There have been a lot of questions up and down the Saints' roster this season, some due to injury, some due to changes, some due to straight-up bad luck.
With Dennis Allen taking over the reins from Sean Payton, there were naturally going to be changes at key assistant spots. Of those, possibly the most notable came at WRs coach. The Saints brought former Tennessee assistant Kodi Burns to fill that role. He's the coach that Deuce McAllister made sure to single out as WWL Radio's color analyst joined SportsTalk this week.
“I think that you really have to give a lot of credit to our new WRs coach Kodi Burns … just the job that he’s been able to do," McAllister said. "Here’s the thing, you haven’t seen a numerous amount of busts as far as routes where guys is looking around or a quarterback is looking around telling a guy ‘look, you were supposed to be here’ or your depth isn’t right. So they’re getting to where they’re supposed to be and they’re making plays for you as well.”
Listen to Deuce McAllister's full interview in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
One clear reason for praise is that almost nothing went to plan at a position that had drawn heavy criticism over the past few seasons due to injury and questionable performances. Things were supposed to be different heading into 2022. Michael Thomas was back healthy. LSU hero Jarvis Landry was headed back home to join that group. First-round pick Chris Olave was drafted to add some youth and dynamic athleticism. It was up to Kodi Burns to mold that into a winning combination.
For one week, the plan appeared successful. Jarvis Landry caught 7 passes for 114 yards and Michael Thomas hauled in two touchdowns in a thrilling win over the Falcons. But fast-forward to a Week 3 loss to the Panthers, and both players would leave the field with injuries that ultimately landed both on injured reserve.
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The veteran-laden room was now highlighted by a rookie in Olave, and an unknown in Rashid Shaheed was signed to the active roster. The former Ohio State Buckeye was undeniably talented from Day 1 and likely had a shot at Offensive Rookie of the Year before injuries slowed him later in the year. But it's been Shaheed's emergence that has been truly remarkable, a UDFA out of Weber State who was initially brought in to compete for a role in the return game.
Under Burns' tutelage, Shaheed has been possibly the most effective weapon in the Saints' offense since Week 5, catching 25 of 30 targets for 452 yards and two touchdowns. He also has a carry for a 44-yard TD. His first two career touches went for long TDs. He has zero drops, even as he went into a frozen game in Cleveland as the WR1 and led the team with four catches. Oh, and he's also fulfilling his role as kick and punt returner with Deonte Harty on IR since Week 6. Olave has 982 yards and 3 TDs on 67 catches with one game to go. And, assuming Thomas is back healthy next season, things should only get easier.
“Now I can use Chris on some intermediate routes. I can use him with some other guys as well," McAllister said. "That’s where the chains will continue to move [when Michael Thomas gets back]. Now I’m just finding the best matchup that I like."
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