New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

Of particular interest is this tidbit on Rick Dennison, our new run game coordinator:

He’s highly respected for his ability to develop offensive linemen as well.

This could be huge!

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

Saints adding another former Gary Kubiak assistant to 2024 coaching staff


John Sigler
February 15, 2024 11:01 am CT

The New Orleans Saints are putting an emphasis on getting their run game right in 2024, which means bringing in new coaches — and there’s going to be a lot of synergy between some of their most important new additions. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has already picked John Benton as his offensive line coach, and Nola.com’s Matthew Paras reports that Rick Dennison is being added to the coaching staff in a yet-to-be-determined role.

Dennison, 65, has worked with Kubiak before on the Minnesota Vikings as a senior advisor, offensive line coach, and run game coordinator. But before that, he worked under Gary Kubiak on the Houston Texans as their offensive coordinator. At that same time, Benton was the Texans offensive line coach.

They both played a key part in developing a strong Houston offensive line and dominant rushing attack led by Arian Foster, who averaged 98.5 yards per game and scored 47 touchdown runs in 54 games when they were both on staff from 2010 to 2013 (including the playoffs). The Saints are hoping to get similar production out of Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara by installing a similar one-cut rushing scheme.

So while Dennison’s exact role is yet unknown, we should expect him to be working with the offensive line and run game in some capacity given it’s his area of expertise. And the Saints could use the help. They haven’t gotten enough out of young draft picks in that phase like Miller and offensive linemen Trevor Penning, Cesar Ruiz, and Nick Saldiveri.

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Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

Yes, it could and let's hope it will be. I like the hire of Foster as well.

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

There has not been one ho hum hire this year. They are all splash hires and everyone knows everyone else, while they all knows the system inside and out. Me likey! :p

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

Dennison's credentials look really solid and he was on the staff of the Broncos' best era. He almost seems overqualified but I'm not complaining.

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

I would like to see us bring in a vet free agent and get an O lineman with one of our first two picks. We've got McCoy and Ruiz for sure which ain't bad. We will probably bring Peat back(again :roll:) and Hurst is definitely replaceable.

That leaves us with question marks at both tackle spots if Peat goes back to guard. Penning is just a few plays away from being a bust and Ram was dominant but is on his last leg. If he returns we had better have solid back up plan after he missed a lot of games because of his bad knee last year. He's been nursing a degenerative condition for years and we had better find his replacement this offseason.

Re: New Saints Offensive Coaching Hires
 

I read somewhere that Ramczyk may be having a surgical procedure done this off-season that could resolve the issue he's been dealing with for the past few years. They've been addressing it with rest and treatment (injections), but this is supposed to be more aggressive, but possibly more successful.

As for Penning, I keep hearing his issue has been more technique than anything. Physically he's a beast. Don't forget that many here wanted Ruiz kicked to the curb after a couple of years. And also don't forget that Zach Strief didn't get a starting job until his SIXTH season as a Saint.