1 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: This is the OTP presented by Far Bureau Health Plans. 2 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: Far Bureau Health Plans Where you are the plan Far 3 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: Bureau Health Plans makes it easy to get the health 4 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 1: coverage you need for less than you think. See how 5 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: at FBHP dot com. I'm Mike Keith, glad to have 6 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: you with us. It is game week. Hard to believe 7 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:34,879 Speaker 1: that it is finally kickoff week in the NFL. The 8 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 1: Titans set to take on the New Orleans Saints at 9 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: Caesar's Superdome. Coming up this Sunday. Will remind you that 10 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: the game kicks off noon Central Time. We're on the 11 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: air on our many great Titans radio stations throughout the region, 12 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: beginning with Titans Countdown at eleven am Central this Sunday, 13 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: September tenth, Titans at Saints to open the season. We're 14 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 1: gonna learn more about the New Orleans Saints moment. Har 15 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 1: Ellie Jeff Duncan with the Times Picky Unit will join 16 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: me in just a moment. But before we do that, 17 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 1: I want to remind you about our great friends at 18 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: Seat Geek. Seat Geek is now the official ticketing partner 19 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,400 Speaker 1: of the Tennessee Titans. Seat Geek is the newest member 20 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: of the Titans family. And if you haven't heard the 21 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: name yet, get used to it, because you'll be hearing 22 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 1: it a lot more this season. Whether you're buying or 23 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 1: selling tickets to the Titans game or to any live 24 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 1: event in Nashville. Seat Geek is the place to do it. 25 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: Seat Geek the new official ticketing partner of the Tennessee Titans. 26 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 1: So Titans fans can fan as promised. Jeff Duncan, columnist 27 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 1: for The Times Picky Unit in New Orleans, thank you 28 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:50,760 Speaker 1: so much for joining me. I appreciate it. 29 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:53,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, Mike, great to be here. Thanks for having me 30 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 2: on Bud. 31 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: All right, so let's talk before we get into this 32 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: week's game with the Saints. People may remember that you 33 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: were here actually before the Titans, right, weren't you here 34 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 1: with the Tennessee Oilers. 35 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 2: Correct. Yeah. I've covered that transition to Nashville, back when 36 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 2: they played in Vanderbilt and the early nascent phase of 37 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:25,959 Speaker 2: the Oilers Titans franchise in Nashville, and it's incredible when 38 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 2: I go back now, Mike and see the change in 39 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 2: the city, how the organization has grown. I really think 40 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 2: it's just the whole atmosphere and culture around the organization 41 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 2: I think have changed from those early days, and it's 42 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 2: really exciting to see Titans fans ought to be excited 43 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 2: about the future. 44 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: What were you specifically doing while you covered that transition? 45 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 1: How did that work from a professional standpoint? 46 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was working down in Florida and my old boss, 47 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 2: Tom Squire's had moved to Nashville and was working for 48 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 2: Ray Maddox in I guess it was called Sports Nashville 49 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 2: at the time. It was a weekly publication and they 50 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 2: had the Titans exclusive kind of the team publication at 51 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 2: the time, and he needed someone to cover the NFL, 52 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 2: and I'd covered the NFL before and really was excited 53 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 2: about moving to Nashville. I my hometown is Louisville, Kentucky, 54 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: so I had family. I was gonna be closer to 55 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:31,480 Speaker 2: the family, and I've always loved Nashville. So it was 56 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 2: really a great exciting opportunity to see that the franchise 57 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,760 Speaker 2: kind of, you know, the NFL's birth in the state 58 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: of Tennessee. That was very exciting to cover. And so 59 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: it was basically my first full time job in the 60 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 2: NFL and learned so much from Floyd Reese and Jeff Fisher. 61 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 2: When they were there, they were so like understanding of 62 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 2: someone kind of learning the ropes in the NFL. So 63 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 2: it was a really exciting time for me. 64 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: Jeff ended up going straight to New Orleans or was 65 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 1: there a stop in between? 66 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 2: No, I went I went to New Orleans to cover Well, actually, 67 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 2: I guess you'd say, Mike. I went to Baton Rouge 68 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 2: I was working for I was working for The Times, 69 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:18,479 Speaker 2: Picky Youn, but covering LSU and and Nashville. People remember this. 70 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 2: Jerry DeNardo was the head coach at LSU then and 71 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 2: it was his final year covering LSU, and I covered 72 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 2: LSU Tigers for one year and then moved to New Orleans. 73 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:33,839 Speaker 2: Stage at the time spicking, but moved to New Orleans 74 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 2: to cover the Saints, and my first year covering the 75 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 2: Saints as a beat writer, they won their first ever 76 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 2: playoff game in franchise history. They were ten and six, 77 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 2: kind of surprised the league. And it's been kind of 78 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 2: the main, my main focus of coverage since then, even 79 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:51,919 Speaker 2: though I'm now a columnist, which means I get to 80 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 2: throw my opinion around as opposed to just being a 81 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 2: beat writer. 82 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: But you stepped out of sports for a while, right. 83 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:03,599 Speaker 2: Yes, after after Hurricane Katrina, we all kind of became 84 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 2: news reporters. I covered the storm here back in two 85 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 2: thousand and five, you know, rode the storm out in 86 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 2: our newsroom, and then the aftermath. It was just such 87 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 2: a you know, drastic story. I mean, it was the 88 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 2: biggest story I'll ever cover in my life, and really 89 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 2: the aftermath of it probably went on for about a 90 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 2: year working in the news department. It was just, you know, 91 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 2: such an extensive story. It affected every part of your 92 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 2: life down here. And so to see the city come 93 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 2: back and rebound and the Saints moved back and the 94 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 2: Superdome get rebuilt. I'll never cover anything of that magnitude 95 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 2: in my career, at least I hope. I know. 96 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:48,480 Speaker 1: How has that experience changed how you cover football? 97 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:53,160 Speaker 2: That's a great question. It really has changed. It's given perspective. 98 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 2: I can still remember Mike being in the Superdome. It 99 00:05:56,520 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 2: was a Friday night, the Saints were playing the Baltimore Raven. 100 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 2: I was the beat writer at the time. The Friday 101 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,719 Speaker 2: night before Hurricane Katrina. The storm was out in the 102 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 2: Gulf and no one was really paying that much attention 103 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 2: to it. We thought it was going to jog up 104 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 2: toward Florida, and literally twenty four hours later the whole 105 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 2: city was being evacuated. But back then my main concern 106 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 2: was just who's going to make the fifty three man 107 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: roster for the Saints. Sure, and twenty four hours, forty 108 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 2: eight hours later, your entire life is turned upside down. 109 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 2: The whole eighty percent of the city was underwater. We 110 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 2: had no power, we had no plumbing, I mean, just 111 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:39,359 Speaker 2: the basic necessities of human life in our society was 112 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 2: all gone. Can communicate, no cell service. When you go 113 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 2: through something like that, it puts sports in perspective and 114 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 2: really realized it's a small part of our lives. It's 115 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 2: an important part, obviously, and we all get entertainment out 116 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,920 Speaker 2: of it, but in the grand scheme of things, it's 117 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 2: not that important. It really does kind of set your 118 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 2: perspective on life. 119 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 1: I guess that's a hard turn now to talk about 120 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: the game this Sunday, but we have to do it. 121 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: I was just fascinated to know about your experience doing that, 122 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 1: and now your experience as a columnist is something quite different. 123 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: And the twenty twenty three Saints are an interesting team 124 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 1: in that like the Titans, they were seven and ten 125 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: a year ago and they had one of the biggest 126 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: acquisitions of free agency in Derek Carr. Why was Derek 127 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 1: Carr the right answer for the twenty twenty three New 128 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: Orleans Saints at quarterback. 129 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 2: Well, there's familiarity there, right for both sides. First of all, 130 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 2: Dennis Allen was the head coach with the Raiders when 131 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 2: they drafted Derek Carr, so he knows the player and 132 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 2: what he's getting and Derek Carr very well. And then 133 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 2: Derek Carr. I think it was a great fit here 134 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 2: because this offensive scheme, the Pete Carmichael runs offensive coordinator 135 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 2: was all the Sean Payton system of course here he 136 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 2: was here for sixteen years and Sean Payton learned that 137 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 2: from John Gruden. So it's exact, really the exact same 138 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 2: offense that Carr ran, a very similar offense to what 139 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 2: he ran with the Raiders. So it was really a 140 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 2: perfect fit and you can see it. I mean, it's 141 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 2: been a very seamless transition for Derek Carr. I think 142 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 2: he's jumped right into the bridle here, taken over and 143 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 2: really I think brought a lot of enthusiasm and confidence 144 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 2: to the locker room because they see how he's operating 145 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 2: this offense. And as you know, Mike, I mean, this 146 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 2: is a quarterback driven league for a large to a 147 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:40,960 Speaker 2: large extent, and you've got to have a good one. 148 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 2: And Derek Carr, certainly with four Pro Bowls, has and 149 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 2: upgraded that key position for the Saints. He's the best 150 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:50,920 Speaker 2: quarterback they've had here since obviously Drew Brees left a 151 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 2: couple of years ago. 152 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 1: Specifically, how does Derek Carr change or improve the Peak 153 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 1: Carmichael offense. 154 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,320 Speaker 2: Well, what he does that is and it's what Drew 155 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 2: Brees was excelled at. Is he's great at getting to 156 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 2: the line of scrimmage. Leaning on that experience of ten 157 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 2: years in the league, he's seen everything. He knows how 158 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 2: to read defensive coverages, defensive formations, and the Saints system 159 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 2: is so sophisticated they allow the quarterback if they're willing 160 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 2: to make changes at the line of scrimmage. So you'll 161 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 2: see Derek Carr doing a lot of what Drew Brees 162 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 2: did getting the Saints in going to the line of 163 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 2: scrimmage with a couple options, seeing how the defensive lines 164 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 2: and he's going to be making a lot of checks 165 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 2: at the line to get them in the right play, 166 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 2: and that's something they didn't have the last couple of seasons, 167 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 2: and it really limited their offense. And that's unusual, Mike. 168 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,440 Speaker 2: I mean, the Saints for years under Breeze and Peyton 169 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:49,719 Speaker 2: were top five offense. I mean, really, I wrote a 170 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 2: book on that offense. I'm still maybe I'm biased, but 171 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 2: I think it's the greatest offense in the league history. 172 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 2: I mean, they were in the top five for fifteen years. 173 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 2: That's almost impossible to do. And they're been down in 174 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 2: the low twenties the last couple of years, really foreign 175 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 2: territory for them. And they think Carr can get them 176 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,679 Speaker 2: back into that top ten because he's so good at 177 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,079 Speaker 2: reading defenses and getting them in it out of right play. 178 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 1: All right, Jeff Duncan, who does Derek Carr look to 179 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 1: throw to coming up this Sunday. 180 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 2: Well, they've got some emerging guys. I mean the big name, 181 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 2: of course, is Mike Thomas, who's back at wide receiver 182 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 2: this year. He's really missed most of the last three years, Mike. 183 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 2: I think he's played ten games in three years with 184 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 2: assortment of injuries. But he's not going to be the 185 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 2: Mike Thomas that was the offensive player of the Year 186 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 2: in twenty nineteen. You know, he's thirty years old now 187 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:44,679 Speaker 2: and he's going to be more of a I think 188 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 2: a third option in this In this offense, the main 189 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 2: guy is going to be Chris Olave, who had an 190 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:54,559 Speaker 2: outstanding rookie season a year ago, is very smooth receiver 191 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 2: out of Ohio State. And then the guy that I 192 00:10:57,040 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 2: think people need to watch is Juwan Johnson, the young 193 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 2: height end. He came into the league as a as 194 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 2: a receiver. He's converted to tight end and really made 195 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 2: a great transition to that position. And both those guys 196 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 2: Alave and Juwan Johnson have really shown early on a 197 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,679 Speaker 2: strong connection with Derek Carr. I think he trusts them 198 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 2: a lot and they're going to be his go to 199 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 2: receivers this year. 200 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: I'm intrigued in looking at the roster. I think like 201 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 1: a lot of people didn't realize Jameis Winston was back. 202 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 1: What is his role as the backup quarterback? And why 203 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 1: do you think he decided to come back or they 204 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 1: decided that they wanted him back. 205 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 2: Well, they love having Jamis in the building. I mean 206 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,840 Speaker 2: he's a great team player, and he gives them a 207 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 2: veteran quarterback with experience behind Derek Carr. Fortunately, Derek Carr 208 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 2: has been very durable in his career. I think he's 209 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 2: missed four games at nine seasons. So hopefully they don't 210 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 2: have to go to the backup. But if you do, 211 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 2: and we've seen that in the past. I mean the 212 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:01,599 Speaker 2: Saints have had to play three quarterbacks each of the 213 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 2: last two seasons, so it happens there are injuries. And 214 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 2: having a guy with skins on the wall the way 215 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,880 Speaker 2: Jamis Winston does, and the fact that he's been in 216 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 2: this system now for four years, he knows it like 217 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 2: the back of his hand. That's really reassuring. I think 218 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 2: for Pete Carmichael and Dennis Allen to have a guy 219 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 2: with that experience. He's not played that well the last 220 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 2: couple of years, but he's had injuries Mike and those 221 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 2: you know, you hurt your back like he did last year, 222 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:32,559 Speaker 2: everything comes off your spine right, and it really limited 223 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 2: him I think a year ago, and he's healthy. He's 224 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 2: looked a lot better this year. 225 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 1: Alvid Kamara's suspension Jeff two part question, how does the Saints' 226 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: offense change without Kamara and who's going to run the 227 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 1: football for the Saints on Sunday. 228 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 2: Well, they don't have an Alvin Kamara. When he's going 229 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:51,679 Speaker 2: to be out these first three weeks, it's going to 230 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:55,199 Speaker 2: change how they approach their offense. Jamal Williams was signed 231 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,679 Speaker 2: in free agency to carry the load and be carry 232 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 2: the load while Kamara's suspended, and then to be the 233 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 2: main backup. Jamal Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns 234 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:10,560 Speaker 2: a year ago with seventeen. He's a proven commodity from 235 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 2: his years in Green Bay and Detroit, but he's not 236 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 2: Alvin Kamara. He doesn't have the elusiveness, the dynamic past 237 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 2: catching ability out of the backfield. But they will have 238 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 2: to adjust the offense without him, they won't be the same. 239 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:26,559 Speaker 2: I don't think they'll lean on the running game as 240 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 2: much as they do when Dalvin Kamara is available. So 241 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 2: it's a definite disadvantage for them without Alvin Kamara that 242 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 2: they don't have a playmaker like him. Their other running 243 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 2: back will be Kendre Miller, a third round pick out 244 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 2: of TCU who has a lot of potential. You know 245 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 2: a lot of people wanted the Saints to take ty J. Spears. 246 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,079 Speaker 2: I'm sure you're seeing up there his dynamic ability out 247 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 2: of the backfield. Kendre Miller is a little bigger version 248 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 2: of Taij. Spears, but he's a guy that I think 249 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 2: down the road will get more carries, but early on 250 00:13:57,960 --> 00:13:59,200 Speaker 2: it's going to be Jamal Williams. 251 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 1: Another surprise I think in looking at the twenty twenty 252 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 1: two Saints was how good they were on defense. Dennis 253 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 1: Allen's a defensive guy, Joe Wood's an excellent coordinator. What 254 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 1: does a Dennis Allen Joe Woods defense look like. 255 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 2: It's very much like what they ran here under Greg 256 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 2: Williams for a number of years. They're very base and 257 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 2: that they're not real exotic. They get after you physically 258 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 2: upfront with their front seven. One of the characteristics of 259 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 2: Dennis Allen's defense is their defensive lines, very physical, very 260 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 2: big prototype players. And what I mean by that, Mike, 261 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 2: is their defensive ends, Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Peyton Turner. 262 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 2: These guys are like trees in there. They're six to 263 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 2: five across the front line. Brian Brazi, their first round 264 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:53,560 Speaker 2: draft pick from Clemson, is a six to five defensive tackle. 265 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 2: You just don't see interior linemen that tall for the 266 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 2: most part, so they like to play basic. They don't 267 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 2: like to blitz very much. They get after you with 268 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 2: that front four on the defensive line, and they have 269 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:10,680 Speaker 2: tremendous sticky Manda Man coverage on the outside. They're very physical, 270 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 2: and now there's a downside to that. They get a 271 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 2: lot of holding pass interference calls in the secondary, but 272 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:19,760 Speaker 2: they'll live with that. That's the cost of doing business. 273 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 2: The way they play, they feel like it's kind of 274 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 2: like the old Rick Patino basketball philosophy. They're going to 275 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 2: hand check you all game and hope the officials don't 276 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 2: call everything. That's the way the Saints play defense. They 277 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 2: get after you and they put it on the officials 278 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 2: that have to make those judgment calls. Makes it very 279 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 2: difficult for your passing attack to get much timing because 280 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 2: they really try to throw you off your routes and 281 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 2: re route you in their pass coverage. And those guys 282 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 2: on the secondary are six ' one six ' two big. 283 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 2: They're big across the board on defense. They don't like 284 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 2: little guys on this defense, and you'll see it when 285 00:15:57,560 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 2: they come on the field. They look the part. 286 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: Jordan eight Pro Bowls, one of the best defensive linemen 287 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: of the era. Why has he been so special, Jeff. 288 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:10,280 Speaker 2: Well, he's just an incredible story. I mean, the guy 289 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 2: never misses not only a game, he hardly misses a snap. Mike. 290 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 2: I've never seen a guy as durable as he is. 291 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 2: I think he's missed one game because of injury in 292 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 2: his career. That's an extraordinary It came into the league 293 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 2: in twenty eleven. And the thing that makes him unique is, 294 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,360 Speaker 2: you know, he's not your typical Like I mentioned earlier, 295 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 2: He's a big guy, big physical guy. He's not your typical. 296 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 2: He's not gonna win with speed, blind blinding speed off 297 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 2: the edge, you know, like like a lot of these 298 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 2: defensive ends that get to the quarterback. He's all physical, 299 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 2: strong hands, plays the run extremely well, always has his 300 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 2: eyes on the quarterback so he doesn't get fooled a lot. 301 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 2: You don't see him get out of position on a 302 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 2: jet sweep or a screen pass. He diagnoses all that. 303 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 2: He's so small and he just never misses a play. 304 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 2: I've never seen a guy he just plays every down, 305 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:09,640 Speaker 2: every game. He's always there, and you know, for coaches 306 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,400 Speaker 2: to have that kind of reliability and durability after all 307 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 2: this time pretty remarkable. 308 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: More with Jeff Duncan of The Times Picky You in 309 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 1: New Orleans momentarily but right now a word from our 310 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 1: friends at Duncan. It's always game on with Duncan, so 311 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:34,640 Speaker 1: grab a coffee and kick off the action. Whether that's 312 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: drinking a cup of coffee on your way to the 313 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 1: game or grabbing one to go before watching the game 314 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 1: at home, Duncan is always there to help you get 315 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:46,439 Speaker 1: your game on. Just like the pros, we need to 316 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 1: be at our best come game time, which is why 317 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 1: Duncan is the most important part of your game day 318 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 1: ritual because it's always the best call for football America 319 00:17:56,200 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 1: runs on Duncan. Continue with Jeff Duncan, columnists with The 320 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 1: Times Picky Union, New Orleans. As we begin to wrap 321 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:13,920 Speaker 1: this thing up, looking at injuries to begin this week, 322 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 1: Week one of the NFL season. Who are the Saints 323 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 1: concerned about injury wise as we enter this week? 324 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 2: I think they're going to be almost one hundred percent healthy. 325 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 2: The two main names that most people will know Marshawn Lattimore, 326 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:33,479 Speaker 2: their shutdown corner easily their best corners had a great camp. 327 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:37,159 Speaker 2: He tweaked his knee out in Los Angeles as they 328 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:41,160 Speaker 2: worked against the Chargers. Hasn't practiced since, but Dennis Allen 329 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 2: has said he expects them to be one hundred percent 330 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:46,000 Speaker 2: per Week one, so I expect to see him. And 331 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 2: then Taysom Hill, the gadget utility player that's so critical 332 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:53,640 Speaker 2: in their offense. He had an oblique strain a few 333 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 2: weeks ago and has not practiced since then, but he 334 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:59,160 Speaker 2: also is expected to be okay for Week one. Those 335 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 2: are really the only names of note injury wise. I 336 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 2: expect those guys to be on the field. 337 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: Jeff, who are the rookies that the Saints will be 338 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: counting on even as early as this Sunday. 339 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:13,399 Speaker 2: Well, there's a couple of surprising guys on the roster. 340 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 2: Mic that both their place kicker and their punter are 341 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 2: undrafted free agents. I mean the punter is a guy 342 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 2: named Lou Headley, who's got to be one of the 343 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 2: most interesting stories in the NFL. He's a thirty year 344 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:29,199 Speaker 2: old rookie from Australia, owned a tattoo parlor, was a 345 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:32,879 Speaker 2: scaffolder in Australia and then decided he was going to 346 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:34,199 Speaker 2: give it a go and try and make it as 347 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 2: a punter. He was a rugby player in Australia and 348 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,840 Speaker 2: he beat out Blake gillickin the incumbent punter, so he's 349 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 2: gonna be punting for this team. And then their kicker, 350 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:46,639 Speaker 2: Blake Rupie, beat out Will Lutz. The Saints traded Will Lutz, 351 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,040 Speaker 2: the veteran former pro bowler, to the Denver Broncos, and 352 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 2: they're going with two young guys as specialists. So those 353 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 2: guys will be ones to watch. I mean, they've never 354 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 2: done it in the NFL, but they've had great camps. 355 00:19:58,240 --> 00:19:59,879 Speaker 2: And then the other guy that I think will be 356 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:03,399 Speaker 2: prominent will be Brian Brazie I mentioned earlier, the defensive tackle, 357 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 2: first round draft pick out of Clemson. He's gonna I 358 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 2: don't know if he'll start, but he'll be in there 359 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 2: on passing downs, a really good interior pass rusher at 360 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 2: the defensive tackle spot. 361 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:15,399 Speaker 1: I want to go back to lou Headley for just 362 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:18,880 Speaker 1: a second, and the story is crazy, by the way, 363 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 1: but I want to ask something more specific. Is he 364 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 1: an Australian style punter in terms of that side winding 365 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:30,200 Speaker 1: or does he do more of the American style punting. 366 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 2: Now, No, he's definitely Australian style, So he has a 367 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 2: bunch of tools in his tool bag, right. I mean 368 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 2: he's going to kick, side, backspin, all of that, and 369 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 2: that's something that was very intriguing to Darren Rizzy, the 370 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 2: special teams coach. He talked about it this week when 371 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 2: we talked with him. They're excited about what he can do. 372 00:20:50,119 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 2: Placing the ball using backspins, not traditional at all the 373 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:57,280 Speaker 2: way Blake Gillikin was here. So that's something new and 374 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 2: we've seen it already in the preseason two different muffed 375 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:04,760 Speaker 2: punt returns by opponents on Headley's punt. So it's something 376 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 2: that the Titans, I'm sure are very aware of and 377 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 2: they'll have to focus in on because that ball is 378 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 2: going to be coming in all sorts of crazy angles. 379 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:16,520 Speaker 1: Jeff, to wrap up, as the Saints look at the Titans, 380 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,639 Speaker 1: what do you think their biggest concerns are about Tennessee 381 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 1: entering this game on Sunday. 382 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:25,360 Speaker 2: Well, I think it has to start with that physical 383 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 2: running game with Derrick Henry and now Tyse Spears the 384 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:33,440 Speaker 2: preseason he's had. We're very familiar with him here from 385 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 2: his days at Tulane and seeing him as a one 386 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 2: to two punch with Derrick Henry. The Saints rushing rushing 387 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 2: defense Mike really dropped off last year. I think they 388 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:48,360 Speaker 2: finished in the twenties. Yards per carry was way up 389 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:51,880 Speaker 2: against them, yards per game all that. It just kind 390 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:54,440 Speaker 2: of came out of nowhere. They've been a top five, 391 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:58,680 Speaker 2: top ten run defense for years under Dennis Allen. They 392 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 2: didn't tackle very well. All that has to be a 393 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:05,880 Speaker 2: concern going against this physical Titans offense. I think everything 394 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 2: starts there, and if they can control the Titans running game, 395 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:14,439 Speaker 2: I think they feel like they'll be in good shape defensively. 396 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:16,879 Speaker 2: But that's a big challenge with Derek Henry, as we 397 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 2: all know, I mean, he can just wear down defenses. 398 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,639 Speaker 2: And they've got so many new faces in their front seven. 399 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:26,160 Speaker 2: They lost both their starting defensive tackles to free agency, 400 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:29,720 Speaker 2: Caden Ellis. They're one of their best run defending linebackers 401 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:34,640 Speaker 2: left in free agency, Marcus Davenport. They're starting right defensive 402 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 2: end went to Minnesota and free agency, so a lot 403 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:41,239 Speaker 2: of new faces and new moving parts up there. So 404 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 2: it's a concern how their run defense is going to 405 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:44,200 Speaker 2: fit together here. 406 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 1: Early on Jeff Duncan, columnist with The Times, picky you 407 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:49,840 Speaker 1: in New Orleans. You are awfully good at what you 408 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:52,560 Speaker 1: do and thank you so much for taking time. Really 409 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:53,240 Speaker 1: appreciate it. 410 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me on Mike. Look forward to see 411 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:57,360 Speaker 2: you at the Dome on Sunday. 412 00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:00,640 Speaker 1: That does it for this edition of the OT. Want 413 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:03,320 Speaker 1: to thank my friend Jeff Duncan, who I've known for many, 414 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 1: many years, for joining us with a lot of insight 415 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 1: on the New Orleans Saints, this weekend's opponent. Again on 416 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 1: the air on Sunday at eleven am Central on Titans 417 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: radio stations throughout the region, and kickoff is set for 418 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 1: just afternoon Central time from Caesar's Superbow. Thank you so 419 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 1: much for listening to this edition of the O T T. 420 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to the big Show where the Lesson's going. 421 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 2: Everybody nose it's our house, Fine thought, Tennessee. 422 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,120 Speaker 1: Make any sturry greenness expensive, BA