STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NFL Team Report - New Orleans Saints</h2><br>PLAYER NOTES<p></p> --WR Ted Ginn Jr. participated in the Saints' light workout Wednesday for the first time since going on injured reserve Oct. 18 with a sore knee. The Saints have 21 days in which to make a decision on whether to activate Ginn, who said he had arthroscopic surgery on the knee. It's expected that Ginn will be activated at some point during that window.<p></p> --T Jermon Bushrod, who has been filling in for Terron Armstead before suffering a hamstring injury against the Panthers on Monday night, did not practice Wednesday.<p></p> --C Max Unger, who left the game against the Panthers because of a concussion and did not return, did not practice.<p></p> --T Terron Armstead, who has missed the last six games because of a pectoral injury, practiced on a limited basis.<p></p> --T Ryan Ramczyk (shoulder) was limited Wednesday.<p></p> --G Andrus Peat (shoulder) was limited Wednesday.<p></p> --P Thomas Morstead (ankle), who kept kicking against Carolina even after being injured, was limited Wednesday.<p></p> PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Drew Brees has not looked like the same player in the last three games that he looked like in the first 11. Is he starting to show his age (39)? Is there some sort of injury that hasn't been revealed? Is it just an inevitable slump for the entire offense after such a remarkable stretch? Some combination of the preceding? It's unclear, but until Brees has an efficient and productive game, especially throwing the ball down the field, there are going to be questions about what's wrong with him and the offense. A big day against the Pittsburgh defense likely would put the questions to rest. But if Brees has another sub-par game, the scrutiny will intensify, especially if New Orleans clinches the No. 1 seed and sits Brees in the regular-season finale. That would mean the questions would persist until the divisional round of the playoffs.<p></p> GAME PLAN: Protect quarterback Drew Brees and pressure Ben Roethlisberger. Both of these teams are among the best in the NFL at passing the football and a big part of that is their ability to protect their quarterbacks. If the Saints can make Roethlisberger less comfortable than Brees, they should come out ahead in that critical comparison. New Orleans has a more balanced offense with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II, so if it has an advantage in the passing game it will be unlikely that Pittsburgh can keep it in what could become a shootout. Though the Steelers figure to have trouble running the ball with much success, ranking 30th in rushing while the Saints rank No. 1 in rush defense, it's no guarantee New Orleans will be able to run well either. The Steelers rank sixth in rush defense and the Saints have the No. 7 rushing offense. Though the Saints offense has struggled the last three weeks, each of those games was on the road and New Orleans is averaging 38 points per game at home.<p></p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH:<p></p> --Saints CBs vs. Steelers WRs. Pittsburgh is third in the NFL in passing offense and has two 1,000-yard receivers in Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, so one of the keys to the Saints slowing down the Steelers is how well their cornerbacks - primarily Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple - are able to cover the wideouts. Apple had an interception and played very well overall against Carolina last week. His development since being acquired in trade with the Giants early in the season has given New Orleans a solid complement to Lattimore, who has played well but has just one interception this season after having five in being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. Of course, the Saints' pass rush will also be a factor in slowing down the Pittsburgh passing game, but the cornerbacks will be front and center.<p></p> --Saints OL vs. Steelers pass rush. Whoever starts on the offensive line will have their hands full with a pass rush that is tied for second in the NFL in sacks. LT Terron Armstead is close to returning from a pectoral injury that has sidelined him since last month. His replacement, Jermon Bushrod, was sidelined during the game at Carolina as was C Max Unger (concussion). The Saints hope to be at full strength on the line, but there's a good chance they won't be. In any event it will be important that the line slow down the pass rush enough to create a comfort zone for Drew Brees, whose passing efficiency has dropped off significantly during the last three games.
</div>
<div class="flex gap-2">
<div class="font-bold text-gray-600">The Sports Xchange</div>
</div>
<div id="comments" class="pt-6"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="py-6 space-y-6">
<div class="space-y-4">
<h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Recent Stories</h2>
<a href="/feature/testing-buffalo-bill-page" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Testing Buffalo Bill Page</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
Joe Horrigan knows the Buffalo Bills
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/feature/06e3032cec6e442ab60a7fd8ae1b3701" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Steelers positional analysis: Kenny Pickett stands alone in QB room</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
2/17/2024If the Steelers were concerned about the uncertain future at quarterback when Ben Roethlisberger retired, the outlook at the position might not be any more ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/feature/07f24b7086b24e9e83c29e8bf9cd913b" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">49ers coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t deserve criticism since Super Bowl</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
Globe StaffUpdated February 17, 2024, 9:38 a.m.Kyle Shanahan has been on the defensive all week following the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in the Super ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/feature/2ae9263e12c74de88c5fb4aa552a1f3e" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">New Raiders GM expected to be aggressive in search for top QB</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
February 17, 2024 - 4:19 PMIf Tom Telesco’s past offers clues about his future, expect the Raiders’ new general manager to be aggressive in bringing in a top-level ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/features?skip=22" class="group flex items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg shadow px-3.5 py-2.5 text-gray-800 hover:text-gray-700 font-medium">
<span>Read More Stories</span>
<span class="transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 motion-reduce:transform-none"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-right"></i></span>
</a>
</div>
<div class="space-y-4">
<h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Latest Player Notes</h2>
<a href="/note/65f70668f166e2567ab51b31" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Mar 15, 2024
Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b24" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Mar 15, 2024
Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b11" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70664f166e2567ab51ad3" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70661f166e2567ab51a86" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f70661f166e2567ab51a7d" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065ff166e2567ab51a5a" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065ef166e2567ab51a4a" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065ef166e2567ab51a31" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/note/65f7065df166e2567ab51a1d" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow">
<div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game</h3>
<div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6">
<span class="font-light"> </span>
With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...
</div>
</div>
</a>
<a href="/notes?skip=20" class="group flex items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg shadow px-3.5 py-2.5 text-gray-800 hover:text-gray-700 font-medium">
<span>See More Player Notes</span>
<span class="transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 motion-reduce:transform-none"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-right"></i></span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</main>
<!-- =========={ FOOTER }========== -->
<footer class="bg-gray-900" aria-labelledby="footer-heading">
<h2 id="footer-heading" class="sr-only">Footer</h2>
<div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl px-6 pb-8 pt-16 sm:pt-24 lg:px-8 lg:pt-32">
<div class="xl:grid xl:grid-cols-3 xl:gap-8">
<div class="space-y-8">
<a href="/" class="flex items-center justify-between md:justify-start gap-3">
<img src="/static/images/Pro_Football_Hall_of_Fame_logo.svg.png?v=c6d7cf3613f0e96a1fab7aab706baba8318bf3d016f59cbaef2b968d81cb8a3078e61f99dee19ca3a6a4bf476d34981c18a5b19f15ac2da0ae29d677be70ebad" alt="NFL Hall of Fame" class="w-2/12" />
<img src="/static/images/hall-logo.svg?v=7142371ad3e955e1749283170eb357dfed785130bc4b7018879d586e9bac3d40a3b7041b25e105981fd507b5f139a52b87438262733cadfa76f763ec18812523" alt="Hall of Football" class="w-6/12" />
<img src="/static/images/tsx_logo.png?v=eb566de558e45b6331e9b1ddba019c212d34ad6dddeab86829489d36e4974961a8dd4926d489b9ac8eaeeacdafce8a6f4974b5a97dd7df4694d4642b94c437ea" alt="The Sports Xchange" class="w-2/12" />
</a>
<p class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300">Hall of Football is owned and operated by The Sports Xchange (TSX), which has provided news, analysis, and research for fans and professionals since 1987.</p>
<div class="flex space-x-6">
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-xchange/" target="_blank" class="text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-400 text-2xl">
<span class="sr-only">LinkedIn</span>
<i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin"></i>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mt-16 grid grid-cols-2 gap-8 xl:col-span-2 xl:mt-0">
<div class="md:grid md:grid-cols-2 md:gap-8">
<div>
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-football fa-fw"></i>Preps</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/preps" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Latest News & Notes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/prep/ratings?ranking_id=" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Ratings</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-10 md:mt-0">
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-graduation-cap fa-fw"></i>NFL Draft Scout</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/features" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Latest News & Notes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/cfb/teams" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Teams</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/player/ratings?ranking_id=" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Ratings</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="md:grid md:grid-cols-2 md:gap-8">
<div>
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-shield fa-fw"></i>Pro Football</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/nfl_features" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Latest News & Notes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/nfl/teams" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Teams</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-10 md:mt-0">
<h3 class="text-sm font-semibold leading-6 text-white flex items-center gap-2"><i class="fa-solid fa-trophy fa-fw"></i>Hall of Fame</h3>
<ul role="list" class="mt-6 space-y-4">
<li>
<a href="/hofs" class="text-sm leading-6 text-gray-300 hover:text-white">Recent Hall of Fame Stories</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mt-16 border-t border-white/10 pt-8 sm:mt-20 lg:mt-24">
<p class="text-xs leading-5 text-gray-400">©<script>document.write(new Date().getFullYear())</script> The Sports Xchange. All rights reserved.</p>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
<script src="/static/js/jquery-3.6.4.min.js?v=6913f9128895022b08339049963616cb09bbc61bd759a45c3bf7cb6662854f0c3ef16d975758468c34cd607176c011d9c62f5fcb8196cba93d0b4b265760747e"></script>
<script src="/static/js/plotly.min.js?v=a8cca95f0be13f9712eebf9dfc13afb3aa92d319a96a0ee5540833aad7ace213d48ea1a1650310a035a02064ca97e09738bc4aad659ad66e840d408c6290fcee"></script>
<script src="/static/js/flowbite.min.js?v=09453b0f96202c849a154e82a425e65c6e9d6430fb468601a1c1f0ba4c9ded2624172d29ee03f7cd71922ceb49d5b10b2672ba698060e2dee19e5d1df0393660"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/comments.js?v=75fa06f9940025e48e822761e5ffd57823c34ebd04636803f6d08b70a146d0360b304adbdbb2cc1e1686620862c3d94512a714acb1ea55855cb9db5c5d8c4115"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
// get any comments for this feature
$(document).ready(function() {
load_comments(
'note',
'strategy-and-personnel',
''
)
})
</script>
</body>
</html>