{'byline': 'by Jeff Nowak', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': 'WWL Radio Sports', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'wwl', 'path': 'wwl/local-sports/saints/samson-nacua-talks-thrilling-moment-for-saints-on-fg-return'}], 'syndicated_items': '', 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2024-08-26T03:22:28.865+00:00', 'lead': [{'data': {'_version': 2, 'autoPlay': False, 'contentId': 'VRmUt3TLHcM', 'videoType': 'Editorial', 'isPlaylist': False, 'origSource': 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRmUt3TLHcM', 'videoValid': True, 'videoSource': 'video', 'playerCaption': None, 'videoLocation': 'article', 'videoPlaylist': '', 'playerHeadline': None, 'playerBorderTop': False, 'autoPlayNextVideo': True, 'componentVariation': 'youtube', 'playerBorderBottom': False, 'playerBorderTopCTA': 'Watch', 'previousTypeRelated': False}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/youtube/instances/cm0aeo6u5001a3b7kw3n6srbt@published'}], 'slug': 'samson-nacua-talks-thrilling-moment-for-saints-on-fg-return', 'tags': ['Football', 'NFL', 'New Orleans Saints'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cm0ael161000a01s8qvt3q3tg@published'}, 'byline': [{'hosts': [], 'names': [{'name': 'Jeff Nowak', 'slug': 'jeff-nowak', 'text': 'Jeff Nowak'}], 'prefix': 'by', 'sources': [{'text': 'WWL Radio Sports'}]}], 'teaser': 'Samson Nacua’s goal on Saints’ thrilling FG return: ‘Make something happen’', 'authors': ['Jeff Nowak'], 'content': [{'data': {'text': "Samson Nacua didn't generate any points for the Saints. Technically his long run didn't generate any yardage, either. But the 106-yard field goal return with time expiring at the end of the first half will go down as one of the most exciting Saints preseason moment in some time.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0ael161000e01s82e81ttjt@published'}, {'data': {'text': "The 26-year old WR who is best known for being Puka Nacua's older brother wasn't even sure why special teams coach Darren Rizzi was sending him out there to try to field what seemed like a reasonable NFL kick for Titans rookie Brayden Narveson. But after watching the first attempt limp over the crossbar -- an attempt that didn't count due to a timeout -- he knew the next one would land in his hands.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0aesp5i001u3b7kt4wkw2i0@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An INCREDIBLE effort from Samson Nacua taking it 106 yards... 3 yards away from a Kick-6 😭<br /><br />📺 FOX <a href="https://t.co/emrjwmmOSp">pic.twitter.com/emrjwmmOSp</a></p>— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1827790550285856873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>', 'isIframe': False, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An INCREDIBLE effort from Samson Nacua taking it 106 yards... 3 yards away from a Kick-6 😭<br><br>📺 FOX <a href="https://t.co/emrjwmmOSp">pic.twitter.com/emrjwmmOSp</a></p>— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1827790550285856873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cm0af3ug6003u3b7kv8racmuu@published'}, {'data': {'text': '"I know it’s coming to me," Nacua said. "So it was just about being ready."', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0aeunaq00223b7kuimz4pwd@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<em>Can\'t see the video above? </em><a href="https://x.com/Saints/status/1827790550285856873"><em>Click here</em></a><em>. </em>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0afahju00423b7k5r2julpw@published'}, {'data': {'text': "That's exactly what happened, so Nacua ran the play as it was schemed. He was supposed to fake the return right, then work back to the sideline and see if the blocking could carry him upfield. That's what happened, with Nacua eventually ending up all the way to the right sideline before TE Thomas Odukoya made enough contact to force his left foot onto the sideline just 3 yards shy of the goal line. The return goes into the books as 106 yards, but the sideline to sideline route made it closer to 150-plus in the books.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0aeveob002a3b7kgj65zd8l@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The Saints had actually practiced the play a few times in camp, but Nacua did one thing wrong.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cm0aexu1v002i3b7k3ubhv8ko@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“100% I’m disappointed. Coach said, too, like, it’s the end of the half, no matter what, get it in. Don’t get tackled with the ball," Nacua said, "and what did I do, I got freaking tackled with the ball and I let the guys down. 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Video

Samson Nacua's goal on Saints' thrilling FG return: 'Make something happen'

By Jeff NowakAug 26, 2024

Jeff Nowak

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Samson Nacua didn't generate any points for the Saints. Technically his long run didn't generate any yardage, either. But the 106-yard field goal return with time expiring at the end of the first half will go down as one of the most exciting Saints preseason moment in some time.

The 26-year old WR who is best known for being Puka Nacua's older brother wasn't even sure why special teams coach Darren Rizzi was sending him out there to try to field what seemed like a reasonable NFL kick for Titans rookie Brayden Narveson. But after watching the first attempt limp over the crossbar -- an attempt that didn't count due to a timeout -- he knew the next one would land in his hands.

"I know it’s coming to me," Nacua said. "So it was just about being ready."

Can't see the video above? Click here.

That's exactly what happened, so Nacua ran the play as it was schemed. He was supposed to fake the return right, then work back to the sideline and see if the blocking could carry him upfield. That's what happened, with Nacua eventually ending up all the way to the right sideline before TE Thomas Odukoya made enough contact to force his left foot onto the sideline just 3 yards shy of the goal line. The return goes into the books as 106 yards, but the sideline to sideline route made it closer to 150-plus in the books.

The Saints had actually practiced the play a few times in camp, but Nacua did one thing wrong.

“100% I’m disappointed. Coach said, too, like, it’s the end of the half, no matter what, get it in. Don’t get tackled with the ball," Nacua said, "and what did I do, I got freaking tackled with the ball and I let the guys down. I should’ve pitched it to the homeboy that was right there, let him walk it in for me, but hopefully next time if I get another opp I’ll make it happen.”

Nacua didn't catch a pass in the game, though he was inches away from another spectacular catch on a diving attempt during the Saints' drive to tie or take the lead in the minute. In the end they fell 30-27. Still, it was a fascinating chapter in a fascinating story that saw Nacua join the Saints midway through camp, fresh off a cross-country road trip and workouts with Rams receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

Samson said the family group chat was blowing up, but he hadn't had time to check it yet as he stood in the locker room. He hadn't even seen the replay of the return yet, though that would certainly happen once he got back to the hotel.

“They’re probably going to tell me I’m the slower brother and I’m going to be sick," he said, "because I know I am faster than Puka.”

Nacua and dozens of other Saints players will be waiting over the next few days to learn whether they've done enough to make the 53-man roster or sign to the practice squad. The Saints, and the NFL's other 31 teams, must trim down from 90 by Tuesday at 3 p.m. (central).

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