The New Orleans Saints’ new offensive scheme is off the showroom floor, and although it’s unclear if it’s ready for the big stage, the team has put in a lot of work to get it ready. From the looks of OTAs and minicamp, the players have responded enthusiastically to the system, which has proven successful for other NFL teams.
After being brought in from San Francisco, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was assigned to handle the install, which has received favorable feedback from everyone.
“I believe everything has gone fairly well,” stated Coach Dennis Allen. “We have a lot of offensive installations. Numerous motions and moving pieces have made it difficult for our players to learn a new offense from an attacking perspective, and it has also been difficult from a defensive one as they have to cover a wide variety of looks and plays.
“A player such as Demario Davis, an All-Pro linebacker, cannot simply come into this game and execute the same plays he has been doing for the past six or seven years, or for any other reason. Thus, everyone is having to put in a lot of effort. As a defensive staff, it forces us to confront and discuss, “Well, how do we handle some of these things that we’re seeing?” For all of us, I believe the work has been excellent.”
Dennis Allen summarises Day 3 of the Saints Minicamp on June 13, 2024.
Last season, the 49ers finished second in total offense (398.4 yards per game), fourth in net passing (257.9), first in red zone touchdown percentage (67.2 percent), and fourth in third-down conversion % (47.5) with Kubiak as their offensive passing game specialist.
“Our guys did a great job of taking in a lot of information and going and putting it on the grass,” Kubiak stated. “To get it implemented, Coach Allen allotted us a lot of meeting time. I’m happy with our current situation. If we accept that we will never be where we want to be, then everything will work out.
“I believe there has been progress. The starters get out there and move the ball down the field during the competitive parts of practice, which is a nice start. However, to reiterate, there isn’t really a pass rush because everyone is wearing underwear. When we come to training camp and put on our pads, guys who you might not have noticed over the past several weeks will begin to show up. As well as the opposite way around.
We remind our boys that when fall rolls around, football will truly be played. They must therefore position themselves to succeed and stay in good health during this interval.”