Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

With the draft and free agency over, our roster is fairly set. We have a new to us Head Coach and a new to us starting QB marking the end of the Payton/Brees era. Or does it?

Over the years we (fans) have been very vocal about Sean Payton's play calling with the most common complaint being predictability. When asked why Winston would want to return to the Saints there was a common thread of 'familiar playbook'.

What I am getting at is that to the best of my knowledge we have a Sean Payton playbook that was mostly written for Drew Brees (I did not see a huge deviation from the norm last year). We also have a new HC and a new starting QB and I'd expect both to be out to prove they can get it done.

If I am Dennis Allen, I am throwing Paytons book in the bin because I need to prove that I can get it done without a crutch. If I am Winston I want that book gone as well so that I am working something tailored for me.

They both have chips and both have something to prove, I am hoping to see a very unfamiliar offense on the field in 2022. Thoughts? :bng:

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

There's some truth to that...

Roster isn't set though. It'll be fun to see it unfold. Hoping the moves elevate us, barring disastrous injuries.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Saints have what I call a loaded team, very strong roster from top to bottom in most areas. The biggest question left is at QB. If Winston is highly effective and the offense can sustain drives and score points on a consistent basis, this team will contend for a Super Bowl if major injuries are avoided.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I believe that Pete Carmichael will place our offensive weapons in the best situation to succeed. If that includes elements of the past offense under Payton, then so be it, since there are returning weapons. But I also expect Carmichael and Winston to add components that fit his skillset the best. I believe the familiarity which is mentioned is more related to things like terminology which can be a major hurdle under most changes in player and/or coaching personnel. I have always heard that almost all teams have the same basic plays in their book, but it is how they are implemented, the timing in which they are used, and the personnel in place to run them that makes the difference. Certainly there are exotic twists and variations, much loved by Sean Payton, but I believe for the most part it is the execution, game planning, and playcalling that matters the most. I feel we have every component required in that to succeed. I fully expect us to challenge for the division title and most certainly a spot in the playoffs ... barring in-season disasters as mentioned by others.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I expect PC to run a similar system to Sean Payton. Most players knows the playbook because the players we have were brought in for that type of play. PC shouldn't try to completely shake up the play book.

Although, Payton often dialed back the play book when he over complicated things and the team bogged down. Kind of like on his movie Home Team where he had to scrap the playbook because it was confusing his players.

Payton was a seriously good gambler(Ambush). I believe DA will gamble less frequently. Although, his style of defense is designed to surprise the opposition. I don't see why he wouldn't use the same mentality on offense. Let Pete Carmichael run his wrinkles on offense with the proper personnel and I believe we could be scary good.

If I remember correctly we have a new WR coach fresh from college with a different outlook to bring Olave to his full potential and get MT back on track. We brought back the O-Line coach, his name escapes me, and he is going to change pass protection plans to fit the players strengths(zone blocking?). I'm thinking we have a new RB coach but don't quote me on that.

My point is we have a lot of fresh ideas from a lot of fresh faces with a great resume. And we have brought back coaches who were previously poached away from the Saints who will have their own impact in forming this new team.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I didn’t mean to imply the starting roster, more that we know what we have to work with as a whole. :bng:

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I expect a top 5 defense and top 10 offense resulting in Super Bowl contention.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I like the way you think:beer:

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I want to NOT be able predict the next play on offense.

Based on situation, alignment of the offense and watching SP's offense for 15 years, I could basically call the next play from my living room. We were far too predictable, especially in the playoffs.

I want to see that mentality that Dennis Allen said the team will have, during his opening press conference.
Speed and technically sound on defense.
Attacking and aggressive on offense.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I want to see a team that will hurt you on either side of the ball.

An offense that will score any time they touch the ball from anywhere on the field.
A defense that will be a brick wall on 3rd and short and make opposing punters the hardest working player on their team.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

So…you want to be the 89 Niners! 🤪

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

With Honey Badger on board I want to see more of that XLIV defensive swagger, more turnovers forced.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Good point JP. Although, based upon what Jets fans tell me, he should be fine once he is healed and shouldn’t drop off like Byrd. But when he will be back to full strength the question. This may be part of why multiple FA Safetys have been signed; maybe he won’t be really back until a few weeks into the season.

If nothing else he, like Thomas or any OLinemen coming back from injury, need to show they have rebounded and can play at the level they were pre injury.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Last year Payton and Carmichael and the Offensive staff all worked VERY hard to scheme for multiple QB's and we won a lot of games in the face of CRAZY adversity. Carmichael will be fine without Payton probably better as he is his own man and worked with one of the best for a LONG time. Payton left a good stamp on this team but as every year for every team there are NEW coaches and NEW players. We have been able to retain most of both and had a great draft and free agency. I expect this team will win (if remaining healthy) with any quarterback on our roster. The big question in my mind is Winston. Hopefully with his time off, rehab and focus on school (kudos), his mind will be free and he won't force throws and lose games for us. Not holding my breath...but hopeful as such breaks relax the mind and the game will be more fresh to him. I suspect that he is still the same guy. Definitely still on the Hill bandwagon. I don't care if anyone else is not.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Well, i guess this is an expectation, but it’s hard to see how we aren’t favored to win the division. If you break it down to us vs the brady’s by position group I’d rank it as follows:

QB Slight edge Tampa Older Brady is already confused by Allen’s D. That ain’t gonna change in head to head matchups. But through the course of a season Brady will have the edge.

WRs slight edge Saints. Both teams have key players coming back from injuries. But with the Saints adding Olave and the progression of Callaway along with Harris Insay it’s a plus. Bottom line we’ve improved and they have gotten worse.

RBs Even. Too many variables here. Although Kamara is clearly the best of the group, he’s older and may be suspended. All things considered it’s a toss up.

TEs Even Almost same as RBs. Gronk is done.

OLine Saints solidly. Barring injury Saints have a top 5 line with the quality of the coaching. If the rookie pans out then it’s a stomp. Again, we got better and TB got worse.

Dline even/slight edge Tampa. Overall they are a bit deeper. Stronger up th middle. It’s close.

LB Even/slight edge Tampa. Again it’s close. But they have more talent

CBs Solid saints. Latt is awesome. Adebo was a steal. Depth at the position.

Safety Edge saints. If Mayes is back healthy then it’s a solid Saints.

Special Teams Saints. Lutz is solid. Gil is Moorestead 2.0.

Coaching Even. Both are move ups from within slight edge to Allen.

Just my 2 cents.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

QB: Tampa Bay
RB: New Orleans
WR: Tampa Bay
TE: New Orleans
OL: Tampa Bay
DL: New Orleans
LB: Tampa Bay
DB: New Orleans
Special Teams: New Orleans

New Orleans with the ever so slight edge. If we get Landry I'll call WR even giving us an even bigger edge. If Jameis does what I think he's going to do this season I expect QB to be an advantage as well. I think Winston outperforms Brady.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Pressure their QB and protect ours. With this secondary they will get a lot of turnovers and if protect Winston he will light it up.

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

In the spirit of the OP there is a lot of speculation as to where we end up but little as to how we get there.

Many... MANY dream teams have proven that the debate over strength of roster is irrelevant and success is grounded less in the tools you have and more in how you use them. The 2009 New Orleans Saints are very much an example of how you use things is what determines success.

Its why the title asks "expect/want" on the field rather than record book.

If you've anointed Pete Carmichael as the next coming of Sean Payton you may want to consider that Drew Brees had stronger ties to Pete than Sean did. Pete and Drew didn't just arrive in New Orleans together in 2006 they were in San Diego together for four years. Pete has not proven himself without Sean&Drew at his side and I didn't realize that when I made my original post.

We now have three critical parts to our offense all with a chip on their shoulder, none wanting an asterisk next to the 2022 season stating 'Brought to you by Sean Payton'.

In Dennis Allen's original press conference he pushed the idea of a continuation which was BS, that was damage control. Now he is pushing more of a moderate 'my stamp on things'. By the start of the season I am expecting Dennis/Pete/Jameis to roll on to the field with a new brand of Saints football, it is the only way they can own success this season. :bng:

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I both want and expect the on field product to look like whatever it takes to win. I want and expect Jameis Winston to look more like Brees than the Winston of Tampa Bay. He cannot help but to have learned from Brees and had admitted as much. The philosophical differences between the coaching at Tampa and what he has in New Orleans is huge. His maturity level is also very noticeable.

I also want and expect Allen to march out a defense that is even more impactful than the excellence we have been seeing the past two years. He'll still be very involved in the design and will once again be handling those playcalling duties. I want and expect him to take what he has learned in his career to do the best job possible make the Saints a success. If that means retaining some of the same practices as Sean Payton, then so be it. I believe he is more concerned with winning than just doing it "his way," per se.

As for Carmichael, I want and expect him to run the offense in a manner to best utilize his resources. In some ways I expect it to be similar to what we have seen previously, and in other ways different to utilize the strengths of the new pieces and how they fit together. I do not expect him to consciously attempt to make it different as he has been involved in play design and playcalling in the past, but the roster and the game continues to evolve so I would expect some new wrinkles, but nothing dramatically different. Perhaps less jet sweeps? :D

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

:popcorn:

Is Tampon scared enough yet? Will they be if we sign Jarvis?

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

I expect/want a new era of Saints football. I expect/want a team that is physical and disciplined on both sides of the ball. I definitely expect/want to remain a classy and competitive organization like we have been under Sean.
I also want a winning season. A SB appearance/win would be a cherry on top

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Re: Saints 2022: What do we expect/want on the field?
 

Tampon has two distinct and very different hurdles to overcome.

A defense they have not been able to beat or put more than 28 points on in regular season since December 2018. They brought in Brady and still fell flat on their faces. That has to live in their heads rent free.

Offensively they are in the dark. Know how rookie QBs can give good defenses fits because there was no NFL tape to study? Dennis/Pete/Jameis putting their own stamp on things means that not only is there no tape but unlike a rookie QB these are all proven talents. Dennis and Pete need to prove that they can stand alone but they aren't where they are because they aren't quality talents.


I suspect the NFL will push our TB games to later in the season to give them as much tape as possible.

Id like to see less Cirque du Soleil and more more blood on jerseys from our offense to be honest. If everyone on Offense gave their impersonation of Colston for the whole season I would be satisfied... Move the f***ing ball, get back in the huddle...