NewOrleans.Football: Saints Podcast

Nick Underhill breaks down what Travis Etienne’s return to practice and Jordyn Tyson’s film could mean for the Saints against Carolina. He examines why Erik McCoy’s absence changes the offense, how Cesar Ruiz could handle center, and what the Saints said about their offensive line, edge rotation and run game. Chapters: 00:00:00 Cold open: Saints–Panthers stakes 00:00:21 Loft 18 intro and Saints injury outlook 00:01:02 Travis Etienne’s return 00:02:49 Inside-zone run game and personnel 00:04:26 Jordyn Tyson’s film 00:08:33 Panthers personnel and matchups 00:09:49 Erik McCoy’s absence 00:13:20 Commercial break A 00:17:26 Cesar Ruiz at center: press-conference reaction 00:22:19 Cam Jordan, Chase Young and edge rotation 00:24:42 Tyler Shough on Etienne and Tyson 00:28:12 Commercial break B 00:32:09 Get Gordon: Does Estime change the run-game equation?

Nick Underhill and Mike Triplett debate what would count as real progress for the Saints: winning the NFC South and hosting a playoff game, narrowly missing out with a better draft pick, or seeing the team build something sustainable. They revisit the win over Cleveland, the run game and what Kellen Moore still needs to prove. Then they examine Tyler Shough after 17 starts, where he fits among NFL quarterbacks, the importance of the Carolina game, and whether the Saints handled the trade deadline the right way. Chapters: 00:00:00 Cold open: playoffs or progress? 00:00:23 Opening and sponsor reads 00:01:12 Mike Triplett: What is the best outcome for the Saints? 00:09:05 Cleveland takeaways and the running game 00:13:31 What Kellen Moore still needs to prove 00:15:42 How the offense compares with Clint Kubiak’s 00:19:09 Why the Carolina game matters 00:20:51 Commercial break A 00:24:57 Tyler Shough after 17 starts 00:28:09 Shough’s comeback ability 00:32:49 Where Shough ranks among NFL quarterbacks 00:40:07 The Vikings and Kirk Cousins 00:41:03 Commercial break B 00:45:00 Get Gordon: Did the Saints handle the deadline right? 00:49:59 Closing

Erik McCoy is expected to miss time, and the Saints have choices to make up front. Nick Underhill and Terron Armstead break down the options at center and right guard, how the line handled Cleveland, Kelvin Banks’ return, and what Audric Estimé adds to the run game. They also examine the Saints’ win over the Browns, the next stretch of the schedule, and Armstead’s Saints Hall of Fame weekend. Nick follows with the Davon Godchaux trade, possible moves at the deadline, the offensive line without McCoy, the backfield as De’Von Achane approaches a return, and the Get Gordon question of the day on Estimé’s role. Chapters: 00:00:00 Cold open: McCoy, play breakdowns and the deadline 00:00:24 Opening and sponsor reads 00:01:08 Terron Armstead: the blitz pickup and protection 00:04:01 The sixth lineman and run-game wrinkle 00:06:02 Estimé and the Saints’ run game 00:07:34 How the Saints can replace Erik McCoy 00:11:57 What changed in the Browns win? 00:13:33 Kelvin Banks’ return and a healthier offense 00:14:25 The next five games and the playoff path 00:16:57 Armstead’s Saints Hall of Fame weekend 00:18:38 Commercial break A 00:22:44 Davon Godchaux trade and the defensive line 00:25:08 Could the Saints make another trade? 00:25:39 The best five without McCoy 00:27:49 Achane, Estimé and the backfield 00:30:15 Commercial break B 00:34:12 Get Gordon: Estimé’s role going forward

The Saints found a way to beat the Browns in overtime, but how much progress did they show? Nick Underhill and the NOF crew work through the encouraging performances and the problems that remain. We break down Tyler Shough’s late finish, Kellen Moore’s offensive plan, Jordyn Tyson’s debut, Carl Granderson and Chase Young’s pass rush, the costly defensive breakdowns, Audric Estimé and the running game, and what comes next against Carolina. Chapters: 0:00 Cold open: a win, but what does it mean? 0:34 Opening and sponsor reads 1:25 What should we make of this win? 6:45 Kellen Moore and the run-game plan 11:37 Does the win buy meaningful time? 17:22 Commercial break A 21:28 Why the offense looks different from camp 25:44 Jordyn Tyson’s debut 28:19 Granderson, Chase Young and the pass rush 31:54 The explosive plays Cleveland found 34:28 Run design and Audric Estimé 38:09 Secondary mistakes and receiver chemistry 44:40 The 2023 draft class and Kendre Miller 47:43 Commercial break B 51:40 Question of the day: Carolina and the NFC South 56:32 Running backs and offensive talent

Nick Underhill breaks down why the Saints released Kendre Miller and what Kelvin Banks’ return means ahead of the Cleveland game. He discusses Miller’s talent, the ball-security problems that eroded trust, what he learned about Banks’ recovery, and why a healthier roster will give the Saints a clearer evaluation of their coaching staff. Presented by Matt Bowers Auto Group. CHAPTERS 0:00 A second emergency Saints episode 0:20 The Saints’ flurry of roster moves 1:14 Why the Saints moved on from Kendre Miller 3:12 Ball security and the loss of trust 4:19 Could Miller return, or is it a fresh start? 5:04 Kelvin Banks’ surprise return 5:52 What Nick learned about Banks’ recovery 6:54 A healthier roster puts the coaching staff to the test 8:20 Saints–Browns coverage and signoff