New Orleans Saints Assistant Coach Schedules An Interview With The New York Giants
“Interviewing today for the vacant New Orleans Giants running backs coach job,” is how NFL Insider Ian Rapoport’s source describes Joel Thomas, the coach of the New Orleans Saints running backs. The Giants have clearance to speak with Thomas because of the Saints. To fill the position left by former running backs coach Jeff Nixon, New York is conducting interviews.
Nixon was fired by the Giants and went on to coach running backs and serve as offensive coordinator at Syracuse University. As the running backs coach for New Orleans, Thomas has worked there for nine seasons. During his time with the Saints, he assisted in the development of
star running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. Since he arrived in 2015, New Orleans’ running backs have led the NFL in touchdowns, according to the Saints’ website.
The New Orleans Saints, under Dennis Allen, finished 9-8 in his second season as head coach—a two-game improvement from 2022—but not good enough to secure a postseason berth, despite winning four of their previous five regular-season games. This is a game-by-game analysis of the 2023 Saints NFL season.
The New Orleans Saints defeated Tennessee 16–15 in the Caesars Superdome on Sunday to start the season, but they weren’t quite what they wanted to be. However, they were sufficient. The New Orleans offence was just adequate, the defence was nearly flawless, and the club’s special teams execution and lightning helped them win. With this victory, the team will head to Charlotte, North Carolina, to play the Panthers on Monday night.
It took another solid performance by the defence and one of the best receptions in the 56-year history of the club, but the New Orleans Saints advanced to 2-0 with a 20-17 victory Monday over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C.
Third-quarter quarterback Derek Carr lofted a deep pass down the left sideline towards second-year receiver Chris Olave, who was being held by Carolina defender C.J. Henderson, with the score knotted at six and the Saints offence faltering. Olave crashed into the field and managed to secure the 42-yard reception by tapping the ball with his one free hand. Tony Jones Jr.’s first touchdown of his brief career came from a 2-yard touchdown run after that massive play ignited the offence. With 3:14 remaining, he added another two-yard touchdown dive. Olave finished with 86 yards and six catches.
The victory came via two short field goals (28 and 23 yards) by Blake Grupe and two touchdowns by Jones. The New Orleans defence put on another dominating display; it has now gone 10 games without allowing an opponent to score more than 20 points.
Following a sack that injured his right shoulder, quarterback Derek Carr left the game with a 17-point lead for the New Orleans Saints. In the absence of Carr, the Saints were unable to maintain their lead as the Green Bay Packers triumphed 18–17 on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
After replacing Carr, veteran quarterback Jameis Winston completed several impressive passes to standout receiver Michael Thomas. However, the offence was unable to sustain a drive and punted five times in the second half.
