Tag: Wil Lutz

Saints kickers past and present pay tribute to the late Tom Dempsey

New Orleans Saints kickers Wil Lutz, Garrett Hartley and Morten Anderson paid tribute to Tom Dempsey, who lost his fight against coronavirus

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The New Orleans Saints family lost a local legend over the weekend, when legendary kicker Tom Dempsey — famous for his 63-yard field goal back in 1970, which set an NFL record that lasted decades — lost his battle with the novel coronavirus. Dempsey and his family remained residents of New Orleans well after his playing career with the Saints ended, doing their part to join a community that had welcomed them with open arms.

Several other important place-kickers in Saints history recently stepped up to remember the trailblazer who, in Morten Anderson’s words, showed them how to be a pro:

Each player paid tribute to Dempsey in their own way; Saints great Garrett Hartley, who famously sent New Orleans to its first Super Bowl with a walk-off field goal in overtime during the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, celebrated Dempsey’s legacy with his own 63 yarder:

And as for the current Saints kicker, Wil Lutz: the Pro Bowler was one of the first to respond to the news of Dempsey’s passing, doing his part to extend his condolences to the family while acknowledging the impact he left behind:

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Saints working on four-year contract extension with long snapper Zach Wood

The New Orleans Saints are hard at work on a four-year contract extension with long snapper Zach Wood, their most important free agent.

The most important domino is set to tip over for the New Orleans Saints, who are working on a contract extension with long snapper Zach Wood. ESPN’s Field Yates first reported news of the expected deal, which NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill noted is being actively negotiated. Wood’s agent, Mike Abadir, confirmed that nothing is finalized just yet.

Wood is an important piece of the Saints special teams unit, and has already received the highest praise a long snapper can earn in that few fans know his name. He rarely makes mistakes and has a strong rapport with both kicker Wil Lutz and punter Thomas Morstead, each of whom are under contract through 2022. Keeping that trio together would be huge for sustained success in the game’s third stage.

More importantly, Wood is the reigning two-time champion of the home run derby during the annual Black and Gold Celebrity Softball Game. He’s a common sign at charity events off the field and around the facility and is the kind of player the Saints would be fortunate to keep in the building. Because he is a pending free agent for the Saints, he can sign a contract as soon as it’s on the table — players leaving other teams must wait until the new league year begins on Wednesday. So stay tuned for news of the deal’s completion.

Ranking the 15 best plays of the 2019 Saints season

The New Orleans Saints made a lot of great plays in the 2019 NFL season, but these 15 highlight reel-worthy moments stood out more than most

The NFL’s calendar is just weeks away from flipping over to the 2020 fiscal year, meaning that free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft are on the horizon. For the New Orleans Saints, it’s time to finally shut the book on a highlight-filled 2019 season that, unfortunately, came up short. But we’re here to celebrate the year’s best moments.

Whittling down the thousands of snaps played by the Saints last year wasn’t easy, and this list may not jive with everyone’s expectations. So let us know what you think we got wrong, and which big plays deserved greater recognition in our Saints Forum.

Now, let’s get to it. Here’s our ranking of the 15 best Saints plays of 2019:

15. Teddy Bridgewater connects with Ted Ginn on 33-yard TD vs. Buccaneers

This was just a perfectly-executed play, with the route concepts opening Ginn up for a well-thrown ball from Bridgewater. It showcased everyone’s strengths — Ginn’s speed, Bridgewater’s accuracy, and Sean Payton’s clever play design against a coverage poorly-suited to defend it. It’s the sort of thing that should lead off any and all of Bridgewater’s 2019 highlight reels.

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Larry Warford called up to Pro Bowl, makes 10 Saints in total

The New Orleans Saints now have 10 players listed on the 2020 Pro Bowl roster, with right guard Larry Warford called up as an alternate.

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The New Orleans Saints have broken their own team record for the most players selected to the Pro Bowl in a single year, with right guard Larry Warford raising the total to ten. He’s the third Saints player called up for the NFL’s all-star game as an alternate, joining left guard Andrus Peat and tight end Jared Cook, who were both promoted last Saturday.

Five Saints players were named starters on the NFC roster, a group that includes wide receiver Michael Thomas, defensive end Cameron Jordan, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, kick returner Deonte Harris, and kicker Wil Lutz. Additionally, quarterback Drew Brees and left tackle Terron Armstead are listed as backups. Peat, Cook, and Warford will also likely participate as backups.

It’s impressive to see so many Saints players get this kind of recognition; it wasn’t too long ago when only one or two of their number would get to join in. What’s really remarkable is that seven of the ten players started their NFL careers with the Saints, while just three (Warford, Cook, and Brees) were added as free agent signings. This is what homegrown talent looks like it.

Now, that’s not to downplay what the team has accomplished in free agency. Warford was a solid but unspectacular starter with the Detroit Lions; since signing with the Saints in 2017, he’s been selected for the Pro Bowl in all three years that followed. Talk about a home-run hit.

This year’s Pro Bowl will kick off from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 26 at 2:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are already up for sale, and fans can also tune in on ESPN or ABC. With so many Saints players taking part, this won’t be one to miss.

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Wil Lutz to do-it-all Taysom Hill: ‘Don’t let the coaches see you kick’

Taysom Hill has done almost everything for the New Orleans Saints, but if Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz gets his way he’ll never kick field goals

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What can’t Taysom Hill do? The New Orleans Saints reserve quarterback has turned into a competent passer, but he’s done his best work as a short-yardage runner, ace on special teams, and as a receiver. That was highlighted during Sunday’s game with the Tennessee Titans, when he literally did it all on offense, including a huge 23-yard gain through the air.

But one of his teammates is concerned about Hill’s growing skills set. While he didn’t necessarily ask Hill to back off, Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz politely asked Hill to, “Please don’t let the coaches see you kick field goals” after their latest win. While Lutz is extremely good at what he does, the last thing he wants is some competition.

The fact that Saints players are comfortable joking with each other like this is hilarious, and it speaks to the positive locker room chemistry the team has invested in building in recent years. The sky may be the limit for what Hill can do in the NFL, but if Lutz gets this way, we already know the extent of his skills.

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Watch: Michael Thomas gifts every Saints teammate a pair of Air Jordan 11 sneakers

New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas celebrated his third Pro Bowl nod by gifting each teammate a fresh pair of Air Jordan sneakers.

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Michael Thomas was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl on Tuesday, and helped celebrate the season on Wednesday by gifting every one of his teammates their own pair of Air Jordan 11 Bred sneakers ahead of Christmas. These shoes run for about $300 at retailers, but Thomas can afford it between the five-year, $100 million contract extension he signed with New Orleans earlier this year and his exclusive sponsorship agreement with Nike as one of their few Jordan brand ambassadors.

He’s previously gifted sneakers to Saints coach Sean Payton, who wore a pair of Air Jordan 11 Concords at the Zurich Classic golf tournament. “He’s got a pretty good shoe deal, different than any coaches have,” Payton joked.

The Saints put together a supercut of various Saints players’ reactions as they received their new kicks, ranging from Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz to veteran wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. It’s great to see Thomas embracing the giving season, and his teammates’ responses speak for themselves. New Orleans’ front office has put a lot of effort into cultivating strong team chemistry in the locker room, and the appreciation these people have for each other is on clear display. You love to see it.

 

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Michael Thomas, multiple Saints lead positions in Pro Bowl voting

New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas was joined by Vonn Bell, Marcus Williams, Wil Lutz, and Deonte Harris in 2020 Pro Bowl fan voting.

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The NFL has closed fan voting for the 2020 Pro Bowl, and multiple New Orleans Saints players led their positions in votes earned in the NFC. They include:

  • Michael Thomas, wide receiver. 371,365 votes
  • Vonn Bell, strong safety. 98,449 votes
  • Marcus Williams, free safety. 93,593 votes
  • Wil Lutz, kicker. 106,747 votes.
  • Deonte Harris, returns specialist. 84,085 votes.

Thomas and Lutz are not shocking selections — if anything, it would be insulting to see them overlooked by fans. But it’s a bit of a surprise to see Bell and Williams make the cut, given the reputation the Saints defense still has as a leaky unit despite its recent successes (and Williams’ ugly errors under the spotlight). The inclusion of Harris, a rookie out of a small school who’s turned into a huge asset for the Saints, is terrific to see.

However, being featured on this list doesn’t guarantee a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Ballots from players and coaches are each being submitted, and they’ll count for two-thirds of the total tally against the fan vote. It’s likely many Saints players still make the cut, but it probably won’t be all five of the names ranked highly by fans. Other Saints could make it in as alternates, though everyone would rather they all be preparing for the Super Bowl instead.

The NFL will announce the official Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday, so keep an eye out for that reveal. Here’s the full position-by-position breakdown:

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2020 Pro Bowl fan voting: 5 Saints players lead the NFC at their positions

Five New Orleans Saints players lead the 2020 Pro Bowl in voting at their positions for the NFC, including longtime punter Thomas Morstead.

Voting for the 2020 Pro Bowl is in full swing, and the New Orleans Saints are proving to be a popular pick. The NFL announced Wednesday that only two teams have garnered more total votes (the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens), and five different Saints players lead their position in fan votes for the NFC. Here is who is paving the way for New Orleans:

  • Wide receiver Michael Thomas (206,882)
  • Free safety Marcus Williams (40,403)
  • Kicker Wil Lutz (43,425)
  • Punter Thomas Morstead (37,038)
  • Kick returner Deonte Harris (35,310)

On top of that, Thomas is leading the league at wide receiver in Pro Bowl votes earned, with a healthy lead on Houston Texans star DeAndre Hopkins (162,584). The days of Thomas being overlooked and underrated on the national stage are behind us: he’s being recognized as the all-world talent Saints fans have known him to be.

It’s impressive to see three Saints special teams aces being so highly considered, including both kicking specialists and Harris, the rookie returner. Morstead is playing the best football of his long Saints career, and he’s rightfully being praised by fans around the country. You love to see it.

Remember, the Pro Bowl has reverted back to its original format with team representing the AFC and the NFC; they’re no longer using the pick-em format to build teams in the days before the game. So, for now, at least five Saints players are on the NFC Pro Bowl roster — though players and coaches  have not yet cast their own ballots.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Saints players by accessing the official Pro Bowl ballot at this link.

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Saints win 34-31, push past Panthers on last-second Wil Lutz field goal

The New Orleans Saints let the Carolina Panthers play too close for comfort, but were able to trust kicker Wil Lutz to win in the end.

The New Orleans Saints won a nail-biter over the Carolina Panthers, with kicker Wil Lutz pushing a 33-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired. It followed a successful drive downfield that began when Panthers kicker Joey Slye missed his own would-be game-winner from 28 yards out.

It would be nice if the final score of 34-31 didn’t indicate how closely the Saints played this game, but that’s not the case. New Orleans backed themselves into a corner with 12 penalties, giving up 123 yards of field positioning. The Panthers took advantage of many of those opportunities, though inconsistent kicking from Slye (who went 1-for-3 on extra point tries, and 2-for-3 on field goal attempts) ended up costing them.

Good news for the Saints surrounds the increased involvement of tight end Jared Cook, who caught 6 of 8 targets for 99 yards and a touchdown score. Cook consistently made plays after the catch and down the seam, giving the Saints a viable option downfield opposite Michael Thomas (who turned in a typical 10-for-11, 110-yard showing).

It’s been a quiet few weeks for second-year defensive end Marcus Davenport, but something has to be said for his performance in clutch time. Davenport set up Carolina’s botched final field goal with a huge sack on third down and followed it up by leaping over the Panthers’ blockers, spooking Slye into an off-target chip shot. He made big plays in the game’s biggest moments.

So New Orleans improved to 9-2 on the year so far, while Carolina fell to 5-6. All eyes now are on the Sunday Night Football matchup between the projected top two playoff seeds: the 9-1 San Francisco 49ers and 8-2 Green Bay Packers. If the 49ers win, the Saints will have a shot at controlling their own destiny when San Francisco visits on Dec. 8. If the Packers win, New Orleans has to hope Green Bay drops a loss down the stretch, or the NFC’s top playoff seed could be out of reach.

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