Tag: Darren Rizzi

Former Saints kicker reacts to Darren Rizzi’s promotion

In a since-deleted social media post, Broncos kicker Wil Lutz praised the Saints’ promotion of Darren Rizzi to interim head coach

Wil Lutz since-deleted reaction to Darren Rizzi promotion

The New Orleans Saints firing of Dennis Allen and promotion of Darren Rizzi to interim head coach has prompted former and current players to speak out about the move. One such player was former Saints kicker Wil Lutz, who obviously worked with Rizzi for a substantial period of time and got to know him over the course of a few years. In a since-deleted tweet, Lutz said:

“📍 Well deserved! Great leader, and a coach that guys want to succeed for.”

Lutz kept his initial retweet of the promotion on his account, however the quote is no longer on his account. Regardless, he clearly approves of the Saints’ promotion of Rizzi on Monday morning, which is a positive sign as he is one of the few people who are most qualified to speak on the new interim head coach. We will see if Rizzi retains his job beyond this season, and makes a lasting impression, or if they look to another candidate instead.

Joe Woods will call defensive plays after Dennis Allen’s firing

Darren Rizzi confirms that Joe Woods will take over calling defensive plays after the firing of Dennis Allen

The New Orleans Saints’ firing of Dennis Allen moves around the coaching tree a decent bit, and one of the questions that became of this was who would call defensive plays, as Allen had previously done so. That question was answered during media availability on Monday, with interim head coach Darren Rizzi announcing that Joe Woods will take over these duties. This was the presumed result as Woods is the defensive coordinator of the Saints currently.

This will be the first time the Saints have had someone new calling defensive plays since nearly a decade ago, as Dennis Allen has handled this since his promotion in 2015 from senior defensive assistant to defensive coordinator with New Orleans. Prior to that it was Rob Ryan from 2013-2015 before he moved on to the Buffalo Bills shortly thereafter. We will see how Woods does in this new role, but ultimately the defense has not been exceptional as of late so things being worse would be a tough mark to hit.

Rams will now face two interim head coaches in their final nine games

With the Saints firing Dennis Allen, the Rams will now face two interim head coaches in the final nine weeks

Jeff Ulbrich isn’t the only interim head coach the Los Angeles Rams will face this season. We can now add Darren Rizzi to the list.

The New Orleans Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen on Monday after the team’s ugly loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9, naming Rizzi the interim head coach. The Rams will visit the Saints at the Superdome in Week 13.

That game is three weeks before Los Angeles will face Ulbrich, who’s now coaching the New York Jets following the firing of Robert Saleh. So that’s two interim head coaches that the Rams will face in a four-week span.

Whether this trend is good or bad remains to be seen, because neither the Jets nor the Saints were doing anything productive under their previous head coaches. The Jets are still struggling under Ulbrich, though they did just beat the Texans on Thursday night to snap a five-game losing streak.

Barring a huge surprise, those are likely to be the only two interim coaches the Rams face this season.

Darren Rizzi has been named the Saints’ interim head coach

After firing Dennis Allen, Darren Rizzi was the best choice for New Orleans Saints interim head coach. He’s interviewed for the job before:

After firing Dennis Allen, Darren Rizzi was the best choice for New Orleans Saints interim head coach. He’s interviewed for the job before. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Rizzi was expected to be named the team’s interim coach, which was confirmed by the Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Rizzi interviewed for the head coach vacancy back in 2022 after Sean Payton stepped down from his post, but the job ultimately went to Allen. Going with Rizzi now gives players a familiar face to rally around and try to salvage their season.

Special teams coaches are the few coaches who interact with  almost e very player o n the roster, both offense and defense. They teach linemen where to line up on field goal tries and show quarterbacks how to hold a snap for a kick. They work with linebackers, receivers, tight ends, and everyone else in the return game covering punts and kickoffs.

And Rizzi, specifically, is a respected voice around the league. He’s coached special teams for a long time and played a key role in forming the new kickoff rules implemented this season. When he speaks, others listen.

Naming Rizzi the interim coach also keeps Klint Kubiak in place as the offensive coordinator and Joe Woods at defensive coordinator. Neither of them will have to take on extra duties and risk getting overwhelmed. More changes should be on the way, but for now this was thee best path forward for New Orleans.

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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.

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Opinion: If the Saints will make a coaching change, now is the time

If the Saints are going to fire Dennis Allen and make a change in-season, now is the time to do it. The post-Thursday game break is an opportunity they can’t squander:

The New Orleans Saints dug their way to new depths in Thursday night’s lopsided 33-10 loss to Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos. They lost their fifth game in a row, their second loss by 20-plus points in just five days, and head coach Dennis Allen’s defense was criticized for quitting on him. It couldn’t be more obvious that now is the time to make a change.

Even with all the injuries and adversity, the buck stops with Allen, and his 18-23 record as their head coach speaks for itself. Taken with his Raiders  tenure, Allen’s 26-51 record all-but shouts. If the Saints are going to dismiss their head coach and name an interim to replace him during the season, the time to do it has arrived. They’re 2-5 after Week 7 for the second time in three years. Last year they peaked at 3-4.

Look at the schedule. The Saints will get a few days of extra rest before preparing for a road game with the 3-2 Los Angeles Chargers. After that they’ll return home and get ready for another away game, this time visiting the 1-5 Carolina Panthers. Then they get two home games with the 4-2 Atlanta Falcons and 1-5 Cleveland Browns before their real bye week. The NFL trade deadline slots in-between those Panthers and Falcons games, too.

Timing is everything in the NFL, and this is an opportunity they can’t squander. With ten days stretching between this blowout loss to the Broncos and an away game with the Chargers, it’s one of the best chances a new voice could have to resonate in the locker room. Whether that’s special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi or someone else on staff, an interim head coach would have time on their side to make meaningful changes and set a new tone.

But will the Saints take action? Tom Benson never fired a head coach in-season and there’s little to suggest Gayle Benson would sign off on it. General manager Mickey Loomis pinned his reputation to Allen when he chose to promote him to head coach and you have to wonder if he would willingly go down with that ship. Change feels inevitable for the Saints after this disastrous turn to the season. The only question should be when it happens,  and there’s no better time than right now.

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WATCH: Rashid Shaheed returns a punt 54 yards for a badly-needed TD

Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 54 yards for a badly-needed touchdown against the Buccaneers. It’s just what the Saints needed:

Leave it to Rashid Shaheed to bring the Caesars Superdome to its feet. A big stop by the New Orleans Saints defense and a foolish Tampa Bay Buccaneers penalty set him up in favorable field position to return a punt in the second  quarter, and he delivered.

Shaheed caught the ball just inside Saints territory and split the gunners to cut upfield, where a nice block by linebacker D’Marco Jackson sprung him free down the sideline. Shaheed had so much room to run he danced his way into the end zone. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was waiting to celebrate with him.

This was Shaheed’s second career punt return touchdown, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. His score and Blake Grupe’s following kick cut the Bucs’ lead down to 17-10. With Chris Olave out in concussion protocol, Shaheed is going to be needed not just on offense but in the game’s third phase.

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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.

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The Saints are taking a unique approach to the NFL’s new kickoff format

With new kickoff rules being implemented, the New Orleans Saints are zigging when others zag. And it seems to be working:

The New Orleans Saints have approached the NFL’s new dynamic kickoff rules quite a bit differently than other teams, and it may end up being a successful method in the long run. They are zigging when others zag, and it seems to be working. Their special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was very influential in designing the new kickoff format so it’s interesting to see him taking such a unique approach.

Most teams have been kicking for touchbacks or straight out of the end zone, which results in the opposing offense starting at their own 30-yard line. However, the Saints have employed a different strategy, targeting returns and letting their coverage team do the work. No team has faced more kick returns than New Orleans (14) or allowed more kick return yardage (353), but the math comes up to just 25.2 yards per kick return. That’s third-best among teams that have seen four or more kick returns this season.

There are only five teams in the NFL who have had touchbacks on less than 50% of their kickoffs. Those teams are:

  • Tennessee Titans (42.9%)
  • Carolina Panthers (25%)
  • New Orleans Saints (22.2%)
  • Chicago Bears (20%)
  • Washington Commanders (18.2%)

There is a method to this madness, and a few reasons why it may be employed more often by teams as they learn more.

First of all, the Saints’ coverage unit is spectacular, as they have been holding opposing teams to an average starting position at around the 27-yard line per Brian Baldinger of NFL Network. He also mentions that the Saints have kicked just four touchbacks so far this season. While three yards may seem like a minor distance to cover, it’s an additional three yards the opposing team has to cover to get into the end zone, which could force a field goal or two instead of a touchdown.

Additionally, kickoff returns are one of the more highly penalized plays in the NFL, with illegal blocks in the back, holding fouls, and illegal crackback blocks all being hazards. Against the Panthers in Week 1, the Saints forced a holding penalty on one of their kickoffs, setting up the Panthers at their 15-yard line despite a return to the 26 (enforced at the 25). While they did not draw any on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, the opportunity is still there, rather than just giving up 30 yards to start.

While it is not a perfect concept, it is one that the Saints feel comfortable with, especially with All-Pro coverage ace J.T. Gray out on the field who is one of their best players overall. It also gives the team the chance to make a play and gain some momentum and energy heading into the drive, which is always a nice bonus.

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Samson Nacua disappointed after almost making the play of the day

Samson Nacua isn’t eager to check the family group chat after his almost-kick six. ‘I am going to be sick, because I know I’m faster than Puka’

It’s not often you get to say you almost made the play of the day. Samson Nacua was as blown away by his big kick return against the Tennessee Titans as everyone watching in the stands and at home. The New Orleans Saints wide receiver fielded a too-short field goal try just before halftime and returned it, officially, 106 yards before being thrown out of bounds around the 3-yard line.

“Going sideways made it feel like an extra sixty yards. Because I got to that fifty yard line and I was like, ‘My legs are gone,'” Nacua laughed to reporters after the game. He said he could hear his teammates on the sideline cheering him on and that energy helped him keep going. He’s still frustrated he came up short of the goal line: “Oh a hundred percent I’m disappointed. Coach said too, like, ‘It’s the end of the half, no matter what get it in, don’t get tackled with the ball.’ And what did I do? I got freaking tackled with the ball and I let the guys down. I should’ve pitched it to the homeboy that was right there, let him walk it in for me.”

He’s taking this one on the chin. Nacua didn’t expect the kick to fall to him in the end zone, at first; but when the first try barely cleared the crossbar, he realized he had a chance. So he adjusted his positioning and trusted the practice reps that special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi had given him to set him up for success. It’s just a shame he couldn’t go the distance.

Now he’s getting razzed by his famous brother Puka Nacua, the Los Angeles Rams star, in the family group chat: “They’re probably going to tell me I’m the slower brother, and I am going to be sick, because I know I’m faster than Puka.” For the record, Puka Nacua timed the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds at his BYU pro day. Samson Nacua timed a 4.52 on the same track a year earlier.

And did he keep the football? No, and Nacua says he wouldn’t have accepted it if it were offered. His big regret about this play is that he let his teammates blocking for him down by not punching into the end zone. All he can do now is hope he gets another opportunity to make good on it. It almost seems like he feels he owes them one.

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