Tag: Saints

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka talks to reporters before organized team activities (OTAs) at the training center in East Rutherford on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Nfl Ny Giants Practice Syndication The Record

Report: Mike Kafka, Anthony Weaver get 2nd interviews with Saints

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New Orleans Saints are hosting New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for a second interview for their head coaching job Tuesday, while Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator will get a second look later this week, NFL Network reported.

Kafka, 37, will get a longer look in New Orleans after being a finalist for Seattle’s opening last winter. Weaver is again a finalist after bids with Washington and Atlanta a year ago. His second interview will be Wednesday, per the report.

Kafka has no experience leading an NFL team, but he has been the head coach for collegiate showcases in each of the past two seasons: the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 1, 2024, and the upcoming Feb. 1 Senior Bowl.

He has been New York’s offensive coordinator since 2022 and added the title of assistant head coach on Brian Daboll’s staff in 2024.

The Giants finished 18th, 29th and 30th in the NFL in total offense from 2022-24 under Kafka.

A journeyman NFL quarterback who spent time with seven teams from 2010-15, Kafka joined Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City in 2017 and moved his way up to quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2020-21.

Weaver, 44, is in his first season as defensive coordinator with the Dolphins. He was a position coach on that side of the line with the New York Jets (2012), Buffalo Bills (2013), Cleveland Browns (2014-15), Houston Texans (2016-19) and Baltimore Ravens (2021-23) before becoming the Texans’ DC in 2020.

The Saints’ search has also included in-person interview with interim coach Darren Rizzi, who went 3-5 following the firing of Dennis Allen. New Orleans has had virtual interviews with offensive coordinators Kellen Moore and Joe Brady of the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, respectively.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore looks on as quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Report: Saints latest team to interview Eagles OC Kellen Moore

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Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was set to interview with the New Orleans Saints on Saturday for their head coaching job, NFL Network reported.

It would be Moore’s third interview in two days, as well as the Saints’ third interview in the same time period.

Moore, 35, met with the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, per reports.

Moore was the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys (2019-22) and Los Angeles Chargers (2023) before moving to the Eagles this season.

In his first season with Philadelphia, Moore helped the Eagles to a No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs behind a rushing attack that ranked second in the league with 179.3 yards per game.

Moore was a former star quarterback at Boise State.

He isn’t the only candidate in New Orleans.

On Friday, the Saints interviewed Darren Rizzi in person. Rizzi, 54, took over as interim coach of the Saints following the firing of Dennis Allen and was 3-5 in eight games.

Before his promotion, he was assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the Saints, whom he joined in 2018 following 10 seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

New Orleans also interviewed Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady virtually on Friday. Brady, 35, began his NFL coaching career in New Orleans as an offensive assistant from 2017-18, moved on to a season at LSU and then became the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers (2020-21) before being hired by Buffalo.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw before the game against the Washington State Cougars at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Reports conflict on Saints’ interest in former Stanford coach David Shaw

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The New Orleans Saints’ search for their next head coach led to conflicting reports Monday that former Stanford head coach David Shaw is a candidate.

NFL Network reported that Shaw is interviewing for the post, while multiple media outlets said otherwise.

New Orleans fired Dennis Allen after Week 9 and promoted Darren Rizzi to interim head coach. The team went 3-5 the rest of the way to finish 5-12.

The Athletic reported on Saturday that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, a former head coach of the Chicago Bears, is expected to receive interest from the Saints.

Shaw, 52, has no NFL head coaching experience and since last June has been a senior personnel executive with the Denver Broncos.

At Stanford from 2011-22, Shaw became the only four-time Pac-12 Conference Coach of the Year. The winningest coach in school history compiled a 96-54 record (.640) with the Cardinal that included eight straight bowl appearances from 2011-18 and two Rose Bowl victories in the 2012 and 2015 seasons.

Shaw’s NFL experience includes quarterbacks and wide receivers coach with the Baltimore Ravens from 2002-04, WR coach in 2005 and QB coach with the Oakland Raiders in 2001. He also was an offensive quality control coach with the Philadelphia Eagles (1997) and Raiders (1998-2000).

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hands off to running back Bucky Irving (7) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Eyeing division title, Bucs expect ‘dogfight’ with Saints

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a simple scenario for extending their season.

If the Buccaneers (9-7) defeat the visiting Saints (5-11) on Sunday afternoon, they will be NFC South champions for the fourth consecutive season and will host a playoff game next weekend.

“We have a chance to control our own destiny, which is all you can ask for,” coach Todd Bowles said. “So we’ve to go out and take it.”

If Tampa Bay loses it can still win the division if the Atlanta Falcons fall to the Carolina Panthers. If it wins, it can move up from the No. 4 seed to No. 3 if the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams. But the main thing is to win and get in.

And the Buccaneers have been winning a lot lately, going 5-1 since their bye week, including a 48-14 romp over the visiting Panthers last Sunday.

“We shouldn’t respond any other way than the way they responded last week,” Bowles said. “It’s a division opponent. We know it’s going to be a dogfight. We had to win the last game of the season last year to get in. It was a dogfight with Carolina. So we expect the same thing.”

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield is the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week and has won that award twice in the last three weeks. He completed 27 of 32 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions and a near-perfect passer rating of 153.0 against the Panthers. Rookie Bucky Irving added 113 rushing yards on 20 carries.

“I think that was probably the most consistent we’ve played for four quarters,” Mayfield said.

Reaching the playoffs has been a long shot for the Saints for a while, and it became mathematically impossible two weeks ago.

They lost seven consecutive games earlier in the season, leading to the firing of head coach Dennis Allen and the promotion of special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi to interim head coach.

New Orleans won three of its first four games under Rizzi, but has lost its last three — a 25-10 loss to Las Vegas in the home finale last week, a 34-0 rout at Green Bay on Dec. 23 and a 20-19 home loss to Washington on Dec. 15.

“It’s just been a tough season overall,” safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “We just want to go to Tampa Bay — we know those guys have to win that game — so we know it’s going to be like a prime-time game. I think we need to show up with that intensity knowing that.”

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is expected to make his sixth start in place of injured Derek Carr. Rattler’s first start came in a 51-27 loss to the visiting Buccaneers on Oct. 13.

Tampa Bay took a 17-0 lead after one quarter, the Saints grabbed a 27-24 halftime lead, then the Bucs outscored New Orleans 27-0 in the second half.

Three Saints starters — Carr, running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and linebacker Pete Werner (concussion protocol) missed practice Wednesday. Three Bucs starters — safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee), cornerback Jamel Dean (knee) and tight end Cade Otton (knee) — also missed practice.

As the Saints were reporting for practice Wednesday morning they were learning of the terrorist truck attack in the French Quarter overnight that killed 14 people and injured dozens more.

Rizzi said the team prayed together and reflected on the attacks during its team meeting.

“I feel like we’re playing this last game for this community,” Rizzi said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) catches a pass against New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Raiders find winning formula again in topping Saints

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Aidan O’Connell threw two touchdown passes, Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals, Ameer Abdullah had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career and the visiting Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New Orleans Saints 25-10 on Sunday afternoon.

Abdullah, playing in the 141st game of his 10-year career, finished with 115 yards on 20 carries. O’Connell completed 20 of 35 passes for 242 yards as the Raiders (4-12) won their second straight after a 10-game losing streak.

Brock Bowers added seven receptions for 77 yards, giving him 1,144 receiving yards, which broke the NFL single-season record for a rookie tight end, set by Mike Ditka with 1,076 yards in 14 games in 1961.

Rookie Spencer Rattler passed for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and fell to 0-5 as the starter for the Saints (5-11).

Las Vegas’s first possession of the third quarter resulted in Carlson’s 54-yard field goal, which increased its lead to 16-10 at the end of the period.

Carlson’s 25-yard field goal pushed the lead to 19-10 on the third play of the fourth quarter. O’Connell added an 18-yard touchdown pass to Tre Tucker to complete the scoring.

The Raiders received the opening kickoff and held the ball for 17 plays before stalling. Carlson kicked a 31-yard field goal and the 3-0 lead held up through the end of the first quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter, Rattler threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to former Raiders tight end Foster Moreau and the Saints took a 7-3 lead with their first points in the first half in three games.

The ensuing possession ended with Carlson kicking a 39-yard field goal that trimmed the lead to 7-6.

O’Connell threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers to give Las Vegas a 13-7 lead with 57 seconds left in the second quarter. Rattler completed 5 of 7 for 54 yards in driving New Orleans to Blake Grupe’s 34-yard field goal as time expired that trimmed the lead to 13-10 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders jerseys at the Raider Image store at the C Gates of the Henry Reid International Airport. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders showing up late to New Orleans due to delayed flight

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The Las Vegas Raiders had a flight delayed for several hours on Saturday, forcing them to head to New Orleans late for their meeting with the Saints on Sunday.

Las Vegas was hoping to fly out in the morning, but a mechanical issue on its plane prevented it from doing so. Instead, the Raiders had to wait for a second plane, which didn’t get out of town until about 10 p.m. ET.

Kickoff for Las Vegas’ matchup with New Orleans is at 1 p.m. ET.

Because of the delay, the Raiders had to hold team meetings at their facility instead of the team’s hotel.

Las Vegas is 3-12 this season and has already been eliminated from playoff contention.

–Field Level Media

Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Saints, smarting from shutout loss, seek turnaround vs. Raiders

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The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t going to the playoffs. Neither are the New Orleans Saints.

When the two teams meet Sunday in New Orleans, it will be largely an audition for future employment for coaches and players on both teams.

Las Vegas (3-12) hired Antonio Pierce as head coach after the team had an encouraging 5-4 record during his stint as interim head coach last season. Still, the disappointing 2024 season leaves Pierce’s future in question.

New Orleans is 3-3 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who was promoted when Dennis Allen was fired after a seven-game losing streak this season.

The Raiders are expected to start second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared that role with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder. None has shown that he should be considered a centerpiece of the rebuild going forward.

Rizzi earned victories in his first two games in charge and three of the first four, but the team had by far its worst performance under him in a 34-0 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is in his second season in New Orleans, is trying to return from an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand. Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, who is 0-4 as a starter and played poorly against the Packers, is more likely to start Sunday.

Las Vegas ended a 10-game losing streak by beating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 last week.

“Guys are never going to quit,” Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers said. “We hear about (draft picks) and all that, but we’re professionals. We do our best to win every play every day, and wherever the ball falls, it falls.”

The Raiders’ losing streak included games decided by five, seven, two and six points.

“It is so hard to win in this league,” Las Vegas running back Alexander Mattison said. “When you’re this close so many times … you just want to finish the season strong.”

Raiders tight end Brock Bowers needs 10 receiving yards to break Mike Ditka’s NFL rookie record for tight ends (1,076 yards in 1961).

New Orleans (5-10), meanwhile, is trying to avoid another poor start. The Saints allowed touchdowns on Green Bay’s first three possessions to fall behind 21-0 and never recovered.

“It was the first game where the score wasn’t very competitive,” said Rizzi, whose first two losses as interim head coach came by seven points and one point. “I saw a lot of great effort from guys. We just didn’t execute well. There was nothing that stuck out on film more than just the lack of execution and the lack of playmaking.”

Rattler, who relieved Jake Haener after a scoreless first half in a loss to the Washington Commanders on Dec. 15, had an interception and lost a fumble against the Packers.

“We’ve got to get rid of those negative plays — for any quarterback,” Rizzi said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re starting your fourth game or your 400th game.”

Both teams were off Wednesday so the players’ statuses were an estimate of what their level of participation would have been for a full practice. Guard Jordan Meredith was the lone Raider listed as a non-participant, while Carr was one of four Saints starters listed that way.

Rizzi said left guard Lucas Patrick (knee) would miss the last two games. Running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and center Erik McCoy (elbow) will be evaluated throughout the week. Wide receiver Chris Olave (head) missed the past six games, but he was listed as a full participant on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) rushes with the football as New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (14) defends during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Packers shut out Saints, wrap up playoff berth

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Jordan Love threw a touchdown pass, the Green Bay defense dominated and the Packers clinched a playoff berth by beating the visiting New Orleans Saints 34-0 on Monday night.

Love passed for 182 yards, three teammates rushed for touchdowns and the Packers (11-4) scored touchdowns on their first three possessions en route to their ninth victory in the past 11 games.

Green Bay possessed the ball for 37:13 and outgained New Orleans 404-196 in total yards.

Rookie Spencer Rattler completed 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards with an interception and a lost fumble for the Saints (5-10). He fell to 0-4 as a starter in place of injured signal-caller Derek Carr.

It was the first shutout in the NFL this season and marked just the second time New Orleans was shut out in its past 370 games.

The Packers received the opening kickoff and drove 63 yards in 10 plays, the last of which was Love’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks. The 7-0 lead held up through the end of the first quarter.

On its second possession, Green Bay converted two third downs and two fourth downs during a 17-play, 96-yard march that ended with Josh Jacobs’ 2-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead.

The Packers then went 67 yards in six plays, and Chris Brooks ran 1 yard for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead. Green Bay didn’t face a third or fourth down on that drive.

On the ensuing possession, the Saints reached the Green Bay 29, but Rattler fumbled while being sacked by Keisean Nixon, and Rashan Gary recovered the loose ball for the Packers, preserving a 21-0 lead at halftime.

Green Bay drove to Brandon McManus’ 55-yard field goal on its first possession of the third quarter to expand its lead to 24-0, and the score stayed that way through the end of the third quarter.

McManus kicked a 46-yard field goal and Emanuel Wilson rushed 1 yard for a touchdown to complete the scoring.

Love connected on 16 of 28 passes, while Jacobs gained 69 yards on 13 carries.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) scrambles against Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints plan to start Spencer Rattler at QB if Derek Carr is out

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The New Orleans Saints likely will have a third starting quarterback in as many weeks on Monday.

Spencer Rattler is in line to draw the start if Derek Carr is ruled out as expected for the contest at Green Bay, Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday.

Carr hurt his left (non-throwing) hand in New Orleans’ 14-11 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 8. He sat out the Saints’ 20-19 defeat against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, and he didn’t practice on Thursday.

Rizzi said of Carr, “If he was done for the season, we would’ve put him on (injured reserve) by now and we would’ve shut him down. It’s just not the case. … He had one of his best days (Thursday), so as soon as he’s able to function and as soon as he’s able to go out there and get some functionality back in his hand, we’ll do that.”

Jake Haener got his first NFL start in Carr’s place against Washington and was pulled after completing just 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards with an interception.

Rattler took over and connected on 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards, hitting Foster Moreau for a 1-yard touchdown pass as time expired. His pass on the subsequent two-point-conversion attempt was incomplete, and the Saints lost.

When Carr was sidelined from Week 6 through Week 8, Rattler got the starts and lost all three contests while completing 59.6 percent of his passes for a total of 571 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Also missing the Saints’ Thursday practice was running back Alvin Kamara, who has a groin ailment that leaves him doubtful for Monday, according to Rizzi. The coach listed Kamara’s status as week-to-week.

“The initial tests were, it wasn’t really going to be that bad, and it’s just a little bit more significant, so a little bit more missed time,” Rizzi said.

Kamara leads the Saints with 950 rushing yards, and he has six touchdowns on the ground this year.

The Saints (5-9) are still technically in the playoff race ahead of their Monday game against the Packers (10-4).

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) rushes against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Packers nearing playoff berth but focused on Saints

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The Green Bay Packers are on the verge of locking up a playoff berth.

The Packers (10-4) can clinch and strengthen their seeding prospects by beating the visiting New Orleans Saints (5-9) on Monday night.

They might even clinch before taking the field Monday, depending on what happens in other games on Sunday.

“I’m not even worried about the playoffs,” Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur said. “I’m worried about us continuing to get better, staying in the moment, focusing on what’s right in front of us. Nothing is a lock for us, so you’ve got to go out and win games.”

The Packers can secure a berth if the Falcons lose or tie against the Giants and either the Rams or the Seahawks lose or tie against the Jets or Vikings, respectively, on Sunday.

Green Bay has won eight of its last 10 games, and both of those losses came against division-rival Detroit, which is tied with Minnesota atop the NFC North. The Packers, who lost to Minnesota in Week 4, visit the Vikings next week before finishing against the last-place Bears.

Jordan Love has thrown seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last four games after a three-game stretch in which he threw one touchdown pass and three interceptions. Josh Jacobs is third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,147) and carries (265).

“I think we’ve got to be mindful of his workload,” LaFleur said of Jacobs. “(But) the productivity speaks for itself.”

The Saints are coming off a 20-19 home loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday, which guaranteed them a losing record. They are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, which they haven’t reached since 2020.

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is expected to start in place of injured Derek Carr (non-throwing hand). Rattler, who went 0-3 as a starter in place of Carr earlier in the season, relieved an ineffective Jake Haener against the Commanders and nearly led a dramatic comeback to victory.

Rattler replaced Haener to start New Orleans’ first possession of the second half with Washington holding a 17-0 lead and completed 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards. He threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Foster Moreau to get his team within one point as time expired, but his ensuing two-point conversion pass fell incomplete.

“He gave us a spark,” interim head coach Darren Rizzi said of Rattler. “In those last three games, as is the case with any rookie quarterback, there are times when they get a little panicky. He was much more relaxed and in control (against Washington).”

Running back Alvin Kamara suffered a groin injury during the game after getting within 50 yards of his first 1,000-yard season while on pace to set a career high in yards from scrimmage. He is unlikely to play Monday.

The cases of Carr and Kamara are the latest injuries to key players that have plagued New Orleans during a disappointing season.

“The message to each player has been, nobody is stopping you from the best performance of your lifetime except you,” Rizzi said. “Everybody has injuries, some more than others. The best teams overcome them.”

Carr and Kamara missed practice Thursday, as did defensive end Chase Young (illness) and wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) and Bub Means (ankle). Top wideout Chris Olave (concussion) was a limited participant.

Young is expected to play Monday, but Rizzi said it’s doubtful Olave will play after a six-week absence.

Two Packers starters — safety Javon Bullard and linebacker Quay Walker — missed practice because of ankle injuries.

–Field Level Media