Why Drew Brees Is DEAD WRONG About New Orleans Saints Offensive Line!

[Music] The New Orleans Saints do have the day off today in that sort of bonus week that the NFL has started instituting between the end of the third preseason game and week one. Remember, it used to be four weeks of the preseason. In eliminating that fourth preseason game and adding a regular season game, they just took that fourth preseason game and moved an extra week to the end of the season. They didn’t compress the schedule. So, this is just a bonus week where teams get a couple of practices, a week to maybe heal up some injuries and get ready for week one. So, the Saints aren’t practicing. Uh, they’re they’ll take the weekend, they’ll start their gameweek preparation next week for Arizona. And if you missed it, we talked about it yesterday. The Arizona Cardinals are a 6 and 12 point favorite over the New Orleans Saints next Sunday in the dome. Uh, Muse looked up the numbers for us yesterday. A year ago in the NFL, there were nine games the entire season. Nine. in the entire season that were a the spread in the NFL was a touchdown or more. Now, this is a half a point under a touchdown in fairness. But just for context, and the first wasn’t until week 10 last year. The Saints are a 6 and 12 point home underdog to Arizona. That should give you some context on what the expectations are for this New Orleans Saints team. and the greatest New Orleans Saint of all time, Drew Brees, was on Sports Talk with Mike Datilier and Steve Geller on Thursday. And he’s eternally optimistic and I love that about Drew Brees. But this is also why Drew Brees could never could never be a legitimate analyst because he is um God love him, he’s he’s incapable of of looking at at truth involving this team. Like for example, this was Drew Brees talking about the Saints offense and he mentions the New Orleans Saints offensive line. Give a listen. Look, offensively, we’re we have as good an offensive line as anybody in the league. We have explosive receivers outside. We’ve got one of the most dynamic running backs in the league. So, you’d say really, you know, hey, the the thing you’re waiting to see is how how how does the quarterback position perform, right, for for guys that that are just young and don’t have a lot of experience. Um, Muse, can I hear just the beginning of that clip again in case you missed it again? This is Drew Drew Brees who’s going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year. Um, who is the greatest New Orleans Saint of all time and in the conversation for the greatest athlete having the greatest impact in the history of Louisiana sports. This was Drew Brees talking about the New Orleans Saints. We’re We have as good an offensive line as anybody in the league. Okay, that’s all. That’s all. Um, I agree wholeheartedly that the New Orleans Saints have invested more in their offensive line than any other team in the league. You’ve got four first round draft picks tied up in this offensive line with Caesar Ruiz, Trevor Penning, Taleste Fuaga, and now Kelvin Banks as well, who by the way, I am very excited about Kelvin Banks and the possibilities there. But we’re talking about a guy at right guard and Caesar Ruiz who’s a former first round draft pick who last year in 2020 uh in the 2024 season his offensive grade was a 72.6. Um this year in the preseason and two preseason games his grade was a 48.7. Uh Trevor Penning has been now in his third year in the NFL in three different positions. Uh I guess you could say or four fourth year in in four different positions. Injured left tackle, right tackle a year ago, now left guard. The Saints did not pick up his fifth year option and rightfully so because he hasn’t proven he can be a quality, capable starting NFL offensive lineman. That’s your left guard. You have arguably the worst guard tandem in the NFL. I do like your young tackles very very much. I think Fuaga and and Kelvin Banks could ultimately be very good players. And Eric McCoy when healthy is is among the top centers in the NFL. Certainly, I would say he’s in the top 10 among the the starting centers in the NFL, but last year he played, you know, it was just a um it was just a real challenge for Eric McCoy a year ago to stay on the field. And so, how what do you make of that with a guy that that didn’t play much for you a year ago? I mean, we could pick apart the rest of the Saints team, but you could start right there. When you look at at this offensive line, which has so much invested in it, that I don’t think anybody would look at Ruiz as a quality starting offensive line. He’s probably probably the lowest rated starter among offensive guards in the NFL. And then Penning, if he’s healthy, coming off the toe injury, is trying to work his way back to it. Listen, you can take my word, my opinion for it. For whatever it’s worth, ESPN did their position rankings. Uh they went through and looked at every position and ranked every position group one to 32 in the NFL heading into this year. And the New Orleans Saints offensive line, they don’t have it as the worst, but they have it 22nd out of 20 out of 32. So they’re ranking the New Orleans Saints offensive line as a unit 10 from the bottom in in the bottom half of the league. I mean, you Breeze says that they’re as good as anybody really. When you look at the Eagles with Jordan Myatada and Lane Johnson, we’re going to sit here and and compare that. I mean, I I I’m not just trying to sit here every day and dog pile on this team. I’m just trying to hammer into people’s brains before they tee it up and kick it off and play it for real what the reality is going to be for this team. And I’m telling you straight up, when we start talking about games, you are going to hear my tone change from overtly critical to to what are the positives that we’re trying to glean from what’s going to be an ugly season. Because what I am hopeful for, and I’ll repeat this again, I am not expecting this team to win a lot of games. I think they are a five- win team at best. And I may have to recalibrate that considering the Saints are going to be a touchdown dog at home against Arizona. But what I am wanting to see is Kelvin Banks prove he can be your franchise left tackle. I’m wanting to see Brian Brris assert himself now in his third season as a true legitimate impact interior defensive lineman. I’m wanting to see that Kool-Aid McKinstry proves he’s ready to be a starting NFL corner on the boundary. Do you have young safety talent with Jordan Howd and Yonas Sanker? Can those guys be that? What about Quincy Riley? Is Danny Stzman ready to prove that he’s the air apparent to Deario Davis? Stman looked great in the preseason, but when you when you play for real and for keeps in the regular season. It’s a different speed. How does that translate? Those are the types of things I’m excited. Are we finally ready to see Kendra Miller prove he could be an impact guy on Sundays? Those are the things that I’m looking I’m going to be looking for come September 7th when they play Arizona, not wins and losses. But but that’s the thing that I am trying right now. I’m trying to stress for everyone that listens to this show on any given day is to understand what the what what should be a realistic expectation. Like it is great to to wrap yourself in black and gold and shout hoot at and be excited about a season coming and all this stuff, but you got to be realistic because what I don’t want to hear as this team goes on a six-game losing streak, fire Kell Moore, the quarterbacks suck, they draft ter like they’re going to be bad. That’s it’s where they they have reset the franchise. You’ve got two young tackles. You’ve got you’re gonna have a quarterback that’s never won a game, a rookie head coach, an aging defense, and a whole bunch of young players that are trying to get experience. And I’m excited about those young players trying to get experience, but you got to be realistic about what they are and what they are as a team that ain’t going to win very much. Hey, thanks so much for watching. Please leave your comments. I love to interact. And be sure to hit the red subscribe button below. After bur with you. After with you. After with you. [Music]

After Further Review On Demand is powered by BREC Golf

Matt Moscona reacts to Drew Brees’ recent comments about the New Orleans Saints having “as good an offensive line as anybody in the league.” While Brees stays optimistic, Moscona breaks down the reality of the Saints’ offensive line struggles — from Cesar Ruiz’s declining grades, Trevor Penning’s inconsistency, and Erik McCoy’s health, to ESPN’s unit rankings placing New Orleans at 22nd out of 32.
With Vegas listing the Saints as a touchdown underdog AT HOME against Arizona, the expectations for this team are at rock bottom. Moscona explains why Saints fans need to temper hopes, what this season is really about, and which young players like Kelvin Banks, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Danny Stutsman can actually shape the future of the franchise.

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

41 comments

  7. We have to give Brees more credit. There are still a few question marks about how our projected starters will translate their talent into consistent production once the regular season begins. That said, it’s hard to ignore just how strong our offensive line foundation looks on paper. With Kelvin Banks Jr., Taliese Fuaga, and Erik McCoy, the Saints boast a left tackle–center–right tackle trio that can rival any in the NFL. Fuaga, after some early rookie struggles, put together an outstanding second half of the 2024 season, logging multiple games where he allowed zero pressures, including standout performances against the Rams and Browns. By the end of the year he had cut down on mistakes and looked like a long-term anchor on the right side. Banks, entering his first season as a top-10 draft pick, brings the pedigree and polish of one of the most complete young pass protectors to come out of college in years. His combination of size, length, and refined technique makes him well-suited to handle the NFL’s elite edge rushers, and scouts widely project him as a plug-and-play starter at left tackle. McCoy, meanwhile, remains the stabilizing force of the group. A proven veteran and former Pro Bowl selection, he offers not just consistency in pass protection but also leadership and the ability to direct protections in high-pressure situations. If Trevor Penning takes a meaningful step forward in his development, the depth and versatility of the line become even more of a strength, while the competition between Cesar Ruiz and Simpkins for the final guard spot ensures that the interior won’t be neglected. As Drew Brees recently suggested, this offensive line has the makings of one of the best in the league, and with Banks primed for a strong rookie season, Fuaga building off a fantastic finish to his first year, and McCoy providing elite interior play, the Saints have every reason to believe their front five can be the backbone of the offense.

  8. ESPN released the expected season points for each team. The Saints are expected to score 314 points this season. That's an average of 18.47 points per game. The good news is that the Browns and the Giants are the two teams expected to score fewer points than the Saints. Basically, the Saints defense needs to show up each game.

  9. You gotta understand Drew is looking at those pieces on the team as if he were quarterback. He basically is saying that if you gave him that offense I would light it up. Remember Drew did more with less. So technically he’s not wrong.

  10. Anyone who says Kellen Moore should be fired during this season needs to lose all credibility lol. Dude inherited a dumpster fire ran by a dumpster fire GM

  11. Riuz gave up 1 sack last year. He is ranked 30th out of 62 starting guards. He played in 15 more games than McCoy but was drafted a year later. Plus he was drafted to play center but was moved to guard. This team has been terrible but to blame it on Ruiz is crazy work.

  16. I'll take the over. The national media including crappy ESPN has been floating the saints are the 32nd ranked team in the NFL. I wrote all the names down and I will blast you all including ESPN. Starting week 1 I'll take the saints with that bet ,6.5 points at home…out your money where your mouth is are not losing by 6 or 7 points Vegas going get rich on you and this bozo is helping them. The cards will lose and get skull drug then you gone come back as always oh who would of thought blah blah blah i see straight through your BS.

  17. ESPN is the most bias. Sports channel on TV. They suck so bad there top analyst tries projecting trashy Sanders to the saints with the 1st round pick and because he didn't get drafted they proceeded to disrespect all the players that followed his pick by not giving those guys the attention they deserved…pure bias self serving trash..

  21. That’s cool… but when they win, you and Nick Underhill will start
    🍆 riding like you did after the Dallas game. Try run blocking against teams that’s stacking the box because your scary ass QB is no threat to run, doesn’t go through his progressions staring at his #1 option to get open. And the SOB was holding on to the ball for 6 seconds or more all while being inaccurate!!!

  23. Ofc your tone will change you and underhill go whatever way the wind blows. It’s all good tho the real WDN is ready to put the whole league on notice this year with Coach Moore steering the ship. WHO DAT ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

  25. I hate to hear that. I disagreed with Matt a lot last year, but he ended up being right, and more. I'm sure he hopes the team proves him wrong as much as anyone else does. And they may prove him wrong. Matt just calls it as he sees it.

  26. I agree with Matt. As long as Brees feels the need to a$$-kiss and hype of the Saints, contrary to all reality, he's career in sports media will be nil. He also is NOT helping the Saints. Brees sounds delusional and boring. Its really sad.

  27. Imagine being some random YouTuber telling Drew Brees he’s wrong about things football related 😂 and THEN saying Drew could never be an analyst! Right because you’re a genius and you’re totally qualified to be a GM or on NFL Network to be any of those things. You’re not even qualified to be on WWL radio much less an actually analyst😂 YouTube channels are getting bolder and bolder everyday wow.

  34. What I would like to know is why didn't we have all this negative coverage of the Saints last year, and we have a better overall roster at this point than we have last year? That worst roster in the league narrative is not justified.

  35. This guy don't know what the hell he's talking about..aging defense??we are young in most postion..yes D.D.and C.J. Really who else .. this guy is a low key dirty bird fan.. there's no way we can be worst then last year ..unless everyone gets hurt again..then maybe but with everyone healthy..all these podcast and journalists and media assholes are wrong..how the hell can we be worst when everyone is healthy..stfu EVERYBODY..#WhoDat🎉🎉🎉

  36. Why does this guy use our Saints name to make money. Look how many videos he says im not trying to dog the Saints, but he has nothing good to say. Let everyone else say we suck. But I love the Saints and live in reality but New Orleans has a team that has never left or come back and all the losing seasons the stands have people. This team isn't only winning it's a movement. You only care for the Saints if they win? Stop riding all the others give us hope or change your name to I live here it's the easiest way, but I'm lame and love to ride a bandwagon. Saints all day this fool ain't a real fan and hids behind his YouTube be critic base but who are you.

  37. I just watched the video u made talking about Mickey Lomis bad moves and I totally agree with u bro. U are soo on point and I'm wondering why other ppl aren't talking about that. I think he is the reason Sean didn't want to coach the Saints anymore.

  38. Get over last year. Jesus, just stick to LSU. Analyst don’t know shit. You know what teams want you to know. We already knew what the reality of this team was this year. So you telling everyone we are not very good is redundant.

  39. "They're going to be bad" bro, are you even a Saints fan??? At least talk about how you HOPE they do good… it's just sad hearing this guy dog everything the Saints do. I hope they go 7-0 these next few weeks and prove you wrong!

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