Overreactions: Saints vs. Packers

The New Orleans Saints have been humiliated by the Inexperienced Bay Packers on nationwide tv as they suffered the primary shutout of the 2024 NFL season in a 34-0 blowout.

Let’s talk about two takeaways from the Saints’ Week 16 loss to the Packers:

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It’s time for a change.

Monday evening’s efficiency in Lambeau was one of many worst you’ll see on this league, and all of it however solidifies {that a} recent perspective needs to be the Saints’ high precedence throughout this low season’s head coach search.

Regardless of the quantity of respect of us have for Rizzi throughout the constructing and the extent of management he has over the locker room, there have been two obtrusive points throughout his six-game audition thus far: inefficient substitutions and poor clock administration.

As soon as Rizzi took over for Dennis Allen following the Saints’ Week 9 defeat to the Carolina Panthers, he emphasised cleansing up substitutions and never having to burn as many timeouts. Nonetheless, this has remained a battle for Rizzi and the Saints. He admitted that substitution points prompted New Orleans to burn a timeout in every half throughout Week 13’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

In opposition to the Packers, the Saints wasted over 20 seconds throughout their 2-minute drill to shut out the primary half on account of a misunderstanding when Kevin Austin Jr. fumbled out of bounds and the sport clock continued to run. Errors like this have been recurring all through Rizzi’s temporary tenure as interim head coach and may utterly alter the end result of a soccer sport. Actually, it’s been a problem for the Saints all season.

That’s to not say Rizzi hasn’t impressed throughout this six-game stretch given the depleted roster and scenario he’s been dealt as a first-time head coach. However in the end, an outdoor voice with a contemporary strategy looks as if the best choice transferring ahead and will actually profit the crew.

My high three candidates: Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson, Lions DC Aaron Glenn, and former Tennessee Titans HC and 2021 NFL Coach of the 12 months, Mike Vrabel, who’s presently a training and personnel advisor for the Cleveland Browns. Studies point out that each Glenn and Vrabel might be excessive on the Saints’ radar after they start their seek for the crew’s subsequent head coach. Glenn served because the Saints’ defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020 and spent a season in New Orleans as a cornerback in 2008.

Who’s your most well-liked candidate?

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Swing till you hit.

Spencer Rattler’s fourth skilled begin didn’t go as deliberate. The rookie accomplished 15 of his 30 move makes an attempt for 153 yards, with one interception, a misplaced fumble, and three sacks taken within the course of. That mentioned, I’d nonetheless say Rattler made some pretty spectacular throws given the freezing chilly taking part in circumstances.

It’s unfair to completely consider Rattler given the supporting solid he’s been tasked with, particularly contemplating this was speculated to be his first begin behind a completely wholesome offensive line—just for star C Erik McCoy to be dominated out with an elbow harm (not anticipated to be critical) and beginning LG Lucas Patrick to go down with a knee harm, probably ending his season. Rattler’s favourite goal, rookie WR Bub Means, additionally confronted a setback in his restoration from a excessive ankle sprain whereas making ready for Monday evening’s sport in Inexperienced Bay, which can probably revert him again to injured reserve and finish his season as effectively—an unlucky flip of occasions for Rattler, who’s already lacking the vast majority of his weapons. Hopefully, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling can return from the chest harm and sickness that stored him off the sphere towards the crew that drafted him, offering a deep menace for Rattler as he seems to let unfastened towards the 3-12 Las Vegas Raiders (ought to Derek Carr be unable to go well with up for his revenge sport).

Both manner, whether or not you consider Rattler could be the long-term answer or not, the Saints have to preserve taking probabilities on quarterbacks within the draft till they discover the reply. It’s necessary to be affected person with rookie QBs, giving them the time and expertise to develop and study from their errors—as a result of it’s uncommon to search out somebody who is available in and utterly saves a franchise like CJ Stroud did with the Houston Texans or Jayden Daniels with the Washington Commanders. On the identical time, the Saints can’t afford to carry themselves again by passing on potential future stars on account of considerations over quick readiness.

Whereas I personally consider Rattler generally is a beginning quarterback on this league, he’s a fifth-round decide, and it wouldn’t harm to herald a rookie to compete with him and Carr this offseason. You received’t discover your franchise savior for those who don’t take probabilities on uncooked expertise. Molding promising prospects into gamers who finest suit your scheme has confirmed to work in numerous instances, as Saints followers noticed firsthand when Jordan Love and the Packers dropped 34 factors on the New Orleans protection this previous week.

Inexperienced Bay did an outstanding job molding Love into an Aaron Rodgers-esque gunslinger, and although Rodgers contributed as a mentor, it nonetheless exhibits why these dangers are price taking. When you see one thing in a participant, you go get him, develop him, and play him when he’s prepared and the scenario is correct. The decide was extremely criticized on the time, however Love is taking part in at an elite stage in his second 12 months because the starter post-Rodgers and has the Packers at 11-4 heading into Week 17.

I nonetheless assume Rattler deserves a good shot with a reliable soccer crew behind him, however I’d wish to see the Saints take a man late within the draft to use some strain on the QB room—ideally one who matches the trendy fashion of quarterback play and has the flexibility to increase performs together with his legs. Though I’ve constantly harassed how underwhelming this upcoming draft class is, you by no means know who may need that hidden “IT” issue.

Who would you wish to see the Saints choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, and the way early would you be comfy taking a quarterback?