Saints Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down From Win Over Chiefs

Here are some Saints that stood out and others that have some work to do after Sunday's win over Kansas City.

The New Orleans Saints pulled out a last-minute 26-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in their preseason opener on Sunday. First and second teamers for the Saints raced out to a 17-0 early in the second quarter, which was arguably the most impressive part of their outing. 

Kansas City reserves would mount a comeback and took a 24-17 lead late into the fourth quarter. Rookie QB Jake Haener and undrafted rookie RB Ellis Merriweather fueled one touchdown drive to pull within a point. An interception by the Saints DE Kyle Phillips in the final moments then put them in position for the game-winning field goal from rookie K Blake Grupe. 

Here are some of the best and most concerning performances from the New Orleans win.

THUMBS UP

First and Second Team Units 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a touchdown to receiver Keith Kirkwood (18) against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

New Saints QB Derek Carr caused the home fans to erupt with a 12-play and 80-yard drive for a touchdown to open the game. Carr completed six of his eight passes for 70 yards on the drive, including an impressive scoring strike to WR Keith Kirkwood. Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Juwan Johnson all accounted for big plays in the series. 

After the impressive opening march, most of the projected starters were done for the day. Jameis Winston, along with the rest of the second string, had some strong moments of their own once inserted into the game. Despite shoddy pass protection, Winston was 11 of 13 for 92 yards on his passes, which included a 29-yard scoring strike to rookie WR A.T. Perry.

Not to be outdone, the Saints defense also flexed their muscle throughout much of the first half. New Orleans held Kansas City to just 31 yards and one first down on 12 plays in their first three drives.

The defense set up Winston's touchdown drive with a fourth down stop in short yardage. Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders led the charge on the play with outstanding interior penetration, while LB Pete Werner made a terrific read to finish off the fourth down stop. New Orleans S Ugo Amadi also intercepted a second quarter pass, a rare sight in 2022. The play set up the Saints in scoring position, but that drive stalled.

THUMBS DOWN 

Alontae Taylor, CB 

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen gives instructions to cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

It's not as if Taylor had a bad outing. He played well as an outside corner, showed nice recovery speed, and tipped the throw that led to Amadi's interception. Taylor is learning a relatively new position as a slot corner this summer, and the inexperience showed.

The second-year corner gave up a 43-yard reception on one play from the slot. On Kansas City's first touchdown, Taylor and fellow CB Bradley Roby appeared to suffer from miscommunication. He was otherwise solid, but those two big plays allowed the Chiefs to get back into the game. 

Make no mistake, Alontae Taylor is one of the keys to New Orleans defensive success this year. He's had an outstanding training camp after a standout rookie year. After a good outing by CB Paulson Adebo against the Chiefs, the battle for the Number 2 cornerback spot might be a little tighter.

THUMBS UP

Ellis Merriweather, RB 

New Orleans Saints running back Ellis Merriweather (35) at Ochsner Sports Performance Center during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

The undrafted rookie from Massachusetts didn't necessarily jump out on the stat sheet. He picked up 24 yards on the ground, averaging just 2.7 on nine carries. More important were his two receptions for 17 yards, including a two-yard touchdown reception that pulled the Saints to within a point late in the fourth quarter. 

Merriweather got little help from a second and third team offensive line that struggled. Nonetheless, he showed excellent power and effort into the line to move the pile. He also showed good hands and natural receiving skills, a bit surprising from the power back.

The 6'2" and 225-Lb. Merriweather will have more opportunities going forward. Rookie third-round choice Kendre Miller left Sunday's game with a knee injury that will sideline him at least a couple of weeks. Jamaal Williams us firmly entrenched as the team’s top back behind Kamara. However, remember that Kamara will be suspended for the first three games of the season. 

The Saints will certainly visit with other backs this week, including former LSU and Chiefs standout Darrel Williams on Monday. After a good audition from Merriweather, he could solidify a role with continued development. 

THUMBS DOWN 

Second and Third Team Offensive Line 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) calls a play at the line against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston was excellent despite pass protection that fell apart in front of him. He held on to the ball too long on a few plays, but was consistently rushed, hurried, and sacked a few times. Rookie QB Jake Haener had some rocky moments, in part because he was also under near constant harassment. 

Saints running backs combined for 71 yards and averaged just 2.8 per carry. The first team line did an outstanding job of pass protection and got some traction in the running game on the opening drive. However, the reserves that followed them looked overmatched. 

New Orleans has a capable corps of starters in RT Ryan Ramczyk, RG Cesar Ruiz, C Erik McCoy, LG James Hurst (in for an injured Andrus Peat), and LT Trevor Penning. Much of the concern coming in was around Penning as a pass blocker, but he played well.

This is a Saints line that's been battered by injuries in recent years. New Orleans thought they upgraded depth with the drafting of Nick Saldiveri in the fourth round and free-agent additions of Max Garcia and Storm Norton to team with capable backup Calvin Throckmorton. 

It's still early in the preseason, but this unit did nothing but increase concerns in their first outing. 

THUMBS UP

A.T. Perry, WR 

New Orleans Saints receiver A.T. Perry (17) reacts after catching a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

Perry had 70 yards on a game-high six catches, including a 29-yard touchdown. All of that came in the first half against Kansas City's first and second team defense. Both Perry and Kirkwood showed a solid grasp for the offense in a game where neither Rashid Shaheed or Tre'Quan Smith played.

A big (6'5" and 205-Lbs.) receiver with excellent athleticism, Perry had a rocky start to offseason camps. He's come on well lately. Against the Chiefs, Perry moved decisively through traffic, showed excellent burst to get separation, worked back to his quarterback on broken plays, and made terrific adjustments to the football. 

The Saints have an outstanding trio of wideouts in Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Shaheed. Depth behind them is a major concern, and not many of the backup receivers have been consistent playmakers so far in camp.

A.T. Perry surprisingly slipped to the sixth round despite possessing terrific physical traits and 152 receptions for 2,389 yards and 26 touchdowns his final two seasons at Wake Forest. While still early, perhaps Perry can be one of the steals of the 2023 draft and provide the Saints with another desperately needed playmaker at wide receiver.