Tag: Anfernee Orji

Anfernee Orji is becoming one of the Saints’ best players on special teams

Anfernee Orji’s development isn’t just at linebacker. He’s become one of the leading tacklers on special teams as well, and a key figure in the game’s third phase:

The leap from Year 1 to Year 2 for Anfernee Orji has been evaluated before. Head coach Dennis Allen and All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis have praised the young player for his ability to develop and better learn his role defensively, but he’s worked hard to help out in the game’s third phase, too.

Orji’s development runs deeper than just defense. He’s becoming one of the New Orleans Saints’ best players on special teams. Bill Belichick crafted a midseason team and Orji was one of three Saints players to be included in the list.

This week Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was asked about Orji’s inclusion on Thursday and like Belichick he highlighted the second year player’s contribution in kickoff return. He’s second to only J.T. Gray in tackles on kickoff return.

“He came out he gate, first game of the year, I think he had the first three tackles. He’s played very consistently on that team,” Rizzi said. He sees a player who has made “a huge improvement from Year 1 to Year 2.”

Kickoff returns are important for New Orleans. Rizzi helped push the new rule through and is taking advantage of it. Orji being a productive part of that unit makes him vital special teams player. If the Saints are going to turn this season around and end their losing streak, it’ll be because young, hungry players like Orji refuse to back down.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

3 Saints special teams aces recognized by Bill Belichick

New Orleans Saints players J.T. Gray, Anfernee Orji and Rashid Shaheed all made Bill Belichick’s first midseason team as standouts on special teams:

Former New England Patriots coach and eight-time Super Bowl champ Bill Belichick has quickly transitioned into the media landscape, with plenty of outlets competing for some of his time. His latest project is developing essentially an All-Pro Team halfway through the season called the All-Belichick Midseason Team.

The New Orleans Saints are represented three times on that list, all of whom play on special teams. J.T. Gray, Anfernee Orji and Rashid Shaheed all made the cut.

This is a major look for Orji. The young linebacker is looking to make a name in this league, and appearing on an All-NFL team created by the greatest coach of all time is certainly one way to do it. Belichick specifically highlighted Orji’s kickoff return coverage, even though Orji made it on the punt team. His 5 special teams tackles are among the most in the NFL.

Gray is a former All-Pro player on special teams. Coach called Gray, “a productive player ever since he’s came in the league.” He’s tied for the league lead with 7 special teams tackles, plus a blocked punt.

There were two kick returners on the team, and Shaheed was paired on this list with Cowboys’ returner KaVontae Turpin. Unfortunately, Shaheed’s injury will keep him from making the All-Pro team at the end of the season. His inclusion on this list shows you his trajectory, returning one punt for a touchdown in his six games this year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen likes what he sees in second-year linebacker

Dennis Allen feels Anfernee Orji’s performance is a silver lining from the Saints’ long list of injuries. The second-year linebacker has seized his opportunity:

New Orleans Saints linebacker Anfernee Orji continues to impress Dennis Allen. Orji has been primarily a special teams player, but injuries have forced him to play more on defense.

That role will diminish with Pete Werner returning from injury as early as this week, but Orji has made the most of his time. In the only game Orji played more than 30 snaps, he registered 10 tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs. That was second only to Demario Davis.

Orji showed the ability to get in the backfield against the Denver Broncos. He didn’t play as much as he did versus the Chiefs, so his total tackles dropped. Orji did get the first two tackles for a loss of his career on Thursday night, however.

Allen believes Orji has “made a ton of progress since last year.” Orji spent all of last year on the practice squad, and showed refinement in training camp. That’s transitioned over to his regular season snaps.

Though Allen admitted they didn’t plan on playing Orji this much, he thinks this is the silver lining of injuries: “You have an opportunity for some young guys step up, get some valuable playing experience.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints defense could welcome back a badly-missed starter against the Chargers

The Saints defense could return a badly-missed starter against the Chargers this week. Pete Werner is working his way back from a hamstring injury:

The New Orleans Saints defense could welcome back a badly-missed starter against the Los Angeles Chargers this week. Veteran linebacker Pete Werner is recovering from a hamstring injury, and Saints head coach Dennis Allen  is optimistic about his chances.

“He’s doing well,” Allen said Monday, “I’m expecting that we’ll have some guys coming back this week. But, we’ll see how it goes throughout the course of the week.”

Injuries have hit the Saints hard before the regular season’s midpoint. Werner has had to miss their last three games, all losses in which the run defense was gashed for a combined 671 yards on the ground. Missed tackles and miscommunication have run rampant, and it’s clear they miss Werner’s presence at the second level.

Of course he isn’t the only player out with an injury; Allen has previously said that key offensive players like right guard Cesar Ruiz, tight end Taysom Hill, and even quarterback Derek Carr are trending in the right direction, though at varying paces. But when Allen’s reputation hinges on being a defensive mastermind, his defense’s breakdown will draw the most scrutiny.

Hopefully Werner’s return can clean up their mess in the middle of the field. Backups like Anfernee Orji and D’Marco Jackson have been around the ball a lot, but they have each missed tackles, and Demario Davis hasn’t looked like himself while dealing with an injury of his own. The Saints are planning on Werner leading the way to the future at linebacker after signing him to an extension during training camp, and a strong performance in L.A. would do a lot to build confidence in that plan.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. shares update after hand injury

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. exited Sunday’s game with a hand injury. On Monday, he shared a photo after apparently undergoing surgery:

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. exited Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons with what was announced as a hand injury. On Monday, Gay shared a photo on Instagram after apparently undergoing surgery, via Saints News Network’s John Hendrix, but we shouldn’t speculate too much. It could be a hand issue or maybe a wrist. Either way Gay was wearing a sling over his left arm.

It’s another tough blow to a Saints defense already dealing with multiple injuries. Demario Davis missed that Falcons game with a hamstring issue. Tyrann Mathieu left partway through with a groin problem, and he was already managing an injured heel. It’s a lot to deal with.

The good news is the Saints have an extra day of rest before their Monday night game with the Kansas City Chiefs next week. Depending on what he procedure he underwent, Gay could try wearing a club over his left hand and play through it, but there’s too little information for us to do more than  speculate. If Gay and Davis are both unavailable we should expect Pete Werner to continue starting while D’Marco Jackson and Anfernee Orji step into the lineup. Stay tuned for updates.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Anfernee Orji leads the NFL in special teams tackles going into Week 3

Three New Orleans Saints players rank inside the top five in special teams tackles this season, and nobody has more than second-year linebacker Anfernee Orji:

The New Orleans Saints special teams unit has been an intriguing one to watch this season. With the new dynamic kickoff rules in effect they are one of the few teams avoiding touchbacks, and rather choose to kick to the returners and make the play to try and avoid letting them start possessions at the 30-yard line.

That’s created opportunities to make a play in kickoff coverage. Three Saints players rank inside the top five in special teams tackles around the league, and nobody has more than second-year linebacker Anfernee Orji.

And that’s despite not facing a single punt return (all three punts have been downed or fair caught). With that said, they have seen the most kick returns of any team against them, which is why the tackle numbers are so high. The three standouts are:

  • 1st – Anfernee Orji: 5 special teams tackles (4 solo, 1 assist)
  • T-2nd – J.T. Gray: 4 special teams tackles (2 solo, 2 assists)
  • T-2nd – Isaiah Foskey: 4 special teams tackles (1 solo, 3 assists)

Gray and Foskey are tied for second place with two other players, Jamien Sherwood and Jaylon Jones, meaning those four make up the top five alongside Orji who is first. The method the Saints have taken to force returns as often as possible has worked as well, with only 4 touchbacks and an average of 25.2 yards per kick return, as opposed to the automatic 30 for touchbacks. Additionally, it has given these three players the chance to stand out and get the energy pumping for the defense before they get on the field.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Browns sign linebacker Khaleke Hudson off the Saints’ practice squad

The Browns signed linebacker Khaleke Hudson off the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. He was one of two call-ups for Week 1’s win over the Panthers:

The Cleveland Browns are signing one of the two New Orleans Saints practice squad players who were called up for Week 1’s game. Linebacker Khaleke Hudson is joining the Browns, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, having been with the Saints since April. New Orleans signed him as a free agent from the Washington Commanders. Hudson and the Browns will visit the Saints for a game at the Caesars Superdome on Nov. 17.

It’s a tough blow to the depth chart at linebacker, which could potentially be missing Willie Gay Jr. Gay was limited in practice with a back injury last week and exited the Week 1 matchup during the second quarter with an undisclosed ailment. Hudson totaled 19 snaps on special teams but logged just five on defense against the Carolina Panthers. Demario Davis, Pete Werner, D’Marco Jackson, Jaylan Ford, and Anfernee Orji remain on the 53-man roster.

If the Saints want another linebacker to fill out the practice squad in his place, they could bring back someone like Mike Rose or Andrew Dowell, both of whom were waived at roster cuts in August. But Monty Rice isn’t an option. He spent the back half of the 2023 season on the Saints’ practice squad but was signed by the Atlanta Falcons after New Orleans let him go last month.

On the other hand, the Saints could look to reinforce another position group. Orji played really well as a backup for Gay and made more plays than Hudson on special teams. They still have Isaiah Stalbird on the practice squad, with Nephi Sewell working his way back on the PUP list.

This could be an opportunity to re-sign cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, who initially had an agreement with the Saints that fell apart as they built their practice squad two weeks ago. That reunion would make sense given Marshon Lattimore’s injury and the lack of any other cornerbacks on their practice squad.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Preseason injuries helped Saints linebacker room in the long run

Demario Davis and Pete Werner missing most of training camp allowed Willie Gay to gain experience in the system and Anfernee Orji to develop

Demario Davis and Pete Werner missed the entirety of the preseason due to injuries. You never want players to be injured, but there was a silver lining to their absence: Other linebackers had the chance to step up.

Willie Gay Jr. and Anfernee Orji both showed up big in the preseason. Let’s separate the two because they entered camp at two different places and had two different benefits from the preseason.

Gay seemed to be entering a training camp battle with Werner, but Werner’s extension put that assumption in doubt. Pair that with Werner missing the majority of training camp, but not losing his job, and you are looking at Gay likely always destined to be the strong side backer.

Gay made the most of his preseason by playing a large amount of snaps in the first two games. Getting this amount of reps allowed him to get comfortable in a new system quickly. As a guy who will play Week 1, this was huge for him.

Orji was fighting for a roster spot and became a lock with an emphatic preseason. Orji went from a player who could end up on the practice squad again to a young linebacker to be excited about. He even got some reps versus the opposing starters that did play in the preseason.

No one is ever happy to see an injury occur. Getting Gay quickly acclimated and Orji’s major development were two positives to come from the situation, though.

B/R says Saints should move on from D’Marco Jackson at roster cuts

There’s only so many roster spots in the Saints locker room, and Bleacher Report argues D’Marco Jackson is the odd man out at linebacker:

Every NFL team must finish roster cuts by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The New Orleans Saints’ final preseason game wrapped up on Sunday and for many players it was also their final audition.

There were 91 players on the roster for Saints training camp but only 53 will make the final roster. Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon says when Tuesday rolls around, the Saints should move on from D’Marco Jackson at linebacker:

D’Marco Jackson has faced a dilemma all summer: New Orleans signed Willie Gay, drafted Jaylan Ford and lost no major contributor at linebacker. Without a surge, Jackson would be a cut candidate. Entering the final preseason game, nothing has changed.

This doesn’t even mention the progress of Anfernee Orji or the pickup of veteran free agent Khaleke Hudson. Orji has likely snagged that first spot behind the starting unit. He impressed during last week’s matchup versus the 49ers and has had a good camp. Demario Davis, Pete Werner, and Willie Gay are safe. Ford has been dealing with an injury and could start the season on injured reserve. But the Saints typically roster five linebackers with another backup or two on the practice squad.

One thing that bodes well for Jackson is he’s a strong special teams player. That being said, he is currently dealing with an injury, and that may have made a difference. Poor timing can’t be helped. We’ll see whether the Saints ultimately keep five or six linebackers when roster cuts go through on Tuesday afternoon.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Demario Davis praises Anfernee Orji’s growth: ‘He’s done an incredible job’

Anfernee Orji has taken a step up from his rookie year, and it’s caught the eye of Demario Davis: ‘He’s done an incredible job’

The New Orleans Saints picked up Anfernee Orji as an undrafted free agent last year and was retained through the year. The opportunity has presented itself for Orji to move up the depth chart this offseason and he has taken advantage.

After the Big 3 of Demario Davis, Pete Werner and Willie Gay, it’s wide open at linebacker. Nephi Sewell is still out with an injury, and Orji has been performing like a prime candidate for the role of a backup and key special teams contributor.

Orji was one of the stars of the Saints’ second preseason game, receiving one of the highest Pro Football Focus player ratings. That improvement has been recognized by Davis, the leader of the defense.

Davis compared what he’s seen of Orji this year versus last year: “I think it’s been as much improvement as you can have in a player. … You saw it in flashes of what he potentially could be. He’s done an incredible job of not only putting in the work but letting it transfer into his game.”

Consistency has been the key difference to Davis, and it will continue to be the key. Davis believes Orji has a high ceiling if he can continue to put together the quality of practices and games he has done this year. Orji’s last hurdle lies ahead on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans in their final preseason game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]