With the Saint's only having two picks in the first 4 rounds of last year's draft, it definitely looked like a significant reach grabbing a WR (whom scouts had as a 5th round talent) in the second round. The Saints however, proved scouts wrong by possibly finding themselves a superstar and one of the game's best deep threats in Auburn's product, WR Anthony Schwartz.
Though his obvious 40 time (4.28) and world class speed was eye opening for scouts, it has been his route tree, jump ball wins and consisent hands that have turned this kid into a bonafide playmaker. Though, mostly spending time in the slot, Schwartz has shown flashes of being a good overall route runner and a physical receiver as well that can win contested catches, if need be. Auburn limited this WR to only a few routes, which in turn scared teams away from this WR, ala WR D.K Metcalf in 2019.
The WR's slash line is a blistering 58 rec/1872 yds/ 26 tds through only 10 games. He should garner more attention moving forward and is truly a bright spot on a struggling Saints team.
With season two past the midseason point, the Saints find themselves at a lack luster 4-6. Coach Chan, who most definitely isn't used to this non-success stated, "Obviously, it's frustrating to say the least. Quite frankly, it's embarrassing actually. We've got too much talent on this team to be in the position we are in". So, with Coach Chan historically doing more with less, what the hell is the problem?
A deeper dive into the numbers of this team will show you the issues of this underperforming team. Eventhough this team has one of the best offenses (2nd YPG ovr) , the glaring issues reside on the defensive side of the ball. The NO defense is being absolutely exposed against the run, almost dead last in the leauge to be almost exact. That is a recipe for a disastor in a leauge that is literally ran by "running the ball". Teams don't even have to have a below average passing game to win a game. This meta started back last cycle, which has then seen an influx of teams that lacked any success, now propelling themselves into the win column and ultimately doomed teams, like NO, that can't stop the run.
A deeper dive into the Saints record will also show you, maybe the 4-6 record doesn't tell the whole story. The Saints had an unesscessary "force loss" given to them week 2 against a struggling 2-8 Dolphins team, a blown coverage last second play against the Bucs week 6 and a heartbreaking week 10 loss on a last second 2 pt. conversion play. Though playing the "what if" or "assumption" cards are a slipperly slope, a literal couple of plays could see this NO team at a more respectable 7-3.
Since Coach Chan was suspended for the first game of the season against the Ravens, Andrew Luck has thrown for 3,749 yards and has tossed 44 touchdowns to just 4 picks in that time frame. Coach Chan couldn't wait to unleash the former first round pick and it was evident when the offense put up 52 points (Luck having six touchdowns) against the Lions in the coach's first game and 41 against the Texans in the coach's second game, (both against "users"). The league started to take more notice once the Colts handed the now 11-1 Bears their only loss on the season. The defense has been just as good as the offense this year and the Colts organization does not fail to recognize that this coach is taking an "undertalented team" without being here for free agency or the draft into something special. Coach Chan also is showing much praise for DPOY canidate Jerrel Freeman who is leading the NFL in INT's and says, "he is the key for us on defense". The Colts are 10-0 with Coach Chan on the sidelines and 1-2 with him having a suspension in week 1 and and family matters in week 10 and 13. The Colts will have a tough task in the next 3 weeks facing the Cheifs in week 15 and the Raiders in week 17. On the season Andrew Luck has thrown 36 touchdowns to two interceptions with Chan under control.