Analysis AMA - Ask Me Anything (Saints Preseason Game 1) (3 Viewers)

[natedog]

Curious about the Dline as well, it's only preseason, but are we really weak there ? It's a different NFL now I guess, so are the days of 5 + sack games likely behind us ?

 

[TCUDan]

What I saw of Penning was not encouraging. Looked like he was on skates half the time, with smaller DEs getting into his chest, collapsing him back and knocking him off his feet. Tell me I'm wrong--I won't mind, at all. Because right now two words are coming to mind whenever I look at Penning play: Shawn. Knight.

You're not wrong. It's incredibly disappointing. I was extremely high on Penning coming out--he is physically gifted and seems to want to put in the work.

What I saw is a guy who does not anchor down well at all and lacks timing with his punch. For all his size he gets shoved around in pass protection because of fundamentals. As a rookie he looked much better in the run game, but the issues have bled over into his performance there as well, as I'm seeing a lot of upper body torque and poor leverage, putting himself in bad fits and then trying to wrestle guys rather than drive through with his legs.

As for the diagnosis--my best guess is it's all mental. It's more than not just rising to the occasion; it's regression. Because of his draft position I think it's safe to say that he is quickly running out of time. I've seen suggestions that he move inside to guard but his issue isn't operating in space/athleticism. His issue is not using his tools at all and getting in his own way on every snap. He is just playing with really poor, sloppy technique, and right now looks like one of the worst OL on the team.

I think he's got the preseason to get over whatever mental hurdles he's battling. I hope he has a good sports psychologist because he's going to need 180-degree turnaround from last night to make this team. I'd be afraid to put him back on the field with Carr.

 

[TCUDan]

The Saints had three openings on the OL this offseason. LT, LG, RT. Also worth noting that, l among those positions, we had to replace a three-time all pro on the right side.

At first glance, things aren’t looking good outside the Fuaga pick. What is your assessment of how the Saints filled those gaps, based on the limited data we have? If it’s as bad as it looked, are we in for another long season of stalled drives and red zone field goals?

I like that Kubiak brings a fresh set of ideas, but it seems like he is going to have to spend more time tailoring his offense to the OL than to our skill guys.

I'd wait before making any sweeping judgment on the OL as a whole. Kubiak's system is very OL friendly and everything I've heard about his coaching process is very encouraging. If the process is correct, the results will come.

Fuaga, Ruiz, McCoy--I'm not worried about. RG I think we're gonna shake a guy out who can hold his water. RT--I don't want to give up on Penning just yet but he's making it pretty difficult to stick with him. Right now I'd say his odds on making the team, let alone starting, are 50/50. I'd honestly be more confident with Landon Young in there if the season started tomorrow.

 

[TCUDan]

Is Rattler that good or are we getting a little carried away here ?

Oh he's good, no doubt. He still had some rookie moments but I thought he played well and you can tell he's operated in a pro-style system before. The physical ability is probably the best I've seen from a Saints QB in a while, and by that I mean the effortlessness with which he gets the ball out and navigates throwing lanes. I love his body language. He exudes toughness and confidence and it showed when he ran for that TD.

I still think Carr is clearly the starter (there is no QB controversy) but Rattler looks like the future. Just one preseason game, so this going purely off of his tools and the fact that he showed some intangibles in a live game. I thought Haener looked good as well, but Rattler is clearly a notch above him in terms of his toolbox.

Let's just say I'm very optimistic when it comes to Rattler. His ceiling is extremely high and he's in a great situation to develop.

 

[TCUDan]

No specific question, TCU Dan, but what was your overall thoughts on what you've seen from the Saints so far? Is our Oline that bad? Our DLine that good? What's your take so far?

OL needs some answers. I am not worried about Ruiz/McCoy/Fuaga. But the right side is an issue. Honestly Kubiak's Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme is gonna cover up for some deficiencies, but when your RT is just getting bullied in one-on-one's that's pretty disconcerting. I'm hoping they have answers/a plan.

DLine looked pretty solid, and I was especially happy to see Chase Young bring a very disruptive presence. There was one sack (I think it was Bresee) where Young beat the LT so quickly that it forced the QB right into his lap. If he can stay healthy that's a huge addition.

Overall, I'm not getting too excited or too upset. The Saints starters looked great in the first preseason game last year and the offense proceeded to take 8-10 weeks to find itself. The preseason is about evaluation more than anything, so that's how I'm gonna treat it.

Oh, but I did get excited to see Charlie Smyth kick the game-winning field goal. He played for the same GAA (Gaelic Football) team as one of my good friends. Helluva experience for him.

 

[TCUDan]

Were the 3000000 Check downs to Mims a sign that out WRs cannot get open. I’d like to think its a chemistry deal with Haener and Mims playing at Fresno together

Nah I think that's just the offense being pretty vanilla.

 

[TCUDan]

I assume you looked at the tape and concluded Penning is not starter material. Do we have options currently on the team to fill that spot, or will it take a trade or free agent signing to get some production?

I don't know what the coaches' plan B is but I'm sure they got one. Landon Young would be a better option at this point.

 

[TCUDan]

Given what we've seen so far of Penning at LT and RT, is it realistic that Penning might make a serviceable Guard for the Saints?

No. His issue isn't space or athleticism (what usually leads to moving a tackle inside). If he's getting fork-lifted by 260 lbs DEs, think about what a 330-lb DT would do to him.

He is playing with zero technique. If he can't make it at OT, I don't think he can make it in the NFL. This isn't a conversation about Penning getting benched anymore. It's a conversation about him making the team.

... And keep in mind that he is exactly who I wanted to the Saints to draft 2 years ago. So I say this with a really heavy heart. I want the guy to succeed but he is 100% getting in his own way. And because of where he was drafted, time's kind of running out.

 

[FlySaint]

Thanks for all the insight Dan. What’s going on with you now?

 

[TCUDan]

How would you describe what is wrong with our running game? What do we need to do to fix it and is Kubiak the guy to do that?

Timing and rhythm. I'm giving the running game a little more patience. When you're running a zone-heavy scheme, especially this Alex Gibbs-style stretch/outside zone offense, it's all about timing and the OL getting enough reps together. The backs getting a feel for it and learning to read the wash up front. Every run can hit at potentially 3 different landmarks. It's not like lining up and running gap-scheme power and counter, where it's down block/deuce block, pull/kickout, etc., and you basically know exactly where your crease is gonna be. There's a lot more moving parts.

I'd say give it time. Though I would really like for Kendre Miller to get healthy bc this offense is made for backs like him.

 

[TCUDan]

Dan, what are your thoughts on Kubiak being up in the pressbox calling plays, vice roaming the sidelines motivating the offense to dominate?

It's always easier to call plays from up in the box. If you are calling plays from the sideline then you have a coach up in the box spotting for you and telling you what he likes. Just off the top of my head I would guess that the overwhelming majority of offensive coordinators/play callers who are not also HC's stay in the box.

At the end of the day it's about comfort level, too. I can tell you, having operated both on the sidelines and from up in the box, there are way fewer distractions up there (you're insulated from the crowd noise, don't have players coming up to you constantly, etc.). I prefer the sideline and that's where I usually am as a HC. But when I was an OC, it was always easier calling plays from upstairs.

 

[TCUDan]

What are your initial impressions of Bryan Bresee year over year?

I think he's a stud and a 3-down interior lineman. I did not focus on him a ton during the game but as long as he's healthy I think he will develop into a dominant inside force.

 

[TCUDan]

How does a 320 lb RT get pancaked and bull-rushed by LB’s and Safeties? He’s gonna get our QB’s drilled repeatedly in the passing game.

BC he's not trusting his technique.

 

[TCUDan]

Curious about the Dline as well, it's only preseason, but are we really weak there ? It's a different NFL now I guess, so are the days of 5 + sack games likely behind us ?

Again, I gotta go watch another time through to focus in on the DL, but I didn't see any glaring issues there. Bresee is a stud inside and we got a good rotation on the edge. There's always room to improve, regardless.

 

[TCUDan]

Thanks for all the insight Dan. What’s going on with you now?

Just wrapped up the season at the end of June. Back in Prague and doing my offseason stuff (writing, consulting), but otherwise staying the hell away from football for a little while.

... well, except for the Saints.

And CFB '25.