Saints to Put Trust in 2 Rookies
Bub Means (WR, NO)
Sep 29, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (16) on the field against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.
The New Orleans’ quick turnaround to Thursday Night Football is no help right now.
Saints to Put Trust in 2 Rookies
The club will play the Denver Broncos at home this week, a few days following a total beatdown, courtesy of the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 51-27. And the way it’s trending, New Orleans may not have wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed or quarterback Derek Carr. All are battling injuries, with the caveat that Olave could exit concussion protocol in time TNF, though unlikely.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday, “One name to keep an eye on: Saints electric WR/returner Rashid Shaheed did not practice today for a knee injury described as concerning, source said. His status going forward is TBD.”
That obviously is not ideal for a team already reeling. The Saints started 2-0, featuring two blowouts, and have faceplanted since. In fact, they’ve played awful at times.
Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (16) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
So, with Olave, Rasheed, and Carr possibly out for TNF, the Saints will turn to two 5th-Rounders on offense: quarterback Spencer Rattler and wide receiver Bub Means.
Both played on Sunday, so on-the-job training is already in motion. Rattler completed 22 passes on 40 attempts for 243 yards, a touchdown, and 2 interceptions. He wound up with a 27.7 QBR from ESPN, a poor mark but one to be expected from a rookie in his first start. Means, on the other hand, was more profitable, grabbing 5 receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. Along with veteran Cedrick Wilson Jr., Means could be the primary WR target for Rattler on Thursday.
Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) reacts to throwing a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Saints head coach Dennis Allen said about Olave’s concussion after the game: “That’s something that we have to pay attention to. Unfortunately, it’s a part of our game. It’s unfortunate that that’s happened to him and I think we’ve got to be cautious with him in terms of when he’s available and when he’s ready to go.”
That sounds like a guy on a path to miss Week 7.
Allen also said about his team’s woes: “We’ve gone through rough patches before, we’ll come out the other end on this thing; But we’ve got to figure it out and that falls on me to get that done. And I’ve got confidence in my ability to do that. I think my track record here as a defensive coach would say that.”
Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (16) catches a touchdown pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Tyrek Funderburk (24) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
That will happen with two 5th-Rounders in starting roles on offense — against the league’s fourth-best defense per EPA/Play.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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