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11/24 18:51 CST Saints searching for answers in the red zone and at kicker
after their latest loss
Saints searching for answers in the red zone and at kicker after their latest
loss
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) --- Between a failed fourth-and-goal play, two missed
medium-range field goals and a botched third-and-goal play from the 1-yard line
that left New Orleans settling for a field goal, the Saints had plenty of
regret as they gathered Monday to review their 24-10 loss to the Atlanta
Falcons.
"By no means does anyone want to be in this situation that we're in," said
Saints first-year coach Kellen Moore, who designs and calls the offense. "Our
guys have the right mindset. There's frustration, but there's also opportunity
ahead."
Sunday wasn't the first time red zone stalls had dogged them in this difficult
season under Moore.
After failing to score on any of their three red-zone opportunities, the Saints
(2-9) are scoring touchdowns on 34.48% of possessions in which they run a play
from inside an opponent's 20-yard line. That's the worst red-zone percentage in
the NFL.
The failures against Atlanta started with an inability to run it in on
goal-to-goal snaps and continued with some failed pass plays, including a throw
by Taysom Hill during a fourth-down rollout that was batted down.
"We didn't get it done yesterday in the run game, so we just got to continue to
evaluate that and give ourselves the best situation to be successful," Moore
said. "We're inches away and we're just not able to get it done."
As for the missed field goals, the Saints still had kicker Blake Grupe on the
roster Monday, but also scheduled veteran former Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker
for a workout.
Tucker, 35, recently finished serving a 10-week suspension stemming from
reports of alleged inappropriate sexual behavior with more than a dozen message
therapists.
"Our personnel group will do a really good job of collecting all that
information and having the conversations we have to have as we go through
this," Moore said. "He's been a really good kicker for a really long time."
Moore said Irishman Charlie Smyth, a former Gaelic football player now in his
second season on New Orleans' practice squad, also will have a chance to
compete for playing time.
"He's definitely part of this process," Moore said.
What's working The Saints rank ninth in yards passing allowed per game. The Falcons has 181 net yards passing Sunday, dropping the Saints' average in that category to 192.5.
What needs help The Saints need to figure out how to score more points. After their squandered opportunities left them with just 10 points against Atlanta, they are averaging 15 points per game, tied with Las Vegas for last in the league.
Stock up Safety Justin Reid's athleticism and play-making ability was on full display when he intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 49 yards for New Orleans' only touchdown. It was Reid's 11th career interception.
Stock down After missing two field goals from within 50 yards Sunday, Grupe has missed eight field goals (in 26 attempts) and two extra points this season.
Injuries Running back Alvin Kamara has a right knee injury and it's not immediately clear how long he'll be out. "If he's available, awesome," Moore said before mentioning rookie Devin Neal. "If not, Devin I thought did an awesome job hopping in there and competing." Right tackle Taliese Fuaga, who has missed two games with a high ankle sprain, said he plans to practice this week and see if he feels healthy enough to play.
Key number 18 --- The yardage total of New Orleans' longest passing play against Atlanta. It came on a short throw to Neal.
Next steps The Saints travel to Miami next week for the first of two remaining games against AFC East teams this season, with the last being at home against the New York Jets on Dec. 21. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
What's working The Saints rank ninth in yards passing allowed per game. The Falcons has 181 net yards passing Sunday, dropping the Saints' average in that category to 192.5.
What needs help The Saints need to figure out how to score more points. After their squandered opportunities left them with just 10 points against Atlanta, they are averaging 15 points per game, tied with Las Vegas for last in the league.
Stock up Safety Justin Reid's athleticism and play-making ability was on full display when he intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 49 yards for New Orleans' only touchdown. It was Reid's 11th career interception.
Stock down After missing two field goals from within 50 yards Sunday, Grupe has missed eight field goals (in 26 attempts) and two extra points this season.
Injuries Running back Alvin Kamara has a right knee injury and it's not immediately clear how long he'll be out. "If he's available, awesome," Moore said before mentioning rookie Devin Neal. "If not, Devin I thought did an awesome job hopping in there and competing." Right tackle Taliese Fuaga, who has missed two games with a high ankle sprain, said he plans to practice this week and see if he feels healthy enough to play.
Key number 18 --- The yardage total of New Orleans' longest passing play against Atlanta. It came on a short throw to Neal.
Next steps The Saints travel to Miami next week for the first of two remaining games against AFC East teams this season, with the last being at home against the New York Jets on Dec. 21. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
