NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2021 ● CAESERS SUPERDOME
SAINTS POSTGAME NOTES
∙ With the win, the Saints even their preseason record at 1-1. New Orleans returns to action to face the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, August 28 for their final game of the preseason. Kickoff at the Caesers Superdome is set for 7:00pm.
∙ New Orleans’ offense finished with 369 total net yards, including 306 net passing yards and 63 rushing yards. The Saints eclipsed 360 total yards for the second week in a row and eclipsed 300 yards passing for the first time this preseason.
∙ After recording three interceptions and three lost fumbles last week in Baltimore, the Saints offense didn’t record a single turnover in the game.
∙ The Saints’ defense held Jacksonville to three points in the first half, and without a touchdown for the first 44:41 of the game.
∙ QB Jameis Winston started at quarterback for New Orleans, and played the Saints’ first three drives of the game. Winston finished 9-of-10 passing for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including a 43-yard touchdown pass to WR Marquez Callaway, the longest completion of the game and a 29-yard scoring throw to the wideout.
∙ In relief of Winston, QB Taysom Hill lead the Saints offense for six drives, passing for 138 yards and one touchdown on 11-of-20 passing.
∙ QB Trevor Siemian relieved Hill at the start of the fourth quarter and played the Saints final four drives of the game, finishing 4-of-8 passing for 59 yards.
∙ WR Marquez Callaway recorded five receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Following his three-reception, 61-yard performance last week at Baltimore, Callaway now leads the NFL with 165 receiving yards in the 2021 preseason.
∙ WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey recorded 74 receiving yards on four receptions. Humphrey recorded his second touchdown reception of the preseason on a 14-yard catch from Hill with 1:27 to play in the third quarter.
∙ RB Tony Jones Jr. led the Saints in rushing yards for a second consecutive week, finishing with 24 rushing yards on five attempts, and recorded New Orleans’ longest rush of the game, an 11-yard scamper on the first play of the Saints’ second drive of the game.
∙ RB Devonta Freeman rushed for 18 yards on seven carries, and added two receptions for 14 yards, leading all Saints running backs with nine touches on the night.
∙ RB Dwayne Washington rushed for 16 yards on four attempts and added two receptions for 39 yards, including a 33-yard catch and run on the Saints’ first play of their final drive of the game. ∙ LB Wynton McManis recorded the Saints lone takeaway of the game, intercepting a pass by Jacksonville QB Gardner Minshew with 8:15 to play in the game. The interception ended a Jacksonville 11-play, 70-yard drive on the New Orleans two-yard line. McManis finished tied for the team lead with six tackles and added three pass defenses.
∙ CB CJ Gardner-Johnson matched the team-leading six tackles and added one pass defense. ∙ DT Jalen Dalton recorded his first sack of the preseason, taking down Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence with 49 seconds to play in the second quarter. Dalton finished with four tackles and added one quarterback hit and one pass defense on the night.
∙ DT Albert Huggins also recorded his first sack of the preseason, taking down Minshew with 13:56 to play in the fourth quarter. Huggins finished the game with the one tackle, adding two quarterback hits.
∙ DB J.T. Gray recorded five tackles, and Dalton, CB Paulson Adebo, CB Bryan Mills, and LB Shaq Smith finished with four tackles apiece. Five Saints recorded three tackles and six Saints recorded two.
∙ P Blake Gillikin and P Nolan Cooney split punting duties. Gillikin averaged 46.7 yards on three punts, including a long punt of 63 yards and Cooney averaged 43.5 yards on four punts, with a long punt of 49 yards.
∙ In his first game with the Saints, K Aldrick Rosas converted a 52-yard field goal on the final play of the first half and converted 2-of-3 extra point attempts.
SAINTS HEAD COACH SEAN PAYTON
(Opening Statement): “I have just a couple of things relative to the game. Obviously, I liked how the game started. I thought we had good energy. I don’t know how many possessions defensively we had them 3 and out. We hit some explosive plays. We felt like, just from a scheme standpoint, we were going to have to throw the ball early. [Jacksonville has] kind of a heavy front that plays the run pretty well. I thought a number of guys played really well. Hitting those big plays early on, I think, helped loosen things up. Overall, I was pleased, and of course, you start the second half, maybe you get down in some spots position-wise. Some guys had to play more, but we will get a chance to come in tomorrow morning and look at the tape and kind of go from there.”
(On Marquez Callaway’s abilities): “Listen, we did. We saw it last year. Yeah, we saw it last year. We saw a lot of it last year. I think [Marquez Callaway] is a player that began to gain confidence at the end of the season, and it’s carried over into this season.”
(On what he liked from Jameis Winston tonight): “The explosives. I thought they pressured [Jameis] on one play, and he was able to kind of quickly switch protection and get into a route for a touchdown. I thought there were some really good exposures there early on, and I thought we handled it well.”
(On what he needs to see to determine a starting quarterback): “We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Yeah, I don’t have a timeframe though. When we know what direction we are going, we will let you guys know. We’re not going try to anticipate saying, ‘Hey, it’s going to be midweek or next week.’ That’s, I think, the best way for us to handle it. It’s kind of how we’ve always handled something like this, but I was pleased with not just the quarterbacks. I was pleased with how we played as a team for the most part.”
(On how important it was to see Jameis Winston perform well): “Listen, it’s important to see all (the team perform well). The thing I just finished telling you is, it’s a team game, but we’re always updating our résumé. All of this film doesn’t disappear. You’re always trying to put your best foot forward and create that value for yourself as a teammate, as a player that has a role. Whether it’s in the kicking game or whether it’s on offense or defense, whether it’s for depth, it’s something that is a sense of urgency for these guys.”
(On Marcus Davenport’s performance): “Look, those guys played a quite a bit of snaps. We’ll see how [Marcus Davenport] did on tape. He’s healthy, and he’s going to be important to us.”
(On his confidence in the cornerbacks): “We will look at the tape. We have good competition there.”
(On if his plan for Taysom Hill’s snaps tonight): “If you look, everyone in his group, Phase 2, again, we’re counting reps. We’re not looking at the quarters, snap-wise. I think it kind of went like we planned. There were a couple of positions where we were a little light and guys had to play more.”
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PLAYERS
WR #1 Marquez Callaway
(On if he tried to layout on his touchdown reception):“I was running and got thrown off balance a little bit. On the way down, I was trying to keep track of my concentration.”
(On if his confidence is growing): “Every day I go out there and say that it’s a new day and an opportunity to get better. In practice, we got against the DB’s and we are getting pushed. Even when you have a bad day at practice, it is something to learn from. There are no bad days especially if you learn from it. I’m excited for the game tonight. I’m happy. The team is happy. Tomorrow my goal is to watch the film and see what we did good and see what we did bad and get back to it.”
(On being successful on every route): “Our coaches try to put us in the best situation. The quarterbacks are going to make the plays. They give us the best opportunities to make the plays out there.”
(On making one handed catches): “As a receiver, we get paid to catch. We run routes and catch. When it touches our hand, We have to come down with it whether we use an arm or a leg, two hands or one hand. We just have to come down with the ball.
(On if he checked his cell phone after the game): “It’s still going off right now. I had to put it on do not disturb. I called my mom and my dad and I was talking to them. I’ll probably call them when I leave here. I’m going to soak it all in right now and enjoy the night. We got the win and then I’ll prepare for next week.”
DT #77 Jalen Dalton
(On playing a football game in some time): “It has definitely been a journey. I am taking it day by day and rep by rep. I’m trying to get better each play. The game gave me an opportunity to go out and show what I have done in practice. It is just another step. It is nice to be out there again making some plays. I’m leaving plays out there though, so I need to clean up some of the stuff. I just need to get back to work.”
(On if practices are carrying over to the game): “I feel like practices are harder than the game to be honest. There is intensity and strain in practice. Come game time, it makes the games that much easier. I have to clean up some stuff. I have to put trust in myself and put trust in my defense as well.”
(On the stuff he wants to clean up): “Just some blocking schemes. I just have to play my technique. It’s a big thing with trust. Your teammates have to trust in you that you are going to be there and make plays.
(On if he has a preference on where he plays): “Wherever they need me. I don’t have a preference. It’s just a great opportunity to be on the team and to be able to make plays.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PLAYERS
QB #2 Jameis Winston
(On his first starting opportunity as a Saint): “I have not started a football game in so long, so I was so excited to get an opportunity to start and lead the pack. It was exciting, and the rhythm was great. (The) Offensive line was phenomenal, and we had guys like Marquez [Callaway] making plays all night. You [have to] love that.”
(On importance of Callaway stepping up as a starter): “Yeah, absolutely. I think that’s what makes Marquez so phenomenal. Like every time the lights turn on, he does an amazing job. I’m just happy that the Lord blessed me to take this opportunity, but as we all know, we have another game next week. We’re going to cherish that tonight and move on to Arizona.”
(On Callaway’s progression through camp): “I think [Marquez Callaway]’s just an incredible football player. I mean, the guy was undrafted, right? Who missed out on that guy? I’m happy that we were able to get him. It speaks volumes of our organization and how they see talent. The thing about him, man, it’s like when he’s out there, it’s like we’re playing little league football. He loves it so much; he has no fear in his heart. He has elite energy. He’s out there playing football. It’s fun to have teammates out there that see the game the same way that you see it and just really love taking advantage of these opportunities.”
(On his strengths): “I think I’m really good on decisions, I just have to get better on accuracy. I had some balls that I really would like to have back that would have been big completions for us. In particular, that one ball that I threw to the right that was long. I just have to continue to work and get better. Like I said, I’m focusing on execution. As long as I’m executing the right way, my eyes are in the right place, and I’m making the right decisions, I can live with it.”
(On the night before his first start): “I was just thankful. These opportunities do not come too often. Like I said, a whole year not starting a football game. That’s what I said in our team prayer, ‘Lord thank you for this opportunity.’ I was just blessed, blessed that I was able to go out there and have a good game and honor Him. I missed it. I missed going out there and leading the pack.”
QB #7 Taysom Hill
(On his review of his performance): “It’s hard to really give you an evaluation without seeing the film but, just like any other game, there’s plays that I would like to have back. I think there’s some good stuff that we did and continue to build on and get ready for the season.”
(On LJ Humphrey battling back from practice performance): “I love throwing to LJ. I think he’s had a really good camp. I think he’s had a really good preseason. I don’t remember any specific drops [from practice], maybe he did. LJ is a guy that I trust, that I love throwing the ball to. He fights for you, he’s a big target, so I’m not surprised with the way he played. I love playing with him. I love getting reps with him.”
(On his anticipation for a QB decision): “This goes back to what we’ve discussed all camp, and you can control what you can control. That’s it.”
(On his trust in Marquez Callaway as a receiver): “I think this is the same story that we have seen all camp. I think that Callaway is a guy who continues to get better and better every day. Talk about a guy that you look at and you see a one-on-one matchup and you love creating opportunities for him. He continues to showcase what he can do making plays on the ball. That was a heck of a catch that he had tonight and it’s the stuff that we’ve seen in training camp, so it’s nice to see that stuff translate in a game setting.”
(On Callaway’s confidence as a young player): “I think there are special dudes, I think that Marquez is one of those guys that’s really talented and knows he’s good, and the more opportunity you give him, the more he thrives. I didn’t watch him play a ton in college, but that’s what he did there, too, so it feels like there’s not an opportunity that’s too big for him. There’s not a situation that’s too big for him. You create it for him, and he steps up.”
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER
(On the starting offense) “The starting offense, for two weeks in a row, we are just struggling to get in some rhythm. We kind of went into the game, let’s run the ball at them a little bit with play action and getting Trevor (Lawrence) comfortable a little bit. I know that he had a nice play to his left, threw it down the field, and made a heck of a play. We are not balanced right now. When you get stuffed. There were too many off-schedule plays in the first half. (There were) three threes and out other than that one first down. Trevor did a nice job on that two-minute drill and we were able to pound it in there. We’ve got to get our offensive line back and play better and run the ball.”
(On if Cam Robinson’s condition was a surprise): “Yeah, he rolled it yesterday. We thought he could (play), but he just wasn’t healthy enough to go tonight. He should be back.”
(On if he thought Trevor Lawrence played better in the second quarter): “I thought that he got a little better, and that we protected him a little better. I think that there was only one sack, if I remember right, for the night. DJ Chark, I am counting on him to get back and give us a little bit of a vertical threat down the field. Philip Dorsett has great speed. We have got to start getting the ball (to him). That was the plan; we just didn’t execute the run game. The throw game, there just wasn’t much rhythm in the first half.”
(On the run defense tonight) “Solid again. I think that we held them to 60 yards for the day, which is pretty solid. Last week, we played well in the run game. Our defense is built to stop the run. We’ve just got to make sure that we get the corners ready to start to make the plays in man coverage.”
(On if the offensive scheme opened up more tonight) “It didn’t look like it, but we did. We’ve just got to keep swinging. We are going to swing. I just told them that I am looking for fighters and I am looking for competitors. We will have a locker room full of competitors. I think that we’ve got a bunch of them. I am learning a lot about them and they are learning a lot about us. A young guy like Tavon Austin, he’s actually not that young anymore, I just love that guy. He’s an energizer bunny for me. I’m just looking for that. I am looking for guys that show that spark and that energy.”
(On his thoughts on Travis Etienne) “He’s shown me great talent. We were planning on using him, and I look up and he is limping off of the field. He was out in the open space…..I see what everyone else sees, a talented guy who we’ve got to get in space.”
(On Etienne’s injury) “It’s a sprained foot. We don’t know the seriousness of it yet.”
(On Walker Little’s play) “I am really pleased with Walker Little. I think that he has got a great future in the NFL. (He) is a great guy. The first game, his hands were extremely low. He worked very hard on it all week in practice. I will have more for you next week after we watch the film.”
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS PLAYERS
Trevor Lawrence
(Evaluation of how It went tonight): I mean I thought we did some things well, a lot of other things we need to get better at. I’d say from an individual perspective, I just got to get a little better with getting the ball out, taking completions, staying out of 2nd and long, 3rd and long. The whole offense we have to click a little more. We still have some work to do. Find our rhythm. But I felt we started to do that at the end of the first half but didn’t finish in the red zone.”
(Did you expect to take a bigger step in this game than you were able to): “Obviously you like to play as well as you can and there were a few things looking back, I felt I could have got it out quicker, check it down, don’t force stuff down field and just take what they’re giving me. I thought I made some plays with my legs which was an emphasis on what I wanted to do better this week than last week. Got out the pocket a few times. But overall, as a team we’ve got a lot of work to do. But we’re headed in the right direction.”
(Will you begin to slide in the future): “It was third down, that’s the only reason I did it. I thought about it right there. There was a little pocket to slide, but they mark you back from where you start your slide so I wouldn’t have got the first down. 3rd and 4th down you got to go get it.”
Rayshawn Jenkins
(Overall performance): “Overall I feel we did some good things, but there’s some things to clean up. We probably won’t know until we actually sit down and break down film tomorrow. But we did some good things out there. We tightened up in the second half. That’s one thing I noticed we did do. The Saints made some good plays out there tonight. I know a few of those touchdowns you couldn’t have
a better ball placement or catches. But it’s a game of football you have to keep those plays off you.”
(What progress do you feel has been made here in the preseason): “We’re trying to still feel the chemistry with each other out still. I feel our run stop is phenomenal right now if you just look at the numbers from both games. Backend just has to trust the ball more. But it will all come. It takes patience and time, but we’ll clean up some things and it will go smooth.”
(Do you think you guys are playing faster? What is that process like): “Absolutely. That is one thing we preach. Just relentless effort to the ball anytime you’re on the field and that will make up for some mistakes, but not all mistakes. Then pair that with fundamentals and we can have a pretty good defense.”
