Tag: rashid shaheed

WATCH: Marquez Valdes-Scantling scores on the Saints’ longest play of the year

Marquez Valdes-Scantling scored on the Saints’ longest play of the year, finding the end zone for the third time in three games:


Man…

Marquez Valdes-Scantling surprises us yet again for a second straight week with a huge 71-yard touchdown on a catch-and-run from Carr. It was the longest gain of the New Orleans Saints’ season after Rashid Shaheed had a 70-yard pickup earlier this year.

On third-and-one at their own 29, Carr play faked to Kamara who came in jet motion behind him. As Carr rolled opposite, he found MVS on an over route in the middle of the field, allowing him to out run all defenders on Cleveland’s defense.

This touchdown marks Valdes-Scantling’s third touchdown as a Saint and his third in two games. The team has been waiting for someone to step up with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed unavailable and MVS has been a very pleasant addition in the middle of the year.

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3 Saints special teams aces recognized by Bill Belichick

New Orleans Saints players J.T. Gray, Anfernee Orji and Rashid Shaheed all made Bill Belichick’s first midseason team as standouts on special teams:

Former New England Patriots coach and eight-time Super Bowl champ Bill Belichick has quickly transitioned into the media landscape, with plenty of outlets competing for some of his time. His latest project is developing essentially an All-Pro Team halfway through the season called the All-Belichick Midseason Team.

The New Orleans Saints are represented three times on that list, all of whom play on special teams. J.T. Gray, Anfernee Orji and Rashid Shaheed all made the cut.

This is a major look for Orji. The young linebacker is looking to make a name in this league, and appearing on an All-NFL team created by the greatest coach of all time is certainly one way to do it. Belichick specifically highlighted Orji’s kickoff return coverage, even though Orji made it on the punt team. His 5 special teams tackles are among the most in the NFL.

Gray is a former All-Pro player on special teams. Coach called Gray, “a productive player ever since he’s came in the league.” He’s tied for the league lead with 7 special teams tackles, plus a blocked punt.

There were two kick returners on the team, and Shaheed was paired on this list with Cowboys’ returner KaVontae Turpin. Unfortunately, Shaheed’s injury will keep him from making the All-Pro team at the end of the season. His inclusion on this list shows you his trajectory, returning one punt for a touchdown in his six games this year.

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Mickey Loomis clarifies Dennis Allen’s statement on young players

Mickey Loomis used Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis as examples of how good young players can develop into great talents, and stars, with time:

Dennis Allen recently said the New Orleans Saints don’t have any great young players, instead saying they have “young guys who are developing.” It was an odd comment for a head coach to make about his team, even when taken in context of the conversation.

So Saints general manager Mickey Loomis stepped in to expand on Allen’s comments by comparing young players to Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis. Those two players didn’t blossom into stars immediately.

Loomis pointed to the beginning of their careers, specifically the first four years where their tackles, sacks, and postseason honors were more pedestrian. It took some time but both Jordan and Davis developed into great players with the records and Pro Bowls to back it up. He then pointed to players such as Chris Olave, Bryan Bresee, Taliese Fuaga and Alontae Taylor as some of the players who could follow that same career arc.

While those players may not be stars yet, Loomis believes they could ascend and begin to get more accolades in the next four to five years similarly to Jordan and Davis.

Loomis ended up naming nearly every prominent young player on the team, but he understands they can’t all be stars. “Will they all do that? No. That’d be unrealistic. We don’t expect that. But certainly we have a lot of guys, and there’s others as well, who have that opportunity.”

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Newly-acquired wide receiver details what he brings to the Saints’ table

The New Orleans Saints have a clear vision for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and he says he’s ready to step up to the plate:

There was a clear goal when the New Orleans Saints signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling. New Orleans was bringing him in to offset some of deep threat ability Rashid Shaheed brought to the table.

That wasn’t lost on Valdes-Scantling. On Wednesday, he said he wants to “come in and contribute any way he can,” but we all know what that looks like.

The wide receiver is aiming to “provide the big-play ability that I’ve had over my whole career. I just want to get back to doing that and be able to push the ball down the field, so we can score some points.”

Valdes-Scantling averaged 15.3, 17.4,  20.9 (leading the league in 2020), and 16.5 yards per catch during his four years with the Green Bay Packers, and he continued to make plays as a downfield threat on the Kansas City Chiefs. He picked up yards at 16.4 and 15.0 per catch the last two years, so he knows how to take the top off the defense.

One thing that’ll help is Valdes-Scantling’s familiarity with the system: “It’s very similar to the offense I had when I was in Green Bay a couple of years ago, so it’s some carry over there.”

Already possessing knowledge of the offense’s principles will help Valdes-Scantling grasp the Saints’ playbook quickly, and possibly get on the field Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Either way, when the coaches call him up, he’s confident he can deliver.

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Marquez Valdes-Scantling picked the Saints over a surprise playoffs contender

Catching passes from Jayden Daniels on the NFC East-leading Commanders would have been fun, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling may have more opportunities in New Orleans:

Catching passes from Jayden Daniels on the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders would have been fun, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling may have more opportunities to make a play with the New Orleans Saints. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Valdes-Scantling fielded interest from the Commanders and Indianapolis Colts, among other teams, but the veteran wide receiver picked the black and gold.

It’s easy to see why. Players want to play, and opportunities abound in New Orleans. Injuries have hit the Saints hard at wide receiver. Chris Olave is still working his way back through the NFL concussion protocol, and Rashid Shaheed is out for the season after knee surgery. Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson Jr. have each been listed on the injury report with ailments of their own. It shouldn’t take Valdes-Scantling long to climb the depth chart.

That’s certainly more appealing than competing with established weapons like Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz, Michael Pittman Jr., and Josh Downs for targets. Valdes-Scantling would’ve spent more time on the sideline in Washington or Indianapolis than he will in New Orleans. Young quarterbacks like Daniels and Anthony Richardson certainly have their appeal but what matters most is how often you’re in the game.

At the same time, it may have come down to money. We don’t know the terms of his contract, but if the Saints were the only team offering Valdes-Scantling a spot on their 53-man roster while other teams wanted him to start out on their practice squad, the difference is clear. Even a minimum salary of $1,125,000 for the season and about $66,176 each week outweighs the max he could hope for on a practice squad (up to $21,300 each week). NFL careers are short, and Valdes-Scantling owes it to himself to consider all factors when making a decision like this.

So now he’s in New Orleans. Fowler adds that Valdes-Scantling has already passed his physical and is getting to work on the playbook. The Saints have a game coming up quickly with the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday, and it would be great to see him in the mix right away.

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Saints sign two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver after major injury

The Saints signed two-time Super Bowl champion Marquez Valdes-Scantling after a major injury to Rashid Shaheed, adding experience to the receiving corps:

This move has been in the making for quite some time. The New Orleans Saints are signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. Valdes-Scantling won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, but before that, the Saints tried hard to recruit him in free agency. Now they’re getting him after all.

Valdes-Scantling’s arrival comes in the wake of season-ending knee surgery for Rashid Shaheed, one of the game’s brightest young stars. Like Shaheed, Valdes-Scantling is known as a deep threat, though he outweighs the injured Pro Bowler by 26 pounds. Valdes-Scantling is a bigger target at 6-foot-4 with a 78-inch wingspan compared to the 6-foot Shaheed’s 73-inch wingspan. He also clocked the 40 yard dash in 4.37 seconds coming out of college back in 2018.

But if those measurables were all that matters, Valdes-Scantling wouldn’t have been available. The Chiefs cut him earlier this  year because his production didn’t match his contract. He initially  signed  with the Buffalo Bills but was let go after catching just two passes (on nine targets) through six games. So we should temper expectations for him in New Orleans.

Still, Valdes-Scantling does have a lot to offer. He’s competed in 11 playoff games and caught 188 passes for 3,181 yards before his 30th birthday, scoring 16 touchdowns. That experience matters, and the Saints clearly have a role in mind for him. Let’s see if it pans out.

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Saints looking at free agent Super Bowl champ to replace injured WR

Marquez Valdes-Scantling is coming to New Orleans for a workout. The Saints have a type in their post-Davante Adams wide receiver search

The New Orleans Saints have been actively searching for a wide receiver over the last month. Rashid Shaheed’s season-ending injury makes this a much larger need, as Chris Olave is your only reliable receiver in the room.

New Orleans was aggressive in their approach for Davante Adams and have reportedly showed interest in veteran wide receiver Mike Williams.

After dabbling in the trade market, the Saints have taken a new route and are looking at free agents. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is flying into New Orleans for a workout Sunday night, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Saints were also one of the leaders for the wide receiver in 2022 free agency before he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Valdes-Scantling won a couple of Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs but was let go when his contract outweighed his production. He recently played for the Buffalo Bills, but they cut him after trading for Amari Cooper.

The way the season is going, the Saints will have early picks in each round of the 2025 draft. Free agency feels like the better choice opposed to departing with anything more than a late-round pick doesn’t feel the best idea.

The most notable quality Valdes-Scantling brings is the ability to stretch the field. It’s the same trait as Mike Williams. It’s the biggest trait they lost in Rashid Shaheed, and they’re clearly looking to replace it.

Alvin Kamara won’t use injuries as an excuse for Saints’ losing streak

It may be easy to point to the Saints’ injuries as the reason for their five-game losing streak, but Alvin Kamara sees deeper issues at work:

The New Orleans Saints have to be one of the most injured teams in the NFL, but Alvin Kamara doesn’t believe getting healthy instantly turns this team around.

Chris Olave missed this game with a concussion and Rashid Shaheed is out for the season. The entire interior offensive line is out. The departure of Erik McCoy coincided with the speedy downfall of the offense. On top of everything, Derek Carr is also out for a few weeks due to injury, leaving rookie Spencer Rattler to lead the charge.

The defense is starting to get hit to with Paulson Adebo’s season-ending injury and Pete Werner’s prolonged absence.

It would be easy to blame injuries for the losing streak, but Kamara won’t do it. He sees multiple factors outside of health that contribute to the downward spiral.

“I think getting healthy makes us feel better,” Kamara began. “I don’t think it’s going to be the ultimate fix, because there’s things that we have to do better. We shoot ourselves in the foot. I don’t think we’re playing with a lot of detail.”

Health isn’t in your control but the things Kamara laid out are. Most importantly, they’re issues that could continue even with a fully healthy team.

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Saints lose Pro Bowl wide receiver to injured reserve, ending his season

The New Orleans Saints lost Pro Bowl returns specialist/wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to injured reserve, ending his season:

This is a big hit. The New Orleans Saints lost Pro Bowl returns specialist and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to injured reserve on Thursday, meaning he’s out of action for the rest of the 2024 season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that doctors had to repair Shaheed’s torn meniscus rather than give it a trim, which means he’s facing a recovery of four to six months.

Shaheed underwent knee surgery in Los Angeles and will likely return to New Orleans to recover. This is hugely disappointing for one of the team’s young star talents, but it’s for the best for Shaheed’s career. Delaying surgery or taking half-measures to address the injury would have only worsened his situation. He’ll get the chance to fully recover and prepare for 2025. He signed an extension with the Saints this summer that keeps him under  contract through 2026.

So where do the Saints go next? They signed rookie backup Jermaine Jackson to the 53-man roster to bring an immediate replacement on special teams, but no one on the roster can match Shaheed’s speed. Chris Olave is dealing with a concussion so he’ll be out for at least Thursday’s game with the Denver Broncos. Stay tuned to see if more additions are coming at wide receiver.

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Reports: Saints showing interest in embattled Jets wide receiver

The Jets made Mike Williams expendable by trading for Davante Adams, and multiple reports say the Saints have inquired about trading for him:

The wide receiver trade market is moving rapidly in the NFL, and it appears Mike Williams may be the next domino to fall. That domino could fall in New Orleans. Per the Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt, the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers have all inquired about Williams.

Davante Adams joined Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets instead of Derek Carr in New Orleans. They are still interested in acquiring a receiver. After Rodgers blamed Williams for the game sealing interception in Week 6, Williams is likely on his way out of town.

Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have gone down with injuries, and the Saints were looking for receivers prior to their injuries. The urgency has likely risen.

Olave has a concussion that hopefully doesn’t linger past this week. Shaheed will miss at least some time with a meniscus injury.

Williams would give the Saints a field-stretcher to replace Shaheed in the offense, and a bigger target at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds. He’s only on a one-year contract, so there’s no ties or impact on the salary cap beyond this season.

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