Tag: Carl Granderson

Second-year Saints DE Payton Turner had the best game of his career vs. Raiders

Second-year Saints defensive end Payton Turner had the best game of his career against the Raiders. It’s important he continues to turn the corner:

This is what you love to see. Payton Turner’s pro career hasn’t started out as well as hoped, but he delivered on those expectations in Sunday’s rout of the Las Vegas Raiders. The second-year New Orleans Saints defensive end played the best football we’ve seen out of him in Week 8’s game — he notched 5 quarterback pressures at Pro Football Focus, including 2 sacks. He was also credited with 3 defensive stops, which are typically defined as plays in which the offense gains 50% or fewer yards necessary for a conversion.

What’s impressive here is that this was just the ninth game Turner has played in the NFL. He lost most of his rookie season to injuries and has only been active for four games this season. He’s young and inexperienced, but he’s got the tools to win on Sundays. It’s really encouraging to see him finding this kind of success at this stage in his career.

The Saints will need more games like it out of him, though. Their future at defensive end is unclear. Marcus Davenport is their best pass rusher at the position and he’ll be a free agent in the spring; Cameron Jordan has a real shot at entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday, but he’s 33 and playing on a hefty contract. Tanoh Kpassagnon will also be a free agent in 2023, leaving Turner and Carl Granderson (who was inactive Sunday) as the only two young players signed long-term. If Turner can turn the corner and keep racking up sacks and building confidence, he can be a big part of the solution at defensive end.

[listicle id=117746]

Saints’ deals with Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson set up the plan at DE

Cameron Jordan’s restructure makes it all but certain he’ll play his career out in black and gold, while Carl Granderon’s extension tees up their next move at defensive end:

[mm-video type=video id=01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd playlist_id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd/01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd-7d44df81ec092dda8eaab4ece5e021cd.jpg]

This is interesting: ESPN’s Field Yates reported that the New Orleans Saints re-signed defensive end Carl Granderson, one of their exclusive rights free agents, but he later added that Granderson inked a two-year deal with the Saints rather than a typical one-year contract extension. That means he’ll be with New Orleans through 2022 and 2023, finally reaching unrestricted free agency in 2024.

That’s significant for a couple of different reasons, which we’ll get to in a second. Yates clarified that the Saints paid Granderson $4.3 million in addition to the $965,000 he qualified for as an exclusive rights free agent — that’s equal to what a second-round restricted free agent tender could be worth next year. So why did they do that?

For one, the Saints have now given Granderson a clear idea of how strongly they value him. If he had become a restricted free agent in 2023, they would have tendered him at that level. He’s ascending in their pass-rush rotation, and they think he’s about to have a great two-year stretch. For another, Granderson’s teammates Marcus Davenport and Tanoh Kpassagnon are each entering the final year of their contracts with the Saints, meaning they’ll hit free agency in 2023. This effectively means New Orleans has two fires to put out in 2023 rather than three.

But why sign him to a two-year extension rather than a three-year deal? That may benefit the team more if they view Granderson as a player on the rise, getting him under contract at a bargain, but it’s in Granderson’s interest to reach unrestricted free agency sooner rather than later. That’s where he is likely to find his biggest payday. So while he may appreciate the security in a three-year deal, his path to earning significantly more money makes a two-year deal more preferable. This suggests he and the Saints reached a compromise.

This wasn’t the only move the Saints made at defensive end on Thursday, though. Cameron Jordan restructured his contract to lower his salary cap hit from $23.1 million to just over $12.4 million, saving roughly $10.7 million against the cap. Jordan will still get that money — this isn’t a pay cut. Instead, he agreed to lower his base salary from $13.6 million to the minimum at $1.12 million, earning the difference back as a signing bonus. He gets his money now instead of later. And the Saints, for accounting purposes, get to defer those payments against the cap onto future years.

Thanks for sticking through that jargon (I never warned you there would be math). The end result is that Jordan will play for the Saints in 2022 at a lower price, and he’s now likely to finish his career in black and gold. New Orleans would still be paying him more than $23 million to not play for them in 2023 should he be released or traded next offseason. They could wait until after June 1, 2023 to move him (saving $15 million) but that would put a serious handicap on their cap flexibility during free agency and the draft.

So we should expect another move with Jordan next offseason in one way or another. An extension feels more likely than another restructure. Jordan’s contract is set to expire on March 12, 2024, making him a 35-year-old free agent and leaving more than $12.7 million behind in dead money. The Saints could sign him to a smaller-valued, multiyear extension that allows him to run up the score on the team sacks record (he currently trails the great Rickey Jackson by 8) that won’t weight down their salary cap figure once his playing days are over.

Then again, the Saints have accepted $11.5 million dead money charges for Drew Brees in both 2021 and 2022. And they’re set up to take another $12.9 million hit should Terron Armstead leave in free agency next week. If they don’t touch Jordan’s contract again (unlikely as that seems), his eventual dead money charge of $12.7 million does fall within the zone they’ve shown is acceptable. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that, though.

That isn’t all, though. The Saints also restructured their quarterback with Tanoh Kpassagnon to save a little over $1.6 million. Because his contract already had some void years sewn into it, he’s now on pace to leave behind about $1.9 million should he leave in free agency next offseason. For context, he will have played on cap hits of $1.1 million and $1.5 million in two years with New Orleans. I would think an extension is in store to avoid paying him more not to play with the Saints, but that’s a bridge they plan to cross another day.

And this all surrounds the intrigue on Marcus Davenport, who is currently playing on his fifth year option and set to become a free agent next March just like Kpassagnon. Maybe the Saints don’t touch his contract, and prefer to let him play it out before discussing an extension. Maybe they restructure him like they did with past first rounders Marshon Lattimore (who later signed an extension anyway) and Sheldon Rankins (who didn’t). But in restructuring Jordan and extending Granderson, they have something to work with should Davenport end up leaving New Orleans once his contract expires. It’s important to remember that none of these moves are made in isolation. Everything influences something else.

So, to recap, here is where the Saints stand at defensive end going into the 2022 season, and when those players will be up for new deals:

  • Tanoh Kpassagnon: under contract through March 7, 2023
  • Marcus Davenport: under contract through March 15, 2023
  • Carl Granderson: under contract through March 13, 2024
  • Cameron Jordan: under contract through March 12, 2024
  • Payton Turner: under contract through March 12, 2025 (pending his fifth-year option)

[listicle id=110168]

Saints re-sign backup defensive linemen Carl Granderson, Jalen Dalton

The Saints re-signed backup defensive linemen Carl Granderson and Jalen Dalton, maintaining depth ahead of free agency:

[mm-video type=video id=01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd playlist_id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd/01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd-7d44df81ec092dda8eaab4ece5e021cd.jpg]

Here are a couple of good moves: ESPN’s Field Yates reported Thursday that the New Orleans Saints re-signed a couple of important backups along the defensive line, retaining edge rusher Carl Granderson and interior lineman Jalen Dalton. That’s going to be key for keeping the defensive line a strength of the team moving into 2022, and it’s presenting an opportunity for them to do well as free agents in 2023 after playing on one-year deals. Both contracts should clock in at around $895,000 in value.

Dalton, 24, has had two terrific training camps with New Orleans but suffered a season-ending biceps injury in subsequent seasons. He’s done a great job of bullying his teammates on the other side of the ball and flashed during the 2021 preseason prior to his injury. Hopefully he enjoys better health this summer and can make some noise in the Saints’ interior line rotation behind David Onyemata. Other players on the depth chart include Malcolm Roach, Albert Huggins, and Braxton Hoyett. Shy Tuttle and Christian Ringo are free agents.

And Granderson, 25, has been an effective backup to Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport with 8 sacks and 16 quarterback hits over the last two seasons. He’s developed well as a complimentary pass rusher for New Orleans to throw at winded offensive linemen late in games. With Tanoh Kpassagnon returning on a restructured deal and 2021 first round pick Payton Turner looking to make a splash after an injury-plagued rookie year, Granderson needs to take another step and separate from the pack.

[listicle id=110082]

Saints place starting center Erik McCoy on COVID-19 reserve list

Saints place starting center Erik McCoy on COVID-19 reserve list; 8 players still in protocols

Another day, another New Orleans Saints starter entering the league’s COVID-19 protocols: starting center Erik McCoy was sidelined on Thursday, joining free safety Marcus Williams and several of their teammates on the reserve list ahead of Week 17’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers. He’s likely going to miss that Panthers kickoff on Sunday, though we can’t rule anything out given the NFL’s relaxed stance. If McCoy can’t play, look for either right guard Cesar Ruiz or backup center Will Clapp to fill in for him.

It’s not all bad, though. The Saints brought back two players from the COVID list in defensive ends Carl Granderson and Jalyn Holmes. That adds some much-needed depth to a position group that’s been whittled down by injuries and the coronavirus. The less Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport have to do on their own, the better off they’ll be.

Here’s the updated list of Saints players still on the COVID-19 list (not including left tackle Landon Young and kicker Wil Lutz, who are out for the season on injured reserve):

  1. OL Ryan Ramczyk (Dec. 24)
  2. RB Dwayne Washington (Dec. 24)
  3. WR Deonte Harris (Dec. 26)
  4. DT Malcolm Roach (Dec. 26)
  5. OL Jerald Hawkins (Dec. 26)
  6. CB KeiVarae Russell (Dec. 26)
  7. S Marcus Williams (Dec. 29)
  8. C Erik McCoy (Dec. 30)

Twitter reacts to Jalen Hurts breaking Saints defenders ankles on game sealing TD run

Twitter reacts to Eagles QB Jalen Hurts breaking New Orlean Saints defenders ankles on the game-sealing touchdown run


Jalen Hurts is making statements each week as he continues to show Eagles brass that he can be the franchise quarterback.

On Sunday in a blowout win over the Saints, Hurts scored 3 rushing touchdowns, dominating the New Orleans defense with 69-yards rushing.

The final touchdown was the nail in the coffin, as Hurts shook Saints defensive end Carl Granderson on the way to a 24-yard touchdown run to put Philadelphia up 40-22.

Social media reacted and the results were marvelous.

Saints trade candidates ahead of NFL trade deadline

The New Orleans Saints figure to be buyers, not sellers, but they do have a few trade candidates ahead of the NFL trade deadline:

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”weXbnCM5GX-1586990-7498″]

It would be a surprise to see the New Orleans Saints trade away players at the NFL trade deadline, but that could help facilitate new pickups. Whether it’s a player-for-player swap or a salary cap-minded move to free up resources to spend at a different position, we can’t rule out anything in the days ahead.

Still, I’d rather see the Saints pursue improvement on offense (especially in the receiving corps). But it’s tough to ignore the quality depth they’ve built up on defense, which could prove useful. Here are a few names on my radar before the Nov. 2 trade deadline:

WATCH: Saints DE Payton Turner already training for 2021 season

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive end Payton Turner is already putting in the work to be great, just days after the 2021 NFL draft.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Payton Turner knows he’s got a big opportunity in front of him, so he isn’t wasting any time in preparing for it. Less than a week after being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, he has teamed up with Trench Performance’s Brandon Jordan, a defensive and offensive line specialist based in Houston who lists Lions defensive tackle Michael Brockers and former Steelers pass rusher Bud Dupree, now with the Titans, among his pro clients. He trained 20 rookies who were selected in this year’s NFL draft, including Turner.

Turner has all of the ability in the world. He’s big and long and fast, and already knows how to play with a hand in the dirt. That’s a skill Marcus Davenport is still learning, which makes the negative comparisons some Saints fans have drawn between the two first rounders ring hollow.

If Turner can figure out how to use his natural talents to his advantage — protecting his chest from blockers with those 35-inch arms, and extending his 84-inch wingspan to corral runners back inside — he’ll make an immediate impact for the Saints up front. It’s unclear just yet how often he’ll play in a crowded position group with Davenport, Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, and Tanoh Kpassagnon all competing for reps, but the work he’s putting in over the summer should pay off in the fall.

[lawrence-related id=44941,44934,44235,44425]

[vertical-gallery id=44907]

WATCH: Carl Granderson putting in the work to help replace Trey Hendrickson

New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson is training to help replace Trey Hendrickson, one of the team’s big departing free agents.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

There’s a big opportunity ahead of Carl Granderson, who joined the Saints as an undrafted rookie in 2019. He broke out in 2020, his second season, bagging 5 sacks and 19 total quarterback pressures on just 194 pass rush snaps (per Pro Football Focus). With Trey Hendrickson leaving the Saints’ rotation in 2021, there will be chances for backups like Hendrickson and the recently-added Tanoh Kpassagnon to take the next step.

Granderson took a long road to get here. He spent 43 days in a Wyoming jail on misdemeanor charges until his case was handed to a different judge, who changed his sentencing to a year of probation. He’s since kept his hands to himself and stayed out of trouble, and now he’s working to be the best pro he can be.

He’s been working out with coach Aaron Day, a personal trainer based in California who specializes in developing pass rushers. Day shared some highlights of Granderson’s progress so far, along with a stated goal: ten or more sacks in 2021. That might seem lofty for a player with just 6 career sacks, but Hendrickson went into the 2020 season with only 6.5 takedowns to his name. The factors are there for Granderson to experience similar success.

Like Hendrickson, Granderson is very explosive out of his stance, often beating opponents to their spot before they’re able to lurch into motion. He’s also very flexible in his lower body, which allows him to get under blockers’ arms and bend the edge on the way to the quarterback. He hasn’t had as many opportunities to show it from the bottom of their depth chart (with just 283 career pass rush opportunities, per PFF), but Granderson is a fitting comparison in the right circumstances to the athletically-superior Hendrickson.

Whether Granderson can put all of his tools together to help make up for what the Saints have lost with Hendrickson joining the Bengals remains to be seen, but he’ll have every opportunity. Hendrickson had 101 more pass rush snaps in 2020 than Granderson has had in his career. Those snaps have to go somewhere, so it’s good to see that he’ll be prepared. He’s going to be a restricted free agent in 2022 that the Saints can retain at low cost, so he has plenty of time to build momentum towards a potentially lucrative contract in 2023 — at the same time as the salary cap skyrocketing once new NFL broadcasting rights deals are activated.

[listicle id=44223]

Sean Payton comments on Marcus Davenport’s elbow injury

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton commented on Marcus Davenport’s elbow injury, saying that he doesn’t expect the DE to be sidelined long

[jwplayer GQfNAjzZ-ThvAeFxT]

The NFL draft is hyped up as the event when teams seek to get better by adding fresh talent from the college ranks, so it was frustrating to see the New Orleans Saints prepare for their Week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without the most valuable players they’ve picked in recent years.

In a Monday appearance on WWL Radio, Saints coach Sean Payton preached patience with one of those players: third-year defensive end Marcus Davenport, ruled out with an elbow injury suffered late in training camp.

“Look it’s gonna be soon here Davenport’s back,” Payton said. “He’s got an injury that if you try to hustle him back too early, [he would] be out for a lot longer. We’re gonna be making the right decisions regarding his health.”

If there’s a silver lining for Saints fans here, it’s that Davenport didn’t start the season on injured reserve. NFL teams are allowed to sideline players on I.R. for three weeks at a time this year, so if this were a long-term problem for Davenport then he would have been designated to the reserve list.

It might suggest the Saints expect him to be back in a week or two, which is supported by Payton’s comments. We’ll learn more when the Saints publish their first injury report on Thursday.

Fortunately, the Saints backups did a great job filling in for Davenport across from starting end Cameron Jordan. Jordan saw his usual majority of snaps (60, 85.7% of the defense’s total) with Trey Hendrickson (39 snaps) and Carl Granderson (23) rotating in. Versatile practice squad call-up Margus Hunt (21 snaps) also got some looks out on the edge. Both Hendrickson and Granderson got onto the stats sheet with sacks, and Hendrickson was credited with a pair of other quarterback hits.

It was enough to raise the hackles of Bucs coach Bruce Arians. After reviewing the game tape on Monday, he roasted left tackle Donovan Smith, who was charged with blocking the Hendrickson-Granderson combo in Davenport’s absence.

“I was very disappointed in his play,” Arians said. “I think every now and then he reverts back to some techniques that are not very good [and] he got beat. He had, probably, the easiest guy to block up there and he did a poor job. It was one of his poorer games and [I] expect for him to bounce back this week, yes.”

The Saints will visit Tampa Bay for a rematch on Nov. 8, under the bright lights on Sunday Night Football. And Smith will probably be drawing a matchup with Davenport, who beat him for a pair of sacks in their meeting last year. The Saints pass rush got off to a great start against the Buccaneers, and it looks like they’re set up to keep that momentum going.

[vertical-gallery id=37752]

Saints release veteran defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr.

The New Orleans Saints released veteran defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr., saving more than $2.3 million against the 2020 salary cap.

[jwplayer bJ5cinSP-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints have started trimming their roster down to just 53 players, and there’s a bit of surprise to one of their first cuts: defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr.

Edwards signed with the Saints last summer and appeared in 14 games, totaling 293 snaps played on defense. But the Saints can save $2.345 million against the 2020 salary cap by parting ways with him, and improved depth along the defensive line made him too expensive of a luxury. That raises their salary cap estimate to about $9.3 million.

Expect the Saints to round out the rotation behind Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport with returning backup Trey Hendrickson and second-year pro Carl Granderson — unless they’re able to land pricey free agent Jadeveon Clowney. The salary cap resources saved by releasing Edwards may go a long ways towards fitting Clowney onto their books.

[lawrence-related id=37542]