Saints snap counts, Week 11: Was Marcus Davenport demoted?

New Orleans Saints LB Kiko Alonso and LG Nick Easton saw their highest snap counts of the 2019 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Special teams

  • QB Taysom Hill, 19 (73%)
  • LB Stephone Anthony, 19 (73%)
  • LB Craig Robertson, 19 (73%)
  • CB Justin Hardee, 19 (73%)
  • RB Dwayne Washington, 16 (62%)
  • SS J.T. Gray, 16 (62%)
  • CB Johnson Bademosi, 15 (58%)
  • SS C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 13 (50%)
  • K Wil Lutz, 13 (50%)

This is the group of core special teams players the Saints want to use the most, and it’s tough to argue with the results. Hill, Anthony, Robertson, and Hardee are a group of athletes who play with great lane discipline and know how to disengage blocks on the move. It’s just a shame rookie returns specialist Deonte Harris had to miss this game with a hamstring injury, because he’s had the best start New Orleans has seen in years.

Defensive line

  • DE Cameron Jordan, 63 (93%)
  • DT David Onyemata, 37 (54%)
  • DT Sheldon Rankins, 35 (51%)
  • DE Trey Hendrickson, 34 (50%)
  • DE Marcus Davenport, 23 (34%)
  • DT Mario Edwards Jr., 15 (22%)
  • NT Malcom Brown, 15 (22%)
  • NT Shy Tuttle, 12 (18%)

This was the first game this year in which Davenport played fewer snaps than Hendrickson, which is disappointing but makes sense in context. The Buccaneers were forced into a pass-first strategy once the Saints went up early in the first half, which meant more dropbacks for Jameis Winston. Hendrickson is a much more polished pass-rusher than Davenport, who is stronger in run defense but less stout on passing downs. Until Davenport starts making more headway in getting after quarterbacks, Hendrickson may continue to play ahead of him when the situation allows.

Linebackers

  • LB Demario Davis, 68 (100%)
  • LB Kiko Alonso, 45 (66%)
  • LB A.J. Klein, 29 (43%)

The Saints have been steadily increased Alonso’s workload, and this week he finally leapfrogged Klein in the rotation. Both of them are good players and will help the Saints this year, but it’s a development to watch moving forward. Klein will be a free agent next year, but Alonso is under contract for the 2020 season. Don’t be shocked if the Saints continue to get Alonso more snaps as the season marches on.

Defensive secondary

  • FS Marcus Williams, 68 (100%)
  • SS Vonn Bell, 68 (100%)
  • CB Eli Apple, 68 (100%)
  • CB P.J. Williams, 67 (99%)
  • SS C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 62 (91%)
  • CB Patrick Robinson, 39 (57%)

Williams was the immediate fill-in for injured Marshon Lattimore, and he played admirably against top Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans. Gardner-Johnson continued to play the slot with Williams moved outside, but the Saints got creative in his usage as well as the snaps they found for Robinson, keeping the secondary versatile. The strategy worked, confusing Winston and creating four interceptions.

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