The transition from college to the NFL game is never as simple as it appears, even in the areas that seem pretty straightforward.
Rookie safety Jordan Howden is quick to admit that, particularly when it comes to special teams, and he's been asking questions whenever he can in the hopes of playing faster. Where he should be lined up, how he should handle certain situations, it's all fair game.
"You're with a bunch of skill players that are at the top level in each of the positions. Everybody's fast and quick," Howden told WWL this week. "You just gotta catch on quick and just learn from the people that's in front of you, ask questions. I feel like that helped a lot as I got through it and I'm still learning now."
With veterans Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye healthy and manning the starting safety spots, it's unknown exactly how much time Howden will get on the field at his natural position in his rookie season. He's learned both safety spots so he can be available wherever he's needed when the need arises, though he'd say he's leaning more toward the strong safety position. Where he can assuredly expect to see time is on special teams, and that's where Howden was praised by special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi this week.
The rookie had a pair of solo tackles in punt coverage, in both instances getting to the returner just as the ball did and preventing any real return. On one punt in second half he worked across the field from the opposite gunner spot and timed the tackle perfectly, managing to get downfield almost simultaneously with the gunner on that side of the field.
It's a skillset that often goes overlooked, but those moments and hidden yardage saved can and often do swing the momentum in games. Rizzi has helped in that regard, as has learning behind special teams ace J.T. Gray, widely regarded as one of the best in the NFL in his role.
"I've just been in with the coaches, special teams coaches, and just learning with them every day," Howden said, "and each game I've gotten better."
Howden will likely be a key piece in a special teams rotation that has a lot more flexibility this year. Rizzi, in his 5th year in his role with the Saints, applauded what's been done with the roster in that regard, because it allows for situational decisions at spots like gunner and jammer. In some instances, for example "going in" punts that you want to down short of the goal line, you'll opt for faster players. Punts deep in your own territory where the gunners will face a double-team will likely feature some bigger, stronger players who can fight through it.
Along with Howden, Rizzi named Lonnie Johnson Jr., Ugo Amadi and Isaac Yiadom as players who could be seen out there, and they'll all be working with rookies in punter Lou Hedley and kicker Blake Grupe, who beat out incumbents Wil Lutz and Blake Gillikin in camp competitions.
“The more tools we have in the box, the better in every department," Rizzi said. "So I think we’ve done a great job roster wise of adding a lot more pieces to that puzzle.”
