PFF gets a lot of flack, but their grades provide a baseline for player evaluation, especially when you're not a film junkie like myself. Jim Mora once said, you think you know...but you'll never know, and I subscribe to that level of thinking, so this is purely subjective. However, I do respect people who put in time and effort and it's clear that the folks over at PFF aren't just pulling things out their collective rectum.
Most promising takeaway: All RB's graded above 70 in PBLK as the blitz pickup from every runner was far above average vs a defensive scheme that targets them with well designed blitzes.
"The New Orleans Saints offensive line depth took a hit as veteran Will Clapp is expected to be out for quite some time. The Saints' backup G/C appeared to suffer the injury on their first offensive play while blocking #96 of the Chargers. Clapp favored the foot immediately after disengaging from the lineman but jogged back in the frame late to snap the ball on the next play. He would eventually be escorted off the field with the assistance of trainers following the Saints' 2nd play from scrimmage.
While unfortunate for Clapp, this opens up an opportunity for rookie C/G Torricelli Simpkins to make a case for the Saints' 53-man roster."
UPDATE: Clapp is awaiting a second opinion, but potentially the injury is season ending and will require surgery.
Last night’s pre-season game vs the Chargers was a struggle on the surface, but I thought it was solid showing for a team with a new head coach deploying new schemes on both sides of the ball. Quite frankly the Saints looked like a team playing its first pre-season game vs a team playing it's second, in the second year of it's program under HC Jim Harbaugh. While there's tons to clean up, the team as a whole showed good effort throughout the game and there wasn't that sense of lethargy we saw at times under Dennis Allen.
The Upper Room
1. Rookie Quarterback: Tyler Shough
Despite being 25 years of age, rookie Tyler Shough only threw 951 passes vs live defenses in college. For comparisons, Jayden Daniels (1438), Michael Penis (1685), and Bo Nix (1936) all QB’s considered older, had much more experience before their introduction to NFL defenses.
Shough needs reps to raise his floor, but his ceiling is obvious. His ability to anticipate and make accurate throws showed up on the two-minute drive before halftime. Meanwhile his height is a trait that allows him to see the field when the pocket gets congested, a trait that neither Jake Haener nor Spencer Rattler boast. The deep ball TD to Mason Tipton was an excellent response to the pick 6 on the previous series.
Quarterback Jake Thompson in action during the pre-season game.
2. Offensive Tackle : Kelvin Banks Jr.
Have you ever been swallowed? Yeah well, most of the defensive lineman that rushed against Banks ended up in purgatory. He can handle speed, power, and violent hands all the same. Any pressure allowed wasn’t from 1 on 1’s but pressure looks that with experience he’ll sift through quicker, and get to the right man. I would have liked to see him get more movement in the ground game, but it’s a passing league first and the early return on investment suggest Banks will do just fine keeping his QB off the ground.
3. Free Agent Edge Rusher: Chris Rumph II
Physical, relentless, active in the run game and smooth in coverage, Chris Rumph II had himself a game. The two penalties were a slight blemish, but there were far more positive plays associated with him than negative. He should have been credited with two sacks as the 3rd and 15 play that resulted in a defensive hold, should have been called down when the QB’s elbow hit the turf during the tackle attempt. Rumph is easily penciled in as the 4th LB/edge off the bench and is almost a luxury. Very good signing.
The Basement
1. 2nd year Quarterback: Spencer Rattler
Rattler appeared tentative in his outing vs the Chargers seemingly playing like a guy trying not to lose the QB competition vs Shough. Some Quarterbacks are anticipatory throwers, while others have to see it to throw it, think Jay Cutler. Rattler fits in the latter as his lack of anticipation makes it hard to see his improvement from year 1 to 2, and makes him dependent on having wide receivers who can create noticeable separation in their routes. Not having Rashid Shaheed or Chris Olave severely hurt his chances to impress and extend his lead over Shough but the drive killings sacks, turnovers, and early pocket bailing continues to haunt him.
2. Defensive Letdown: Isaiah Foskey
It's beginning to look a-lot like Bustmas as the former 2nd rounder continues to struggle asserting himself. A lot of false steps and wasted movement as a pass-rusher, and he struggled setting the edge in the running game. On multiple occasions Foskey got caught crashing inside only to watch as the runner bounced to the outside where he should have been. Is he salvageable as a pass-rusher? Perhaps, but dreams of him becoming an every down impact player should be put to bed. Not quite Stanley Jean-Baptiste levels of bad, but it's close.
3. Offensive Line Depth
I could split hairs here with the WR position but the up and down QB play limited the WR’s and more importantly the spotty O-line play after the top unit was pulled limited the QB’s. Will Clapp and Trevor Penning both left with injuries, and while Clapp’s replacement Torricelli Simpkins faired incredibly well, Dillon Radunz, the free agent signed to potentially compete with Penning for LG was pretty bad. Radunz has shown T/G ability in Tennessee so he wasn’t in an unfamiliar position, he just got whipped and was the primary culprit on the Rattler strip sack. Overall, last year’s problem appears to have carried over into 2025 and the health of the starting O-line will play a significant role in how good this offense can be.
Quick Hits
- Need to see more of Kendre Miller on KR. When he gets going, he gets going. As a backfield runner it’s similar, he’s going to fall forward when he gets a head of steam. Conversely, if he has to stop his feet, he’s dead in the water.
- Rattler had a 1 on 1 w/ Stoll in the endzone before going for it on 4th. That’s a play where he’s should throw it up in the air and let his 6’5 TE attempt to make a play.
- Dante Pettis Jr was underwhelming at a PR and he’s contact adverse. He angles for the sideline to avoid contact every opportunity he gets. Questionable route and poor effort on the pick 6.
