Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers

John Sigler
September 19, 2022 2:44 pm CT

We shouldn’t put too much stock in simplified player grades from Pro Football Focus, but the analytics service does create an opportunity for recapping some of the most impactful performances from Week 2’s New Orleans Saints game – both the good and the bad.

To thin out some noise from too-small sample sizes, I’m only listing players who were on the field for at least 33% of snaps with the Saints offense or defense. This better reflects who was on the field most frequently. Let’s get to it.

Top 5 offense (minimum 22 snaps)

1. C Erik McCoy: 79.8
2. WR Michael Thomas: 75.8
3. RG Cesar Ruiz: 75.4
4. LT James Hurst: 68.6
5. TE Juwan Johnson: 66.0

McCoy and Ruiz were really impressive on Sunday, paving the way for some big gains on the ground and winning his matchups with Vita Vea and Akiem Hicks (until Hicks exited the game with an injury). It’s just one game, but this really feels like something Ruiz can begin to build off of.

Thomas won his battles with Carlton Davis, converting a first down on all three of the receptions he made when covered by Tampa Bay’s top cornerback, also scoring a late touchdown. The lone incomplete pass sent his way when matched up with Davis was broken up by the defender.

Johnson again saw more snaps on offense (53) than Adam Trautman (33), matching Trautman’s reps as a run blocker (15 each) while remaining the team’s go-to option on passing downs at tight end. I’ll wait a little longer to let the sample size continue to grow, but Trautman appears to have been displaced as TE1.

Top 5 defense (minimum 22 snaps)

1. LB Pete Werner: 88.4
2. LB Demario Davis: 79.9
3. DE Cameron Jordan: 78.2
4. LB Kaden Elliss: 77.1
5. DE Carl Granderson: 72.6

Werner was phenomenal again on Sunday, with all 6 of his tackles constituting defensive stopcs (meaning the offense typically gained half or fewer of the yards needed to convert a first down). He was tested 4 times in coverage and only yielded 6 receiving yards. He’s quickly climbing the ranks among pro linebackers.

Jordan lost this round to Buccaneers right tackle Tristan Wirfs on passing downs, which isn’t too surprising given Wirfs is one of the best players at that position of his generation. But Jordan did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage and winning on running downs. He isn’t the pass rusher he once was, sure – but he’s still a critically important all-around defender for this team.

Elliss came up big in pass coverage, with both of the targets sent after him falling incomplete (he got a mitt on one of them for a pass deflection). Granderson also produced a couple of stops in high-leverage situations. The Saints defense played their hearts out for much of the game and deserve credit for keeping it close even as the offense collapsed.

Read the rest including bottom five of each side here ...

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Interesting stat here, too.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I still can't understand why we didn't get Thomas involved more earlier in the game. If you're going to force anything to anyone, Thomas is that guy. That's a no brainer.

Juwan Johnson is going into his third year now and looks like he can be a real contributor if we utilize him more. He certainly looks the part on the field. PFF fooled us on Trautman his first season... we had a lot of false hope there.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

There were definitely some positive takeaways from the game Sunday. I'm not sure if Winston wasn't going through progressions and only focusing on the first option, or if Carmichael had told him to keep dropping the bombs. It is so frustrating to know we have all that talent and not be able to score.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Re watching the game, Jarvis & MT were open & creating separation. Head scratcher on not getting proven vets more involved early.

But to force feed (15 targets) Olave against a disciplined Tampa defense was crazy to me.

Better QB decisions & play calling must get better vs Carolina.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I don't see it as a playcalling issue. Schematically, players were open. Better decisions need to be made. That's on Winston.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I think everybody as far as play calling and game planning goes has a little bit of fault in this starting from the top down.

Defense has done their job
Offense on the 1st drive was effective.. Did the play calling change or did Tampa adjust that quickly?

Who knows what's really going on right now..

Dennis trying to make a name for himself and put his stamp on things making his direction known on how he wants it to go and Pete following suite?

Carmichael has made some questionable calls that were blew up.
Happens to the best of them at some point or another.
The Ingram 2 pt conversion and the Taysom sub/ins come to mind.
Expand the pkg and plays when he's in...
Payton did the same

Just hoping it clicks soon and that the lightbulb comes on, and if Jameis needs to sit they don't waste time in making the decision.

Jameis has made big mistakes no doubt.
I think he was still rattled from the first game getting slammed around.
I'm pulling for the dude no doubt but it should be very clear what this thing is going to be as a whole sooner rather than later.

Maybe now he's cautious with the back issue and it's a subliminal thing.
It's definitely apparent he's hesitant to scramble and run for it probably due to avoiding potential collision.

History shows that when he's forced to make these comebacks it's feast or famine .
He's only human man.
Yes, some of that is due to his own shortcomings and also shooting himself in the foot throughout the game .

I think it's still too early to write him off.

I'm not making any excuses for him it's just alot of moving parts that need to be figured out from within imo.
Was it all on Jameis or is he being guided to read a certain way?

New regime probably outsmarting themselves.

I just think it's too early

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I think what K is talking about is the run game part of the play calling. Guys were getting 4 and 5 yards a clip. The game was close enough that you could still run the ball even after they scored that td. Take what the defense is giving you. We played right into their hands. Running the ball like we were would of forced safeties to play closer and open up the passing lanes

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I agree Pete. If he’s playing like this come week 5 then yea, you can make a switch.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

4 my brother.. 5 is pushing it lol

Let's give him 2 more weeks..
If he's hurt, he's hurt man.

It's his time.. it's just very unfortunate now he has 4 fractures to contend with also.
Damn the luck

Pulling for him

Just realized..
I think we're thinking the same thing on the week 5 move with 4 games to prove it.
I agree with You also then👍👍

I just think giving him 3 weeks injured may be a bit much.

We're about to find out regardless right?
Buckle up soldier

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

5.1 yards a pop ... against a good defense.

Keep pounding with the run game.

Tampa had little success running with LF, but they never gave up on it.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I agree that we should have ran the ball more and take what the defense was giving us. They were also giving us those short and intermediate routes all game as well. The game plan wasn't bad at all. We took deep shots that opened up running lanes and routes underneath. We failed to take advantage of it. We lost. He calls the plays so blame lies there as well. But the main reason we didn't have success Sunday was due to execution.

I think a lot of people keep trying to make excuses for Jameis. He is what he is. He has been his whole career. He's going to look like an All Pro one week and a pile of dung the next. Do people really believe our OC told our quarterback to develop tunnel vision and keep forcing the ball downfield? Even the suggestion of that is crazy to me.

If we have to rely on Jameis arm to be successful this year, it's going to be a very frustrating season to watch. Lots of highs and lots of lows. He needs to be smarter.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Agree mostly papz. To his credit in post game Winston admitted he needs to be better. The run game was great!....until the fumble and then we struggled.

The Jekyll/Hyde nature you describe of Winston may be par for the course for NFL QBs. Look at Cousins last week vs this week. Look at Murray. Burroughs is still finding his way. Hell, Brady had a mediocre week. Just food for thought.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I’am pulling for him too. But the team comes first. I rather him shut it down for a few weeks and come back mid season, instead of trying to play the whole season hurt. Like Mayfield did

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

There’s something to be said for this…especially if your starting QB isn’t clearly better than your backup. If Winston is hurt, I’d bring out the Red Rifle.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Cousins has always been a mixed bag. Until he plays us for some damn reason but I still say not playing starters in the preseason will have this chemistry and timing issue. KC started their starters and they look in sync.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Respectfully Papz, what if pressure caused him to miss these reads not being able to get to them?
That deep shot takes the longest to reveal itself I guess correct but what if that was all that's left..
You throw it away correct


"Jameis if you think you see the deep shot no risk it no biscuit that mutha"..
Maybe that's a place in the game you gamble and pretty much call that throw a punt if nothing was there?
I think there's a chance of that but I've been called crazy before.

It's puzzling and I'll just need a couple more weeks to choose how I want to view it.
I'm not trying to make excuses for him at all man.

It's going to be what it's gunna be in the end, and naturally of course I'm trying to see the what-ifs in it all being that, I don't think it's as cut and dry as some may think either.

Too many moving parts

I'm pulling for Jameis 100% but I think a couple more weeks of bad game film evaluated by the ones knowing exactly what was called settles it.
If Jameis' is not executing and truly missing he gets the hook going into week 5.
I'm good with that

The dudes injured man that cannot help his cause/performance.

Maybe I'm wrong, but this will not be the first nor the last time. I do know that to be Fact lol

Let's go kick the panthers ass

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Fair enough but here’s a question for you. What if they put Dalton in there and he plays bad too then what? His stats the last few years aren’t the greatest. Game manager at best. Last three years 38 tds to 31 ints. I like Andy and if they start him, imma root for him but if we’re expecting him to be Drew or close to him. I think we’re lying to ourselves

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Winston gives us the best chance to win. Plain and simple. I'm not ready to write him off after this one game. It's evident he's still developing chemistry with the WRs. Thomas and Olave are about to go off.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Except you CAN'T fumble!

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Well, then you put Winston back in after some rest to heal. I think Winston should be in if he is healthy.....I'm not sure his is.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I don't think any one of us wants to see Jameis fail. He does give us our best chance at making the playoffs. We just can't be reliant on his arm in doing so. Bad things happen when Jameis throws the ball a lot. It didn't work in Tampa and it won't here. That's something I hope Allen and Carmichael realize sooner than later. Nothing wrong with managing a game, running the football, and playing defense.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

About the only positive I can take from this game is the major improvement along the offensive line against one of the leagues best defenses. Winston and Olave should be working overtime this week to get their timing down. Some of those balls were so off target I have a hard time putting the blame on Olave.
I’ve been a Winston supporter and admire the hell out of his toughness, leadership, and attitude but I hope DA doesn’t wait until it’s too late to make a switch if it comes to that. I think Dalton could have a good year with us .

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

LB Pete Werner: 88.4

Another outstanding game ^^ & is good in coverage.

Not a lot of talking, just does his job well.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

That dude is Old School Legit and to watch his demeanor makes me have hope that real football is not dead!

We need 3 more of him

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I don’t think he is either, Bos. You can tell his deep ball accuracy which is his biggest strength was very off. A lot of sailed passes too. It’s a miracle he can even walk. I had a L3 bulged disk pushing on a nerve and sometimes it would take me two minutes to walk across the hall to the bathroom. Put Andy in until he’s good to go.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

I was sooo wrong about Pete. I’m glad to eat crow on that. Looks like I’ll have to eat some crow for Alontae too

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Disc issues are WAY worse that vertebral fractures. You can have the only nerves affected in a fracture being the ones around the bone itself. Non-spinal. Someone here pointed out mobility possibly being an issue. The team said they strapped padding over the fractured area. That would have be around the hips. I would imagine that could hinder the rotation of the hips in the throwing motion. I mentioned possibly modifying the padding with more time to be less restrictive, yet still provide some protection.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Okay, got the scoop on the Winston injury. According to Dr. David Chou what Jameis is dealing with are fractures to the Transverse process, which is "a small bony projection off the right and left side of each vertebrae". Dr. Chou said there is no chance of further injury and dealing with the local pain is the only issue. Local pain-killers can alleviate that.

https://embed.widencdn.net/img/verit...&use=d502n&k=c

This is the same type of injury that Tony Romo played with a few years ago and other players have, as well. In other words, we really can't blame the injury itself on Winston's performance. The padding, maybe, but not the actual injury.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

The bottom line is Winston needs to play better. He's performed poorly for two straight weeks. Lack of pocket awareness, holding the ball too long whatever, do better.

Now if he's injured and needs to get healthy, have a seat. Dalton is more than capable vs Carolina.

We all just want to win.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Yes. We all just want to win. Probably no more than does the coaches and players.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

Ok AG
that's cool to see the actual place of damage in the picture, but can we really say that it can't be blamed on that ?
Certain people have different tolerances and thresholds when it comes to pain I'm pretty sure..

I googled that fracture and it's saying it's a 4-6 week healing process with rest.

I don't think it's Jameis' main issue right now but it certainly cannot help the matter any imo.
The padding added I could also see that contributing too and being valid.

In between the guys critiquing his film and his drs, they just need to get this straight and quickly if you ask me so there's no more excuses to possibly lean on.

Get healthy and bring the goods or have a seat, or have a seat until ready like other members here have mentioned.

There's a few statistics I'm starting to see with pocket awareness/presence not being a strong suit of his at the moment.

Again, many things are having to be factored in..

Everyone's rightfully losing patience.

Re: Best and worst Saints PFF player grades from Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
 

They did get their timing right on the last pass and Olave fumbled the ball hitting the ground. This was lack of playing together in preseason. Game speed and practice speed are 2 completely different speeds. I just don't think we need to throw this 6 times a game.