New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi joined Voice of the Saints Mike Hoss and Saints legend Bobby Hebert on the Saints Coaches Show on WWL on Monday, Dec. 2 to talk about the loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Taysom Hill's injury, the upcoming game against the New York Giants and more.
Here are the top five takeaway's from Rizzi's appearance:
1. Taysom Hill out for the season
Rizzi announced Monday that the knee injury tight end Taysom Hill suffered in the game against the Rams will be season-ending.
"It's a tough day for sure, because really I just feel bad for Taysom the person," Rizzi said. "There's a human element to it that sometimes we forget and the relationship that Taysom's built with not only myself, but the entire locker room, coaching staff, community, So, it's a sad day and it's a day that's a little bit tough to get through. But, just like Taysom would want us all to do, we've got to move forward and move on and try to figure out a way to win this week."
The one-of-a-kind player will conclude the 2024 season with 465 yards from scrimmage and six rushing touchdowns in eight games.
2. Red zone woes
The Saints offense fell short of its standard in the red zone Sunday in the 21-14 loss against the Rams. In two red zone possessions, the Saints failed to punch the ball into the end zone. On the other side of the field, they allowed the Rams to take all three of their red zone possessions in the red zone. The Saints have been strong in that area over the course of the season, ranking ninth in red zone efficiency on offense and 11th on defense.
"The bottom line is we were in the scoring zone three times in the first half and we had six points to show for it," Rizzi said. "So, we really had some opportunities there to take a two or three score lead in the first half and we didn't do so and that's where we really could have been a different ballgame coming out for the second half. Defensively, that's been one of our strong suits, we've allowed teams maybe to move the ball a little bit, but we've kind of stood our ground in the red zone. Again, yesterday in the first half, I want to commend our defense on one hand because the Rams had not been shut out on offense in the first half in 129 straight games. And so that part was outstanding, but we didn't finish the job. We came out second half and they scored on three of their four possessions. So, it just again is a matter of playing a complete game. We had some really good things, but again when teams get down there we got to make them kick field goals. When we get down there, we got to score touchdowns. It's just the way it is."
3. Late game strategy
The Saints had the ball in their hands with a chance to decide the game late in the contest. After falling behind by seven, the Saints started driving with 8:54 remaining in the contest. They drove the ball 61 yards from their own 30-yard line to the Rams' 9-yard line, eating up all but 1:13 of the clock. Rizzi elaborated on the strategy that they employed on that drive.
"So during that drive, we had two timeouts to go in the game and there's a couple of different ways to play it," he said "If we call our timeouts and then we fail to score at all and the game gets under two minutes and the game's over. They could just take a knee and the game's over. So, trying to hold on to the timeouts and then we made a decision that we were all in on going for the touchdown. And quite frankly, I think I mentioned this after the game, we were going to go for two because the feeling there was they had scored on three of their four possessions in the second half. They had moved the ball very well. I just didn't feel like at that point, we were holding up very well. Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu) got injured. And anyway, that's the decision that we made. So, with us being all in on that now you have to understand that we're trying to get to the time down and not leave them with a lot of time when we do score and go for two. So that's the thought process there. And hold on to the timeouts."
The drive ultimately stalled in the red zone on after a third-and-four running play by running back Alvin Kamara only gained two yards leaving the team in a fourth down with two yards to gain on the 9-yard line. The pass by quarterback Derek Carr would fall to the ground as he was hit attempting to throw to tight end Juwan Johnson. Johnson was not the first read for Carr on the play, Rizzi said.
"The play that was run, I think if you look, go back and watch the play, Derek (Carr) is looking to see if (Marquez Valdes-Scantling) is open there for the first down, which would have been not in the end zone, just over the sticks though, would have been a first down," Rizzi said. "They kind of took that first option away. So, he holds the ball a little bit, waits for Juwan (Johnson) to get open. Juwan is open. His guy falls down. And again, we're just a half-second too late, getting the ball out, but feel pretty confident and comfortable that if he can get the ball out there, we're going to score. And then we're going to go for two with about a minute to go and go for the win. So, that was the way we played the game out."
4. Reinforcements on the way
As the Saints approach their next game against the New York Giants in Metlife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 8, Rizzi is expecting to get some pieces back along the offensive line.
"Right now, we're on track to get Erik McCoy back and Lucas Patrick back," Rizzi said. Those guys are both trending in the right direction. They're kind of through the rehab process. Looks like at least we'll get those guys back on the field in some way, shape or form on Wednesday, which is certainly good news. We have a chance, maybe this week, to take the field with our starting five offensive linemen. That would be a positive. We'll kind of see how the week plays out there from an injury standpoint, but at least there's, going into the week, looking like a bright spot."
If the Saints field their starting group that begin the season in tackles Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning, guards Cesar Ruiz and Patrick along with McCoy at center against the Giants, it would be the first time since Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 22 where that unit of five started.
Two other guys Rizzi said are nearing a return are running back Kendre Miller and wide receiver Bub Means. Rizzi said he expects the team to open both of their 21-day windows to return from injured reserve which will allow them to return to the practice field.
"Listen, I'm going to try to get Kendre going," Rizzi said. "Kendre, we're going to open up his window. We'll see what it looks like here at practice this week and make a decision at the end of the week, but I know he's kind of chomping at the bit. It's been a very frustrating year for him and us in that regard, with a couple of injuries. But, listen, there's no doubt that Kendre is a talented guy. We just got to get him back and see what he looks like. Same thing with Bub. Little bit of a frustrating year for Bub too fighting a couple different injuries, but looks like we'll both be able to maybe start his 21-day window this week as well. So, a couple guys that haven't been out there for us, a couple bodies that could certainly help the cause for sure."
5. On to the Giants
As the team approaches the game against New York, the Saints will have to look to defend the run, an area of vulnerability as the team has conceded the 26th most yards on the ground in the NFL. The Giants meanwhile sport the 15th most productive rushing attack in the NFL.
"I've worked with Brian Daboll, him and I are good friends. Brian's a great coach and a great man. And no matter where he's been, they've been able to run the football," Rizzi said. "And that's kind of been one of his calling cards, regardless of the record of the team, they've always had a good run game. They got a really good running back there in (Tyrone) Tracy (Jr.) and, although I know their record isn't what they want it to be up there right now, that's something that they're going to commit to. And again, if you're playing us right now, you're looking at us statistically, you're going to say we're going to make these guys have to stop the run, and we're going to make them prove it. We're going to do it until they prove they can stop it. ... There's no question that we got to go up there and we're going to have to control the line of scrimmage on both sides. We're going to be obviously on the road. The weather is going to be a little different that we're used to. We're going to be in a visiting crowd, all those things. And so, as we all know, that's going to be really important for us on both sides of the ball for sure."
Check out the game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Los Angeles Rams for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season on Dec. 1, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.