Tag: Marshon Lattimore

Saints backups impressed when filling in for injured starters vs. Bucs

The New Orleans Saints were without key players Marshon Lattimore, Andrus Peat, and Deonte Harris, but backups and fill-ins impressed.

The New Orleans Saints were in a tough spot in Week 11. Injuries struck a number of key starters, including cornerback Marshon Lattimore and special teams returner Deonte Harris (each battling hamstring injuries), as well as Pro Bowl left guard Andrus Peat (sidelined for an extended time with a broken arm). These injuries meant that a number of New Orleans Saints backups had to step up into starting roles, and luckily, they rise to the occasion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let’s break it down.

Nick Easton in for Andrus Peat

New Orleans knows exactly what they have in Peat — a player that can execute most blocks and maybe get into the Pro Bowl as an alternate. However, Peat’s lengthy injury history (from his broken hand last season, to the broken leg the year before, to enduring ankle issues before that) and now a broken arm this season has kept him far from the discussion of the league’s elite.

Many fans believed that Will Clapp would take over for the injured Peat; however, it would be the veteran Nick Easton who would get the nod. Easton had spent much of the season as a healthy inactive before being called up for the Week 11 matchup with the Buccaneers. It was easy to see how Easton impacted the game, and how the Saints had made the right choice.

After taking six sacks against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, quarterback Drew Brees stayed upright with zero sacks for the entire game against Tampa Bay. A large part of this was due to the fact that Terron Armstead had recovered from his bout with the flu, but credit must be given to Easton for his level of play next to him.

With Peat out for much of the regular season, Easton should be expected to get the majority of snaps at left guard, and it’s possible that the offensive line’s play will improve because of it.

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Marcus Williams scores on an interception return, Saints win 34-17

New Orleans Saints S Marcus Williams intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston and returned the ball for a defensive touchdown.

It was a bad day in the office for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who hurled four interceptions into the hands of the New Orleans Saints defense. His third turnover ended up getting returned from midfield for a Saints touchdown by free safety Marcus Williams, who correctly read the play design and took advantage of a badly-placed ball from Winston. With the ball in his hands, Williams turned on the jets to streak across the field and into the Tampa Bay end zone.

This was Williams’ fourth interception on the year, which leads the Saints defense and ties the 16-game total he collected as a rookie back in 2017. That year, Williams intercepted four passes and was credited with seven other pass breakups. In 2019, he’s already bagged four interceptions while deflecting a dozen passes — through just 10 games.

The big play extended New Orleans’ lead and earned congratulations from Williams’ teammates, including injured cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore was watching the game from home while nursing a strained hamstring, and he took time to shout out his friend from his official Twitter account:

You love to see it. See the play for yourself where it’s embedded below:

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New Orleans Saints inactive report for Week 11 at Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers reported their inactive players for Week 11, including Deonte Harris and Marshon Lattimore.

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The New Orleans Saints are going to be without multiple key players during their game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with starters like Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Andrus Peat (broken arm) preemptively ruled out for Sunday on the final injury report. Rookie returns specialist Deonte Harris (also managing a hamstring issue) joined them. This could be the first look fans have at free agent guard Nick Easton, who signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract in the offseason but has only played a handful of special teams snaps this year behind Peat and backup Will Clapp.

However, the Buccaneers are also banged up. They cut their leader in snaps played at cornerback (Vernon Hargreaves III) earlier this week, and they’ll also have to sit their third corner, M.J. Stewart, who is battling a knee injury. The cornerback ranked second on the depth chart behind Hargreaves, Carlton Davis, was listed as questionable to play but Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said will suit up. Tampa Bay is also without two outside linebackers in Anthony Nelson and Carl Nassib.

Here’s the full list of players who are inactive for this game:

From the Saints

  • CB Marshon Lattimore
  • OL Andrus Peat
  • WR Deonte Harris
  • DE Carl Granderson
  • OL Ethan Greenidge
  • TE Dan Arnold
  • WR Austin Carr

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From the Buccaneers

  • CB M.J. Stewart
  • LB Anthony Nelson
  • LB Carl Nassib
  • CB Mazzi Wilkins
  • OL Aaron Stinnie
  • OL Jerald Hawkins
  • TE Jordan Leggett

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P.J. Williams’ stats in covering the slot versus lining up outside

The New Orleans Saints have to start P.J. Williams in place of injured cornerback Marshon Lattimore, but his NFL experience should help out.

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Marshon Lattimore may be the most important player on the New Orleans Saints defense, but they’ll be without him on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lattimore injured his hamstring last week versus the Atlanta Falcons and missed practice throughout the week, with New Orleans ruling him out for their road game in Tampa. When Lattimore is playing at his best, there isn’t a receiver in football who can beat him — including Falcons superstar Julio Jones and Buccaneers big-play threat Mike Evans.

So the Saints have to adapt to life without him, at least temporarily. That means a change of responsibilities for starting slot corner P.J. Williams, who slides into Lattimore’s spot. While he’s definitely best suited to defending routes from the inside, Pro Football Focus charting over the last few years suggests Williams is hardly helpless when lined up outside.

When defending the slot in his last 24 games (including the playoffs), Williams has allowed 68 of 102 passes (66.7%) thrown into his coverage to be completed, gaining 810 yards (11.9 yards per catch). He’s forced 11 incomplete throws (11.8% of his total targets) in that time. That’s a passer rating allowed of 103.0.

The presence of Lattimore and the Saints’ other starting cornerback, Eli Apple, has limited Williams’ exposure outside of the slot. But during that same time frame he’s allowed 11 of 19 targets (57.9%) to be completed when playing out on the boundary, totaling 182 yards (16.5 yards per catch) with two forced incompletions (10.5%); all summed up in a 129.8 passer rating allowed.

So the numbers prove that, yes, Williams is better playing from the slot. That backs up what can be seen firsthand in his game tape. But they also that he’s unlikely to be a total liability, which we also saw last week when he stepped in against Atlanta. Williams was one of several defensive backs responsible for Jones’ big 54-yard grab-and-go, but he chipped in as part of a team effort to limit Jones to just three catches on nine targets in that game. He can play in this league.

What does this mean as far as Saints fans’ expectations for him against Tampa Bay, which boasts a strong one-two punch between Evans and Chris Godwin? The potential for big plays is there but Williams should give as good as he gets. He has the ability, and now the opportunity, to go out and help make a difference in an important NFC South game.

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Deonte Harris, Marshon Lattimore ruled out on Saints-Bucs injury report

The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers published their final injury reports for their Week 11 kickoff.

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The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers published their final injury reports for their Week 11 kickoff, complete with game status for some players based off of practice participation on Friday. Any changes to Thursday’s practice status are noted in bold text, and players listed without likelihood of playing on Sunday (whether they are Out or Questionable) should be considered ready to go.

Marshon Lattimore’s will not play in Sunday’s matchup with the Buccaneers after suffering a hamstring injury last week, and his availability in teh immediate future is under doubt. Deonte Harris’s status has not looked good all week and now he’s been ruled out, too, also with a hamstring injury. Andrus Peat was expected to miss this game (and the next few weeks) after having surgery completed on his broken arm. At least linebacker Demario Davis, fullback Zach Line, and cornerback Patrick Robinson are good to go for Sunday’s game.

From the Saints

  • KR/WR Deonte Harris (Hamstring) Did not participate, Out
  • CB Marshon Lattimore (Hamstring) Did not participate, Out
  • G Andrus Peat (Forearm) Did not participate, Out
  • FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited
  • LB Demario Davis (Hamstring) Limited
  • CB Patrick Robinson (Hamstring) Full

From the Buccaneers

  • CB Carlton Davis (Hip) Full, Questionable
  • T Demar Dotson (Non injury related) Full
  • OLB Anthony Nelson (Hamstring) Did not participate, Out
  • CB M.J. Stewart (Knee) Did not participate, Out
  • G Ali Marpet (Ankle) Full
  • OLB Carl Nassib (Hamstring) Limited, Out

No changes to Saints injury report for Week 11 vs. Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers updated their injury reports ahead of their Week 11 kickoff on Sunday afternoon on Fox.

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Andrus Peat will be out for up to six weeks with a broken arm after the Week 10 clash with the Atlanta Falcons. This is a large blow to the New Orleans Saints interior offensive line. Now, Will Clapp or Nick Easton will have to help shoulder the load in protecting quarterback Drew Brees.

Marshon Lattimore is on a week-to-week basis with a hamstring injury, and no one should expect the cornerback to practice this week. While the blow to the offensive line can be more easily absorbed, Lattimore’s absence from the defense could produce some unwanted results within the secondary. A combination of P.J. Williams, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson will have to pick up the slack if Lattimore misses any type of time,

The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers updated their injury reports ahead of their Week 11 kickoff on Sunday afternoon on Fox. Each player listed has a designation for practice performance; changes from the previous report will be denoted with bold text. Here’s what we learned:

From the Saints

  • KR/WR Deonte Harris (Hamstring) Did not participate
  • CB Marshon Lattimore (Hamstring) Did not participate
  • G Andrus Peat (Forearm) Did not participate
  • FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited
  • LB Demario Davis (Hamstring) Limited
  • CB Patrick Robinson (Hamstring) Full

From the Buccaneers

  • CB Carlton Davis (Hip) Limited
  • T Demar Dotson (Non injury related) Full
  • OLB Anthony Nelson (Hamstring) Did not participate
  • CB M.J. Stewart (Knee) Did not participate
  • G Ali Marpet (Ankle) Full
  • OLB Carl Nassib (Hamstring) Limited

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Marshon Lattimore wins award for big hit on Julio Jones

New Orleans Saints CB Marshon Lattimore broke up a pass to Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones, earning recognition for his textbook technique.

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New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore came through in a big spot during his team’s Week 10 game with the Atlanta Falcons, and his textbook-perfect technique earned recognition from the NFL.

When the Falcons attempted to run a receiver screen through wide receiver Julio Jones — often named among the best in the game — Lattimore diagnosed the play quickly and correctly, pivoting towards Jones and tackling him to the ground. He executed the tackle just like it’s taught, and it turned into a big play for the Saints defense.

So Lattimore was highlighted for Week 10’s NFL Way To Play award, which puts a focus on correct football techniques and clean plays. As part of winning this award, Lattimore will receive a $2,500 donation to a high school program of his choice and a letter of congratulations from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Lattimore later exited this game with a hamstring injury, which has put his availability into question on a week-to-week basis. He sat out the Saints’ practice on Wednesday and may miss their upcoming game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that isn’t official yet. Whenever he does make his return to the starting lineup, the Saints know they will have a player who takes the field at an important position with some of the cleanest technique in the game.

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All eyes are on Marshon Lattimore on first Saints injury report

The New Orleans Saints will travel to take on Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11, but Marshon Lattimore and Andrus Peat are fighting injuries.

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The New Orleans Saints will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers in a Week 11 NFC South showdown. This will be the second matchup between the two teams, the first being a 31-24 Saints victory in Week 5.

The injury report this week will be crucially important as all eyes will be on cornerback Marshon Lattimore after a hamstring injury during Week 10. Lattimore has proven to be the best secondary player on the Saints defense, and with Buccaneer’s wideout Mike Evans lurking, an additional challenge has been wrinkled in to the Saints’ game plan.

The initial injury reports published by the Saints and the Buccaneers on Wednesday are the initial reports for the week. A second, updated report will be released on Thursday. The final injury report with game status for certain players will be issued on Friday. Daily changes in practice participation are noted in bold text.

From the Saints

  • KR/WR Deonte Harris (Hamstring) Did not participate
  • CB Marshon Lattimore (Hamstring) Did not participate
  • G Andrus Peat (Forearm) Did not participate
  • FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited
  • LB Demario Davis (Hamstring) Limited
  • CB Patrick Robinson (Hamstring) Full

From the Buccaneers

  • CB Carlton Davis (Hip) Did not participate
  • T Demar Dotson (Non injury related) Did not participate
  • OLB Anthony Nelson (Hamstring) Did not participate
  • CB M.J. Stewart (Knee) Did not participate
  • G Ali Marpet (Ankle) Limited
  • OLB Carl Nassib (Hamstring) Limited

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Pro Football Focus grades Marcus Williams as the Saints’ best player

The analysts at Pro Football Focus graded Marcus Williams, not Cameron Jordan or Michael Thomas, as the best New Orleans Saints player.

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The New Orleans Saints have one of the better rosters around the league, led by a defense that’s won most of its battles this year. When prompted to suggest which single player is the best on that unit, popular picks are probably defensive end Cameron Jordan or cornerback Marshon Lattimore, or maybe even linebacker Demario Davis.

But the analysts at Pro Football Focus threw another hat into the ring: free safety Marcus Williams, who they’ve graded as the best player not just on the defense, but on the entire team — ranking him ahead of Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and everyone else. Williams has caught three of New Orleans’ four interceptions this season, and come close to securing three others:

Everyone loves Marshon Lattimore, but it’s Williams who takes the cake for New Orleans right now. The third-year Utah product has earned an impressive 80.8 run-defense grade and an even better 91.1 coverage grade so far this season. Among the 69 safeties with 10 or more targets in Weeks 1-10, Williams ranks first in completion percentage allowed (46.2%) and total yards allowed (51). He has also recorded three dropped interceptions in addition to his three caught interceptions.

Williams has improved his tackling technique as the season has gone on, though his early outings saw the same bad head-down technique that led to the Minneapolis Miracle a few years ago. So credit him for that big improvement. Until his teammates start to help out with some turnovers of their own, the Saints may have to continue relying on his ability to intercept passes from the center-field spot. In the meantime, maybe he can change into a better jersey number?

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Saints-Falcons snap counts: Defensive line playing often, but not playing well

The New Orleans Saints have given high snap counts to several first-round defensive linemen, but they haven’t received big plays in return.

The New Orleans Saints came up short too early and too often against the Atlanta Falcons, but where do the faults lie? Which position groups are too thin or underperforming too frequently? To find out, we surveyed the Saints snap counts from their Week 10 loss and broke them down below. Here’s what we’ve learned:

Offensive backfield

  • QB Drew Brees, 69 (100%)
  • RB Alvin Kamara, 54 (78%)
  • RB Latavius Murray, 17 (25%)
  • FB Zach line, 9 (13%)
  • QB Taysom Hill, 7 (10%)

The Saints found a great formula they can win with during Teddy Bridgewater’s stint at quarterback: a physically assertive running attack fueled by strong blocking up front, and heavy usage of the fullback. That plan flew out the window early on when miscues in the passing game (off-target throws and dropped would-be big gains) put the Saints into a negative game script. Kamara rarely left the field in his first game back from injury, but the Saints rarely allowed him to run the ball despite consistent success on limited touches. They didn’t have a very effective plan going into this game, and didn’t execute it very well, either.

Skills positions

  • WR Michael Thomas, 66 (96%)
  • WR Tre’Quan Smith, 57 (83%)
  • TE Jared Cook, 49 (71%)
  • WR Ted Ginn Jr., 48 (70%)
  • TE Josh Hill, 22 (32%)
  • WR Krishawn Hogan, 11 (16%)
  • WR Deonte Harris, 2 (3%)

This game was one to forget for the receiving corps; Thomas may have reeled in 13 of his 14 targets, but he was held out of the end zone like everyone else. And all of the receivers listed after him combined for one catch on five targets, with Ginn dropping all three of his opportunities. Brees was a little off-target at times, sure, but the Saints badly needed someone besides Thomas to make a play, and none of them were up to it. It’s continued to be a disappointing first season in black and gold for Cook.

Offensive line

  • T Terron Armstead, 69 (100%)
  • T Ryan Ramczyk, 69 (100%)
  • G Larry Warford, 69 (100%0
  • C Erik McCoy, 69 (100%)
  • G Will Clapp, 49 (71%)
  • G Andrus Peat, 22 (32%)
  • G Patrick Omameh, 1 (1%)

An injury to Peat shortly before halftime pushed Clapp into the lineup, but neither of them played well. Peat was repeatedly bullied by Falcons interior lineman Grady Jarrett, one of the league’s better pass rushers at his position, and he ended up on his back too many times before exiting the game with an arm injury. Clapp has shown before that he can handle a big role in a pinch, but there wasn’t much to be encouraged by in his prolonged action against one of the NFL’s thinnest defensive lines. Atlanta runs a one-man show up front, but the Saints offensive line was challenged across the board by players they should (on paper) outclass.

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