Former Saints GM Randy Mueller: Team Still Lacks Perimeter Threat

texasjefe said

I don't subscribe to the Athletic, so thank you for giving us a window there.

I feel much better coming out of the offseason with the Saints offensive personnel, but I will not hype it. They need to build chemistry, Carr needs to raise his play from the Raiders, and Carmichael needs to show he can gameplan, find mismatches, and playcall effectively on his own two feet. If injuries come, it feels like there's better depth.

My concern is the offensive line... Penning's health, Peat in general, Ruiz, Hurst if he's relied on, etc...

I'm not gonna go look at all the 40-times for the receivers but there's speed there, and Olave is not a rookie anymore.

Mueller comes across as a guy who smokes a lot of weed and sits out by a beach all day.

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I think Mueller is aware of Shaheed and he's following normal football talk protocol by not mentioning him. One thing a coach or GM tries to avoid is over hyping a player. For two reasons, 1) to not look like a fool if the player busts and 2) and not to feed the ego of the rising player, because it may de-rail the players ascent. Both Shaheed and MT have something to prove first, before they gain my confidence. Shaheed flashed for sure at WR and was a huge improvement as a returner on our special teams. Prior to him we had nothing especially after Deonte Hardy was injured. The question still remains if Shaheed will continue to ascend, or sophomore slump his second year. Tbh, I think we're good if all he does is return kicks and punts because an elite returner is extremely valuable. It would be a bonus for him to also fill the #3 WR position. However, it would be better overall for the Saints if one of the young guys or Edwards etc. can earn the Wr3. Its a lot to ask of one player play both positions at an elite level year in and year out. Devin Hesters are rare. As for MT: My concern is, is it physically possible that he can stay healthy? Or is his medical status on a timer that, if not managed well, will re-occur? Or is he straight up good to go, where repetitive stress to the legs and feet will not increase the chances of re-injury?