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Jerry Jones’ relationship with Sean Payton is well documented.

Payton spent three years in Dallas as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach under Bill Parcells. Payton long has wanted to return as head coach, and Jones nearly made that happen in early 2019.

Now, the Cowboys’ last best chance of hiring Payton may have passed.

The Broncos named Payton their new head coach earlier this week, with Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy getting a fourth season in Dallas.

On Tuesday, Jones was asked what he thought about the Broncos hiring Payton.

“I have such a respect for the Waltons, Greg...

The New Orleans Saints are interviewing former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods for their DC job. Woods was on Dennis Allen’s staff in 2014 as the Oakland Raiders defensive back coach. He spent the last two seasons as the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator before being fired on January 9th.

The search for a new defensive coordinator is on after it was announced yesterday that the Saints parted ways with Co-DC Kris Richard. This was after already losing their other Co-DC, Ryan Nielsen who was hired as the new defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

Make sure you...

The New Orleans Saints aren’t lacking for talent. They didn’t meet expectations in 2022, but there’s still plenty to like about their fortunes in 2023 — they have quality players under contract on each side of the ball. If they can solve the biggest problem facing them and find a quality quarterback to start in the fall, they could run away with the NFC South thanks to playing in the weakest division in the league.

But that’s easier said than done, largely because of the contracts paid out to players at so many other positions. Here’s a quick reference for all 49 players signed through...

MOBILE, Ala. — The Senior Bowl has turned into a showcase for all competitive parties involved.

And for the first time since 1991, the New Orleans Saints have boots on the ground, providing hands-on coaching with the prospects all week. The club has four assistants in attendance, evenly split up as coaches on the American and National teams. That ties for the most out of any NFL franchise.

“It helps a ton, to be honest with you,” said Jeff Ireland, the Saints assistant general manager and director of the college scouting staff. “That was by design. We volunteered those coaches. They...

We’re a month away from free agency’s busy signing period, and the New Orleans Saints have some tough decisions to make for a number of players whose contracts are up in March. They’re also over the salary cap by an estimated $57 million, so the team has its work cut out for them in just reaching cap compliance before they can worry about which players to re-sign in the spring.

But this is a critically important phase in the NFL’s offseason calendar. The Saints need to choose who to sign, trade, release, and restructure in the weeks ahead. With so few resources at their disposal, every...

The NFL has shaken up this year’s Pro Bowl events schedule to appeal to more fans and draw a bigger crowd, focusing more heavily on skills competitions and minigames to showcase the best athletes in the world in their element. And two New Orleans Saints stars will be looking to stand out as Pro Bowlers in Las Vegas: linebacker Demario Davis and defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Davis will compete in Thursday night’s dodgeball competition and Sunday’s flag football game (for which he’s gotten some technique lessons from Eli Manning), while Jordan is competing in the lightning round contest on...

MOBILE, Ala. — This is a busy time of year for Jeff Ireland, and things got a bit more interesting for him and his staff this week.

The New Orleans Saints Assistant General Manager and director of the college scouting staff spent his time at the Senior Bowl gathering information on some of this cycle’s top draft prospects, and during that time he found out he’d have a first-round pick to work with after the Broncos sent the No. 29 pick to New Orleans in order to hire coach Sean Payton.

In general, Ireland keeps a low profile in the leadup to the draft, but the Saints made one of their...

It didn’t take long for Dennis Allen to identify his first candidate to replace Kris Richard as defensive coordinator. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report that the New Orleans Saints will meet with former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods about that opening on their staff — Woods was let go in January after three years with the Browns. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson shares that Woods will interview with the Saints in New Orleans on Friday.

And he’s worked with Allen before, having coached the then-Oakland Raiders’ defensive backs in 2014, so there’ some...

After losing both co-defensive coordinators from last year within a week, New Orleans begins their search for a new defensive coach.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports on Thursday that the New Orleans Saints will interview former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods for their own defensive coordinator position.

New Orleans went 7-10 under first-year head coach and former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen last year. The Saints ranked fifth in total defense and 2nd against the pass in 2022, but just 24th against the run and 30th in turnovers forced. In addition to Allen, the unit was also run by co-defensive coordinators Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard.

Nielsen, also the defensive line coach, left the Saints last week to accept the defensive coordinator position with the Atlanta Falcons. On Wednesday, the Saints announced that they would not retain Richard, also the secondary coach.

Linebackers coach Michael Hodges is the only position coach currently still on staff. Corey Robinson, who oversaw the safeties last year and will be a defensive backs coach for the American Team at the Senior Bowl, also still remains.

The 52-year-old Joe Woods had been the defensive coordinator for Cleveland since 2020 before being replaced by Jim Schwartz this offseason. In three seasons with the Browns, Woods oversaw one of the better units in the league, including a 5th-ranked defense in 2021.


Jul 29, 2022; Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods watches a drill during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Before joining Cleveland, Woods was the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2017 and 2018 and defensive backs coach in Denver for the previous two years. He's also served as the secondary coach for the 49ers (2019), Raiders (2014), Vikings (2006-13), and Buccaneers (2004-05).

Woods was the defensive backs coach under head coach Dennis Allen for the Raiders in 2014. Allen was fired four games into the 2014 season after an 0-4 start and an overall record of 8-28 with Oakland.

There’s a massive void in the New Orleans Saints coaching staff, and the team is wasting no time to get it filled.

The Saints are interviewing former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods for the same position in New Orleans, according to a NFL Network report. The Browns fired Woods back in January after three seasons with the franchise.

In the past week, the Saints have lost both their co-defensive coordinators. Kris Richard was let go just this past Wednesday. Ryan Nielsen was hired by the Atlanta Falcons last Friday.

That leaves Dennis Allen with the task to find a new...

LB Pete Werner was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft, and he had a solid, but nothing special rookie year as he mostly played sparingly. Expectations were somewhat high for the second-year linebacker, and with the departure of Kwon Alexander, he was going to be starting alongside Demario Davis. His snap count rose massively from 35.27% in 2021 to 52.7% and would have been higher before injuries cost him 5 games with an ankle injury. After returning from his ankle injury that honestly could have landed him on IR, his snap count dropped. Even so, his 2022 season was one of the...

After dismissing Kris Richard, the Saints are starting work to find their new defensive coordinator.

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, New Orleans is interviewing Joe Woods for the position.

Woods was the Browns defensive coordinator for the last three years but was fired after the 2022 season. Cleveland ranked 14th in yards allowed and 20th in points allowed. The club was also No. 25 against the run and had several secondary miscommunications over the course of the season that led to losses.

Allen previously hired Woods when he was the Raiders head coach to be the club’s defensive backs...

The Saints are one of the teams that are expected to be in the market for a quarterback this offseason and they are set to receive an asset they can put toward that effort.

Sean Payton’s imminent move to the Broncos will result in a first-round pick coming back to the Saints and that’s particularly significant because the Saints were without one after trading theirs to the Eagles last year. While speaking to reporters from the Senior Bowl this week, Ireland said he’s “excited” about the prospect of adding that pick because it gives the team more “flexibility” heading into the offseason...

With Thursday being Groundhog Day, we’re never really quite sure what is going to happen when Punxsutawney Phil climbs out of his little rodent hole.

However, in the NFL, when it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs, for at least the past half-decade, their opponents always seem to get six more months of winter.

Ever since the team drafted a potential GOAT candidate, Patrick Mahomes, not only does it seems they’re in the running for a Lombardi Trophy, THEY ARE in it every year. And the odds reflect that.

If the line at kickoff remains where it is as of Thursday morning – Philadelphia being...

On a team full of inconsistencies in 2022, the New Orleans linebackers were the team’s best playmakers as a group.

Many were skeptical about the New Orleans Saints linebackers as the team entered the 2022 season. Sure, the team still had Demario Davis, one of the NFL's best all-around defensive players. Pete Werner was also coming off a promising rookie campaign.

However, there were doubts about the position's depth after Kwon Alexander departed in free agency. The Saints brought in two accomplished veteran linebackers in training camp, but both were cut in preseason. Promising fifth-round pick D'Marco Jackson was also lost for the year with an injury in training camp.

The Saints struggled in a lot of areas in 2022. Linebacker was not among them, where one of the year's most pleasant surprises also emerged.

Saints 2022 LB Grades​

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is stuffed by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56). Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

For his fifth straight year with the team, the catalyst of the Saints defense was LB Demario Davis. He led the team with 109 tackles, the sixth straight season he's finished with 100+ stops and 10th time of over 90 tackles in his 11-year career.

Davis again proved to be a disruptive force in every aspect of the game. He literally filled up the stat sheet with a career-high 6.5 sacks, 10 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, and an interception to go along with six passes broken up.

Davis tracks down runners with tenacious sideline-to-sideline pursuit, plugs gaps at the line, rushes the passer effectively, and covers backs or tight ends anywhere on the field. His combination of elite instincts, physicality, and athleticism takes the New Orleans defense to another level.


New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) knocks down a pass for Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (29). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Second-year LB Pete Werner was a terrific complement to Davis early in the year. A naturally instinctive player, Werner is rarely caught out of position. He also has underrated athleticism in open space and in coverage.

Werner had six games of at least seven tackles over the first eight weeks, including three double-digit outings. He was leading the NFL in total tackles and solo stops at mid-season before an ankle injury sidelined him for five games.

The 23-year-old Werner still finished with 80 tackles and forced two fumbles on the year. One of several Ohio State products on the team, Werner looks like a major part of the Saints defense for years to come.

Zack Baun, Andrew Dowell, and Chase Hansen were around for depth but mostly contributed on special teams. However, one of the team’s most pleasant surprises of 2022 was also previously exclusive on special teams.


Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55). Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY

A seventh-round pick out of Idaho in the 2019 NFL Draft, Kaden Elliss was a special teams standout but played sparingly on defense over his first three seasons. He'd break out in a big way over the last half of 2022, with the defense not missing a beat during Werner's injury absence.

Elliss finished with 7 sacks, 11 pressures, 2 passes broken up, and 7 tackles for loss among 78 total stops. Six of his sacks, along with 63 tackles, came in the last nine games. He was not only disruptive against the run and as a pass rusher, but also showed vast improvements in coverage--a previous weakness in his game.

In the last nine games with Elliss in full-time duty, the Saints gave up an average of less than 15 points and 309 yards per contest while recording 29 sacks.

An unrestricted free agent entering the offseason, re-signing Elliss should be a top priority for New Orleans. His emergence, along with Werner's development and the elite presence of Davis, gave the Saints one of the league's best trio of linebackers.


New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) in coverage against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The fact that the Saints ranked a lowly 24th against the run is more of an indictment on the poor play of the defensive tackles than the linebacking corps. Opponents were able to get to the second level easily most of the year with interior runs.

Davis, Elliss, and Werner were all playmakers throughout the year. The New Orleans linebackers were the most consistent unit on the team on either side of the ball. They were the key to one of the league's better defenses.

Saints LB Grade = B+​

After a terrible season offensively, the New Orleans Saints have to figure out how to be explosive on a weekly basis again. That starts with health, the OC & QB.

New Orleans already decided to run it back with Pete Carmichael as the OC next year. I highly disagree with this decision after watching a full season of malpractice… seeing opening drives go 3 and out with AK on the field for 1/3 of those plays, predictable runs and playing “not to lose” which led to ultimately blowing leads. But the FO has spoken - let’s pray Pete will adapt to the new-age NFL and simply do his job better...