In winning time, the Saints offense has delivered this week -- at least in the simulated scenarios.
That was the case on Monday and again on Wednesday, this time simulating a scenario where the Saints get the ball back trailing 30-28 with 1:15 left at about their own 35. A field goal wins it, and that's what happened for the first, second and third teams on offense.
"This team’s emphasis on getting the football out in the flat to the tight ends is obvious. ... That is part of the repertoire with Derek Carr," said WWL's Mike Detillier. "He’s going to want to go to the tight end.”
Carr's first pass went to Jamaal Williams before a ball to Chris Olave that Alontae Taylor covered perfectly, forcing Olave to play a bit of defense. The next ball hit the ground at the feet of Jamaal Williams, but things got on track with back-to-back intermediate completions to Jimmy Graham, following by a ball over the middle to Taysom Hill. The ball was spiked with 6 seconds left and Lutz buried the kick from about 45.
The next phase was run by Jameis Winston, who completed four consecutive balls to Taysom Hill before a short completion to fullback Adam Prentice. The next throw was questionable with the clock running, as he took his time surveying the field before sending it downfield to James Washington where Paulson Adebo was in perfect coverage and knocked it away. The next ball was a handoff to Ellis Merriweather to get the ball in the right spot, and Lutz knocked it through from 50.
Jake Haener took a different, but similar approach, completing three passes to Shaq Davis, one to Jimmy Graham and one to Foster Moreau. Lutz banged another through from about 47. Win, win, win.
"You make the kick, you win, you don’t make the kick you don’t win. I think that’s the difference," Bobby Hebert said. "You can look at, if not a handful, at least two or three games it can be all the difference in the world whether you win or lose. We know what happened in England, the double-doink. I don’t know if we would’ve won, but it’d have sent it into overtime. … We need Lutz to be in those pressure situations and to come through."
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TAKING ATTENDANCE
There were no big surprises on the injury list, nor were there any notable returns. The following players were not spotted at practice:
- WR Tre'Quan Smith (groin)
- WR Rashid Shaheed (groin)
- LB Demario Davis (calf)
- LG Andrus Peat (quad)
- TE Jesse James
- TE Lucas Krull (tailbone)
Guard Koda Martin was also not in attendance and he has been waived with an injury. The Saints have signed TE J.P. Holtz, who was with the team last year, to bolster that group. There were no rest days after a day off on Tuesday.
BRESEE IS FAST
It's a weird thing to highlight for a 300-pound man, but it's true. Offensive linemen have been playing that assessment on repeat, and we saw it today. On one rep, Bresee got into the backfield so quickly on a stretch handoff that he managed to get a paw in and knock the ball out of Jameis Winston's hand to force a fumble. He got there so quickly you almost have to wonder whether he got off the line early (and he might've), but it's only a problem if it gets called. I have questions about how he'll hold up on run downs, but it's pretty clear he's got a high motor and the ability to make impact plays.
On a mostly unrelated note: Khalen Saunders referred to the DL group as a bunch of "dancing pandas." He also dubbed Bresee a "6-7 Gerber baby." All of these nicknames are meant in the most positive of ways.
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HELICOPTER PUNTS
Blake Gillikin is at the top of his field, but that doesn't mean he's done adding to his game. One thing he's incorporated this year is the "helicopter punt," a method of kicking he learned from watching Johnny Hekker that sees the ball come off the punters foot and spin horizontally in the air. Just picture how the blade on a helicopter spins. It's a tough ball to catch and, if all goes right, will lead to a side bounce rather than bounding forward. Keep an eye out for that as things go this season.
LONNIE WATCH
When I go about building my roster projections, I've penciled out a roster spot I call "the PJ." It's the role that longtime Saints DB PJ Williams filled, and one that I think there's room for this season. Lonnie Johnson Jr., a player who came into the league as an outside corner but has since shifted to safety, feels like the most likely candidate to fill that role. Dennis Allen applauded that versatility today, and also noted that the veteran has made multiple splash plays already. It feels like some solid preseason performances could cement his spot on the roster.
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