Tag: wwl radio

Bobby Hebert calls Alvin Kamara a ‘young 29’ for a running back

Former Saints QB and WWL radio host Bobby Hebert still sees a burst in Alvin Kamara despite his age, calling him ‘a young 29’

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback and now WWL radio host, Bobby Hebert, had high praise for Alvin Kamara during the coaches show with Dennis Allen. Hebert called the running back “a young 29.”

At running back, the age of 30 is that point where people begin to mentally write off players. Hebert cautioned fans against doing that with Kamara. He still sees a player with a lot in the tank: “I’ve seen the burst in OTA’s in minicamps. I still think he can hit it and get it.”

Sunday’s performance backs that statement. Kamara ran for an easy 83 yards and didn’t run the ball in the final 18 minutes. It was still more yards than he ran for in a single game a year ago.

And when you look at how Kamara compares to other running backs who have made high-profile moves in free agency, it’s easy to think he could have a lot left in the tank. Kamara has carried the ball 1,330 times in his 102-game career. Josh Jacobs is catching up to him with 1,321 attempts through his first 74 games. Saquon Barkley is already up to 1,225 carries in just 75 games. Aaron Jones isn’t far behind at 1,191 attempts in 98 games. Derrick Henry is well ahead at 2,043 in 120 games.

Allen saw the same dynamic ability in the running backs room, and praised the offensive line’s performance: “There was a lot said about the offensive line going into the season, and rightfully so. It was a question mark because we had three new starters.”

In Week 1, the unit performed well. Allen has the team at 2.9 yards per carry before contact, first in the NFL. No matter who you play, that will always be a recipe for success.

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Saints GM Mickey Loomis says ‘I don’t lie, I just withhold things’ previewing 2023 draft

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says ‘I don’t lie, I just withhold things’ while previewing the 2023 NFL draft:

There aren’t many general managers who have traded during the NFL draft as Mickey Loomis, and the New Orleans Saints’ chief decision-maker has a habit of keeping his cards to his vest. But he wants it known that he’s always honest, even if he keeps most of the truth to himself.

“I don’t lie, I just, maybe, withhold things,” Loomis grinned during his pre-draft interview with WWL Radio. “So I’m not going to tell you something that’s outright wrong, let me just say, ‘I’m not going to answer that’ or I may give you a long answer and not answer the question.”

Loomis understands that fans and media want all the information they can get their hands on — it’s just important to keep a lid on some things, especially in the critical final hours leading up to the draft. Negotiations and conversations with other teams are ongoing, and it could hurt the team to tip his hand one way or another.

Still, Loomis shared a lot of insight to various topics surrounding the team during his pre-draft press conference on Wednesday. And it wasn’t just limited to the draft. He hit on the contract situation with right guard Cesar Ruiz and the legal concerns with running back Alvin Kamara, which we broke down in our takeaways from that media availability session. We’ll have a better idea of how much of the truth Loomis is sharing once the Saints make their move on Thursday night.

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Mike Hoss announced as WWL Radio’s new ‘Voice of the Saints’

Mike Hoss announced as WWL Radio’s new ‘Voice of the Saints’

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Deuce McAllister will have a new tag-team partner in the WWL Radio booth for New Orleans Saints games this season: Mike Hoss, a 32-year veteran with the station who spent 12 years working under legendary Saints play-by-play man Jim Henderson in the sports department. He has also previously worked as a sideline reporter for the Saints during home games, so he knows the Superdome well.

Hoss replaces Zach Strief, the longtime Saints right tackle who returned to the team as an assistant coach following three years on the mic. He’ll handle play-by-play duties while McAllister continues to provide color analysis.

“This is the thrill of a lifetime,” Hoss told NewOrleansSaints.com. “There are only 32 people in the world who get the privilege and the honor. I can’t wait to sit in that booth with Saints legend Deuce McAllister. I know how passionate Saints fans are about their team. Deuce and I share that passion and intend to deliver the best game day experience possible and amp up our engagement with them across all platforms.”

It’ll be interesting to hear Hoss’ take on the Saints each week. Strief was actively learning on the job but held his own during some high-stakes momentum swings in recent years, so Hoss’ greater experience in broadcasting might help him stick the landing in this new role.

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Mike Hoss announced as WWL Radio’s new ‘Voice of the Saints’

Mike Hoss announced as WWL Radio’s new ‘Voice of the Saints’

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Deuce McAllister will have a new tag-team partner in the WWL Radio booth for New Orleans Saints games this season: Mike Hoss, a 32-year veteran with the station who spent 12 years working under legendary Saints play-by-play man Jim Henderson in the sports department. He has also previously worked as a sideline reporter for the Saints during home games, so he knows the Superdome well.

Hoss replaces Zach Strief, the longtime Saints right tackle who returned to the team as an assistant coach following three years on the mic. He’ll handle play-by-play duties while McAllister continues to provide color analysis.

“This is the thrill of a lifetime,” Hoss told NewOrleansSaints.com. “There are only 32 people in the world who get the privilege and the honor. I can’t wait to sit in that booth with Saints legend Deuce McAllister. I know how passionate Saints fans are about their team. Deuce and I share that passion and intend to deliver the best game day experience possible and amp up our engagement with them across all platforms.”

It’ll be interesting to hear Hoss’ take on the Saints each week. Strief was actively learning on the job but held his own during some high-stakes momentum swings in recent years, so Hoss’ greater experience in broadcasting might help him stick the landing in this new role.

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Zach Strief leaves WWL Radio to join Saints coaching staff

Retired New Orleans Saints right tackle Zach Strief announced Friday he has left WWL Radio to begin working as an assistant coach in the NFL

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There will be a familiar face on the sidelines in 2021: longtime New Orleans Saints right tackle Zach Strief, who retired following the 2017 season to begin a career as the play-by-play announcer on WWL Radio coverage of Saints games. On Friday, Strief announced his departure from the booth and a return to the field, where he’ll take a position as assistant offensive line coach.

A Saints lifer, Strief was part of the legendary 2006 draft class (as a seventh-round pick out of Northwestern) and appeared in 168 games for New Orleans during his 12-year playing career, including the playoffs. He’s been spotted offering some pointers to players during summer practices in recent years, so this move isn’t too surprising. His passion for the game, wealth of knowledge, and experience as a former player could help him start things off on the right foot.

Strief will work closely with Saints offensive line coach Dan Roushar, who has developed a reputation as one of the NFL’s best at his job. Roushar’s previous assistant was Brendan Nugent, who NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill suggested could be a candidate to replace Dan Campbell as the Saints’ tight ends coach. It’s unclear just yet who will take on his play-by-play duties with WWL color commentator Deuce McAllister.

He’s the second new addition to the Saints coaching staff we know of, along with the previously-reported pickup of defensive backs coach Kris Richard, who is replacing Aaron Glenn (having joined Campbell with the Detroit Lions). Saints head coach Sean Payton still has vacancies to fill after quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi and defensive assistant Michael Wilhoite joined the Los Angeles Chargers, so expect official word from the team in the weeks ahead.

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Saints expecting high-caliber reinforcements before NFL playoffs kick off

The New Orleans Saints are expecting some All-Pro reinforcements for the playoffs with WRs Michael Thomas and Deonte Harris healing up.

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Somehow, the New Orleans Saints have remained one of the NFL’s best scoring offenses despite a revolving door of options at wide receiver. Sean Payton’s squad ranks fifth in points scored per game (29.9) and ninth in yards gained per play (5.8) as well as sixth-best on both third down (converting 44.8% of their attempts) and inside the red zone (scoring on 71.4% of plays they’ve run inside the opposing 20-yard line).

You could even say they’ve done all that without their best player, Michael Thomas — the reigning Offensive Player of the Year — and with Drew Brees sidelined for most of a month by injuries. And Payton is eager to see his offense fully tooled up, healthy, and ready to make another statement after routing the Minnesota Vikings 52-33 on Christmas Day.

“When the time comes, hopefully it’s sooner than later, there’s a handful of players that we’re excited to get back in this lineup,” Payton said on WWL Radio, via Amie Just of Nola.com. Payton added that these are Pro Bowl, All-Pro quality players on their way back: meaning wide receivers Michael Thomas and Deonte Harris.

Thomas has been dealing with unexpected, lingering issues from his Week 1 high-ankle sprain all year long, and the decision to put him on ice was made after reality set in. The Saints couldn’t have their cake and eat it, too; Thomas couldn’t recover while still playing banged up. The only way he’d get back to full strength would be with rest. And Harris was slow to return from a late-season neck injury, though he did make some progress in practice before New Orleans forced him to heal up.

Their return would mean a lot for a position group that’s been downright decapitated by injuries. Of the five wide receivers who opened the season on the 53-man roster, only two remain: Emmanuel Sanders, who missed two games on COVID-19 reserve, and rookie Marquez Callaway, who came back just last week from injured reserve.

Thomas, Harris, Tre’Quan Smith, and Bennie Fowler are all on that same injured reserve list, meaning the Saints have been combing the waiver wire and free agent pool to add reserves like Jake Kumerow and Jake Lampman just to pad out minutes in practice. It’s not exactly the supporting cast New Orleans hoped to send Drew Brees into the postseason with, but help is on the way.

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Sean Payton suggests Saints could sign Taysom Hill to a long-term extension

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton acknowledged that it would be difficult, but his team could sign a contract extension with Taysom Hill.

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The New Orleans Saints are set to begin contract negotiations with franchise quarterback Drew Brees, who announced he intends to play in 2020 after taking a month away from football to mull over his future. That creates serious implications for backup passers Teddy Bridgewater (who won’t lack for suitors on the open market) and Taysom Hill, whose upside on special teams and pass-catching ability could draw offers as a restricted free agent. The Saints have their work cut out for them in trying to keep their quarterbacks room intact, and it’s clearly on Sean Payton’s mind.

Payton appeared on WWL Radio with Bobby Hebert and Kristian Garic earlier this week, with the Saints head coach discussing a range of topics including Hill’s complicated free agency. The best bet for the 29-year-old to return in 2020 would be on a restricted free agent tender, but Payton acknowledged that there’s other ways for the Saints to retain him.

“Well, there are two [ways] to go about it,” Payton said. “Number one, we can sign him to a deal before the league year starts and you never get to that point [of applying a tender]. I think if he was unsigned prior to the league year, I’d anticipate us really paying close attention to that and looking at that first round tender.”

As Payton noted, there are multiple tenders available. We’ve broken them down in greater detail before, but the gist of it is that the highest-level tender would guarantee the Saints a first-round pick in compensation should Hill leave for another team. And it’s probably more likely that the Saints will tender Hill than sign him to a long-term contract extension, but Payton still added that an agreement might be worked out.

Payton continued, “Now I think it will take some time relative to his contract because it’s unique, A, in what he’s doing now and [B] what we feel like he can be and what he can do when Drew does retire, so that will probably take a little bit more work than the contract that Mickey does with Drew.”

It might be difficult for the Saints to agree with Hill’s agent on exact contract figures. Hill is adamant that he’s a franchise quarterback, and Payton has agreed with that take in media appearances, but his actions tell a different story. 54% of Hill’s snaps last season came on special teams. As much as Payton may talk up Hill’s comparisons to Steve Young, Young was never asked to sprint downfield in punt coverage or line up in a three-point stance and block with his throwing shoulder. Hill’s unique usage is definitely going to factor into contract talks, meaning a restricted free agent tender is the likely path forward.

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