broadcasting with NFL Network, and now he spends his spare time poring over game tape to talk up underrated players and units after each week’s slate of games.

On Wednesday, Baldinger turned his attention to the New Orleans Saints offensive line. While they had a few miscues against a talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers front (and while missing first-round draft pick Cesar Ruiz, expected to start at right guard), Baldinger took time to explain just how special the big men up front in New Orleans can be.

“The execution by the offensive line out on the perimeter, down the field, on this touchdown run, you can’t do it any better. They did it on most of the big plays they had,” Baldinger said, pointing out key blocks by left guard Andrus Peat and center Erik McCoy.

He then pointed out a series of blocks in space by Peat, McCoy, and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk on a screen pass to wide receiver Deonte Harris. The blockers did their jobs and cleared a lane for a 17-yard gain.

“It’s like ‘Bowling for Dollars,'” Baldinger said. “I mean this group, moving this well downfield? Give ’em a game ball, for crying out loud.”

Improving their ability to throw blocks away from the line of scrimmage was a point of emphasis for the Saints this offseason. They picked Ruiz and released three-time Pro Bowl alternate Larry Warford aiming to get more athletic up front, and on paper they have one of the fastest offensive lines you’ll see in the NFL.

That agility is critical for blockers getting to their spots on time to spring Harris or Alvin Kamara free into the open field, gaining chunks of yardage, and we should see more of it once everyone is healthy and practicing together. These early highlights from Baldinger are a proof-of-concept; here’s hoping Ruiz can get on the field soon so we can see the full picture.

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Retired Saints FB Zach Line still dressing out for game days — from his couch

Zach Line rose to prominence as the New Orleans Saints fullback in recent years, but now he is enjoying retirement with his family.

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Retirement is hard 😉 #geauxsaints @saints

A post shared by Zach Line (@zline48) on

They say you don’t have to get ready if you stay ready. That’s a message retired New Orleans Saints fullback Zach Line has taken to heart, even if he’s watching games on the couch — in his old Saints jersey and helmet with a football in hand, surrounded by his young children in matching kits.

“Retirement is hard,” Line joked in a post from his official Instagram account after the Saints won their season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Line retired after 80 games and seven years in the NFL, spending his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He signed with New Orleans in 2017 and went on to make a name for himself as the lead blocker for Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and occasionally Taysom Hill, while also developing into a sure-handed option in the passing game (catching four touchdown passes).

But he was content to walk away from the game on his own terms as a free agent in 2020, opting to retire before his 30th birthday so he could spend more time with his family. And he’s clearly enjoying himself.

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Michael Thomas reacts to new deals for Alvin Kamara, Demario Davis

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was overjoyed to see his teammates Alvin Kamara and Demario Davis sign long-term contracts.

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What was that about the salary cap? The New Orleans Saints have put on a master class in navigating that hurdle this season, so much so that one of their biggest moves flew under the radar until it was mentioned off-handedly during their Week 1 game broadcast.

The Saints signed linebacker Demario Davis to a three-year extension just hours after agreeing to a five-year contract with running back Alvin Kamara, and superstar wide receiver Michael Thomas was as happy as anyone could be to see his teammates get paid.

Thomas reached out to both players from his official Twitter account following Sunday’s season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, congratulating them on the good news. He also shouted out the Saints front office, which has seen salary cap guru Khai Hartley pull off one magic trick after another on G.M. Mickey Loomis’s direction.

The exact structure of these deals remains to be seen, but for now it’s just encouraging to see the Saints handle their top two priorities for the 2021 free agent class so soon. Even if the salary cap dips down as expected next summer, the Saints can rest easy knowing pillars of their organization like Thomas, Kamara, and Davis are tied to them for the long haul.

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WATCH: Saints party in the locker room after beating Bucs 34-23

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and celebrated with their signature dance battle amid a locker room party.

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Well that was an exciting one, wasn’t it? The New Orleans Saints players certainly thought so, taking time to celebrate a hard-fought Week 1 win over the upstart Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Saints wideout Emmanuel Sanders shared a look at their postgame antics in the locker room, complete with a D.J. and all the energy fans have gotten used to seeing in recent years.

Sure, it’s not the same as watching Teddy Bridgewater revive “Choppa Style” after decades at the bottom of party playlists. But there’s some real charm in seeing Jameis Winston awkwardly mimic Bridgewater’s signature “bike life” celebration while Alvin Kamara and Craig Robertson are locked in a dance-off.

This is a sign of what is meant when analysts refer to locker room culture; the ease everyone has in sharing camaraderie, and how eager they are to cut loose are leaving it all out on the field. These sort of locker room celebrations have become a staple of Saints postgame activities, and it’s great to see them return for 2020. Maybe next time their music choices will echo a little more cleanly into Sean Payton’s media conference call.

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