Tag: changes

Darren Rizzi is changing the Saints locker room layout

The Saints locker room used to be grouped by position groups until 2020 shook it up. Darren Rizzi is bringing it back as interim head coach:

Darren Rizzi’s first public move as New Orleans Saints interim head coach is to change the setup of the locker room back to how things used to be. Instead of being grouped by positions, players were just randomly placed at lockers throughout the locker room. You could have an offensive lineman next to a safety and wide receiver.

This began in 2020 due to the league’s COVID protocol. The thought process behind the alteration was logical. They didn’t want one player to pass it to the entire position group. Dennis Allen kept this going when he became head coach.

As time passed, this became the standard locker room layout and just never changed back until this week. The Saints locker room is once again sectioned by position groups in hopes of building more togetherness. We’ll see if it makes a difference.

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Saints will add a new coach to their staff after promoting Darren Rizzi

Darren Rizzi announced the Saints are bringing in a new assistant coach. With his attention divided, Marwan Maalouf will assist with special teams operations:

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi announced the team is bringing in a new assistant coach. Marwan Maalouf will assist Phil Galiano in their special teams operations. Rizzi spoke on WWL Radio Monday afternoon to announce the hiring, which came mere hours after his promotion.

Galiano will likely take on many of the duties on special teams coordinating for the Saints, as he has been the assistant coach for them since 2019. However, adding in an additional coach to help out and let Rizzi build out his own staff a little bit is not a bad idea. Rizzi and Maalouf worked together in multiple instances including from 2013 to 2018 with the Miami Dolphins, and 2002 to 2003 at Rutgers.

They are now reunited after a few years away with Rizzi moving on to New Orleans, while Maalouf went on to be the special teams coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings from 2019 to 2020.

Ultimately, who knows if the Saints keep Rizzi or not after the season, but letting him make additions of his own and give himself a chance to prove himself is definitely a good choice. We will see how the special teams units look with Rizzi taking on a much larger role now at interim head coach.

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Saints announce their initial practice squad, with more changes ahead

The Saints announce their initial practice squad on Wednesday, but it’s still a work in progress with more changes ahead:

Some of the dust is beginning to settle after a busy week of roster moves for the New Orleans Saints and every other NFL team, but the work isn’t finished just yet. The Saints announced their initial practice squad on Wednesday but there are some big differences between their list and what’s been reported to be in the works.

Let’s start with what’s official. Here are the 16 players currently signed to the practice squad as of Wednesday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire:

  1. S Johnathan Abram (vested veteran)
  2. S Ugo Amadi (vested veteran)
  3. LB Khaleke Hudson (vested veteran)
  4. G/C Shane Lemieux (vested veteran)
  5. WR Equanimeous St. Brown (vested veteran)
  6. DT Kendal Vickers
  7. DE Niko Lalos
  8. TE Michael Jacobson
  9. WR Kevin Austin Jr.
  10. S Millard Bradford
  11. OT Josiah Ezirim
  12. TE Mason Fairchild
  13. OG Kyle Hergel
  14. RB Jacob Kibodi
  15. LB Isaiah Stalbird
  16. K Charlie Smyth (International Pathway Program)

Now, what’s different? Let’s focus on who’s missing. Cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles was expected to sign with the Saints practice squad, but he hasn’t yet, and it might be because of how the squad is built. NFL rules cap teams at six vested veterans (players with four or more years’ experience) and ten younger pros who have three or fewer accrued seasons. Jean-Charles falls in the latter group which is at capacity. There’s a roster exemption for Charlie Smyth so he doesn’t factor into that.

Of course it’s possible the Saints’ agreement with Jean-Charles fell through and he found a better offer somewhere else. But this would be the easiest explanation. Players are moving around often this time of the year as teams work to assemble their 53-man rosters and practice squads, so this may only be a procedural issue. We’ll find out soon.

What else is different from what we expected? Tight end Treyton Welsh is nowhere to be seen after it was reported by multiple outlets that the Saints were signing him to the practice squad. But Mason Fairchild was brought back which was not previously reported. Again, maybe Welsh’s deal collapsed, but it’s also possible that the team needs another day or two to get everyone to sign on the dotted line. At the same time, they now have five tight ends between the roster and practice squad. How many do they need?

One other difference? Defensive tackle Kendal Vickers was bumped down to the practice squad after initially making the cut for the 53-man roster. This was a corresponding move to claim running back Kene Nwangwu off of waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. The Saints have also arranged a trade with the Washington Commanders to add John Ridgeway III, another defensive tackle, so another corresponding move is coming (which means more changes for the 53-man roster and practice squad).

Got all that? It’s a busy week for everyone, and it isn’t over yet. Keep an eye out for more updates.

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Saints will take advantage of new injured reserve rules with Kendre Miller

The Saints will take advantage of new injured reserve rules with Kendre Miller. He can return as soon as Week 5’s prime-time game with the Chiefs:

It’s disappointing to see Kendre Miller opening his second season with the New Orleans Saints on injured reserve, but it does mean the team can take advantage of new rules changes to navigate this situation.

First off, Miller can return as soon as Week 5’s prime-time game with the  Kansas City Chiefs, and he won’t count against the 53-man roster limit during that time. In past years teams had to keep injured players on their roster for a full day before putting them on injured reserve while planning to later activate them. Now, teams are allowed to put two injured players on I.R. right out of the gate.

Secondly, the Saints can activate up to eight players from injured reserve during the regular season, and two more can be brought back if they reach the playoffs. Additionally, players can be activated twice from I.R. if they suffer a setback. So there are plenty of options here for Miller. It’s not like the team is shutting him down for the season.

That doesn’t mean this isn’t frustrating for everyone involved. The coaches want to see Miller out there, and he probably wants to back up all that talking he did last summer about replacing Alvin Kamara. Players want to play. We’ll just have to monitor Miller’s progress. It’s unusual that a hamstring injury has kept him out this long without requiring surgery, but these things can be difficult. At this point all he can do is keep his head down and work on his rehab until he’s able to help the team.

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Alvin Kamara speaks on learning a new offense, and OTA absence

Alvin Kamara has to learn a new system for the first time in his seven-year career. He remains unbothered, saying “Change is good”

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has only known one scheme the entirety of his professional career, whether conducted by Sean Payton or Pete Carmichael. Klint Kubiak now leads the Saints offense, and it’s a drastic change. But it’s not a change that has Kamara stressed.

“Change is good. Change is good,” Kamara repeated. “I think all of us were a little comfortable, the guys that had been here. Just starting fresh and learning a new system, I think it’ll be beneficial. Especially because of what the system is.”

Kamara acknowledged he’ll no longer be able to run through the system with his eyes closed, but he feels Kubiak’s offense is a great fit for him. The change in system made Kamara’s absence at organized team activities noticeable. Maintaining his typical even-keeled and nonchalant demeanor, the veteran emphatically addressed any criticism on his absence.

“For me it was just, I kind of just stuck to what I know,” Kamara said. He starts his offseason in Miami where he can work out with his personal trainer and prepare for the season, which has been the case for him for several years. “I don’t think any of my teammates took offense to it really. Like I said, I still talk to all of these dudes every day. It just is what it is.”

Kamara said he hadn’t heard any of the noise surrounding his absence, but made a point to note he is typically absent from OTA’s. He then detailed he’s been in constant communication with Kubiak and that he watches OTAs practices on his tablet despite not being present.

Physical reps began at minicamp, but the mental reps have been a constant part of the offseason. Kamara welcomed the challenge of a new offense and has diligently prepared for the task through the offseason. Now it’s time to put it into practice.

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NFL introducing new position-specific helmets in 2024

The NFL has greenlit a dozen new helmet choices for players, including 8 models specifically for quarterbacks and linemen:

The NFL has unveiled a dozen new helmets for players to choose from in 2024, 8 of which are specifically for quarterbacks and linemen on both sides of the ball. Helmets for quarterbacks are meant to limit the impact to the back of the head when falling backwards. Offensive and defensive linemen collide every snap, so their helmets are meant to protect the front of the head. New Orleans Saints players have been quick to adopt these new equipment options in the past, so we may see more of them this season.

Quarterbacks and linemen are the only positions with helmets catered to them, with hopes wide receivers and defensive backs join this group in 2025. Linebackers and running backs being left out feels on par with how the NFL views the positions. They aren’t viewed as valuable financially. Despite being two of the most violent positions, they aren’t next up for specially designed helmets.

This isn’t the first rollout of position specific helmets, rather a rollout of new models. Last year, only nine quarterbacks and 20 linemen took advantage of these choices. Six of the new helmets have been deemed safe enough to not need the Guardian Cap worn by players in practice. There’s a hope the chance to ditch the Guardian Cap will make more players wear the new helmet. We’ll see whether any Saints players make the switch when practices pick up this summer.

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First look at the New Orleans Saints 2024 offensive coaching staff

The New Orleans Saints 2024 offensive coaching staff is complete. Here’s a look at all of the new faces and returning assistants working with Klint Kubiak:

The New Orleans Saints had a frustrating offense in 2023, which led to an almost complete overhaul of the staff for the 2024 season.

Starting with a new offensive coordinator in Klint Kubiak, the Saints filled out a new staff that only has a couple of returning names. With the list of potential coordinators that the Saints interviewed, it is clear that the team wanted to take a younger and more innovative approach this season. Most of the traces of the Sean Payton era are now gone from the offense as they now embrace the new era of offensive football.

Here are all of the coaches that will run the Saints offense in 2024, as the team tries to find success with the same core players:

Saints assistant Jordan Traylor has a new assignment in 2024

New Orleans Saints assistant coach Jordan Traylor has a new assignment in 2024: working with the quarterbacks

The New Orleans Saints are hiring within their own staff as Jordan Traylor has been promoted to the assistant quarterbacks coach, replacing D.J. Williams, per 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

Traylor played college football at Texas A&M as a quarterback, and has been with New Orleans for five years now. He spent two years as a scouting assistant before joining the coaching staff as a defensive assistant. He switched to offense last season and will now move up to his new role for 2024. It’s clear that he has made a name for himself in New Orleans as he will stick around among a lot of offensive turnover on the staff.

Traylor will work closely with recently hired quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. It’s a positive that the Saints were able to find at least some continuity within the offensive staff as Janocko remains an up-and-coming coach at just 36 years old. Janocko could leave for a promotion of his own if Derek Carr makes rapid progress in the fall. Developing in-house replacements like Traylor is a key to sustaining success.

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Saints adding another former Gary Kubiak assistant to 2024 coaching staff

The Saints are adding another former Gary Kubiak assistant to their coaching staff, who has also worked with Klint Kubiak before:

The New Orleans Saints are putting an emphasis on getting their run game right in 2024, which means bringing in new coaches — and there’s going to be a lot of synergy between some of their most important new additions. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has already picked John Benton as his offensive line coach, and Nola.com’s Matthew Paras reports that Rick Dennison is being added to the coaching staff in a yet-to-be-determined role.

Dennison, 65, has worked with Kubiak before on the Minnesota Vikings as a senior advisor, offensive line coach, and run game coordinator. But before that, he worked under Gary Kubiak on the Houston Texans as their offensive coordinator. At that same time, Benton was the Texans offensive line coach.

They both played a key part in developing a strong Houston offensive line and dominant rushing attack led by Arian Foster, who averaged 98.5 yards per game and scored 47 touchdown runs in 54 games when they were both on staff from 2010 to 2013 (including the playoffs). The Saints are hoping to get similar production out of Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara by installing a similar one-cut rushing scheme.

So while Dennison’s exact role is yet unknown, we should expect him to be working with the offensive line and run game in some capacity given it’s his area of expertise. And the Saints could use the help. They haven’t gotten enough out of young draft picks in that phase like Miller and offensive linemen Trevor Penning, Cesar Ruiz, and Nick Saldiveri. Upgrading the rushing attack should help take pressure off of Derek Carr and buy more time for the defense to rest up until their numbers are called to go into the game. We can see from these moves that the Saints are taking a well thought-out approach by hiring coaches who have found success together before. Hopefully it pays off.

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Report: Sean Payton hiring another former Saints player to his coaching staff

ESPN reports that Sean Payton is adding another former Saints player to his coaching staff: longtime Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard

Here’s Sean Payton with a big here: ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler report that the Denver Broncos are hiring another one of Payton’s former New Orleans Saints players to his coaching staff. Jim Leonhard is in discussions with Denver to return to the NFL as the Broncos defensive backs coach.

Leonhard has been a big name in the college ranks — he rose to prominence as the defensive coordinator at his Wisconsin alma mater, developing many future NFL players, and he most recently worked at Illinois as a senior analyst. But before that he played in the NFL for a decade. He joined the Saints for training camp back in 2013.

He’s also interviewed for several NFL openings in recent years, but it looks like his first shot will come in Denver working with his old coach. Payton has given many of his former players opportunities to work on his coaching staff. Some of them are still with him on the Broncos like offensive line coach Zach Strief, assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo, and offensive quality control coach Logan Kilgore.

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