Saints Tight Ends Praise New Position Coach

Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau highlight new tight end coach Clancy Barone's methods in practice and how it gets them ready for the New Orleans Saints season.

Unlike other teams around the league, the New Orleans Saints avoided many high-profile coaching searches throughout the 2023 offseason. While other teams were filling head coaching voids, the Saints focused on rebuilding their defensive coaching staff (including new defensive coordinator Joe Woods) and made a couple changes elsewhere. One of the changes happed on offense when the team moved on from tight ends coach Dan Roushar and added legendary position coach Clancy Barone.

Aug 21, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight ends coach Clancy Barone walks on the sideline during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. The Buffalo Bills won 41-15. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Barone has worked with some of the best tight ends in NFL history like Antonio Gates, Alge Crumpler and more. Now, he leads a room that reunites him with future Hall of Fame tight end in Jimmy Graham (the two were with the Chicago Bears together 2020-21) as well as proven yet still promising players like Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau. Johnson and Moreau spoke about Barone's approach and what he brings to the organization.

"I think it's so fun being with him," Johnson said during his post-practice presser. "He's a really energetic guy. He's so good, he's so knowledgable of not only tight end but just the game. He's so knowledgeable of that, and it's so good. I think we're really good and and honored to have him on our staff."

Johnson, who converted from wide receiver to tight end with great success, also went on to praise the addition of veteran tight end Graham and the rest of the room. "There is just so much knowledge in that room," Johnson said. And on days like Tuesday, that knowledge and skill gets put on full display.

During Tuesday's padded practice, the tight ends showed out. Johnson made a big catch and run on a drag route. Veteran Jesse James had a big reception down the left sideline with two closing defenders. Taysom Hill played his usual versatile role include a good run from under center. Meanwhile, fan-favorite Lucas Krull displayed strong hands during 7-on-7 drills.

Add in Graham consistently seeking to make his presence known by welcoming contact after the catch and the play of the day on a Moreau jump-ball that he won over defensive back Troy Pride and you can see why the room is so excited about their potential. And that was all just one day of practice.

Jul 31, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Lucas Krull (87) and tight end Foster Moreau (82) during training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

But beyond leadership and experience, it has been the unique practice routine of Barone that has struck the players. "One thing that caught my attention," Johnson explained. "Is that when we go through individual (drills), it's never just one thing for five minutes, one thing for another five minutes. It's always mixed. So, we'll go through run blocking then pass blocking. And then catching balls. And then we'll go back run blocking and pass blocking."

This is a unique approach by Barone. Instead of leaning on routine and predictability, the veteran coach mixes things up for the position group. This does more than just keep them on their toes, of course. There are real, in-game applications to this approach as Moreau detailed in his training camp presser. "That's just another tool he uses in his toolbox," he said. "He'll kind of taper our individual work as we would on a drive." 

Instead of potentially falling victim to monotony, the players are challenged by effectively simulating a drive during their individual drills. This aids them not only in the upcoming 11-on-11 team drills they will do later in the practice period, but also for live game action. These are the small details that a player on the opposite side of the ball, defensive end Carl Granderson, highlighted when discussing how he plans to get from good to great. 

The impact of Barone is felt beyond just the physical applications of a practice routine as well. "First and foremost, he's got an emotional intelligence," Moreau said. "And he can read players at an extremely high level. I'm excited to work with him. And from the very first meeting that we had, I know that we were going to click. He's the ultimate player coach, but he expects the world from you. And he's going to give you everything that you need to accomplish your goals."