Saints Who Helped Themselves In Preseason Game 1 vs. Chiefs
With the first of three preseason games for the New Orleans Saints now in the books, the team got its first look at its revamped roster. While the starting lineups performed extremely well, they are not always the focus in exhibition matchups. Instead, players vying for spots and fighting for a role are often the most impacted. Here are the players that did some good things for themselves on Sunday.
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry (17) reacts after falling at the goal line for a touchdown reception against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
WR A.T. Perry
The rookie was outstanding in his first action. He caught a 29-yard touchdown from quarterback Jameis Winston in the first quarter. But his day was about much more than just that one scoring catch. He added another five receptions to bring his yardage total up to 70. One of the better reps he had was one in which he worked his way open across the field while Winston was in trouble. Those moments are just as meaningful as the touchdowns at this point in the offseason.
Perry has not had the most consistent camp, but showing up like he did Sunday under the lights is huge for his outlook. With three wideout spots already solidified by Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, Perry's impressive performance could g a long way to snagging one of the two or three roster spots remaining at the position.
DB Ugo Amadi
Amadi's interception was the highlight of his performance, of course. But it goes further than that. The Saints set a franchise low in interceptions last season with just 7. The defense's emphasis this offseason has been on creating and capitalizing on chances to create turnovers. Amadi's takeaway was nothing routine. First, cornerback Alontae Taylor tipped the pass in the air on a great contest. Then Amadi tracked it down for the interception. He also played well in run support and as a gunner on special teams.
The Saints will have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to cutting own their options in the secondary come roster cuts. But the 5-foot-9 safety has done enough to feel confident that he is in good position to hang on. His ability to back up the slot defender role is a big benefit as well, especially as Taylor continues to acclimate there or stays on the outside.
WR Keith Kirkwood
Another touchdown recipient on the day, Kirkwood reeled one in from starting quarterback Derek Carr. With wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith out, the Saints needed another wideout to do the "dirty work" they always credit to him. The sixth-year veteran was the one to pill that role. Aside from the 4-yard touchdown reception, he also had a great block on the perimeter during an earlier play, a swing pass to running back Alvin Kamara. Kirkwood has done a lot of good things this offseason throughout camp and this was a nice punctuation.
LB Ty Summers
After arriving as a special teams ace for the team last year, Summers was given the chance to come back on a one-year deal with the Saints back in March. With linebacker Andrew Dowell, one of their top special teamers, on injured reserve for the year, his performance Sunday is important. Summers may have given the team further confidence in their decision to retain him after the 2022 season. He also worked in as the MIKE linebacker with the later defensive units throughout the game. In that role he looked to be the players setting up the defense and making the calls. The Saints need depth at linebacker and Summers has shown that he can contribute for a few different spots.
RB Ellis Merriweather
With fellow rookie Kendre Miller heading to the locker room early, the undrafted rookie from UMass got some extended opportunities. And he made good on them. The 6-foot-2 and 225 pound back was a solid power runner throughout the contest, though some of his bigger runs were called back. But he also showed something we have seen glimpses of in training camp practices: pass-catching. He reeled in a 17-yard pass over the middle along with a 2-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter.
Merriweather is a stout runner, definitely the mold of a guy that the Saints would like in their backfield. Showing he can translate good hands into game action helps move the needle a bit more with increasing opportunity at the position due to injuries.
K Blake Grupe
Game-winning field goals can go a long way for certain and Grupe got and made good on his chance. Not only did he drill the 31-yard game sealing kick, but he did so against a running clock. The entire special teams unit operates extremely well in the circumstance.
It is pretty clear that Wil Lutz is comfortably in the lead in the battle, but a moment like that for Grupe could set him up for success in New Orleans or elsewhere when all is said and done.
