Check out the Saints in action in their season opener against the Raiders.
Quick takes from New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton's teleconference Monday:
The choice to have Travaris Cadetactive ahead of C.J. Spillercame down to this: "It was just one of these games where we knew Cadet was going to have a big role in his position, and it really just came down to the numbers," Payton said. "(Daniel) Lasco was playing on all special teams. It's really one of the challenges with six running backs on the roster. So a lot of it was per our game plan. It was just that game and how we were going to approach that game with our personnel groupings. That'll be something we look at week to week."
Payton reiterated Monday – as he did during his postgame news conference Sunday – that he has faith in rookie kicker Wil Lutz. Lutz made all four PATs and two of four field-goal attempts, with the misses coming from 50 and 61 yards. "I like this guy a lot. I think the experience he has, and the opportunities he has, he's going to kick a long time."
Andrus Peatstill is a work in progress at left guard, but it's positive progress. "I think the consistency of him being able to play there each week is going to help him. Just the opportunity for him to settle in to that position is going to help him and benefit him quite a bit."
The tight end position will bear watching this week, especially if the injury that forced Josh Hillout of Sunday's game is significant enough to keep him sidelined in subsequent games. Hill and Coby Fleenerwere the only actives against Oakland; Chris Manhertzwas inactive.
The expectation is for the pass rush to be more effective as defensive end Paul Krugergets more comfortable. The Saints didn't have a sack against Derek Carron Sunday, though they were credited with three hurries. The goal, of course, is to pressure with a four-man rush but there will be times when blitzing is necessary.
