Tag: saints news

Ex-Broncos quarterback breaks news about his new NFL team

The Saints have signed former Broncos backup quarterback Ben DiNucci.

Ben DiNucci is returning to the NFL.

The former Denver Broncos backup quarterback has joined the New Orleans Saints, according to a very reliable source: the QB.

“I have fun news,” DiNucci tweeted on Tuesday morning. “I signed with the Saints this morning. Source – myself (fairly credible).”

The news was quickly confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

DiNucci (6-2, 222 pounds) entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of James Madison with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. After two seasons in Dallas, DiNucci starred for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in the spring of 2023. He then landed with the Broncos that summer and served as backup during the 2023 campaign.

The Saints previously attempted to sign DiNucci off Denver’s practice squad last season but the Broncos convinced him to stay by promising three practice squad elevations, improving his pay.

After adding Bo Nix and Zach Wilson to a QB room that already had Jarrett Stidham this spring, Denver cut DiNucci in May. After being let go by the Broncos, DiNucci had a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills this summer.

The 28-year-old quarterback now lands in New Orleans. He last appeared in a regular season game in 2020, completing 53.5% of his passes for 219 yards with the Cowboys that season.

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Ladd McConkey breakout performance fuels Chargers to victory over Saints: ‘It’s what we’ve been needing’

Justin Herbert’s top wide receiver has finally arrived.

The connection between Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey had been building for the past couple of months, but it was only a matter of time before their true potential was unlocked.

That came on Sunday in the Chargers’ win over the Saints. McConkey finished the game with 111 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.

McConkey is the first Chargers rookie to record a 100-yard receiving game since Keenan Allen did it in the 2013 season.

McConkey’s big day included a massive 60-yard score as he leaped, caught the jump ball and scampered inside into the end zone. The explosive scoring play is the element the wide receiver room has been missing this season.

“It’s what we needed,” Jim Harbaugh said of McConkey’s touchdown. “It’s what we’ve been needing.”

Before this game, McConkey was primarily an asset in the short and intermediate parts of the field, especially on third downs.

“He’s a complete receiver,” Herbert said. “To have that short game, those intermediate routes, he’s been so good at it, especially on third down. And now you open up some of those go balls that you got to respect. And for him to be able to line up anywhere, inside, outside, we got a true ballplayer on our hands.”

There had been talks about the Chargers potentially a wideout before the trade deadline. However, McConkey’s performance likely dispelled that narrative, showing the makeup of a true No. 1 option.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 8 win over Saints

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Saints.

In Week 8, the Chargers defeated the Saints, 26-8.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

That said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert — 95.3

WR Ladd McConkey — 87.9

OT Rashawn Slater — 87.6

WR Jalen Reagor — 80.3

OT Joe Alt — 70.3

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu — 86.4

CB Ja’Sir Taylor — 85.2

LB Denzel Perryman — 84.2

DT Teair Tart — 77.7

S Elijah Molden — 75.3

Bottom 5 Offense

TE Eric Tomlinson — 44.2

WR Simi Fehoko — 49.4

OL Bradley Bozeman — 51.6

OL Zion Johnson — 55.9

WR Josh Palmer — 57.4

Bottom 5 Defense

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 43.2

S Alohi Gilman — 46.4

S Derwin James — 48.9

EDGE Bud Dupree — 51.7

LB Daiyan Henley — 54.1

Chargers highlight: JK Dobbins breaks touchdown drought

The Chargers’ touchdown drought lasted 59 minutes and 23 seconds of game time.

Los Angeles’ touchdown drought lasted 59 minutes and 23 seconds of game time.

The Chargers hadn’t found the end zone since Week 6, when they scored on a JK Dobbins run with 1:00 remaining in the second quarter against the Broncos. It seems fitting, then, that Dobbins was the one to break the drought, as the running back scored on a one yard plunge with 1:37 remaining in the first half against the Saints.

The score capped a 15 play, 90 yard touchdown drive for Los Angeles that was characterized by Justin Herbert scrambles and throws to Ladd McConkey and took 8:07 off the clock. The Chargers thought they had scored three plays earlier on a deep pass to Simi Fehoko from the 20 yard line, but the officials ruled that Fehoko did not get both feet down in bounds as he backed towards the end line.

Fehoko drew a pass interference penalty on Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore on the next play, putting the Chargers on the 3 yard line. After a false start by tight end Eric Tomlinson and another throw to McConkey, Los Angeles needed two plays from the 1 to find the end zone.

Dobbins’ touchdown was his fourth of the season. Cameron Dicker missed the extra point, which left the Chargers with a 9-2 lead late in the second quarter.

5 Saints players to watch vs. Chargers in Week 8

The Saints are in the midst of a five-game skid, but the Chargers will still have to keep their eye on a few playmakers this weekend.

The Chargers are back to .500, and now they are set to face the 2-5 New Orleans Saints. After a blazing hot start to the season, the Saints have lost five consecutive games.

Injuries have caught up to them, particularly at the quarterback position, but they are better than their 2-5 record suggests. Here are some Saints players to keep an eye on in this Week 8 matchup.

RB Alvin Kamara

Even at 29 years old, Kamara remains the Saints’ most dynamic weapon. The veteran has 690 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns in seven contests this season. As usual, he’s been used heavily in the passing game, leading all running backs with 34 catches. Expect more of the same in Week 8, especially if Derek Carr is ruled inactive.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The seventh-year veteran was released by the Bills just over a week ago and then picked up by the Saints earlier this week. Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans’ primary deep threat, is out for the year with a knee injury. Valdes-Scantling has been known for his big-play ability throughout his career. Even if he doesn’t get on the field much, the Chargers secondary will need to keep an eye on him due to his speed.

TE Taysom Hill

He’s become a jack of all trades for the Saints, as he can line up virtually anywhere on the field. Hill is a weapon in the red zone, where New Orleans uses him as a runner. He’s averaged 5.5 yards per carry on 14 attempts this season, in addition to two rushing touchdowns in three games. Hill has missed the past month with a rib injury, but he’s set to return this weekend and the Chargers will need to account for him, particularly in the redzone.

LB Carl Granderson

Granderson continues to make his name as one of the more underrated pass rushers in football. With Cameron Jordan’s play declining, Granderson has stepped up. He’s tabbed 29 QB pressures, three sacks, and a forced fumble on the season. While the Chargers possess one of the best tackle duos in football, Granderson could pose a problem this weekend.

CB Alontae Taylor

In coverage, Taylor hasn’t been necessarily great. Entering Week 8, he ranks 174th out of 195 qualified cornerbacks in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. On the flip side, though, he’s been one of the best blitzers in the NFL. Taylor has racked up 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, some exceptional numbers out of a defensive back. Greg Roman and the Chargers offense will need to make sure to account for Taylor on blitzes so that he doesn’t affect the outcome of the game.

Statistical Breakdown: How the Chargers and Saints stack up before Week 8 game

Here’s how the Chargers and Saints stack up statistically ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

The Chargers and Saints are set to square off this upcoming Sunday.

Here’s how Los Angeles and New Orleans stack up statistically ahead of the Week 8 matchup:

Offense

Category Chargers Saints
Points per game 17.7 ppg (26th) 25.3 ppg (11th)
Passing offense 183.7 ypg (24th) 196.6 ypg (21st)
Rushing offense 116.3 ypg (18th) 116.3 ypg (19th)
Total offense 300.0 ypg (25th) 312.9 ypg (21st)
3rd down conversions 42.53% (7th) 43.68% (6th)
Red zone scoring 38.46% (30th) 69.57% (5th)
Sacks allowed 15 (12th) 16 (14th)
Turnovers 4 (4th) 11 (27th)

Defense

Category Chargers Saints
Points allowed 13.8 ppg (1st) 25.7 ppg (26th)
Passing defense 184.2 ypg (9th) 248.1 ypg (28th)
Rushing defense 111.2 ypg (9th) 146.7 ypg (29th)
Total defense 295.3 ypg (7th) 394.9 ypg (32nd)
3rd down conversions 36.49% (16th) 39.76% (21st)
Red zone defense 45.45% (7th) 41.67% (3rd)
Sacks 13 (25th) 15 (19th)
Takeaways 10 (13th) 13 (4th)

 

Announcers set for Chargers vs. Saints Week 8 game

Find out who will be calling the Week 8 game between the Chargers and Saints.

The Chargers look to get back over .500 when they meet the Saints on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 1:05 p.m. PT.

The Week 8 game will be televised on Fox. Chris Myers and Mark Sanchez will have the call.

Los Angeles is coming off a 17-15 loss to the Cardinals. Meanwhile, New Orleans is on a five-game losing streak after starting the season 2-0.

The Chargers’ last win over the Saints came back in 2004.

Saints make Alvin Kamara decision ahead of NFL trade deadline

Alvin Kamara isn’t going anywhere — the Saints gave the running back a two-year, $24.5 million contract extension.

Alvin Kamara isn’t going anywhere.

Two weeks before the NFL’s trade deadline, the New Orleans Saints reached an agreement on a two-year, $24.5 million extension with Kamara, according to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

After the Denver Broncos defeated the Saints 33-10 on Thursday Night Football last week, Kamara had a long embrace with his former coach, Sean Payton. That prompted speculation that Kamara wanted to be traded to the Broncos.

Kamara quickly shot down those rumors by declaring on social media that he did not ask for a trade. The 29-year-old running back also confirmed that he was negotiating a contract extension with his team.

Kamara clearly did not want to leave New Orleans and his extension “puts the 2017 third-round pick in position to retire a Saint,” according to Garafolo.

Kamara is now under contract with New Orleans through the 2026 season. He has totaled 10,738 yards from scrimmage and scored 84 touchdowns in 108 career games with the Saints.

Denver, meanwhile, will move forward with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime at running back. The Broncos also have Blake Watson on the practice squad and Tyler Badie on injured reserve.

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Saints RB Alvin Kamara responds to Broncos trade rumors

Alvin Kamara tweeted on Saturday that he has not asked the Saints for a trade, debunking inaccurate reports.

Story update: Alvin Kamara agreed to a two-year, $24.5 million extension with the Saints on Oct. 22. He’s staying put in New Orleans.

After the Denver Broncos defeated the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football, Saints running back Alvin Kamara had a long embrace with Broncos coach Sean Payton.

Kamara’s embrace with his former coach and ensuing (inaudible) exchange quickly led many fans and pundits to speculate that the running back asked Payton to trade for him ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

Following that speculation, false “reports” soon emerged that Kamara had officially requested a trade from New Orleans. The running back took to social media on Saturday to shoot down those inaccurate reports.

“Incorrect..” Kamara tweeted in response to a since-deleted tweet that said the running back was seeking a trade.

In a follow-up tweet, Kamara said, “I ain request a trade.. so that’s a lie.”

Not only is the running back not seeking a trade, he hopes to extend his deal with the Saints. Kamara has already started negotiations with New Orleans on a potential contract extension.

Kamara’s connection to Payton makes him a player to watch leading up to the trade deadline (Nov. 5), but the running back has made it clear he has not asked for a trade.

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NFL fans think Alvin Kamara asked Sean Payton to trade for him

Alvin Kamara gave Sean Payton a long hug after ‘TNF,’ prompting NFL fans to speculate that Kamara wants the coach to trade for him.

Story update I: Alvin Kamara clarified on social media that he has not asked the Saints for a trade.

Story update II: Kamara agreed to a two-year, $24.5 million extension with the Saints on Oct. 22. He’s staying put in New Orleans.

The Denver Broncos beat up the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football in Week 7 as Sean Payton defeated his former team 33-10 in primetime.

After the game, Payton spoke with several of his former Saints players at midfield, including star running back Alvin Kamara.

The running back’s long embrace with Payton led many fans and pundits to suggest Kamara wants the coach to trade for him.

“Couldn’t help but think that maybe Alvin Kamara might be telling Coach Sean Payton ‘Hey, get me out of this hell hole. You know I would do wonders in Denver with #BoNix !'” former safety Nick Ferguson tweeted. “I’m just saying 🤷🏾‍♂️”

Ferguson certainly wasn’t alone with that take as many fans came to the same conclusion.

“Alvin Kamara just gave Sean Payton a hug so long like he wanted to tell Payton to get me out of New Orleans Asap,” one fan wrote on Twitter/X.

Saints tight end Taysom Hill also had a moment with Payton before the game:

As for Kamara, he gave this response when asked about fans clearing out of the stadium in the fourth quarter: “I’ve been here eight years and I’ve never seen the Dome clear out like that,” Kamara said, via Saints Wire. “And I can’t blame them. They’re fed up. … I get it. I would leave, too.”

The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Kamara will be a key name to watch as Denver weighs its options.

“If Kamara’s available and the Broncos — a playoff contender right now — you [can] plug him right into that offense,” PFT’s Mike Florio said on his Friday show. “It’s not like it’s going to be a massive adjustment for Kamara because he knows exactly what Sean Payton does and he can make a more seamless transition there than he would in other places.”

Denver would need to do a lot of cap maneuvering to take on Kamara’s contract as the running back is scheduled to have a base salary of $22.4 million next season. If they can make it work, though, Kamara would obviously be a big addition for the Broncos’ offense.

He’s a player to keep an eye on leading up to the trade deadline.

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