September 6, 2024 • 25 mins
NFL on FOX broadcaster Chris Myers joins Erin Summers to preview the Saints game against Carolina.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome in to the New Orleans Saints Podcast. You'll hear
from players, coaches, broadcasters, and writers that cover the NFL
on a daily basis. The New Orleans Saints Podcast starts
right now. Here's your host, Aaron Summers.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Welcome into the New Orleans Saints Podcast. I'm Aaron Summers.
It is here. Finally, it is Game weekend, first game
of the season, Sunday, Carolina Panthers in the Caesar Superdome
twelve o'clock. The Saints have wrapped up practices as of Friday.
They will have a walk through tomorrow, so a little
bit more work is going to be put in before
(00:46):
kickoff on Sunday. That is when it all goes down.
Here's head coach Dennis Allen on what he wants to
see from his team.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Well, look, we need to go out and play good football.
And look we I think we've won our last five
openers something like that. You know, last year we want
our first two. So we've been we've been pretty good
at getting off to a you know, a fast start
terms to the season. We've got to do a better
job of keeping that momentum going. But I think it's
(01:18):
just our guys going out and playing football the way
that the Norman Saints want to play football. And I
think you know, us doing that will be plenty good enough.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
I will give it to da. He was close, but
the Saints have won four straight openers. A win Sunday,
we'll make it five. The injury report for that game
has only four Saints listed as out Linebacker Jalen Board,
tight end Donn Holker, linebacker DeMarco Jackson, and defensive tackle
Colin Saunders. Wide Receiver At Perry, who's missed the last
(01:49):
two practices with the hand injury, is listed as questionable,
along with guard Nick Saldeveri and linebacker Willie Gay. Junior
cornerback Marshaun Lattimore and linebacker Pete Werner, who were listed
on the injury report throughout the week, have no designation
for Sunday, and we'll be full goes for our podcast
(02:09):
guest today, NFL Fox play by play Chris Myers joined
me while he was here at the facility to take
in practice and talk to coaches and players. We break
down the matchup Sunday against the Panthers and reminisce on
Meyers time in New Orleans. Chris, thank you so much
for joining us on the New Orleans Saints Podcast. As
you get ready to call the Saints first game of
(02:32):
the season, how are you doing.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
I'm good. It's always great to come back where I
spent some key years of my life, to be in
New Orleans and to see the Saints fans and sense
their optimism. So well, yeah, I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
You are right back in your early stomping grounds as
you worked for WWL. What do you remember about that experience?
Speaker 4 (02:52):
Well, you know, for me coming I came from Florida
and it was a great job opportunity, and I noticed
right away way, you know, at that point there were
the Pelicans weren't here, so it was all it was
all Saints, you know, obviously L s U two Lane
as well, so it was football, football, football, uh. And
I saw the transition from the baghead days of not
(03:15):
winning and the frustration to you know, joy and happiness
and success. And even when I moved on from ESPN
and then Fox had covered the NFL and still had
to cover the Saints, obviously enjoying their their Super Bowl success.
But now it's a new it's a new era, you know,
we have to move on from the Breeze Peyton, And
it's taken a while. I mean, I know this is
third year for Dennis Allen, but uh, it takes a
(03:36):
while to detach yourself from that. So but from those days,
that's really what stood out. I mean, the greatest compliment
was when I when I left here is some of
the people after spending six years, they said, well, it's
great to see one of our own, you know, do
well and move on. So I felt like I felt like,
you know, somebody that belonged. They treated me so well here,
and I always look come back for the food. Of course,
That's that's part of the deal as well.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Everyone here is so nice and if you love this city,
you fit right in. It's just such a great vibe
that they will definitely welcome you back with open arms.
You said that you went to Commander's Palace last night.
I know you're going to hit all the spots, but
you also mentioned this is where you met your wife.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Yeah. Well, I've actually met her in the Superdome right before,
obviously when we were obviously both single back in those
days working in New Orleans, and I met her there
she was doing some volunteer work and so I was
doing Jim Morris's radio show at the time while working WWLTV,
And we went out to dinner after we'd been dating
a while with Jim More and his wife and at
Commander's Palace and we were in the guard room and
(04:35):
that's where it's Jim Mora, and you know, he was
so abrupt the way he spoke up, and he said, well,
you've been dating her a while. She looks like a
number one draftick. When you're gonna get married, you know,
I was like, whoa, hey, you know, so we were
thinking about it, Susan and I and I so I
actually said, you know, hey, if you make the playoffs,
then we'll get married. I thought it was a safe bed.
At the time, the Saints had never made the playoffs,
(04:57):
and then, of course that year Jim Mora Saints finally
get into the playoffs, and he said, a registered letter
to my house, Oh my god, this is official. Susan
and Chris have to get married.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
He was having fun with it, but we were kind
of planning it so that I had to kneel down
and do the whole proposal thing. But my wife and
her family were kind of expecting him. But he helped
seal the deal, so it was great to go back.
My wife couldn't make issues back back home on this trip,
but I told her I took out of the picture.
I just wanted to get some of the guys to
go to Commanders because I hadn't been there in a
lot of years back, which is always great. So a
(05:28):
lot of history for myself, you know, in New Orleans
and one that's a very important one. And she's still
a diehard Saints fan. No, no matter where we travel
around the country.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Okay, we love that because you know you're from Florida
and you work the preseason games. Call in the Tampa Bay.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
Buccaneers are yes, enemies of the Saints in the division. Yeah.
And I spent a lot of time, by the way,
in Charlotte, Carolina covering NASCAR for Fox, so I have
a lot of friends there that are Panther fans. So
it's like I'm the NFC South guy, the Dirty South
as they like to call it. So it doesn't creates
some dividing lines, but preseason games are important to get
(06:04):
us ready for the you know, Fox National or broadcast
games where you have some of ninety guys. There's fifty
three on our rosters. So yeah, my growing up in Miami,
everybody was a Dolphin fan, believe or not. I was
as a kid. I became a Rams fan for some
reason because I want to live in la as a kid.
So I've always been kind of divided about who, you know,
who to root for beyond who I was working for.
(06:26):
And when you get to the level of Fox here,
you have to be impartial. But I will admit that sometimes.
You know, I always root for a close game or
an overtime game because that means everybody had had hope
until the end. But along the way you always remember
the good coaches, players and cities you know, and that
helps a little bit in terms of impartiality about where
you want to do.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Again, it's okay, your wife is a Saints fan. You
can be a Saints fan. I know, maybe after this
weekend because you're calling the game.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Yes, I have to be a partial wat some days anyway,
at least, Yes, that's fair enough.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Well, you do have some experience with the Bucks and
the Panther now have their former offensive coordinator as their
new head coach, and Dave Canalis, what is he going
to bring to that team?
Speaker 4 (07:07):
It's a great point because he Canalis was given credit
for a reviving Geno Smith's career in Seattle and then
also Baker Mayfield. What a story that was. And I
think he's a very He's one of the most positive,
a Pete Carroll type of positive outgo and it's very real.
It's not just coach speak. So I noticed that about
him right away. He relatively is his first head coaching job,
(07:28):
so he was inexperienced as a play caller last year
and there were some bumps in the running game. So
I think that's where Carolina will try to do that,
but they may have a tough learning curve, especially against
this this Saints defense. But I think his primary job
is to help a young quarterback, Bryce Young, who I
did a few of his games last year and there
(07:49):
wasn't a whole lot around him. It was a rough start,
a rough year for them, but I did see in him,
I think, an ability to handle things that aren't going
well and not negative and not call out teammates, not
complain And the other part about Canalis, Aaron, I'll tell
you it's important. He also worked in the main guy,
but all those years with Russell Wilson in the good
(08:10):
years in Seattle, another five to ten range quarterback like
we had with Drew Brees in that range, and like
you have with Bryce Young now in Carolina. So he
gets a little bit of the smallest quarterback. How you
set up passing lanes. Also, you know how you roll
him out or use his scrambling ability to be able
to avoid some tough hits. So that physically, because he's
still not bulked up as much as you probably like
(08:33):
for an NFL quarterback. So I see that kind of
influence right away. But overall, for a franchise that had
a lot of negativity with Carolina, at least they got
the right kind of guy to bring a positive attitude.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Do you know what you just did there?
Speaker 4 (08:46):
What did I do there?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
You said like we had with Drew Brees.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Oh okay, did I slip a WII in their seat?
Looking at your sage shirt here, I'm in the building.
I watched that I should the old Dome patrol, which
that brings back memories that you're poster of the back round,
So you got me. I'm guilty there in his untape.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Okay, you mentioned Bryce Young and he didn't have a
lot of help last year. He had the most sacks
out of the entire NFL last season, but they did
ramp up the offensive line and they added a lot
of playmakers around him. How much better do you think
that this offense is going to be and how much
are we going to see that this Sunday?
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Yeah, well, you know, from a Saints perspective, they don't
want to see a whole lot of growth with him,
but they you know, they've they had even though Derek
Carr last year he swept Saints swept Carolina, there was
a close game early I recall I will I do
think you'll see him protected better. As you talked about
some that was his fault too, and he'll admit it
last year holding the ball a little bit too long.
(09:43):
But all he really had and I think the line
was that the Panther receivers had separation anxiety. They just
couldn't get open and so that was tough on a
young quarterback trying to find somebody. They drafted the legged
from South Carolina, a fast, tall receiver. He's angular enough
to get the ball to. They also added the receiver
from the Steelers to help, who was their leading receiver
(10:06):
last year. They're a little beat up a tight end,
so I think, and the offensive line you hit to
protect him a little bit more. If they just don't
fall behind so much, then he won't have to throw
so much. So I think you'll see them try to
commit to the run. I've seen them have successful run
games against some very good teams in the league with
Chewba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, So that'll be the approach.
(10:26):
But from a Saints standpoint, if they can get up
on them, then that'll force him into the same kind
of problems that they had last year. But yes, overall,
they at least on paper, and we see a lot
of them in the preseason improve the offense and the
people around Bryce Young. So that is good news for Carolina.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
You mentioned the run game for Carolina, and it's something
that the Saints have continued to talk about needing to
establish to set up the kind of offense that Kubak
wants to play with the play action, the passing game
going to be a heavy usage of Alvin Kamara and
Taysom Hill. How key is the Saints' ability to get
those players going going to be for them to get
(11:05):
out to a good start.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Yeah, and I'm anxious to talk to after practice, which
we'll go to our crew with Klain Kubi X mean
a while to say chatted with him, but obviously he
was handpicked, you know, by Dennis Allen, and we'll say
Derek Carr. There's a connection there. But you ask about
the Carolina offensive line, there's two new parts on the
left side of the Saints line that I think will
really make a difference to help the running game. And
(11:28):
even though the offseason you heard some things got some
mixed reviews, it seems like Alan kamaras in a good space.
Contract stuff later, now focus on the game. He knows
where he is in his career. I think a very
dynamic player and with that combination of those two, I
think that is important. But I still and maybe it's
old school connection to the Saints years. I love this.
(11:51):
I think Carr could throw it and Alave you know,
I mean throw it in a way that if he
needs to light it up like a guy who airs
it out. Can have not live on that, but have
those big games with Rashid and a Lave downfield. You
can't force that, but in a run game helps that.
Carolina's defense went through a change they're missing your top
two sackers from last year. They spent a lot of
(12:14):
time improving the offense, so I think there's a chance,
a good chance for the Saints to kind of establish
that run game. But especially at home to start the year,
you don't want to go crazy, but you want to
get up, get ahead. You know, you don't want to
be too safe, too cautious, especially given the situation that
you know, Carolina has the new head coach and some
new players as well.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
I think fans are expecting a lot out of this
new offense and what it can be, and I don't
think they were as satisfied with what they saw in
the preseason, but we know how coaches are. They don't
want to show everything then, so it is going to
be interesting to see how much they aired out what
they do with all of the playmakers, as you mentioned
Chris a lave rashid Hi heat and then even the
(12:54):
tight ends. Jawan Johnson is a big target out there
as well, and.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
I think keep waiting if he's healthy and had a
schedule coming back, but he's a I think a breakout
talent at that position. If they get the ball to him.
A lot will depend too on and I think even
Dennis Allen the first game, you think you know what
what Carolina is going to do because you've had some
Canalis experience last year going against the Bucks when he
was there. But you'll wait and see and that may
(13:19):
figure out out how much you want to be aggressive
on offense to start the year. So yeah, that that
feeling out process familiar division opponents will will take a
little bit of a while. But you know, I'm a
car fan. He's an easy guy to like, you know,
in root four with his with his personality and so
if he's you know, the offensive line what just had
(13:40):
been great last few years. So if that's better, I
think I think it's a win all the way around.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Yeah, Head coach Nislan has talked a lot about how
big adjustments are going to be, especially in game one,
so that's definitely something to watch. Who adjusts better faster
and can relay that to the team get on the
same page.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Yeah, And I'm curious. We hear about West Coast offense
and we've seen it run with other teams and the
Kubiak name attached, but I'm curious to see how it
is applied to the Saints and what we see in
this game maybe a little different than what we see
all season long. But one thing comes to mind is
that some younger or less experienced quarterbacks have benefited in
this kind of system. I think a rock perty is
(14:19):
a name the coast of mind C J. Shroud I
called quite a few of his games as a rookie
last year. So I think for a veteran like Car,
if it's that same kind of system that will take
I want to say it makes it more comfortable for
a quarterback, but a little less to worry about, so
you can focus on just certain things that you want
to focus on, and I think Car will grasp that
(14:40):
and do well with it.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Yeah. Defensively, the Saints have had one of the top
defenses for a very long time. That's always something that
they've excelled at. But they feel like they can reach
a higher standard and they want to be even better
than they have been. They added Chase Young, big defensive
end there in the linebacker Willie Gay Junior, who's just
so athletic flies on the field. What do you think
(15:02):
the Saints can be this year in terms of how
much better their defense can be.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Yeah, and they were, you know, a top ten defense
last year to statistically we know how they finished the
year and offensively one of the few teams that were
in the top ten. Again, those are stats, a lot
of some close games, but finish strung. I think they
can be I know there's some people are kind of
down on them, but I think they could be even
even more dominant. I know they got some age on them,
but as long as Lattimore and I think he's coming
(15:27):
in like Alvin Kamara, those were two guys I was
curious talking to the staff about you. Hear a lot
of things they need to be right in their headspace
coming in. And I got the thumbs up from the
coaching staff on him for to open this season. So
that's big to me because you're thinking to Mario Davis,
you've got and then cam you so you got your
main pieces. And you're right about Chase Young. I think
(15:47):
he's going to be rotated in as much as a starter.
I mean, he's kind of a regular. I know they
we're happy with him in the preseason. You know, he's
one of those guys. He's got a lot to prove.
So I think they can be an even better defense.
And again, taking the ball away. It's one of those
things if you do that enough and create some scoring opportunities.
Like the dominant Saints defense, and that's Tennis Allen's you know,
it's his calling card, and he calls the defense as
(16:09):
he's telling us. That'll never change. You know, head coaches
on offense, they get to call the offensive plays. I
want to still call this defense, even though he's made
a few adjustments on his staff defensively as well as offensively.
So I think the defenses is going to be strong.
I think it can be even better. I don't see
them taking a step backward unless there's some wear and
tear on guys. But the veterans I've mentioned, I haven't
(16:31):
seen it, and I don't think it'll show up early.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
There must be a fountain of youth around here. I
haven't found it, but these players definitely have. End of
the year, the Super Bowl comes right back here New
Orleans in February. Who's going to be here?
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Well, that's a good question. Well, just watching the Chiefs
the other night, I keep saying they're vulnerable, but they
keep on winning. I don't think I would lean against
a three peet only just because of the odds, but
if anybody could do it the way Mahomes and Reid
are working and their defensive staff, I think somebody in
that AFC could throw them off, maybe a Cincinnati or Miami.
I just think the extended seasons of so many back
(17:07):
to back and those postseason runs will wear a on
a team, but not because of anything that Read or
Mahomes can't do. So NFC, you know, and I'm looking
at the Lions, so I know, you know, certainly Saints
fans can relate to what they have gone through as
a franchise. Never been to a Super Bowl. I think
they finally get there. I think they can unseat the
(17:28):
forty nine ers as the top two teams and in
the ANFC South. As you said, really no disrespect to Carolina,
but to me, it is a three horse race. I know,
last year with the Derek card as everybody was jumping
on the Saints' fan wagon, at least nationally, they kind
of disregard this division. This year it's all Atlanta has
Kirk Cousins and the entity, so they and they're we're
ignoring or at least the side stepping the Buccaneers who've
(17:50):
won three straight division titles. Even though the record hasn't
been great, and then they won a playoff game last year.
So and they have Baker Mayfield, who's been so we
need when I say we the Saints need a resurgence
kind of a Derek Carr, you know, not that he
ever went away, but a Saints version of Derek Carr
with the kind of defense that Dennis Allen has his
guys playing. End happy Camara and you a happy Latti war.
(18:13):
And I think the Saints can, if not win the division,
at least be there at the end to fight for.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
How excited are you just to kick it all off?
Speaker 4 (18:20):
Finally, it's a yeah, you know, we live. I say
America runs on football. I know it's a dunk and
donut slogan, but it really does. The NFL. I mean,
we all feel better when the seasons, we all feel
like we are.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
A part of this week have been so fine.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Yeah, it energy. You could just feel it. When you're traveling,
you're on a plane, you're going to a restaurant, no
matter what the city is, what you read, what people
talk about, even people from different parts of the country,
You'll say, how how's the family? Oh yeah, what about
you know? I think the Bears are going to do whatever.
So yes, it's it's exciting and the NFL has done
so many great things. And I love the fact that
New Orleans the super Bowl. I mean, I you know,
(18:55):
from covering it locally and then also on a national
scale in New Orleans around the league. The city such
great accolage for the way they do it between yes,
the food and the atmosphere, but that everything is so
closely compact you can walk around and enjoy. I think
it's gonna be what the eighth eleventh time overall eighth
in the Dome, right or with the the SUPERDOMEA has renovations,
(19:16):
so yeah, anxious to get in there too to get
a look tomorrow before we head out for Sunday's broadcast.
But yeah, this is fun. Everybody, you know, their heart
race is just a little bit more when football season
comes around.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Definitely does. Thank you so much for the time. It's
been great talking to you, and I look forward to
hearing your call on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
All right, thanks for having me anytime.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Okay, can we go back to his story on his
marriage because them meeting here in New Orleans at the
Superdome is awesome. But when you have Jim Mora tell
you to do something. I think you have to do it.
And I can't imagine getting that in the mail from
Maura saying Okay, it's time you got to ask her.
That's just a really cool story. Another cool story to
(19:55):
come out of this week was the naming of Taysom
Hill as captain. Despite every thing Taysum has done, it
is kind of wild that captain has not made it
on his resume yet. So this is the first time
Taysom Hill is going to have that honor. I was
able to catch up with him after practice on Friday.
All Right, we haven't had a chance to talk to
you about the captain. Sure you're going to be this year,
(20:17):
So how did how did that happen? How did you
find out? And what does that mean?
Speaker 5 (20:22):
Yeah, I mean obviously we just we just take a
team vote on who you want to represent you this
this year, and then every Monday night before the season,
we have a Captain's dinner where where the team is
all together and Dad says he's going to be captains
for the season. So that's that's when I found out.
That's how I found out. And look, I think at
(20:44):
the end of the day. I think when you talk
about being a part of the team, and the best
teams that you've been a part of, I think always
comes down to this peer to peer accountability. So I
feel like when I look at this, the greatest sign
of respect, you know, is this peer to peer recognition.
Speaker 6 (21:03):
And so to have an.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
Opportunity to represent this locker room, represent this team, that's
it's hard to put in words what that means, but
you know it means a lot to me.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
Does it change anything that you're doing this upcoming No, Look,
I think.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
In terms of leadership, to me, I've always been someone
that's like, you know, do what I do and and
not necessarily what I say. So you know, look, I
think that there's part of that that you need to
make yourself available for young players. And I look back
through my history here and I could list a number
of players that have mentored me and made themselves available
(21:41):
to me.
Speaker 6 (21:41):
And and I think, as someone you know who's been
in the.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
NFL for a little while, you know that's that's part
of your responsibility to make sure that younger players know
how to prepare.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
For a game.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Do you want to be more vocal even though you've
kind of been lead by examples.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
Look, I think that you have to find opportunities. I
think I am a believer of it. See something, say something,
you know. So, look, I think if if anyone for
that matter, see something that's happened in inside our program,
I think it's important to say something.
Speaker 6 (22:13):
So I am a big believer in that. And you know,
so I feel like I've I've.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
Been that way, and so when there's opportunities or when
I feel like something needs to be said, then I say,
no problems doing that. But look, I want to be
someone that inside this locker room, guys know that I'm
going to be ready to play on Sunday, and you
know I'm going to do my best to handle myself.
You know, is in a professional manner.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
You've been a part of a lot of opening games.
How does this one feel different?
Speaker 3 (22:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (22:44):
I mean, look, you're playing a division opponent, so we
know the way that that carries. But I think this year,
I mean, this is the first time for me with
the new offense.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
You know.
Speaker 6 (22:55):
So I feel like we've seen how how good.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
This offense can be, and I know how good it
can be, but we haven't been able to really see it.
You know, so as I look at this week, there's
a lot of excitement for me to see, Hey, what
is this.
Speaker 6 (23:11):
Going to look like? You know, I've been excited to
see what the game week prep was going to look
like with Clinton the staff.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
And now as I look forward to Sunday, I'm excited
to finally have the opportunity to be in the system
and and go play with my teammates.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Head coach Dennis Allen added this story on the Captain's Dinner.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
Well, I'll be quite honest with you, I think I think,
and I told Tayson this at our dinner the other night,
that he has a voice, and I think he needs
to use it more often because when Taysom Hill speaks,
people listen because they respect the person and they respect that.
(23:51):
You know, he's the ultimate team player. He's a guy
that that you know, has done everything that team, the
team has them to do, even though that might not
be selfishly what he wants to do. And that, to
me is the epitome of a team player. That's the
epitome of what you want captains to be.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
I can't wait to get the season started. I know
the fans are looking forward to being in the Dome again,
and so are our players. I'm going to close this
out with a bite from Brian Brazie so you can
hear from him about his excitement level. But before I
do that, do not forget to tune into our pregame
show Sunday eleven thirty on New Orleans Saints dot com
and follow along at Saints on X throughout the game.
(24:34):
All right, Brian, take us out being.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
Back in the Dome, you know, having all the fans there.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
I'm super excited, you know, not having camp here, we
didn't get to spend a lot of time with everybody,
so I'm super excited to be back in the Dome
and you know, get the things jumping.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Thanks for listening to the New Orleans Saints Podcast, joining
us three times per week on New Orleans Saints dot com,
the Saints Mobile app, or you can tell them load
the podcast on iTunes. We'll see you next time right
here on the New Orleans Saints Podcast
Welcome in to the New Orleans Saints Podcast. You'll hear
from players, coaches, broadcasters, and writers that cover the NFL
on a daily basis. The New Orleans Saints Podcast starts
right now. Here's your host, Aaron Summers.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Welcome into the New Orleans Saints Podcast. I'm Aaron Summers.
It is here. Finally, it is Game weekend, first game
of the season, Sunday, Carolina Panthers in the Caesar Superdome
twelve o'clock. The Saints have wrapped up practices as of Friday.
They will have a walk through tomorrow, so a little
bit more work is going to be put in before
(00:46):
kickoff on Sunday. That is when it all goes down.
Here's head coach Dennis Allen on what he wants to
see from his team.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Well, look, we need to go out and play good football.
And look we I think we've won our last five
openers something like that. You know, last year we want
our first two. So we've been we've been pretty good
at getting off to a you know, a fast start
terms to the season. We've got to do a better
job of keeping that momentum going. But I think it's
(01:18):
just our guys going out and playing football the way
that the Norman Saints want to play football. And I
think you know, us doing that will be plenty good enough.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
I will give it to da. He was close, but
the Saints have won four straight openers. A win Sunday,
we'll make it five. The injury report for that game
has only four Saints listed as out Linebacker Jalen Board,
tight end Donn Holker, linebacker DeMarco Jackson, and defensive tackle
Colin Saunders. Wide Receiver At Perry, who's missed the last
(01:49):
two practices with the hand injury, is listed as questionable,
along with guard Nick Saldeveri and linebacker Willie Gay. Junior
cornerback Marshaun Lattimore and linebacker Pete Werner, who were listed
on the injury report throughout the week, have no designation
for Sunday, and we'll be full goes for our podcast
(02:09):
guest today, NFL Fox play by play Chris Myers joined
me while he was here at the facility to take
in practice and talk to coaches and players. We break
down the matchup Sunday against the Panthers and reminisce on
Meyers time in New Orleans. Chris, thank you so much
for joining us on the New Orleans Saints Podcast. As
you get ready to call the Saints first game of
(02:32):
the season, how are you doing.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
I'm good. It's always great to come back where I
spent some key years of my life, to be in
New Orleans and to see the Saints fans and sense
their optimism. So well, yeah, I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
You are right back in your early stomping grounds as
you worked for WWL. What do you remember about that experience?
Speaker 4 (02:52):
Well, you know, for me coming I came from Florida
and it was a great job opportunity, and I noticed
right away way, you know, at that point there were
the Pelicans weren't here, so it was all it was
all Saints, you know, obviously L s U two Lane
as well, so it was football, football, football, uh. And
I saw the transition from the baghead days of not
(03:15):
winning and the frustration to you know, joy and happiness
and success. And even when I moved on from ESPN
and then Fox had covered the NFL and still had
to cover the Saints, obviously enjoying their their Super Bowl success.
But now it's a new it's a new era, you know,
we have to move on from the Breeze Peyton, And
it's taken a while. I mean, I know this is
third year for Dennis Allen, but uh, it takes a
(03:36):
while to detach yourself from that. So but from those days,
that's really what stood out. I mean, the greatest compliment
was when I when I left here is some of
the people after spending six years, they said, well, it's
great to see one of our own, you know, do
well and move on. So I felt like I felt like,
you know, somebody that belonged. They treated me so well here,
and I always look come back for the food. Of course,
That's that's part of the deal as well.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Everyone here is so nice and if you love this city,
you fit right in. It's just such a great vibe
that they will definitely welcome you back with open arms.
You said that you went to Commander's Palace last night.
I know you're going to hit all the spots, but
you also mentioned this is where you met your wife.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Yeah. Well, I've actually met her in the Superdome right before,
obviously when we were obviously both single back in those
days working in New Orleans, and I met her there
she was doing some volunteer work and so I was
doing Jim Morris's radio show at the time while working WWLTV,
And we went out to dinner after we'd been dating
a while with Jim More and his wife and at
Commander's Palace and we were in the guard room and
(04:35):
that's where it's Jim Mora, and you know, he was
so abrupt the way he spoke up, and he said, well,
you've been dating her a while. She looks like a
number one draftick. When you're gonna get married, you know,
I was like, whoa, hey, you know, so we were
thinking about it, Susan and I and I so I
actually said, you know, hey, if you make the playoffs,
then we'll get married. I thought it was a safe bed.
At the time, the Saints had never made the playoffs,
(04:57):
and then, of course that year Jim Mora Saints finally
get into the playoffs, and he said, a registered letter
to my house, Oh my god, this is official. Susan
and Chris have to get married.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
He was having fun with it, but we were kind
of planning it so that I had to kneel down
and do the whole proposal thing. But my wife and
her family were kind of expecting him. But he helped
seal the deal, so it was great to go back.
My wife couldn't make issues back back home on this trip,
but I told her I took out of the picture.
I just wanted to get some of the guys to
go to Commanders because I hadn't been there in a
lot of years back, which is always great. So a
(05:28):
lot of history for myself, you know, in New Orleans
and one that's a very important one. And she's still
a diehard Saints fan. No, no matter where we travel
around the country.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Okay, we love that because you know you're from Florida
and you work the preseason games. Call in the Tampa Bay.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
Buccaneers are yes, enemies of the Saints in the division. Yeah.
And I spent a lot of time, by the way,
in Charlotte, Carolina covering NASCAR for Fox, so I have
a lot of friends there that are Panther fans. So
it's like I'm the NFC South guy, the Dirty South
as they like to call it. So it doesn't creates
some dividing lines, but preseason games are important to get
(06:04):
us ready for the you know, Fox National or broadcast
games where you have some of ninety guys. There's fifty
three on our rosters. So yeah, my growing up in Miami,
everybody was a Dolphin fan, believe or not. I was
as a kid. I became a Rams fan for some
reason because I want to live in la as a kid.
So I've always been kind of divided about who, you know,
who to root for beyond who I was working for.
(06:26):
And when you get to the level of Fox here,
you have to be impartial. But I will admit that sometimes.
You know, I always root for a close game or
an overtime game because that means everybody had had hope
until the end. But along the way you always remember
the good coaches, players and cities you know, and that
helps a little bit in terms of impartiality about where
you want to do.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Again, it's okay, your wife is a Saints fan. You
can be a Saints fan. I know, maybe after this
weekend because you're calling the game.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Yes, I have to be a partial wat some days anyway,
at least, Yes, that's fair enough.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Well, you do have some experience with the Bucks and
the Panther now have their former offensive coordinator as their
new head coach, and Dave Canalis, what is he going
to bring to that team?
Speaker 4 (07:07):
It's a great point because he Canalis was given credit
for a reviving Geno Smith's career in Seattle and then
also Baker Mayfield. What a story that was. And I
think he's a very He's one of the most positive,
a Pete Carroll type of positive outgo and it's very real.
It's not just coach speak. So I noticed that about
him right away. He relatively is his first head coaching job,
(07:28):
so he was inexperienced as a play caller last year
and there were some bumps in the running game. So
I think that's where Carolina will try to do that,
but they may have a tough learning curve, especially against
this this Saints defense. But I think his primary job
is to help a young quarterback, Bryce Young, who I
did a few of his games last year and there
(07:49):
wasn't a whole lot around him. It was a rough start,
a rough year for them, but I did see in him,
I think, an ability to handle things that aren't going
well and not negative and not call out teammates, not
complain And the other part about Canalis, Aaron, I'll tell
you it's important. He also worked in the main guy,
but all those years with Russell Wilson in the good
(08:10):
years in Seattle, another five to ten range quarterback like
we had with Drew Brees in that range, and like
you have with Bryce Young now in Carolina. So he
gets a little bit of the smallest quarterback. How you
set up passing lanes. Also, you know how you roll
him out or use his scrambling ability to be able
to avoid some tough hits. So that physically, because he's
still not bulked up as much as you probably like
(08:33):
for an NFL quarterback. So I see that kind of
influence right away. But overall, for a franchise that had
a lot of negativity with Carolina, at least they got
the right kind of guy to bring a positive attitude.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Do you know what you just did there?
Speaker 4 (08:46):
What did I do there?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
You said like we had with Drew Brees.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Oh okay, did I slip a WII in their seat?
Looking at your sage shirt here, I'm in the building.
I watched that I should the old Dome patrol, which
that brings back memories that you're poster of the back round,
So you got me. I'm guilty there in his untape.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Okay, you mentioned Bryce Young and he didn't have a
lot of help last year. He had the most sacks
out of the entire NFL last season, but they did
ramp up the offensive line and they added a lot
of playmakers around him. How much better do you think
that this offense is going to be and how much
are we going to see that this Sunday?
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Yeah, well, you know, from a Saints perspective, they don't
want to see a whole lot of growth with him,
but they you know, they've they had even though Derek
Carr last year he swept Saints swept Carolina, there was
a close game early I recall I will I do
think you'll see him protected better. As you talked about
some that was his fault too, and he'll admit it
last year holding the ball a little bit too long.
(09:43):
But all he really had and I think the line
was that the Panther receivers had separation anxiety. They just
couldn't get open and so that was tough on a
young quarterback trying to find somebody. They drafted the legged
from South Carolina, a fast, tall receiver. He's angular enough
to get the ball to. They also added the receiver
from the Steelers to help, who was their leading receiver
(10:06):
last year. They're a little beat up a tight end,
so I think, and the offensive line you hit to
protect him a little bit more. If they just don't
fall behind so much, then he won't have to throw
so much. So I think you'll see them try to
commit to the run. I've seen them have successful run
games against some very good teams in the league with
Chewba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, So that'll be the approach.
(10:26):
But from a Saints standpoint, if they can get up
on them, then that'll force him into the same kind
of problems that they had last year. But yes, overall,
they at least on paper, and we see a lot
of them in the preseason improve the offense and the
people around Bryce Young. So that is good news for Carolina.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
You mentioned the run game for Carolina, and it's something
that the Saints have continued to talk about needing to
establish to set up the kind of offense that Kubak
wants to play with the play action, the passing game
going to be a heavy usage of Alvin Kamara and
Taysom Hill. How key is the Saints' ability to get
those players going going to be for them to get
(11:05):
out to a good start.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Yeah, and I'm anxious to talk to after practice, which
we'll go to our crew with Klain Kubi X mean
a while to say chatted with him, but obviously he
was handpicked, you know, by Dennis Allen, and we'll say
Derek Carr. There's a connection there. But you ask about
the Carolina offensive line, there's two new parts on the
left side of the Saints line that I think will
really make a difference to help the running game. And
(11:28):
even though the offseason you heard some things got some
mixed reviews, it seems like Alan kamaras in a good space.
Contract stuff later, now focus on the game. He knows
where he is in his career. I think a very
dynamic player and with that combination of those two, I
think that is important. But I still and maybe it's
old school connection to the Saints years. I love this.
(11:51):
I think Carr could throw it and Alave you know,
I mean throw it in a way that if he
needs to light it up like a guy who airs
it out. Can have not live on that, but have
those big games with Rashid and a Lave downfield. You
can't force that, but in a run game helps that.
Carolina's defense went through a change they're missing your top
two sackers from last year. They spent a lot of
(12:14):
time improving the offense, so I think there's a chance,
a good chance for the Saints to kind of establish
that run game. But especially at home to start the year,
you don't want to go crazy, but you want to
get up, get ahead. You know, you don't want to
be too safe, too cautious, especially given the situation that
you know, Carolina has the new head coach and some
new players as well.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
I think fans are expecting a lot out of this
new offense and what it can be, and I don't
think they were as satisfied with what they saw in
the preseason, but we know how coaches are. They don't
want to show everything then, so it is going to
be interesting to see how much they aired out what
they do with all of the playmakers, as you mentioned
Chris a lave rashid Hi heat and then even the
(12:54):
tight ends. Jawan Johnson is a big target out there
as well, and.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
I think keep waiting if he's healthy and had a
schedule coming back, but he's a I think a breakout
talent at that position. If they get the ball to him.
A lot will depend too on and I think even
Dennis Allen the first game, you think you know what
what Carolina is going to do because you've had some
Canalis experience last year going against the Bucks when he
was there. But you'll wait and see and that may
(13:19):
figure out out how much you want to be aggressive
on offense to start the year. So yeah, that that
feeling out process familiar division opponents will will take a
little bit of a while. But you know, I'm a
car fan. He's an easy guy to like, you know,
in root four with his with his personality and so
if he's you know, the offensive line what just had
(13:40):
been great last few years. So if that's better, I
think I think it's a win all the way around.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Yeah, Head coach Nislan has talked a lot about how
big adjustments are going to be, especially in game one,
so that's definitely something to watch. Who adjusts better faster
and can relay that to the team get on the
same page.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Yeah, And I'm curious. We hear about West Coast offense
and we've seen it run with other teams and the
Kubiak name attached, but I'm curious to see how it
is applied to the Saints and what we see in
this game maybe a little different than what we see
all season long. But one thing comes to mind is
that some younger or less experienced quarterbacks have benefited in
this kind of system. I think a rock perty is
(14:19):
a name the coast of mind C J. Shroud I
called quite a few of his games as a rookie
last year. So I think for a veteran like Car,
if it's that same kind of system that will take
I want to say it makes it more comfortable for
a quarterback, but a little less to worry about, so
you can focus on just certain things that you want
to focus on, and I think Car will grasp that
(14:40):
and do well with it.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Yeah. Defensively, the Saints have had one of the top
defenses for a very long time. That's always something that
they've excelled at. But they feel like they can reach
a higher standard and they want to be even better
than they have been. They added Chase Young, big defensive
end there in the linebacker Willie Gay Junior, who's just
so athletic flies on the field. What do you think
(15:02):
the Saints can be this year in terms of how
much better their defense can be.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Yeah, and they were, you know, a top ten defense
last year to statistically we know how they finished the
year and offensively one of the few teams that were
in the top ten. Again, those are stats, a lot
of some close games, but finish strung. I think they
can be I know there's some people are kind of
down on them, but I think they could be even
even more dominant. I know they got some age on them,
but as long as Lattimore and I think he's coming
(15:27):
in like Alvin Kamara, those were two guys I was
curious talking to the staff about you. Hear a lot
of things they need to be right in their headspace
coming in. And I got the thumbs up from the
coaching staff on him for to open this season. So
that's big to me because you're thinking to Mario Davis,
you've got and then cam you so you got your
main pieces. And you're right about Chase Young. I think
(15:47):
he's going to be rotated in as much as a starter.
I mean, he's kind of a regular. I know they
we're happy with him in the preseason. You know, he's
one of those guys. He's got a lot to prove.
So I think they can be an even better defense.
And again, taking the ball away. It's one of those
things if you do that enough and create some scoring opportunities.
Like the dominant Saints defense, and that's Tennis Allen's you know,
it's his calling card, and he calls the defense as
(16:09):
he's telling us. That'll never change. You know, head coaches
on offense, they get to call the offensive plays. I
want to still call this defense, even though he's made
a few adjustments on his staff defensively as well as offensively.
So I think the defenses is going to be strong.
I think it can be even better. I don't see
them taking a step backward unless there's some wear and
tear on guys. But the veterans I've mentioned, I haven't
(16:31):
seen it, and I don't think it'll show up early.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
There must be a fountain of youth around here. I
haven't found it, but these players definitely have. End of
the year, the Super Bowl comes right back here New
Orleans in February. Who's going to be here?
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Well, that's a good question. Well, just watching the Chiefs
the other night, I keep saying they're vulnerable, but they
keep on winning. I don't think I would lean against
a three peet only just because of the odds, but
if anybody could do it the way Mahomes and Reid
are working and their defensive staff, I think somebody in
that AFC could throw them off, maybe a Cincinnati or Miami.
I just think the extended seasons of so many back
(17:07):
to back and those postseason runs will wear a on
a team, but not because of anything that Read or
Mahomes can't do. So NFC, you know, and I'm looking
at the Lions, so I know, you know, certainly Saints
fans can relate to what they have gone through as
a franchise. Never been to a Super Bowl. I think
they finally get there. I think they can unseat the
(17:28):
forty nine ers as the top two teams and in
the ANFC South. As you said, really no disrespect to Carolina,
but to me, it is a three horse race. I know,
last year with the Derek card as everybody was jumping
on the Saints' fan wagon, at least nationally, they kind
of disregard this division. This year it's all Atlanta has
Kirk Cousins and the entity, so they and they're we're
ignoring or at least the side stepping the Buccaneers who've
(17:50):
won three straight division titles. Even though the record hasn't
been great, and then they won a playoff game last year.
So and they have Baker Mayfield, who's been so we
need when I say we the Saints need a resurgence
kind of a Derek Carr, you know, not that he
ever went away, but a Saints version of Derek Carr
with the kind of defense that Dennis Allen has his
guys playing. End happy Camara and you a happy Latti war.
(18:13):
And I think the Saints can, if not win the division,
at least be there at the end to fight for.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
How excited are you just to kick it all off?
Speaker 4 (18:20):
Finally, it's a yeah, you know, we live. I say
America runs on football. I know it's a dunk and
donut slogan, but it really does. The NFL. I mean,
we all feel better when the seasons, we all feel
like we are.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
A part of this week have been so fine.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Yeah, it energy. You could just feel it. When you're traveling,
you're on a plane, you're going to a restaurant, no
matter what the city is, what you read, what people
talk about, even people from different parts of the country,
You'll say, how how's the family? Oh yeah, what about
you know? I think the Bears are going to do whatever.
So yes, it's it's exciting and the NFL has done
so many great things. And I love the fact that
New Orleans the super Bowl. I mean, I you know,
(18:55):
from covering it locally and then also on a national
scale in New Orleans around the league. The city such
great accolage for the way they do it between yes,
the food and the atmosphere, but that everything is so
closely compact you can walk around and enjoy. I think
it's gonna be what the eighth eleventh time overall eighth
in the Dome, right or with the the SUPERDOMEA has renovations,
(19:16):
so yeah, anxious to get in there too to get
a look tomorrow before we head out for Sunday's broadcast.
But yeah, this is fun. Everybody, you know, their heart
race is just a little bit more when football season
comes around.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Definitely does. Thank you so much for the time. It's
been great talking to you, and I look forward to
hearing your call on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
All right, thanks for having me anytime.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Okay, can we go back to his story on his
marriage because them meeting here in New Orleans at the
Superdome is awesome. But when you have Jim Mora tell
you to do something. I think you have to do it.
And I can't imagine getting that in the mail from
Maura saying Okay, it's time you got to ask her.
That's just a really cool story. Another cool story to
(19:55):
come out of this week was the naming of Taysom
Hill as captain. Despite every thing Taysum has done, it
is kind of wild that captain has not made it
on his resume yet. So this is the first time
Taysom Hill is going to have that honor. I was
able to catch up with him after practice on Friday.
All Right, we haven't had a chance to talk to
you about the captain. Sure you're going to be this year,
(20:17):
So how did how did that happen? How did you
find out? And what does that mean?
Speaker 5 (20:22):
Yeah, I mean obviously we just we just take a
team vote on who you want to represent you this
this year, and then every Monday night before the season,
we have a Captain's dinner where where the team is
all together and Dad says he's going to be captains
for the season. So that's that's when I found out.
That's how I found out. And look, I think at
(20:44):
the end of the day. I think when you talk
about being a part of the team, and the best
teams that you've been a part of, I think always
comes down to this peer to peer accountability. So I
feel like when I look at this, the greatest sign
of respect, you know, is this peer to peer recognition.
Speaker 6 (21:03):
And so to have an.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
Opportunity to represent this locker room, represent this team, that's
it's hard to put in words what that means, but
you know it means a lot to me.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
Does it change anything that you're doing this upcoming No, Look,
I think.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
In terms of leadership, to me, I've always been someone
that's like, you know, do what I do and and
not necessarily what I say. So you know, look, I
think that there's part of that that you need to
make yourself available for young players. And I look back
through my history here and I could list a number
of players that have mentored me and made themselves available
(21:41):
to me.
Speaker 6 (21:41):
And and I think, as someone you know who's been
in the.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
NFL for a little while, you know that's that's part
of your responsibility to make sure that younger players know
how to prepare.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
For a game.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Do you want to be more vocal even though you've
kind of been lead by examples.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
Look, I think that you have to find opportunities. I
think I am a believer of it. See something, say something,
you know. So, look, I think if if anyone for
that matter, see something that's happened in inside our program,
I think it's important to say something.
Speaker 6 (22:13):
So I am a big believer in that. And you know,
so I feel like I've I've.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
Been that way, and so when there's opportunities or when
I feel like something needs to be said, then I say,
no problems doing that. But look, I want to be
someone that inside this locker room, guys know that I'm
going to be ready to play on Sunday, and you
know I'm going to do my best to handle myself.
You know, is in a professional manner.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
You've been a part of a lot of opening games.
How does this one feel different?
Speaker 3 (22:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (22:44):
I mean, look, you're playing a division opponent, so we
know the way that that carries. But I think this year,
I mean, this is the first time for me with
the new offense.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
You know.
Speaker 6 (22:55):
So I feel like we've seen how how good.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
This offense can be, and I know how good it
can be, but we haven't been able to really see it.
You know, so as I look at this week, there's
a lot of excitement for me to see, Hey, what
is this.
Speaker 6 (23:11):
Going to look like? You know, I've been excited to
see what the game week prep was going to look
like with Clinton the staff.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
And now as I look forward to Sunday, I'm excited
to finally have the opportunity to be in the system
and and go play with my teammates.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Head coach Dennis Allen added this story on the Captain's Dinner.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
Well, I'll be quite honest with you, I think I think,
and I told Tayson this at our dinner the other night,
that he has a voice, and I think he needs
to use it more often because when Taysom Hill speaks,
people listen because they respect the person and they respect that.
(23:51):
You know, he's the ultimate team player. He's a guy
that that you know, has done everything that team, the
team has them to do, even though that might not
be selfishly what he wants to do. And that, to
me is the epitome of a team player. That's the
epitome of what you want captains to be.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
I can't wait to get the season started. I know
the fans are looking forward to being in the Dome again,
and so are our players. I'm going to close this
out with a bite from Brian Brazie so you can
hear from him about his excitement level. But before I
do that, do not forget to tune into our pregame
show Sunday eleven thirty on New Orleans Saints dot com
and follow along at Saints on X throughout the game.
(24:34):
All right, Brian, take us out being.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
Back in the Dome, you know, having all the fans there.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
I'm super excited, you know, not having camp here, we
didn't get to spend a lot of time with everybody,
so I'm super excited to be back in the Dome
and you know, get the things jumping.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Thanks for listening to the New Orleans Saints Podcast, joining
us three times per week on New Orleans Saints dot com,
the Saints Mobile app, or you can tell them load
the podcast on iTunes. We'll see you next time right
here on the New Orleans Saints Podcast
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