Film review of the New Orleans Saints the past several weeks hasn't been pleasant, but there were some clear trends that emerged in Week 4 that are worth talking about.
Let's start with a positive one: Cesar Ruiz appears to be coming into his own at right guard.
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I know that's not what most fans will want to hear, particularly if they still have the image of Grady Jarrett ragdolling the third-year player in the season opener burned into their brain. But in the three games since? Zero pressures allowed and just one penalty, an ineligible man downfield call that, well, you be the judge.
Ruiz held up well against an aggressive Bucs front-7. The line as a whole struggled against the Carolina Panthers' zone blitz schemes. But in Week 4, Ruiz put together his best game as a pro with an 87.9 pass block grade from Pro Football Focus.
Here's how the pressures allowed stats stack up through four games:
- Cesar Ruiz: 2
- James Hurst: 5
- Ryan Ramczyk: 8
- Andrus Peat: 6
- Calvin Throckmorton: 4
- Erik McCoy: 3
That number isn't everything, but it's a good indicator of a player turning a corner after significant struggles in Years 1 and 2. So take a closer look, and you'll likely be happy with what you see at that position.
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PETE WERNER IN COVERAGE
This was something that stood out in real time and was very clear on further review: When the Vikings isolated Pete Werner or other linebackers in coverage, they went after it.
Werner himself acknowledged that when I asked him about it this week.
"I think we've, we've played strong in coverage," Werner said. "I did feel a little bit of [the linebackers being targeted]. They had a very good game plan. But I thought as far as some of the positions that we were in that we executed very well. And if you just look at that game, you got to go out and execute and if you're put in tough positions, then you got to lock in.”
Werner was targeted 7 times in coverage, per PFF, resulting in 5 receptions for 48 yards. He was deemed to be in coverage on the screen pass that Dalvin Cook took in for a score on 3rd and 15 to cap off the opening drive of the game. Werner was blocked to the ground on the play, which allowed a cutback lane that Tyrann Mathieu was unable to close from depth. Werner was also targeted in primary coverage against WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen as well as fullback CJ Ham. Demario Davis was targeted twice and Kaden Elliss once.
Werner was targeted 29 times in his 394 snaps during his rookie season. He's already been targeted 20 times this season through four games. It's not unusual for teams to try to take advantage of linebackers in coverage, but it's something the Saints should be gameplanning for as things progress. The tendency appeared to work in New Orleans' favor on a third down play in the second half, with Marshon Lattimore dropping off Justin Jefferson early to make a stop on Adam Thielen -- who was matched up with Werner in coverage -- well short of the goal line. Jefferson was standing alone in the end zone, but it didn't matter. The Vikings followed their game plan and the Saints took advantage.
It'll be interesting to see what adjustments the Saints make in some of those matchups going forward. But it also helps give some perspective on how Werner finds himself the NFL leader in solo tackles through four weeks (31).
See more of this breakdown at the top of the page, and check out the Inside Black & Gold podcast for the full breakdown.
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SITTING ON ROUTES
One thing that's clear to anyone who watched Week 4: The deep passing game, or lack thereof, is a key difference in defending Andy Dalton as opposed to Jameis Winston.
Dalton threw just three passes beyond 20 yards downfield in the game, completing two. One was a desperation heave to Chris Olave to set up the final field goal attempt from 61 yards.
But the results are the thing to watch. With defensive backs not worried about getting beat over the top, they were able to sit on short and intermediate routes. The result was a much thinner margin to operate.
According to the NFL's NextGenStats, the average receiver separation at the time of the ball arriving in Week 4 broke down as:
- Jarvis Landry: 1.56 yards
- Marquez Callaway: 1.54 yards
- Chris Olave: 2.37 yards
The league average is 2.91 yards.
Contrast that to Week 4:
- Olave: 3.97 yards
- Tre'Quan Smith: 4.23 yards
- Jarvis Landry: 3.17 yards
- Michael Thomas: 2.04 yards
That difference could be seen on a pair of targets to Callaway on short routes that just as easily could've headed the other direction.
Now, don't get me wrong: Andy completed 20 passes and operated well with narrow margins. But the Vikings are far from the strongest secondary the Saints will face this season. If Dalton does continue as the starting quarterback, that'll be something to watch closely.
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HOLTZ UP
Let's close this out with a positive note about a practice squad elevation in Week 4 (no, not Latavius Murray). I'm talking about JP Holtz, who was called up for the game and I'd argue had a sizable role in the run game success.
He was called for a weak hold that marred his day a bit, but he also had reps like this.
I thought he was pretty close with Adam Prentice throughout training camp (who was waived and re-signed to the practice squad) for a spot on the 53-man roster. If he's able to keep being a mauler in the run game, I wouldn't be surprised at all if we end up hearing his name again this season.
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