Da Boot Sports
7/9/2025
Article Courtesy of BleacherReport.com


​   Heading into a new era with Kellen Moore taking over as head coach, the New Orleans Saints are making some stylistic changes to their uniform for the 2025 season.
   The Saints unveiled their new white and gold helmets on Wednesday.

   The white helmet will be a much better match when the Saints use their alternate uniforms. They introduced an alternate black helmet in 2022 that clashed with the color rush uniforms.

   New Orleans brought back the traditional all-white uniforms and gold helmets for its Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers last season.
  Per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football, the current plan is for the new white helmets to only be worn with the color rush uniforms.
 
   It's unclear if the black helmets are going away, but the Saints might be looking to change the vibes because that look wasn't working for them. They have an 0-4 record in games with the black helmets, with the most recent loss being a 26-13 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 7 last season.
   
   The Saints could use all the positive mojo they can get coming off a 5-12 record in 2024. They haven't made the playoffs since Drew Brees' final season in 2020.
 
​   Moore was hired in February after winning a Super Bowl as offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. This will be his first stint as a head coach after seven seasons as an assistant in the NFL.

   

Da Boot Sports
7/5/2025
By: Da Boot Sports Staff


   The Dome Patrol was the New Orleans Saints' amazing linebacking unit from 1986 to 1992. Rickey Jackson, Vaughn Johnson, Sam Mills & Pat Swilling were a major force in the NFL. In 1992 all four were invited to the Pro Bowl. it marked the first and only time in NFL history that four linebackers from the same team have made the Pro Bowl together. 
​

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​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
6/12/2025
Article courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Les East


   METAIRIE – Kellen Moore is laying the foundation for his program as the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints.If any of the spectators that comprised sellout crowds that witnessed mini-camp practices Tuesday and Wednesday were hoping to get a glimpse of what this team will look like in the fall they likely were disappointed.

   Football practice, such as it is in the spring with no pads being worn and no significant contact being allowed, is just part of a regimen that includes weight training and team-building excursions away from the football facility.

   In fact Moore canceled the final scheduled off-season practice Thursday, and the team headed to Five O Fore Golf + Entertainment to hone their golf swings and camaraderie.

   Moore said he had been considering canceling the final practice for a while as long as the team maintained the quality of work and effort with which it began the program during three weeks of OTAs.

   “I thought these guys knocked it out of the park,” Moore said.

   So at the end of Thursday’s team meeting the offense and defense had a basketball 3-point shooting competition in which the offense prevailed, earning the offense’s captain, tight end Juwan Johnson, the opportunity to pick one player to shoot a 3-pointer with the cancellation of practice ostensibly hanging in the balance.


   Johnson astutely chose quarterback Hunter Dekkers, who was his high school’s all-time leading scorer in basketball, and Dekkers swished his first attempt and that was that, though Moore admitted that an adequate number of mulligans would have been available if needed.

   And the team was off on its golf excursion just as it had ventured off to a paintball competition and a community service project during OTAs.

   “I think it’s really important to build on a solid foundation, and that foundation is really built around people first and foremost,” Moore said. “We certainly spent a lot of this time trying to find different avenues and opportunities for all of us to connect.

   “I think it’s a connected team and a team that works really, really hard. We’re creating habits during the off-season. I think our habits are where we want them.”

   The building of habits began in the weight room where Moore said the players “worked their tails off.”

   Of course football did occupy the majority of the Saints time, though the work was very basic.

   “Seven on seven is really the main competitive component of this thing,” Moore said. “For a lot of our team components we were mostly in teaching sessions where we’re making sure we’re in the same responsibilities, we’re all aligned, we understand our job. The physical component will be applied in training camp.

   “It was really about building a foundation from a schematic standpoint and really focusing on the fundamentals, the details. We feel like we’re there. We’re not going back to step one and rebuilding this thing from the beginning of OTAs. The main objective moving forward is just to continue growing and building through training camp.”

   Training camp will being at the Metairie facility in six weeks and Moore announced Thursday that the team will return to the University of Cal Irvine in the Los Angeles area from August 6-15 in conjunction with an August 10 preseason game against the Chargers in Inglewood though the teams won’t have joint practices.

   New Orleans held its entire training camp under former head coach Dennis Allen at Cal-Irvine last summer while the Metairie facility was being renovated, and the milder weather as well as a change in environment and opportunity for continued team-building made a return attractive to the new coach.

   The Saints will return to New Orleans for the duration of training camp and their final two preseason games – August 17 against Jacksonville and August 23 against Denver in the Caesars Superdome.

Da Boot Sports
6/11/2025
Article courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Tory Trahan


   METAIRIE, LA – The New Orleans Saints were on full display at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Tuesday for Day One of mandatory minicamp.Fans who were quick enough to grab tickets before they sold out filled the stands—despite the brutal Louisiana summer heat—to get their first look at the 2025 squad under new head coach Kellen Moore.

   Much of the crowd’s attention centered on the quarterback battle between Spencer Rattler and second-round rookie Tyler Shough, following Derek Carr’s retirement last month.

   Shough completed 12 of 16 passes, while Rattler went 11-for-15 with one interception.

   Rattler, entering his second season in the NFL, was drafted by the Saints in the fifth round of last year’s draft.

   “Iron sharpens iron,” Rattler said. “I respect all of these guys in the room. We all work well together, and that makes for good competition.”

   Shough, meanwhile, said he’s adjusting to the professional level’s terminology, noting it’s more extensive than what he encountered at Louisville.

   “It’s always a process of learning new verbiage,” Shough said. “But for me, it’s been really easy so far.”

   He also expressed confidence in the quarterback competition.

   “I’ve had experience battling for QB1 at each school I was at,” Shough said. “The best way to do it is to do your job, and I think that’ll be recognized quickly. I just want to get on the field with everyone and mesh with the offense. I’m having a lot of fun doing that.”

   Moore said he’s pleased with the young quarterback group, which includes 25-year-old Shough, 24-year-old Rattler, 26-year-old Jake Haener, and 23-year-old Hunter Dekkers.

   “They’re hungry, they’re ready,” Moore said. “They have high capacity, they’re throwing it well out here, so I feel like they’re doing everything we can ask of them right now.”

   Over the team’s first nine days together, Moore focused on installing offensive schemes and getting a feel for the team’s overall understanding of the concepts.

   “Today was really about situations and how we apply those schemes,” he said.

   Also in attendance at Tuesday’s practice was free agent running back Cam Akers, a member of the Los Angeles Rams’ 2022 Super Bowl-winning team. The Saints hosted Akers for a visit during the workout.

   Moore expressed excitement over Akers’ presence in Metairie.

   “As you go through this [offseason], you’re trying to evaluate as many players as you can,” Moore said. “Cam is an experienced player, and I felt like it was a great opportunity.”

   Moore also praised the fans who showed up to watch practice, calling their presence “awesome.”

​   “It’s impressive to see, on a Tuesday afternoon in the middle of June, that we can reach capacity here,” Moore said. “It shows how special this place is.”

   Also spotted on the sidelines was LSU senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.

   Moore said he has a close relationship with Garrett, having worked with Doug since 2018.

   “He was playing high school football in Texas back then,” Moore said. “We’re all rooting for him, and we’re really excited for his season coming up.”

   Fans lucky enough to get tickets will have one more opportunity to watch practice tomorrow before the team concludes minicamp and breaks until training camp.

​   Gates will open at 11 a.m., with practice set to begin around 11:50 a.m.

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
5/10/2025
Article Courtesy of New Orleans Saints


   Carr: “Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League.”

   In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder. It was his first time throwing a football at significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand injury sustained during play on December 8, 2024. Derek immediately contacted the Saints Medical Team.Eventually, medical scans determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.

   Since that time, Derek, his representation, the Saints Medical Team and outside medical experts have worked together to determine the best path forward. Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed.


   Upon consultation with his wife, Heather, Derek has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the National Football League.

   "Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I've decided to retire from the National Football League," said Carr. "For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. It's difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us."

Da Boot Sports
2/21/2025
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Ken Trahan


   Both moves seemed inevitable.
   From the moment Kellen Moore was expected to take the head coaching position with the New Orleans Saints, all indicators pointed to Doug Nussmeier as his offensive coordinator and Brandon Staley as his defensive coordinator.
   Both of those hires are happening.
   While not yet officially announced by the organization, Nussmeier is on board.
   Similarly, Staley is now also on board per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
   The 42-year old Staley, who served as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers for three years, reunites with Moore. This time, the roles are reversed: Moore served as offensive coordinator under Staley in Los Angeles in 2023.
   Staley guided the Chargers to a pair of winning seasons and one playoff appearance, but struggled a bit in Year 3, finishing 5-9. He was dismissed in-season after a 63-21 loss to the Los Angeles Raiders.
   Moore quickly moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles, which turned out to be the best move of his career, leading to a Super Bowl victory.
   Staley spent this past season as assistant head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, gaining valuable experience under Kyle Shanahan.
   With 20 years of coaching experience, including the last nine in the NFL, Staley’s resume also includes serving as defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach with the Chicago Bears (2017-18), outside linebackers coach with the Denver Broncos (2019), and defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams (2020).
   In New Orleans, Staley will serve as the Saints’ third defensive coordinator in the NFL. His experience is clearly a positive.
   In Denver, Staley worked alongside Vic Fangio, an outstanding defensive mind who recently coordinated a Super Bowl-winning defense with the Philadelphia Eagles.
   With the Rams, Staley coordinated a defense that finished first in both points allowed and total yards allowed.
   As a head coach, Staley posted a 24-24 record.
   In New Orleans, Staley inherits a defense with mixed results. The Saints ranked in the middle of the pack in most defensive categories, though they were in the lower half of the league in some others.
   Stopping the run was an issue, and health and roster changes in the secondary were also factors.
   Another challenge is managing aging stars like Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu.
   Questions remain surrounding Paulson Adebo and Chase Young and whether they can be re-signed.
   Overall, Staley is a solid hire with a promising future.

Da Boot Sports
2/20/2025
Article Courtesy of CBS Sports
By: Jordan Dajani


   The New Orleans Saints have reportedly landed on a new offensive coordinator, as Kellen Moore is bringing over former Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier to be his top offensive assistant, per NFL Media.

   Nussmeier spent just one year as Jalen Hurts' quarterbacks coach. In his Super Bowl campaign, Hurts completed a career-high 68.7% of his passes, threw just five interceptions and ended the season on a 14-game winning streak in games which he both started and finished. Philly's offense finished the regular season ranked No. 8 in yards per game (367.2) and No. 7 in points per game (27.2). 

  Nussmeier has followed Moore three times now. Before his stint with the Eagles, Nussmeier spent one season as Justin Herbert's quarterbacks coach with the Los Angeles Chargers. Previously, he served as the tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 2018-19, and their quarterbacks coach from 2020-22. Nussmeier has also worked as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Fresno State, Washington, Alabama, Michigan and Florida. 

   Nussmeier was actually a fourth-round draft selection of the Saints' in 1994, as a quarterback out of Idaho. Another interesting storyline from this hire is that Nussmeier joins his son, Garrett, in Louisiana. The LSU quarterback is a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2025 after he threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with the Tigers last year.
​

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
2/20/2025
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Ken Trahan


​   It simply makes good sense.
   
​   The thought all along was that Doug Nussmeier would follow Kellen Moore to New Orleans to rejoin the New Orleans Saints organization. We speculated on this development prior to the Super Bowl.

   Every coach wants to be surrounded with familiar faces, familiar voices and the confidence that the familiarity will lead to ultimate success.

   Like Moore being a first-time head coach, Nussmeier is a first-time NFL offensive coordinator.

   Any first is going to be questioned.

   Any first provides uncertainty.

   Experienced, proven commodities can be valuable but are no guarantee for success.


   Moore, as detailed previously, is prepared and qualified for the elevation.

   So is Nussmeier.

   Like Moore, Nussmeier played the most detailed, analytical position in football as a reserve quarterback. Nussmeier had a significant amount of time to observe and analyze which was the beginning of honing skills to become a coach.

   Nussmeier has been in coaching for a quarter of a century, having began his journey in 2001 with the British Columbia Lions of the CFL.

   Nussmeier coached with many top college football programs in the country, including Alabama, with Nick Saban, along with Washington, Florida and Michigan, serving as offensive coordinator at each school. Nussmeier also worked at Michigan State and Fresno State.

   In 2018, Nussmeier began his NFL coaching career with the Dallas Cowboys as tight ends coach. Nussmeier took over as quarterbacks coach in Dallas in 2020, working with Dak Prescott as he continued to ascend as a player while Moore was the offensive coordinator.

   The relationship blossomed.


   After serving in that capacity in three years, Nussmeier went with Moore to the Los Angeles Chargers in the same capacity, once again, going with Moore, who was hired as offensive coordinator and fully endorsed him for the position in Los Angeles.

   Nussmeier worked with a promising talent in Justin Herbert in his continued development.

   Then came the big move.

   Moore was hired as offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles.

   Once again, Moore brought along a friend, whom he endorsed. Nussmeier served as quarterbacks coach of the Eagles, presiding over a quarterback in Jalen Hurts who clearly improved as the offense blossomed under Moore.

   Now, Nussmeier returns home, where it all started for him professionally.

   Nussmeier was a fourth-round pick (No. 116) out of Idaho.

   He spent four years with the Saints, the first three under Jim Mora and Rick Venturi briefly and the final year under Mike Ditka.

   Nussmeier played in just five games, getting one start each in 1996 and 1997.


   While here, Nussmeier met his wife, Christi, who was a Saintsations dancer. Christi is a native of Lake Charles who attended Barbe and McNeese.

   The couple have three children, including a pair of talented quarterbacks in Garrett, the starter at LSU and Colton, who is a prized sophomore recruit at Marcus High in Flower Mound, Texas with a host of big college offers already.

   Now, mom and dad will be close to the eldest son.

   Perhaps the youngest son will now consider following his older brother to Baton Rouge.

   A Louisiana consolidation would be special and would benefit all.

   The consolidation remains with Moore and Nussmeier.

   Moore’s primary offensive staff positions have been filled.

   Joel Thomas returns to the Saints after one year with the New York Giants to serve as running backs coach.

   Scott Tolzien comes to New Orleans from Dallas, where he served with Moore as quarterbacks coach, to take the same position with the Saints.

   TJ Paganetti comes with Moore from Philadelphia to serve as an offensive assistant coach.


   Tight ends coach Chase Haslett, the son of former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett, comes to the Saints from Dallas, where he worked with Moore.
   Brendan Nugent is the new offensive line coach for Moore. Nugent worked with Moore with the Chargers in 2023. As is the case with Thomas, it is Nugent’s second stint coaching with the Saints, where he served under Sean Payton from 2015-21.

   The other offensive coach is wide receivers coach Keith Williams, who remains from the staff of Dennis Allen and Darren Rizzi. Williams previously coached at Tulane.

   While Moore will call the plays, Nussmeier will most certainly play a key role in game plans and schemes and with his input.

   There are other hires to be made on the defensive side of the ball.

   The ties that bind are clear with those who have worked with Moore and those who have worked with the Saints previously.

   The familiarity is there.

   The experience is there.

   The qualifications are clear.

​   Now, the proving ground begins as the senior version of “The Nuss Bus” arrives in New Orleans while the junior version continues to elevate the Tigers as well as his draft status.

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
2/11/2025
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: CCS Staff


   The New Orleans Saints announced Tuesday that they have agreed with Kellen Moore to become the 19th head coach in franchise history.
   Moore, a 13-year NFL veteran, played quarterback for six seasons (2012-17) and entered the coaching ranks in 2018, serving as an offensive coordinator for the past six campaigns. Moore comes to New Orleans after serving as offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

   “At the start of the interview process, it was important to find a head coach who was the right fit for the New Orleans Saints organization,” said Owner Gayle Benson. “Through the search process, it became clear that Kellen is the right person to help us re-establish a winning program and culture that our fans are accustomed to and have come to expect. I would also like to thank Darren Rizzi for his service as interim coach and leading our team this past season. I am truly grateful to him.

   “I would like to welcome Kellen Moore and his family to New Orleans,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. “He is an outstanding communicator with the ability to lead people and has a clear vision for this football team. Through this head coaching search, we had the opportunity to meet with several impressive candidates and I thank them for their hard work and preparation in this process.”

   “I am excited to join the New Orleans Saints and deeply appreciate the faith that Mrs. Benson and the entire Saints organization have placed in me,” Moore said. “I look forward to embracing the challenges ahead and am eager to get started. I would also like to thank the Philadelphia Eagles for an incredible 2024 season. I’m excited to begin this new chapter.”

   In 2024, Moore was a key piece of a coaching staff that led the Eagles to a 14-3 record, which tied a franchise mark for regular season victories, an NFC East Division title and the conference’s No. 2 playoff seed and culminated with a Super Bowl LIX championship at the Caesars Super Dome.

Da Boot Sports 
1/5/2025
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Ken Trahan


   Like virtually everyone, I gave the New Orleans Saints no chance to win Sunday at Tampa Bay.The Saints had a chance to win. In the end, the result was predictable.
   Thankfully, an awful season has ended.
   Spencer Rattler made his first NFL start in a 51-27 loss in New Orleans to the Buccaneers. In that game, the Bucs ran roughshod over the Saints, rushing for 277 yards and Tampa Bay riddled New Orleans for 594 total yards.
   The rookie signal-caller entered the game 0-5 as a starting quarterback. He is now 0-6.
   The Saints led the Buccaneers 27-24 at halftime on Oct. 13 in the Caesars Superdome. Tampa Bay proceeded to outscore New Orleans 27-0 in the second half.
   This time, Rattler had the Saints on top 16-6 at halftime. Tampa Bay outscored the Saints 21-3 in the second half.
   It was a Déjà vu experience. It was another experience for a losing team that has earned its record, its losing moniker.
   Here are my Quick Takes from the 27-19 Tampa Bay win over New Orleans:
**Inactives for the Saints were Khristian Boyd, Derek Carr, Willie Gay Jr., Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Mason Tipton.
**The Saints won the toss and elected to receive.

**New Orleans came out inspired and had a nice drive but the drive stalled and Blake Grupe kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the Saints a 3-0 lead with 9:16 to play in the opening quarter.
**The drive covered 54 yards in 11 plays, taking 5:44 off the clock. Rattler was 4-of-5 for 29 yards on the drive while Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed three times for 15 yards.
**With Werner and Gay out, Anfernee Orji started at linebacker with Demario Davis while Nephi Sewell came on early and saw a lot of action.
**Isaiah Stalbird committed a senseless running into the kicker penalty after the Saints got a stop, taking a lousy angle and running right into the punter.
**Instead of punting, Tampa Bay took advantage of the gift as Chase McLaughlin came on and drilled a 52-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 with 4:51 to play in the opening quarter. The drive covered 43 yards in nine plays, taking 4:25 off the clock.
**Trevor Penning committed a false start penalty while Taliese Fuaga committed an ineligible receiver downfield infraction on the next New Orleans possession.
**The Saints controlled the first quarter, possessing the ball for 10:35 to just 4:25 for Tampa Bay. New Orleans had 103 total yards to just 38 for the Bucs.
**The Saints overcame the penalties, Rattler hit Marquez Valdes-Scantling with a perfect throw in the end zone but he could not control it to the ground and after the initial signal of a touchdown, the pass was ruled incomplete and Darren Rizzi did not challenge it.
**Grupe kicked a 39-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 6-3 lead with 14:52 to play in the half. The drive went 49 yards in 10 plays, taking 4:59 off the clock.

**On the next drive, the Saints converted a pair of fourth down attempts and it led to the end zone as Rattler hit Dante Pettis on a 5-yard touchdown pass to give New Orleans a 13-3 lead with 6:14 to play in the first half.

**The drive was 14 plays, 79 yards, taking 7:36 off the clock. The biggest play of the drive was the first play where Rattler hit Juwan Johnson on a perfect throw in tight coverage for 26 yards.

**It marked the first time the Saints scored on their first three possessions since the week two 44-19 win at Dallas.
**Tampa Bay had a long drive toward the end of the first half but the Saints got a stop at the 7-yard-line and McLaughlin kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 13-6 with 1:03 to play in the half.
**The drive covered 63 yards in 12 plays, taking 5:11 off the clock.
**Rattler then engineered an outstanding two-minute drill drive and Grupe kicked a 39-yard field goal to give the Saints a 16-6 lead with seven seconds left in the half.
**Rattler completed his first seven passes on the drive. His eighth was caught to Valdes-Scantling in the end zone but he had one foot out-of-bounds. The drive covered 49 yards in 10 plays, taking just 56 seconds.
**The Saints scored on all four possessions in the half. Rattler was 21-of-28 for 181 yards and a touchdown in the half.
**New Orleans had 231 yards to 116 for Tampa Bay in the half. The Saints had the ball for 19:15 to just 10:45 for the Bucs. The Saints ran 42 plays to just 23 for the Buccaneers.
**Tyrann Mathieu committed a personal foul penalty on the opening drive of the second half, hitting Sterling Shephard head-to-head on a catch.
**On the next play, Nathan Shepherd committed a personal foul face mask penalty giving the Bucs the ball at the New Orleans 14-yard-line.
**Tampa Bay took the second half kickoff and drove 72 yards in 10 plays with Baker Mayfield hitting Payne Durham with a 6-yard touchdown pass to make it 16-13 with 10:27 to play in the third quarter. Durham was open, with Mathieu the closest defender.


**It was the 40th touchdown pass of the season for Mayfield.
**Jordan Howden came up with a big interception of Mayfield on a pass intended for Mike Evans. The pass was tipped by Carl Granderson and that gave the Saints the ball at the Tampa Bay 37-yard-line.


**New Orleans failed to take advantage, going 3-and-out as Rattler missed an open Cedrick Wilson on third down, throwing it poorly, well behind him.
**Grupe rescued the poor possession with a 49-yard field goal to take a 19-13 lead with 5:53 to play in the third quarter.
**New Orleans got a stop, Jack Browning dropped the snap and was able to barely get off a 14-yard pun to the Tampa Bay 47-yard-line.
**Foster Moreau then caught a short pass and committed a stupid 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Rattler got sacked for the first time on the next play.
**The Saints had just 15 yards of offense in the third quarter.
**Tampa Bay finally took the lead 20-19 as Mayfield hit Jalen McMillan on a 32-yard touchdown pass over Howden with 10:09 to play in the game.
**The Bucs converted a fourth-and-eight on the drive on a completion from Mayfield to McMillan over Ugo Amadi.
**Mathieu went out injured with a concussion and did not return.
**Rattler than missed a wide open Valdes-Scantling, took a sack when he had a lot of time to throw, He then took a delay of game penalty in a terrible sequence. Finally, he simply threw one up deep and was very fortunate that Mike Edwards, who got two hands on it, did not intercept it.


**Sewell got his first career sack with just over five minutes to play in the game.
**Shepherd then committed another horrendous penalty, a personal foul after the Saints had gotten a stop. That proved to be fatal.
**That led to an 11-yard touchdown run by Irving to make it 27-19 with 1:51 to play in the game. The drive covered 94 yards in 12 plays, taking 5:47 off the clock.
**Moreau was injured on a pass completion on the next series and left the field.
**Rattler moved the Saints to the Tampa Bay 32-yard-line with just under 50 seconds left but he missed two open receivers with bad throws.
**Evans then caught an 8-yard pass from Mayfield to tie the all-time record of Jerry Rice with 11 straight seasons of 1,000 yards receiving or more.


   The Saints played well enough to give themselves a chance in the game and played poorly enough to lose. It is a familiar refrain.
   New Orleans committed senseless, stupid, losing penalties that could not be afforded. Rattler went from being very good to being simply not good enough.
   The run game disappeared in the second half.
   The Saints had little or no pass rush and when they got a rush, they lost lane discipline and allowed Mayfield to run wild.
   Winners make winning plays and losers make losing plays.
   Once again, Rattler showed enough to merit a longer look as an NFL quarterback but has not done enough to merit giving him the keys to the vehicle. Accuracy and decision-making are still issues.
   Now come the most important moves. Who will make personnel decisions? Who will the new coach be? How will the Saints address the hard cap hits and bad contracts? Which aging players will or will not return next season?
   The Saints were without Derek Carr, Erik McCoy, Rashid Shaheed, Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, Lucas Patrick, Taysom Hill, Pete Werner, Paulson Adebo and Willie Gay Jr. How much better would New Orleans have been with most, if not all of its key players?
   We will never know but the likely answer is where the Saints have been the last few years, anywhere from a seven-win to a nine-win team. That is not good enough. This season was not good enough. The Saints finished 5-12, the worst season since the 2005 Hurricane Katrina season.
   With Carolina’s overtime win at Atlanta, the Saints finished last in the NFC South (tied at 5-12) for the first time since 2008.
   It is time for a rebuild, to stop believing you are close to being a contender to win a championship.
   In all phases of life, understanding your shortcomings, admitting your failures is the first step to correcting those missteps, to set things on a better, if not correct path.
   It is not the path less chosen.
   It is a path that many who are stubborn refuse to accept.
   Here is hoping the Saints, including ownership, front office and coaches understand the reality of the situation.



    Make sure you go to DaBootSports.com for all of your LSU and Saints coverage all season long. Also, please Subscribe to our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel for our live 'Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports' Podcast. Starting every Wednesday night at 7:30 pm on January 8, we will begin out Talking Tigers Basketball Podcast. Join David Penn and former LSU great, Clarence Ceasar as they talk LSU men's and women's basketball.   Thank you for all the support!   GEAUX TIGERS!!! 

    **If your a Saints fan, tune into our YouTube Channel next Monday night at 8pm for our new live Saints podcast, Fleur De Lis Focus. Check it out and join us for some fun New Orleans Saints football Talk...
​

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
12/29/2024
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Ken Trahan


   For devoted fans of the New Orleans Saints, the 2024 home season schedule is done. That is a relief.For those devoted fans, the New Orleans Saints owe you a huge thank you for remaining loyal.
   Some would say they owe you an apology for not providing any bang for your buck.
   I felt sure there would be a ton of empty seats for the game with the Las Vegas Raiders today.
   That was not the case.
   Yes, there were a few Raiders fans but Saints fans showed up to watch a chopped up, poor football team play out the string.
   The Raiders are a bad team.
   What does that make New Orleans?
   The Raiders were better, make that much better than the team Darren Rizzi put on the field today.
   It was a miserable game to watch and a miserable performance as the Raiders dominated up front and the Saints were anemic on offense, scoring only on a trick play.
   Here are my Quick Takes from the 25-10 Las Vegas win over New Orleans:
   **Inactives for the Saints included Khristian Boyd, Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, Jordan Mims, Anfernee Orji, John Ridgeway III and Mason Tipton.
   **The Saints won the toss and elected to defer, giving Las Vegas the ball first.


   **On the first series of the game, Carl Granderson committed a costly penalty on third-and-two, giving the Raiders new life.
   **The Raiders drove to the New Orleans 1-yard-line but the Saints stood tough, with Cam Jordan making consecutive plays, once on a running play for a 2-yard loss and the second on a shared sack to force a 31-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson to give the Raiders a 3-0 lead with 5:49 to play in the first quarter.
   **The drive covered 60 yards in 17 plays, taking 9:11 off the clock.
   **Spencer Rattler ran a keeper left on an RPO on the first play from scrimmage offensively for the Saints and he raced 28 yards to the Las Vegas 42-yard-line.
   **Former Catholic High and LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire got in and had his first carry, running for four yards on the next play.


   **Rattler then made a good throw deep down the middle to Juwan Johnson, who had it but did not hold it upon contact as the pass fell incomplete.
   **The Saints were going to go for it on fourth-and-six at the Las Vegas 37-yard-line but Oli Udoh committed a false start penalty, killing the possession, and Matthew Hayball punted out of bounds at the Raiders’ 6-yard-line.
   **Dante Pettis returned the ensuing punt 21 yards to midfield to set up the Saints with outstanding field position.
   **Rattler hit Kendre Miller for 16 yards to the 30-yard-line.
   **The Raiders had 67 yards to 52 yards for the Saints in the opening quarter. Las Vegas had the ball for 11:42 to just 3:18 for New Orleans. Las Vegas ran 19 plays to just six for the Saints.
   **The Saints went to trickery on the next play and Rattler connected with Foster Moreau on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Rattler pitched to Miller, who threw back to Rattler, who threw across the field to a wide open Moreau for the score to give the Saints a 7-3 lead with 14:52 to play in the first half.
   **The drive covered 50 yards in three plays and took just 53 seconds.
   **Las Vegas cut the deficit to 7-6 with 10:19 to play in the half on a 39-yard field goal by Carlson. The drive was eight plays, 53 yards, taking 4:53 off the clock.
   **Moreau was flagged for holding on the next New Orleans possession.
   **Rattler overcame the penalty with a 25-yard completion to Juwan Johnson on the next play.


   **Cedrick Wilson Jr. was penalized for an illegal shift.
   **Rattler then bought time and hit Johnson for 40 yards to the 1-yard-line but Taliese Fuaga was flagged for holding.
   **Miller left the game in the second quarter in concussion protocol, the latest in the injury-plagued young career of the promising but most often undependable running back. He would not return.
   **Hayball came through again, punting the Raiders down at the 5-yard-line. J.T. Gray batted it back as it rolled to the 1-yard-line.
   **Brock Bowers of the Raiders broke the NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end on a 13-yard catch late in the second quarter.
   **Aidan O’Connell hit Jakobi Meyers with a 29-yard completion over Ugo Amadi on a perfectly thrown ball and that led to a 3-yard touchdown pass from O’Connell to Meyers, who beat Alontae Taylor for the score as the Raiders took a 13-7 lead with 57 seconds left in the half.
   **The drive covered 95 yards in nine plays, taking 3:24 off the clock.
   **The Saints pulled within 13-10 at the half as Blake Grupe kicked a 34-yard field goal on the final play of the half. The drive covered 54 yards in seven plays in 57 seconds.
   **Rattler was very good in the half, completing 11-of-13 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown for a 139.1 passer rating with a run for 28 yards. The Saints simply did not have the ball enough as the Raiders had possession for 19:39 to just 10:21 for New Orleans.
   **Las Vegas made it 16-10 on a 54-yard field goal by Carlson with 7:57 to play in the third quarter, completing a 49-yard drive in 10 plays, taking 4:56 off the clock.


   **Jack Jones picked off a tipped ball from Rattler and that set up another score for the Raiders as O’Connell hit Tre Tucker on an 18-yard touchdown pass to make it 25-10 with 8:20 to play in the game. Carl Granderson blocked the extra point.
   **Udoh was flagged for holding again to kill another possession.
   **It only got worse. Jaylan Ford went down injured and had to be carted off the field with 3:22 to play in the game.
   **Marquez Valdes-Scantling went down with just under two minutes to play when he was hit hard by Isaiah Pola Mao and could not hold on to the ball.
   **Thomas Harper intercepted Rattler in the final minute to put the final touches on an awful performance by the Saints.
   **For bad measure, Trevor Penning was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of the play.
In his 10 years in the NFL, Ameer Abdullah had never rushed for 100 yards in a game. He has now. Abdullah ran 20 times for 115 yards before leaving injured in the fourth quarter.
   While the Raiders ran it well, the Saints could not run it a lick.
   For the second straight week, Rattler led the team in rushing, this time with three carries for 46 yards.
   After playing well in the first half, Rattler was rattled in the second half, going 5-for-15 for 24 yards with two interceptions.


   The Raiders accounted for 390 yards of offense and Las Vegas, lousy offensively all season and terrible on third down found an opponent to cure its woes.
   Las Vegas was 10-of-18 on third down conversions as the Saints could not get off the field on defense throughout.
   The Saints also had 10 penalties for 77 yards.
   The anemic New Orleans offense had just 11 first downs, two of which came in the final two minutes on the final possession of the game.
   If you are looking for a bright spot, Hayball finished with three punts downed inside the 20-yard-line, including two downed inside the 10-yard-line.
   The Saints did everything that a bad team does.
   New Orleans could not run the ball, could not throw it effectively, could not stop the run, turned the ball over and committed double-digit penalties. That will do it.
   The forgettable season concludes at Tampa Bay next week. It cannot end soon enough.
   Excluding the 2005 season of Hurricane Katrina (which deserves an asterisk), this was the worst New Orleans Saints season since the miserable Mike Ditka era and his last season in 1999.
   That is how far the once mighty have fallen.



   Make sure you go to DaBootSports.com for all of your LSU, Saints and Southern University coverage all season long. Also, please Subscribe to our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel for our live 'Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports' Podcast. We will have our final Football podcast of the year on Wednesday, January 1 at 7:30 pm.. Then starting every Wednesday night at 7:30 pm on January 8, we will begin out Talking Tigers Basketball Podcast. Join David Penn and former LSU great, Clarence Ceasar as they talk LSU men's and women's basketball.   Thank you for all the support!   GEAUX TIGERS!!! 

    **If your a Saints fan, tune into our YouTube Channel next Monday night at 8pm for our new live Saints podcast, Fleur De Lis Focus. Check it out and join us for some fun New Orleans Saints football Talk...
​

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
12/23/2024
By: David Penn


   Green Bay, WI - For only the third time in the last 20 years, the Saints (5-10) will conclude the season with double digit losses. The Saints were fighting from behind the entire game as they elected to defer after winning the coin toss and the Packers (11-4) would score touchdowns on their first three possessions. The Saints not only failed to answer after any of the Packers touchdowns, they failed to answer at all. The Packers looked like a team fighting for playoff seeding, while the Saints looked like a team that hasn’t found an identity outside of Taysom Hill.    
   “We dressed the 48 guys that we dressed,” Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said. “We’re not going to make excuses. You guys know me well enough by now. I'm not going to make excuses about that. We didn't perform well enough.”

   The Saints self-destructed, inflicting needless wounds throughout the game, offsides penalties made third and long third and makable for the Packer’s offense. On offense, the Saints were stung by having to overcome deficits the entirety of the game, which made the offense more predictable, an offense without starters on WR, RB, and QB.

   Josh Jacobs stiff-armed the Saints into submission, and Jordan Love connected with receivers, taking advantage of a depleted Saints secondary.
    
    Spencer Rattler finished the game 15 of 30 for 153 yards and an interception, he was sacked 3 times. As a team, the Saints rushed for 67 yards with Rattler finishing as the leading rusher with 28 yards. Foster Moreau led the team in receiving with 2 catches for 33 yards. Rattler was consistently under pressure from the Packers defense and consistently overthrew his targets. The Saints had nine drives on offense, but only averaged two and a half minutes per possession.
    
    The Packers were efficient in the first half, scoring TDs on their first three possessions with Josh Jacobs handling the bulk of the load for the Packers offense. Jacobs finished with 107 yards from scrimmage, 69 rushing and 38 receiving with a TD in the first quarter. Jordan Love finished 16 of 28 for 182 yards and a TD.
    
    The Saints will take on the 3-12 Raiders in the Super Dome on December 29 for a noon kickoff and then play their final game on the road against division rival Tampa Bay.



   Make sure you go to DaBootSports.com for all of your LSU, Saints and Southern University coverage all season long. Also, please Subscribe to our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel for our live 'Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports' Football Podcast ever Tuesday night at 8:00pm.. Thank you for all the support!   GEAUX TIGERS!!! 

    **If your a Saints fan, tune into our YouTube Channel next Monday night at 8pm for our new live Saints podcast, Fleur De Lis Focus. Check it out and join us for some fun New Orleans Saints football Talk...
​

Da Boot Sports
12/15/2024
By: David Penn


   NEW ORLEANS, LA - Spencer Rattler entered the game for the Saints after halftime and provided a spark for the offense; however, the Saints (4-9) failed to convert a 2 point conversion that would’ve won the game after scoring a touchdown with no time left on the clock. Darren Rizzi opted to attempt to win the game in regulation rather than kicking the extra point that would’ve forced overtime. Rattler received the snap and Juwan Johnsonran an out route but the ball just missed his outstretched hands and fell incomplete, ending a second half rally that seemed improbable after the Saints offense gained just 34 yards in the first half.    
   Half of the Saints first 8 plays resulted in negative yardage as starting quarterback Jake Haener struggled under pressure and the offense struggled to stay on schedule and have manageable down and distance. Jake Haener finished the first half 4 of 10 for 49 yards with an interception and was sacked 3 times for a loss of 29 yards. Rookie phenom Jayden Daniels was able to lead the Commanders’ (9-4) offense on two scoring drives in the first half and gave the Commanders a 14 point lead going into halftime. 
    
   The Saints would give up a field goal on Washington’s first possession of the second half making the score 17-0, but Rattler would come in and respond. In a drive that lasted just under two and a half minutes, Rattler drove the offense down the field, highlighted by a 39 yard pass to Marquez Valdez-Scantling and capped off by a double pass where Cedric Wilson would find Alvin Kamara in the end zone for a 21 yard strike, 17-7 Washington.
    
   The Saints would again surrender a field goal to allow the Commanders to increase their lead to 20-7, but Rattler responded. Rattler moved the Saints offense into Washington territory, and though the drive stalled, Blake Grupe was able to send a 41 yarder through the uprights, 20-10 Washington. The Saints defense forced the Commanders to punt and Rattler would come in and respond. Rattler would hit Foster Moreau for 19 yards and then again find Valdez-Scantling for 33 yards to set up Grupe, this time for a 51 yard field goal, 20-13 Washington.
    
   On Washington’s final possession, things seemed to be going well until Brian Robinson was hit behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of 3 yards and then a holding penalty on Washington took them out of field goal range. Robinson would pick up 7 on the 3rd down to set up a 54 yard field goal for Washington kicker Greg Joseph, which sailed wide right. Rattler and the Saints would take over with 1:55 left on the clock.

   Rattler would respond. Rattler started off by hitting Johnson on the right sideline. Kendre Miller had a pair of runs to keep the offense moving. Rattler would find Moreau on 4th and 3 to keep the hope alive and then find Moreau again to pull the Saints within a point, 20-19 Washington. Darren Rizzi elects to use the second half momentum the Saints had and attempt to win rather than opt for overtime, timeout Washington. Rizzi again sends the offense on to the field, Rattler received the snap, fired the pass, but it fell incomplete, improbability turned into finality as the Commanders celebrated.

   “Just a mixture of emotions because we walk off the field with a loss, but I don’t now if I’ve ever been more proud of the team,” Rizzi said, adding that he didn't regret, “whatsoever,” going for 2 at the end. “I don’t think the players regret it. They were all in favor of it,” Rizzi said. “I just thought it was the right thing.


   Make sure you go to DaBootSports.com for all of your LSU, Saints and Southern University coverage all season long. Also, please Subscribe to our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel for our live 'Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports' Football Podcast ever Tuesday night at 8:00pm.. Thank you for all the support!   GEAUX TIGERS!!! 

    **If your a Saints fan, tune into our YouTube Channel next Monday night at 8pm for our new live Saints podcast, Fleur De Lis Focus. Check it out and join us for some fun New Orleans Saints football Talk...
​

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
12/9/2024
By: Terrill J. Weil


   NEW ORLEANS, LA - Hello Saints fans, If you missed Fleur De Lis Focus with Da Boot Sports weekly live podcast, please check it out as Host David Penn talks Saints football....

   So make sure you catch us live every Monday night at 8pm on our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel as we talk the Saints Football!

   Click on the Link box below to check out the show... 


   Make sure you go to DaBootSports.com for all of your LSU, Saints and Southern University coverage all season long. Also, please Subscribe to our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel for our live 'Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports' Football Podcast ever Tuesday night at 8:00pm.  This Tuesday's special guest will be On3.com's recruiting expert, Shea Dixon....   Thank you for all the support!   GEAUX TIGERS!!! 

    **If your a Saints fan, tune into our YouTube Channel next Monday night at 8pm for our new live Saints podcast, Fleur De Lis Focus. Check it out and join us for some fun New Orleans Saints football Talk...
​

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
12/8/2024
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Ken Trahan


   Darren Rizzi returned to his home state of New Jersey.A native of Hillsdale who played at Bergen Catholic in Oradell, Rizzi was hoping for a positive return.
With his mother on hand watching, the son had to sweat out the desire result but left with the win.
It was a game reflective of the records of the two teams, neither of which is any good.
The Giants are terrible and were playing their third quarterback of the season and were without key defensive players.
They had lost seven straight games, matching the seven-game losing streak the Saints had which got Dennis Allen fired.
Brian Daboll is likely not far behind Allen.
The Giants have made terrible personnel decisions and are a truly bad team and franchise.
The Saints have made bad personnel decisions and some shaky contract decisions and are a franchise in need of even more change, despite changing coaches in midstream.
All things considered, this was the kind of game everyone should have expected, two teams shooting themselves in the foot constantly, failing to make plays when needed and trying to give each other the win.
The Saints got the win. They’ll gladly take it.


Here are my Quick Takes from the 14-11 Saints win over the Giants:
**Jamaal Williams dropped the opening kickoff and returned it only to the 16-yard line.
**Alvin Kamara ran right on the first play from scrimmage and lost a yard.
**The Saints proceeded to go three-and-out.
**Matthew Hayball then hit a poor punt, giving the Giants the ball at the New Orleans 48-yard-line.
**The Saints defense allowed Drew Lock to run for a first down before Bryan Bresee batted down a Lock pass and the Saints got a stop on fourth down, turning the ball over on downs to New Orleans at the New York 49-yard-line.
**Kamara lost yards on three of his first four carries.
**The Saints made one first down but stalled and Blake Grupe missed a 53-yard field goal wide left, his first miss from 50 yards or more this season.
**Jamie Gillan pinned the Saints back to their own 2-yard-line for their third possession. Derek Carr connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling for 23 yards to get the Saints out of the hole.
**Carr then hit Juwan Johnson off a good play-fake for 31 yards on a perfect touch pass over the linebacker to the New York 41-yard-line.
**Kendre Miller showed his ability, making two tacklers miss on an excellent 8-yard run for a first down.
**Carr then hit Dallin Holker for 10 yards and a first down, the first catch of Holker’s NFL career.
**Kamara ran 12 yards for a first-and-goal to the 8-yard-line.
**On the next play, Miller made four tacklers miss and then dragged defenders into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown to give the Saints a 7-0 lead with 1:19 to play in the first quarter.


**The drive covered 98 yards in nine plays, taking 5:11 off the clock.
**It was the longest touchdown drive since Sept. 11, 2016 against the Raiders, who were quarterbacked by Carr that day. The Raiders beat the Saints 35-34 with Carr passing for 319 yards and a touchdown.
**Drew Lock missed on his first eight passes of the game.
**The Saints finished the first quarter with 129 yards to just 29 yards for the Giants.
**Bresee sacked Lock halt the next New York drive but Graham Gano kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 11:20 to play in the first half. The drive covered 26 yards in seven plays and it was set up by a personal four on punt coverage by Williams.


**The Saints were stopped again and called for a fake punt and Williams came up just short of a first down, giving the Giants the ball at the New Orleans 48-yard-line.
**New Orleans got a stop and Gillan again punted the Saints deep, to the New Orleans 8-yard-line.
**Hayball then hit another poor punt and it was returned for a touchdown of 56 yards by Ihmir Smith Marsette but it was negated for holding on Greg Stroman, who grabbed Rico Payton.
**Hayball drew the ire of Darrin Rizzi as Hayball did not stay back and play punt-protect as instructed and there was not one left on the back end.
**On the final possession of the half, the Giants committed pass interference penalty giving the ball to the New York 42-yard-line with four seconds left in the half.
**Grupe tried a 60-yard field goal on the final play of the half but it was partially blocked, leaving the halftime score at 7-3.
**The Saints had 154 yards in the half to 86 for the Giants but the Saints had eight negative plays in the half.
**Carr was intercepted by Trey Hawkins on a deep ball intended for Kevin Austin Jr. The ball hung up, underthrown, and Hawkins went up and got it. The Giants had ton 11 straight games without an interception.


**Chase Young, dropping into coverage, dropped an interception midway through the third quarter.
**Carr hit Foster Moreau with a nice 32-yard completion to the New York 11-yard line, dropping it in the bucket just over the defender.
**On the next play, Carr hit Johnson with an 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Saints a 14-3 lead with 3:40 to play in the third quarter. Johnson was uncovered on the play on a bust by New York. The drive covered 69 yards in nine plays.


**Graham Gano kicked a 48-yard field goal but it was negated by a personal foul on Jake Kubas, which took points off the board and forced a New York punt.
**Khalen Saunders came up with a sack midway through the fourth quarter.
**The Giants, unable to sustain anything all afternoon, came through with an 82-yard drive in 13 plays with Tyrone Tracy Jr. scoring on a 1-yard run to make it 14-9. The touchdown was set up by a 22-yard completion from Lock to former LSU star Malik Nabers.
**On the two-point conversion, Saunders knocked it in the air and LSU’s Malik Nabers came down with it to make it 14-11 with 3:46 to play in the game.
**On the next series, a play-fake keeper for Carr was called. He tried to leap over players for a first down and came down on his left hand and arm very hard, exiting the game with that was later feared to be a broken hand. Jake Haener had to replace him.


**On the next play third-and-one, Miller was stopped for a loss of a yard, forcing a punt.
**Payton Turner, despite being held with no call made, batted down a Lock pass.
** Demario Davis intercepted Lock with 1:44 to go. For some reason, he did not get up and run despite not being touched. Eventually, Davis turned upfield and ran into the end zone but it was ruled that he had given himself up on the play, which he did. It was a clear mistake.


**The Saints got a stop but, for some reason, Klint Kubiak called a bootleg pass by his backup quarterback and Haener, under heavy pressure, took a sack, preventing any chance at making a first down and running out the clock.
**Instead, Haener did the right thing not throwing the ball and stopping the clock, forcing the Giants to call a timeout.
**The Saints had to punt, giving the Giants another shot.
**On fourth-and-10, Lock stepped up and raced 25 yards for a first down to the New Orleans 35-yard-line.
**Then, Lock hit Nabers, who broke four tackles, and ran to the New Orleans 17-yard-line.
**Gano came on to tie the game with a 35-yard field goal which Bresee blocked to ensure the win.
**On the play, Bresee leaped over the center legally, not using leverage, and got his hand on the kick.


The New York Giants were playing with replacements up front on defense. The Giants entered the game 29th in the league against the run and were without Dexter Lawrence, among others.
The New Orleans Saints were playing with their starting offensive line intact for the first time since week one.
It looked like a recipe for success up front.
Instead, the Saints ran for just 93 yards on 33 carries and had 12 plays for negative yards.
The play-calling was interesting, to say the least. Calling a run play for Carr, not a runner, was first. He was injured. Of course, he got hurt leaving his feet and landing hard as he was competing to make a first down.
Then, calling a pass play, with Haener, when the clock was your friend was very shaky. Of course, Haener took a sack, losing a ton of yards and field position.
Why Davis, a very smart player, did not get up and run on the interception, is mind-boggling. You stay down if the clock is running out and/or if the opponent has no timeouts remaining. The Giants had all three timeouts left.
The Saints were lucky to win. The Giants lost a field goal to a penalty and lost a touchdown to another penalty. That is what bad teams do.
The Saints were bad as well, overall, but not bad enough to lose to an even worse team.
In the end, it was a win and that is all that truly matters.
As a result, New Orleans kept its faint playoff hopes alive, still two games back of Tampa Bay in the NFC South and now just a game behind the Falcons.
On the plus side, Miller, once again, showed you his promise with quickness, good vision and the ability make tacklers miss.
Bresee had a sack, two quarterback hits, and blocked the field goal.
Davis had eight tackles to go with the interception, knocked down a second pass and had a quarterback hit. Saunders had five tackles, including a sack with two quarterback hits. Johnson had four catches for 50 yards and a score.
Next Sunday, the Commanders come to town with former LSU great Jayden Daniels running the show. The Saints had trouble containing Lock running the ball. Daniels will certainly lick his chops watching that video, though the scheme will likely be different from the Saints in spying Daniels when possible.
Keep hope alive in this Christmas season, Saints fans, at least for another week.



​   Make sure you go to DaBootSports.com for all of your LSU, Saints and Southern University coverage all season long. Also, please Subscribe to our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel for our live 'Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports' Football Podcast ever Tuesday night at 8:00pm.. This Tuesday night's special guest will be On3.com's recruiting expert, Shea Dixon.... Thank you for all the support!   GEAUX TIGERS!!! 

    **If your a Saints fan, tune into our YouTube Channel next Monday night at 8pm for our new live Saints podcast, Fleur De Lis Focus. Check it out and join us for some fun New Orleans Saints football Talk...