Saints think XFL experience was good for Niko Lalos’ growth

SmashMouth · 08-21-2023, 08:48 AM

Niko Lalos entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2020 and has only played in six games so far in his NFL career, but he got some experience this year that helped his growth, in the XFL.

Lalos ended last season on the Saints’ practice squad, then went to the XFL, where he played for the Seattle Sea Dragons and was one of the top defensive ends in that league. Now he’s back with the Saints, competing for a roster spot, and he had three sacks in Sunday night’s preseason game. Saints coach Dennis Allen credited Lalos’ XFL experience this spring for his continued growth.

more here

Rugby Saint II · 08-21-2023, 12:33 PM

Lalos won with his motor and hustle. His last two sacks came late when the QB was scrambling around in the pocket and eventually Lalos caught him. I was impressed with him and his game. I guess he learned a thing or two in the XFL that he brought with him to camp. Good for him. Man, other teams will be salivating over our cuts.....and we'll be scouring the waiver wire too. As we should.

AsylumGuido · 08-21-2023, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

Lalos won with his motor and hustle. His last two sacks came late when the QB was scrambling around in the pocket and eventually Lalos caught him. I was impressed with him and his game. I guess he learned a thing or two in the XFL that he brought with him to camp. Good for him. Man, other teams will be salivating over our cuts.....and we'll be scouring the waiver wire too. As we should.

A lot of that was that the Chargers 3rd string offensive line is as porous as ours. Not surprising. Pretty much every 3rd string shouldn't be on the field en masse.

BakoSaint · 08-21-2023, 01:45 PM

I think the XFL would be a good experience for Andrus Peat's growth too. Also Krull, Foskey, Edwards...

K Major · 08-21-2023, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by BakoSaint

I think the XFL would be a good experience for Andrus Peat's growth too. Also Krull, Foskey, Edwards...

Peat? Naw, he's been in the NFL 8+ seasons. At this point, he is what he is.

For the others, sure.

Rugby Saint II · 08-22-2023, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

Peat? Naw, he's been in the NFL 8+ seasons. At this point, he is what he is.

For the others, sure.

Eight Seasons in the NFL! Wow! It sure seems a lot longer than that since I saw the Pillsbury dough boy at TC the first time....

I hope he saved enough money to buy a Popeyes franchise.

08-21-2023, 08:48 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 37,016 Blog Entries: 29	Saints think XFL experience was good for Niko Lalos’ growth Niko Lalos entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2020 and has only played in six games so far in his NFL career, but he got some experience this year that helped his growth, in the XFL. Lalos ended last season on the Saints’ practice squad, then went to the XFL, where he played for the Seattle Sea Dragons and was one of the top defensive ends in that league. Now he’s back with the Saints, competing for a roster spot, and he had three sacks in Sunday night’s preseason game. Saints coach Dennis Allen credited Lalos’ XFL experience this spring for his continued growth. more here MatthewT, leilung, K Major and 1 others like this.

08-21-2023, 12:33 PM	#2
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,739	Re: Saints think XFL experience was good for Niko Lalos’ growth Lalos won with his motor and hustle. His last two sacks came late when the QB was scrambling around in the pocket and eventually Lalos caught him. I was impressed with him and his game. I guess he learned a thing or two in the XFL that he brought with him to camp. Good for him. Man, other teams will be salivating over our cuts.....and we'll be scouring the waiver wire too. As we should.

08-21-2023, 01:42 PM	#3
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,394	Re: Saints think XFL experience was good for Niko Lalos’ growth Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II Lalos won with his motor and hustle. His last two sacks came late when the QB was scrambling around in the pocket and eventually Lalos caught him. I was impressed with him and his game. I guess he learned a thing or two in the XFL that he brought with him to camp. Good for him. Man, other teams will be salivating over our cuts.....and we'll be scouring the waiver wire too. As we should. A lot of that was that the Chargers 3rd string offensive line is as porous as ours. Not surprising. Pretty much every 3rd string shouldn't be on the field en masse.

08-21-2023, 01:45 PM	#4
BakoSaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 1,759	Re: Saints think XFL experience was good for Niko Lalos’ growth I think the XFL would be a good experience for Andrus Peat's growth too. Also Krull, Foskey, Edwards... saintsfan1976, SmashMouth and Rugby Saint II like this.
BakoSaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 1,759

08-21-2023, 01:51 PM	#5
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,053 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Saints think XFL experience was good for Niko Lalos’ growth Originally Posted by BakoSaint I think the XFL would be a good experience for Andrus Peat's growth too. Also Krull, Foskey, Edwards... Peat? Naw, he's been in the NFL 8+ seasons. At this point, he is what he is. For the others, sure. Rugby Saint II likes this.

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08-22-2023, 02:19 PM	#6
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,739	Re: Saints think XFL experience was good for Niko Lalos’ growth Originally Posted by K Major Peat? Naw, he's been in the NFL 8+ seasons. At this point, he is what he is. For the others, sure. Eight Seasons in the NFL! Wow! It sure seems a lot longer than that since I saw the Pillsbury dough boy at TC the first time.... I hope he saved enough money to buy a Popeyes franchise. SmashMouth likes this.