Tag: offense

Dennis Allen called out Saints’ underwhelming secondary targets on offense

Dennis Allen is calling for someone outside of Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Taysom Hill to step up in the Saints offense:

The New Orleans Saints lack depth at offensive playmaker. Taysom Hill is a do it all player, who’s impact on the team is even more apparent in his absence. Alvin Kamara is the only impactful running back on the roster.

When you look at the passing attack specifically, Derek Carr primarily throws the ball to Kamara, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. After that there’s a steep dropoff.

Carr previously commented on the lack of targets for players after the Big 3. He pointed towards game-planning as a reason for funneling so many passes to his top options. Dennis Allen is now calling for players behind them to step up.

Saints News Network’s John Hendrix shared Allen’s comment: “We got to find some other guys that can make plays for us other than Alvin, Olave, Taysom.”

Allen went on to give credit to Shaheed, too, adding: “I thought Rashid did some good things from an offensive perspective.” The muffed punt was clearly still on Allen’s mind, but Shaheed is a consistent part of the offensive game plan.

WWL’s Jeff Nowak found a stat that perfectly describes the reliance on those players. Outside of the four mentioned above, everyone else is responsible for 24 yards over the last three weeks. Not 24 yards per game, 24 yards total. Juwan Johnson hasn’t made enough plays at tight end, while guys like A.T. Perry and Bub Means can’t even dress out at wide receiver.

Allen is correct. The Saints need more weapons. It’d be best if it came from the tight ends or another running back. Those positions could help target the middle of the field or provide another running threat. But with someone like Davante Adams expressing interest in a trade to New Orleans, you have to wonder if that’s a real option, too.

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Javonte Williams and Broncos’ ground game are back on track

Javonte Williams averaged 4.8 yards per carry in Week 4. “He has the ability to be one of the best in the league,” Garett Bolles said.

After struggling through the first three weeks of the season, Javonte Williams and the Denver Broncos‘ ground game finally got back on track against the New York Jets in Week 4.

Williams rushed 16 times for 77 yards against the Jets, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Jaleel McLaughlin added nine carries for 46 yards (5.1 YPC). That’s the kind of production Denver hoped to see from its backfield this fall.

Bronco coach Sean Payton credited the offensive line following a 10-9 win over the Jets.

“Well, I thought the key started up front,” Payton said Sunday. “We got to some six holes, seven-hole wide zones, we got to some duo schemes, we brought them. We knew analytically this was a team that’s better in coverage and you had a little bit more susceptible, if you will, in the run game. Know we hit a couple traps, I could tell the lineman felt like at halftime that, ‘Hey, just keep [running ]’ – well that’s easy too when it was as wet as it was. Ultimately though when it dried up, we were going to have to make a play or two in the passing game. But those guys up front, I think were the key.”

Garett Bolles, Denver’s left tackle, is always eager to open up running lanes.

“He’s a special back,” Bolles said of Williams. “He has the ability to be one of the best in the league, but we need to open up holes and show his talent and that’s what we did today. I’m just grateful for Ben (Powers), Luke (Wattenberg), Quinn (Meinerz), ‘Palco’ (Alex Palczewski), everybody that we had up front we just grinded it out and our backs found the running lanes and hit the holes, and we knew what we needed to do today.”

The Broncos finished the day with 126 rushing yards, their second-best total of the season. Sunday was a step forward, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

“I thought Javonte and Jaleel played well yesterday,” Payton said Monday. “Meinerz got a game ball. I thought we were physical. It was a messy first half. It was difficult with the conditions, and yet that’s just the way that game unfolded. That’s still a work in progress, and I want it to rest on their shoulders too. Especially late in the game.

“We [had] a chance late in the game really with the final play on third down. Before we attempt the field goal, we can ice it there with a quarterback kind of crack sweep and we just didn’t get the blocks we needed. We’re building on that, and I think it’s going to be important for us going forward.”

Up next for Denver is a home game against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed 137.5 rushing yards per game this season. Williams and Co. will look to keep the momentum going in Week 5.

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Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez questions Badgers short-yardage play-calling

Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez has joined the conversation surrounding the Badgers’ struggles with 4th-and-short runs out of the shotgun:

Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez has joined the conversation surrounding the Badgers’ struggles with 4th-and-short runs out of the shotgun.

The latest point of contention came during Wisconsin’s 38-21 loss to No. 11 USC.

Related: ESPN updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 games after Week 5 loss to USC

The Badgers led 21-10 entering halftime after playing arguably their most complete half of the season. However, that momentum was quickly lost exiting the halftime break after a muffed punt turned into seven easy points for USC.

But Wisconsin quickly responded with a long drive into USC territory. It still led 21-17 and had the chance to regain control and momentum. While driving, Wisconsin 4th-and-1 from the USC 33 yard-line. The Badgers elected to go for it instead of attempting a 50-yard field goal.

The play: a shotgun run to RB Tawee Walker that went nowhere. USC safety Kamari Ramsey crashed off the edge to stop the play, just as Alabama safety Malachi Moore did two weeks prior.

Here is the play in question, if anybody needs another reminder:

The failed conversion is magnified because it is the second time in as many games that a failed 4th-and-1 can signal the exact moment a game went downhill for Wisconsin.

Here is the game script that followed the failed run: USC touchdown (24-21), Wisconsin punt, USC touchdown (31-21), Wisconsin punt, USC punt, USC pick-six (38-21), Wisconsin turnover on downs, end of game.

It is also magnified because Wisconsin continues to elect to run those short-yardage plays out of the shotgun. Whether that matters for the chance to convert the play, it has a much different aesthetic from what the Badgers used to look like in those situations. That aesthetic, paired with the poor results, has led many former players and program legends to express their displeasure with the approach.

This is where Alvarez comes in. Those at home watching Wisconsin vs. No. 11 USC on CBS may have noticed color analyst Gary Danielson reference Alvarez after the failed 4th-and-1, saying “there might be a guy in Naples that questions this call. An old coach.” “A hall of fame coach,” play-by-play man Brad Nessler continued.

Well, they were right. A short time later, Nessler said on the broadcast that he received a ‘call and a text from Barry Alvarez’ about the play.

Alvarez clarified his contact with Nessler earlier this week on ESPN Madison.

“I did not call, I texted,” Alvarez said. “[The text said] ‘You are correct my friend.'”

‘You are correct’ is in reference to Danielson’s guess that Alvarez may question the philosophy of running out of the shotgun on 4th-and-1.

Alvarez continued to explain his philosophy on short-yardage runs.

“When you watch any NFL game, these are guys that study 12 months a year,” Alvarez explained. “When it’s fourth-and-a-half-a-yard, what do they do? All of the sudden they’re lined up, then they run up under center, take the snap, and run a sneak or hand the ball off. Why do they do that? Because it makes sense. If you got a half a yard, you start closer.”

The comments from the legendary coach only add to the current discussion surrounding the Wisconsin football program. Early losses and on-field struggles have led many notable program alumni to join the conversation about the current regime.

Until Tuesday, the most notable was Braelon Allen — who sent a cryptic post on X referencing his experience with the Badgers in 2023.

Now, that is Barry Alvarez. This specific discussion is not much more than different coaches’ philosophies on short-yardage scenarios. But it is the first significant example of him asking a public question about the current regime.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Dennis Allen says the Saints offense needs more firepower

Dennis Allen says the Saints offense needs more firepower. Underperforming veterans need to step up, but so do the draft picks watching games in sweatpants:

The New Orleans Saints have a good set of options at the skills positions, but good is the enemy of great. And Saints head coach Dennis Allen is looking for someone to step up now that injuries have hit the top of the depth chart.

Chris Olave played through a hamstring injury against the Atlanta Falcons. Taysom Hill scored both of the team’s first two touchdowns before exiting with a ribs issue. That meant an even heavier workload than normal for Alvin Kamara, and a wider range of responsibilities for Rashid Shaheed. And Allen needs to see other guys pulling their weight.

“We got to find some other guys that can make plays for us other than Alvin, Olave, Taysom,” Allen said Monday, looking back at Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. “I thought Rashid did some good things from an offensive perspective.”

Shaheed obviously made a big mistake on special teams by muffing an early punt which Atlanta recovered for a touchdown, but he did catch 8 of his 11 targets for 83 yards. That trailed Olave’s 8 receptions (on 10 targets) and 87 yards for the team lead. Kamara had 77 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards. Some more options would be nice.

Maybe Kendre Miller can provide a spark, but he has a lot to prove after missing all of training camp and the first four games with a hamstring injury. Allen has said before that he’s anxious to see whether Miller has even picked up the offense without taking any practice reps in it.

One obvious pick to step up? Juwan Johnson. He’s been a non-factor at best in Klint Kubiak’s offense, which was the case for him during most of last season, too. If he can’t get open and catch passes they need to find someone who can.

It’s disappointing when you look at their recent draft history and see guys like Miller, A.T. Perry, and Bub Means watching so many games in sweatpants. Allen is right that players need to step up outside their top talents. At the same time, the players he and his staff have drafted are not meeting expectations. They aren’t going to sign any free agents who can outplay guys already in the building, and it’s not looking like they’ll be in position to make a bold trade before the deadline in November. But if Allen’s comments are anything to go by, something is about to change.

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Saints may regret waiting on Alvin Kamara’s contract extension

The Saints may regret waiting to shake hands on Alvin Kamara’s contract extension. He’s been an even greater fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense than advertised:

The New Orleans Saints may regret waiting to shake hands on Alvin Kamara’s contract extension. He’s been an even greater fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense than advertised. As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on Sunday morning, Kamara’s offseason push for a new deal went nowhere. He’s since tabled discussions until 2025 and focused on playing his best football.

And you can’t argue  with results. Kamara goes into Week 3 leading the league in scrimmage yards (290) and touchdowns scored (5). Kubiak’s zone-heavy run scheme has opened a lot of lanes for Kamara to work with, and they’re doing a better job getting him the ball in space as a receiver.

So now Kamara is headed into the final year of his contract in 2025, accounting for a staggering $29 million against next year’s salary cap. But  don’t fall for the distractions — the Saints have no intention of paying out the unguaranteed $25 million Kamara is owed next offseason, so no, he isn’t the NFL’s second-highest paid running back. They’ll have the option to cut him and save all $25 million if they choose.

But if Kamara keeps up this pace and has a career year? He just might have the Saints over a barrel. It would be really difficult for Mickey Loomis to justify cutting the fan-favorite focus of his offense (possibly coming off his first 1,000-yard season as a rusher), even if he’s 30. Loomis and Khai Harley are as creative in working around the cap as they come, but we can’t rule out the possibility they could be in a position where they have to pay Kamara  top-dollar.

Hopefully both sides can reach a deal in the spring after Kamara has enjoyed a strong season, leading the Saints back to the playoffs. He’s made it known he wants to finish his career in New Orleans. Let’s hope the Saints don’t end up regretting  not signing Kamara to a new deal this summer when they had the chance.

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Alvin Kamara honored as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been honored as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. It’s just the third time he’s won this award:


Here’s some well-deserved recognition for Alvin Kamara. The New Orleans Saints’ star running back has been honored as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Dallas Cowboys, in which Kamara totaled 180 yards from scrimmage (115 rushing, 65 receiving) with four touchdowns (three runs, one catch).

It’s just the third time he’s won this award. Kamara was previously recognized as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in 2021 (following an impressive road win over the Seattle Seahawks) and 2020 (after his historic six-touchdown game on Christmas Day). So this will be a much-needed  addition to his trophy case.

Kamara is looking like exactly as great a fit in Klint Kubiak’s system as both the former Pro Bowler and first-year offensive coordinator predicted. He leads the NFL in scrimmage yards (290) through the first two weeks with five total touchdowns scored; Saquon Barkley and James Cook have each scored three times, but nobody else has more than two so far. It’s early, but this is shaping up to be a career resurgence for Kamara.

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The Broncos miss Tim Patrick on offense

With reliable hands and the ability to make contested catches, Tim Patrick could have helped the Broncos pick up first downs this season.

The Denver Broncos made a curious decision in August to cut veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick, initially opting to carry just five receivers on the 53-man roster (Lil’Jordan Humphrey has since been called up from the practice squad).

Patrick now plays for the Detroit Lions, and the Broncos’ offense has missed him. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has struggled for a multitude of reasons, with a lack of support from his receivers among them.

Fans and pundits have been calling for Denver to inject more speed into offense with Marvin Mims or Troy Franklin. Admittedly, Patrick would not provide more speed, and he probably wouldn’t create more separation than the team’s current receivers have, but neither of those traits have been his strengths.

Patrick is a physical receiver who can make contested catches in tight coverage, and he has extremely reliable hands — something Denver could use right about now as receivers and tight ends continue to drop passes.

Patrick and Larry Fitzgerald were the NFL’s only receivers with 70-plus targets and no drops in 2020. Overall, Patrick had four drops in his final three seasons with the Broncos before back-to-back injuries.

Patrick is still getting up to speed in Detroit and he only drew three targets on Sunday, but he caught two of those passes for 12 yards and a first down. The Broncos could have used his reliable hands to help move the chains this fall.

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Alontae Taylor grateful for the Saints’ offensive explosion: ‘They bailed us out at times’

How much have things changed for the Saints? Alontae Taylor said the offense bailed out the defense at times against the Cowboys:

Alontae Taylor delivered a statement on Monday he couldn’t have said at any other point in his career about the New Orleans Saints offense: “I’d like to say that they were rolling so good that they bailed us out at times.”

This is a real quote about the effectiveness of the offense, and it could only be said this year.

Alvin Kamara, Derek Carr, Klint Kubiak and Rashid Shaheed have the offense rolling in ways unseen under Dennis Allen. It still doesn’t feel like Chris Olave has been completely unleashed. It’s difficult to not make large statements after the first two games, such as declaring it a new era.

It’s too soon for that, so let’s keep it isolated to Week 2. Taylor isn’t wrong. He looked at the beginning of the game where the Dallas Cowboys scored on their first three possessions. The game looks different if the Saints aren’t scoring as well.

Sure, the Cowboys scored 13 points to start the game, but the Saints put up 28 before Dak Prescott threw an interception. That was the point when the Saints defense clamp down. Having an offense that can score consistently gives the defense room for error they haven’t had recently.

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Javonte Williams says Broncos are ‘going to get it right’ on the ground

“It’s a long season, and we’re going to get it right,” Broncos RB Javonte Williams said of the team’s struggling ground game.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams had a day to forget against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, rushing 11 times for 17 yards (1.5 yards per carry). Through two games, Williams has 19 carries for 40 yards.

Overall, the Broncos are averaging 3.7 yards per carry this season, but that average is inflated by the small sample sizes of Audric Estime (2/14) and Tyler Badie (1/16). Denver quarterback Bo Nix (9/60) is the team’s leading rusher.

“It does not turn around overnight,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Sunday when asked about the team’s struggling rushing attack. “It has to be something that we are all committed to even before the players come in and get the plan. In other words, what scheme fits our players and what scheme fits our quarterback? I think that is going to be important.”

Zebra Technologies, the company behind the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, noted that Williams faced a “stacked box” on 63.64% of his carries in Week 2. No other running back in the league faced a stacked box on more than 50% of their carries.

That stat clearly indicates that Pittsburgh’s defense did not respect Nix and sold out to stop the run. Unless Nix becomes a threat to beat defenses through the air, opponents will continue focusing on shutting down Denver’s ground game.

Even against a stacked box, Williams wasn’t blameless for his poor production. The running back missed “a cut or two” against the Steelers, according to Payton. The coach wants to see more from the RB going forward. Williams knows there’s work to be done to get back on track.

“First off, I want to give credit to Pittsburgh; great defense, great coach, all that,” Williams said after Sunday’s game. “As far as us and the run game, we just have to stay more consistent and just keep our head down and keep getting to it.

“We’re all professionals. Our whole [offensive] line is professional, running backs, quarterbacks; we know how to run the ball and get things done, but you got to go out there and show it.”

The Steelers have allowed 153 rushing yards through two games, the fifth-lowest total in the league. This week, the Broncos will face a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed 277 rushing yards (14th-most). Perhaps brighter days are ahead for Williams.

“I’m not worried about the offense or the team at all,” Williams said. “It’s a long season, and we’re going to get it right.”

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Dennis Allen says Derek Carr has ‘been freed up’ in Klint Kubiak’s offense

Derek Carr looks more comfortable and more confident in Year 2 with the Saints. Dennis Allen has two reasons why, and it starts with Klint Kubiak:

Derek Carr has looked noticeably more comfortable in his second year with the New Orleans Saints. You can see it in his demeanor, but also the way he plays.

Why is that? The most obvious answer is new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Though he didn’t mention Kubiak’s name, Dennis Allen’s answer to the question alludes to the change in philosophy and offensive leadership.

Allen believes Carr has “been freed up a little bit in terms of not having to control every single thing on the line of scrimmage. He’s able to really go out there and play.” That is thanks to Kubiak.

Carr spoke about the trust he has in Kubiak and how Kubiak’s command of the offense frees him up. It’s no coincidence that same language was used by Allen.

The head coach also praised the offensive line and credited them for making things easier on the quarterback: “Our offensive line has done a good job of protecting him. I think that’s always been the case I feel like when Derek is able to be protected, he’s pretty good at throwing the football.”

Carr hasn’t dealt with too much pressure through two weeks. When he has, he has dealt with it better than he did a year ago. His numbers, outside of completion percentage, won’t jump out at you. Carr has been efficient, though, while also delivering the explosive play.

Throw the numbers away. Carr looks comfortable and confident within the offense. Under Kubiak, Carr is allowed to play more free, and the offensive line has provided him with the time to pick defenses apart.

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