NO Saints S81 Final 53

by mayne41event | 2 years ago | 0 Comments

By Donovan Simmons | @RZDSimmons | Feb 5, 2023 

 

Season 80 of The RedZone Football League breathed new live into what was a very long and trying first half of this cycle. Most coaches we new faces in new places. One of the few that returned to his previous cycle spot was Coach Mayne Event heading back to The Bayou after spending 3 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. 

 

The challenge at the beginning of S80 was two fold. One, who was going to lead this offense at QB? And two, will whoever takes the helm have enough juice to have this team in contention in the NFCS? With a chance to get into the 7 seed down the stretch, the Saints go 3-1 post the bye week, but cameup just short in making the post season. 

 

So, we turn to the offseason. This is where the mass exodus began due to numerous big salary numbers taking effect. Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata & Jimmy G, all not resigned. Cam Jordan and Michael Thomas were both in the mix of trade talks. While Thomas and the team came to an understanding with keeping him in Nawlins, Cam Jordan was not so lucky. When no solid trade partners came to light, Jordan was given his outright release. 

 

So then the rebuild began. The biggest FA addition, OLB Kyle Van Noy. Along with DE Justin Zimmer and Safeties Lamarcus Joyner and Bradley McDougald. Van Noy and Zimmer look to figure into their starting roles respectively. While Joyner may give Pro Bowl S Tyrann Mathieu the freedom to roll up into the slot in pass coverage more frequently. 

 

On to the draft. With a myriad of hole still left to fill, the Saints had to be very strategic with their 4 selections this year. The prize draft pick was 2nd round selection George Ross our of Arizona St. He looks to be the first piece in this staff’s attempt to rebuild and improve this run defense, which was in the bottom third of the league last season. Another person of note is 4th round selection Bryce Ross, QB out of Colorado St. While Bryce may not figure into the starting role this season, Winston, who’s in the final year of his deal, and Taysom Hill, who’s turning 34 at season’s end, a solid development year could have him in line for taking the starting role next season. 

 

You can see the rest of the call below. 

 

Draft Class

 

2.5 - DE/DT George Ross Arizona State

4.17 - QB Bryce Ross Colorado St

5.17 - G D’Andre Verner Pitt

7.17 - LB Jason Godwin Texas Tech

 

And now, the Season 81 final 53 for your New Orleans Saints.

 

 

QB - Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Bryce Ross [R] 

 

Winston only started one game last year before the acquisition of Jimmy G. But has won the job this season over Taysom Hill. Look for new OC Bill Duncan to try and limit the throws that Winston will need to make and try to up his production by lowering his workload. 

 

RB - Alvin Kamara, Greg Hewitt [R], CJ Verdell, Nate McCrary, (FB) Nick Bawden, (FB) Cody Favorite [R] 

 

AK finished the year with 1,500yds of total offense last season and he’ll look to match that production this year. The RB2 spot is still a mystery at the end of camp. CJ Verdell, while a bit undersized, has shown he’s more that capable in camp. Greg Hewitt will factor into the return spot. Nice Bawden and Rookie Cody Favorite will share in the Fullback duties. 

 

WR - Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Tre’Quan Smith, Deonte Harty, Penny Hart, Kirk Merritt

 

Thomas and Olave return as WR1 and WR2 respectively. Olave was tied for the team lead in catches with 59 while only finding the endzone twice. I expect that number to tick up with the departure of TE Juwan Johnson. Tre’Quan Smith is locked into WR3. While Deonte Harty is at WR4 but has lost his return duties to Kirk Merritt or the aforementioned Greg Hewitt. 

 

TE - Adam Trautman, Kahale Warring

 

Trautman will have a big void to fill with the departing Juwan Johnson. Johnson led the team last season with 8TDs. And it will be a big show and prove year for Trautman as he is in the final year of his rookie deal. Barring any catastrophe, I expect the Saints to “Pay the man, Shirley.” Kahale Warring will back him up. 

 

T - Trevor Penning, Ryan Ramczyk, James Hurst

 

If there is any weakness on this stout OLine, it’s the LT spot. 2nd yr man Trevor Penning struggled against some of the better rushers in the league last season. The hopes are that you just chalk it up to inexperience. Meanwhile, Ramczyk had a down year for his standards. He’ll look to bounce back as well. 

 

 

G -  Andrus Peat, Cesar Ruiz, Marcus Barden [R], D’Andre Verner [R]

 

Peat landed himself on the Commissioner’s list for Third team OLine. Ruiz had a fine season opposite Peat and was rewarded with the Saints picking up his 5th yr option. Verner and Barden will back them up.

 

 

C - Erik McCoy, Nick Gates

 

McCoy was a stud last season and landed as the top center on the OLine Commissioner’s list. All signs are pointing to him being a Saint the rest of this cycle. Nick Gates was brought in to backup McCoy, but a torn tricep will hold him out for this season. 

 

 

DE - Payton Turner, Justin Zimmer, Tyler Burse, Eric Bates [R]

 

Out go Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport. In are Payton Turner, who saw limited action last year, and FA addition Justin Zimmer. Undrafted rookies Burse and Bates will back them up. 

 

 

DT - George Ross, Kentavius Street, Malcolm Roach, Deon Felix [R]

 

There was some uncertainty that the Saints would be able to resign any of their DT’s. But Street and Roach managed to get resigned while also drafting George Ross. Street played well. Logging 8 sacks from the interior. 

 

 

OLB - Pete Werner, Kyle Van Noy, Kristian Welch, Keir Thomas, Brian Rainey [R]

 

Werner has a new running mate at OLB in Kyle Van Noy. Van Noy is one of the better combinations of talents. Can play as a stand up backer and can also put his hand in the ground and come off the edge. Welch, Thomas and rookie Brian Rainey will be the depth.

 

 

MLB - Demario Davis, Jason Godwin [R], Evan Weaver

 

David is showing no signs of slowing down. But with 2 yrs left on his deal and him being 36 at the end of that deal, he is for sure on the Back 9 of his career. Godwin and Evan Weaver will back him up. 

 

 

CB - Marshon Lattimore, Alonte Taylor, Bradley Roby, Paulson Adebo, Teddy Kelley [R], Chase Lucas

 

Probably one of the deeper units for the Saints. Lattimore will look to be more of a X-Facton on the back end this season. He logged only 4 INTs last season. 2nd yr man Alontae Taylor jumps up to CB2 and looks primed and ready for the role. Roby and Adebo will fill out CB3 and CB4. 

 

 

S - Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Maye, Lamarcus Joyner, Bradley McDougald

 

Mathieu returns after a Pro Bowl season. Lead the team with 7 INTs and DC Sammy Wagner wants to use Honey Badger’s versatility more. Look for him to lineup in the nickel more often this season. Maye led the team in tackles and will continue to man the SS role. W/ the additions of Joyner and McDougald, this has to be one of the older safety units in all of RZ. 

 

 

Specialist - Wil Lutz, Joe Walker 

 

Blake Gillikin gets the Pro Bowl nod for the NFC and told the Saints brass to “SMDFTB” during negotiations. So he exits and enter rookie from Northwestern Joe Walker. Wil will handle the other kicking duties. 

 

 

Follow me @RZDSimmons on Twitter all season long for Bills coverage. And check out the team page at daddyleagues.com/redzone/team/NO