Latest news with #NewOrleansSaints
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Demario Davis talks relationship with Saints fans, expedition to Paris
The New Orleans Saints have had a few international games over the years, with 2008, 2017, and 2022 matchups in London. The NFL has had a clear vision to push further into the international market in recent years, tying teams to respective countries to try and build strong followings for those teams in other nations, and so far, it has worked quite well. Many teams got a few markets, but were paired up with others trying to vie for the same nation. The Saints were awarded just one when it came to the Global Markets Program in 2025, but that one was France, which is an absolutely enormous country to explore on their own. It makes total sense given the deep-seated French culture throughout Louisiana, and gives them an opportunity to expand their fandom further into Europe. Linebacker Demario Davis was the ambassador of this program for the Saints, travelling to Paris to bridge the gap across the Atlantic Ocean. Locked on Saints host Ross Jacksonhighlighted Davis' comments from his media appearance, where the legendary linebacker said he felt he was representing the team when he made the trip over to Paris, and is now doing the inverse when coming back to Louisiana. He is also pushing for a game in France for the Saints, which would be a huge chance to bolster their international outreach. In the same press conference, Davis expressed gratitude for the support he's received from the Saints fanbase and his recent experience overseas. "The energy was," Davis began, "Our fans are always great. I think, it's no secret, New Orleans has the best fans in the world, and I think it's just because they genuinely care about the state of the team, they care, they watch it, they care about the position battles, they care about the coaching, they care about the personnel that's being brought in. "Like its not just fans that show up on Sunday, it's fans who are watching the transactions, they're watching the practices, they're watching progressions, and I think because we have a fanbase that's tapped in like that, it's always gonna be love, and it's no different today." Now he returns to Louisiana for training camp, but will continue to push for more international outreach, as the Saints look to land a game abroad in 2026. With three seasons between then and their last game across the pond, there is plenty of opportunity for them to pick one up as the NFL chooses who they believe should make an impact in Europe each season.
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen reacts to Tyrann Mathieu's retirement
'He was outstanding. I was a little surprised to see that' The New Orleans Saints have had a pretty busy news cycle over the last few days, with three players retiring all in one day, a pretty high-quality signing at safety, and training camp firing up on Wednesday. The retirement of Tyrann Mathieu is one of the most notable pieces of news from the team in recent memory, and really made things intriguing until they signed Julian Blackmon and filled the gap. Mathieu's retirement is a difficult pill to swallow, regardless, both from a leadership perspective and an on-field production perspective, as he was the perfect mix of both for this increasingly young roster. It was also somewhat of a shock, as many expected after the contract restructuring that he would stick around for at least one more year, but with a recently born child to look after, the decision may have come later than expected. Former Saints head coach Dennis Allen was also surprised by the news. Now the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, Allen had the chance to work with Mathieu for two and a half seasons on the Saints, and got to know him quite well in that time, seemingly. Allen commented on Mathieu's retirement to ESPN's NFL Nation Bears writer Courtney Cronin: "He was outstanding. I was a little surprised to see that last night ... for him to be able to go out on his terms, I think he has every right to do that." Called the opportunity to work with Mathieu an "extreme pleasure." It seems as though pretty much anyone who discusses Mathieu has nothing but praise to say about him and his attitude, and for good reason, as it is clear he is one of the most likable in the business. With the Saints moving in a youth-oriented direction, with a new coaching staff put together, they will have to overcome a deficit in experience first and foremost.
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jimmy Graham thanks New Orleans and the Saints in retirement announcement
The New Orleans Saints have had a rollercoaster of an offseason so far in 2025, with the team having five retirees over the course of a few months, including franchise legend Jimmy Graham. One of the best-accomplished tight ends in NFL history, Graham had the opportunity to really showcase his talent with the Saints over the years, with a few stops on other teams. Thankfully, he will retire a Saints player and will end his career where it started back in 2010. After his intent to retire was shared by Saints team reporter John DeShazier, Graham sent out a thoughtful message to New Orleans as a whole and fans of the team that gave him an opportunity to shine. Here's the full quote: Walking away from this game is emotional... not because it's over, but because of what it gave me. New Orleans... you didn't just take a chance on a football player. You gave an orphaned basketball player a shot when the rest of the league had doubts. The coaches, the staff, my teammates... you all became family. Every yard I ran, every touchdown I fought for, I gave you my entire spirit. This city didn't just change my became a part of who I am. Forever grateful. Graham's career in New Orleans was an extremely special one, and as it finally sets in for everyone involved, hopefully, he will find a spot in the Saints Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor, where he belongs without a shadow of a doubt. Even better, a Pro Football Hall of Fame nod would be spectacular, but that is further down the road once his eligibility opens up. A legendary player, whenever he took the field, he now steps away and pursues a multitude of other goals in life, as the team looks to pay their dues to one of the best to ever don the Black and Gold.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints backup Charlie Smyth outkicks multiple pros at Kohl's Kicking Camp
The New Orleans Saints have had quite a kicker dilemma over the past few seasons, from Blake Grupe to Wil Lutz, to Brett Maher, Brian Johnson, and others. It has been a revolving door ever since Lutz's injury and eventual trade. Grupe has been able to hold onto the job for two full seasons now, and while he has had a few hiccups at times, overall, he has been a reliable option. A field goal success rate of 83.8% and an extra point rate of 97.3% indicate a relatively strong performance. The newcomer to the room, however, is Charlie Smyth, an International Pathway Program product who got an opportunity in the 2024 preseason and made the most of it with a game-winning field goal. Now, however, he is competing with some of the league's best at kicking beating them all? In a recent report from Nick Underhill of he shared that Smyth won the first-day kicking competition at the Kohl's Kicking Camp. He went up against multiple high-level NFL placekickers, such as Daniel Carlson, Jack Fox, Austin Seibert, Dustin Hopkins, Evan McPherson, and more at this camp. Outkicking them head-to-head is enormously impressive, especially given this is only the start of his second season in the NFL. Hopefully, over time, he can continue to hone in on his abilities and really put up a fight for the starting role. Frankly, from what he has displayed so far in his career at this point, he certainly could make a run at it this preseason if he showcases the leg power he has in practices. This may be a training camp battle to watch in 2025.
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
45 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 45
Looking through all the Saints players that have worn No. 45 There are 45 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints take the field for their 2025 regular season opener at home against the Arizona Cardinals. One returning name for new coach Kellen Moore is linebacker Nephi Sewell, who has worn No. 45 since 2022. Sewell is the 14th player to wear 45 in New Orleans history. This is the full list. Saints' History of No. 45 Jimmy Jordan was the first to wear 45 for the Saints, doing it for one game during the inaugural 1967 for the franchise. Elbert Kimbrough was the first defensive player to wear the number, doing so for 10 games in 1968 with an interception. Pete Athas had 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery during his only year as a Saint in 1971. The first four players to wear No. 45 for the Saints were gone before the next year and appeared in a combined 31 games. Jack Holmes broke that trend in 1978. Holmes was with the Saints for five years and 64 games, which turned out to be the longest stretch of any New Orleans player that has worn 45. Over his time with New Orleans, Holmes accounted for 6 touchdowns and had 846 yards from scrimmage. Of the 14 players that wore No. 45 with New Orleans, not one was drafted by the Saints. Six of them were with the team for more than one year. Four of those managed to stay with New Orleans for greater than two seasons. Fullback Jed Collins was one. Collins didn't fill up a stat sheet, but was with the Saints for three seasons and 47 games as a quality lead blocker. He also scored 7 touchdowns out of his 58 touches in short yardage situations. Garrett Griffin's time with New Orleans was also as a blocker, but he'd appear in just 20 games and catch five passes. Nephi Sewell has been with New Orleans for the last three years. Mostly a special teams contributor, Sewell's agility and experience as a college safety could earn him a role in defensive coverage packages. Sewell has appeared in just 27 games, but already third among players who have worn No. 45 with New Orleans.
