Armstead, Peat, Stafford, Ansah listed as questionable for Saints-Lions game

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

Questionable
T Terron Armstead (LP – shoulder)
WR Willie Snead (LP – hamstring)
G Andrus Peat (LP – hip)

Full Practice
CB Sterling Moore (pectoral)
RB Trey Edmunds (concussion)
TE Josh Hill (concussion)

DETROIT LIONS INJURY REPORT

Out
LB Paul Worrilow (DNP – knee)

Questionable
DE Ezekiel Ansah (LP – knee)
G T.J. Lang (DNP – back)
WR Kenny Golladay (LP – hamstring)
T Rick Wagner (LP – shoulder)
RB Dwayne Washington (LP – quadricep)
QB Matthew Stafford (FP – ankle)

Full Practice
S Glover Quin (groin)
LB Tahir Whitehead (pectoral)
T Greg Robinson (non-injury related)

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton

Media Availability

Friday, October 13, 2017

When they have a player like Haloti Ngata placed on injured reserve, does that affect you in planning?

“I don’t think it affects game planning. Obviously you’re seeing the same defensive front so it doesn’t change the direction you’re going. They have depth and a really good front. Obviously he was a really good player and you don’t want that to happen. I wouldn’t say it changes anything in the preparation for what you’re going to do.”

What did you see out of (Craig) Robertson when he came in and filled in against the Dolphins?

“I thought he played well. He played early and then played often obviously once the injury (to Alex Anzalone) happened. He’s experienced. I thought he’s played a lot of regular snaps in our league on first and second down and third down so that’s a plus and one of the reasons that we were drawn to him as a free agent a few years ago. He’s done a good job.”

When you have a quarterback with a quick trigger is disguise an element of maybe slowing him down?

“The element of disguise is easier at home than on the road. That is the silent snap count versus when you’re at home you have that added ability to double count and try to let the picture unfold to see what you’re going to get defensively. You lose a little bit of that when you’re on the road. He (Matthew Stafford) does have a quick release and I think the key is just contesting the throws, especially on third down.”

With Terron (Armstead) have you seen the steady progression you were hoping to see?

“He’s making progress. (He’s) Hanging in there and doing well. It’s obviously a significant injury he’s recovering from.”

Without (Marshon) Lattimore what would you need to see from him before you could be confident to travel with one receiver?

“We’ll travel at times depending on our coverage. So it’s not like well he’s not ready to travel yet. It’s really more about what we’re trying to get accomplished within the framework of our scheme. But we traveled already and it just depends on the game and specifically their personnel as well.”

Has that changed from last season to this season with Michael Thomas where you’ve kind of saw that change midway through last season how teams chose to defend him?

“We saw it against Detroit a year ago. I think probably at some point in the season, not forgetting Brandin Cooks (and how teams would defend him). Oftentimes it’s not like that’s the one (much more goes into the decision). Oftentimes it’s body type, size and is it a long strider. Is he quick footed? You’re trying to, I’m talking defensively now, you’re trying to match skillsets and what you think are your best matchups.”

You talked about Detroit being 90% on third and four or third and six situations. What do they do on third down in those situations?

“Number one, he has a quick release. Obviously (Golden) Tate is someone who has outstanding with strong hands inside. Oftentimes in third down, your tight end and your inside slots or the running backs (play key roles and) I think have a really good group of backs that are great receivers. They are well-coached and they function well in those situations, as they do in two-minute and some of the hurry-up stuff as well.

Christian McCafferey gave you some issues a few weeks ago. How similar can he and (Theo) Riddick affect the defense?

“They are similar in that they’re really good receiving threats. You have to account for them maybe more than just another back in that queen or king position. But certainly Riddick is someone that can tear you up if you’re not on point with what you’re doing coveragewise. And the challenging thing is sometimes with runners when they’re in the backfield it’s not like you can press them. Now you can butch with the ends and do something with that. I think that they do a good job with their formations.”

Coach Payton doesn’t DVD but he does binge watch Ozark on Netflix and Game of Thrones on HBO.

New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen

Conference Call with Local Media

Friday, October 13, 2017

What do you need to see from Marshon Lattimore to travel with a wide receiver when necessary?

“I’ve seen a lot of good things out of Marshon (Lattimore). I think Marshon has done a good job for us. We did travel him with (Brandin) Cooks vs. New England. I think it’s just more about the gameplan and just seeing how offenses are trying to attack us and whether are not we need to travel or not, but that’s obviously something we look at every week as to if that’s something that we want to do.”

Does disguising the defense slow down Matthew Stafford from using that quick passing attack?

“I don’t know if that is necessarily the case. I know that when you play a good quarterback like this, I definitely know you don’t just want to line up and let him know exactly what you’re doing pre-snap on every snap. I think you have to have multiple looks and have to try and do some things to disguise and just make it a little bit more difficult for him to figure it out post-snap as opposed to pre-snap.”

Do you agree with Sean’s (Payton’s) thinking that playing at home helps disguise a defense?

“I think it just depends on the situation and it depends on who you’re playing against. We’re playing against a veteran quarterback here (Matthew Stafford), who’s really good, so obviously we have to do a good job this week of trying to give him some different looks and just hopefully make it to where he has to hold onto the ball one more count.”

How much does the defense hope to feed off the crowd?

“I think that is important for us, I think when you’re playing good defense at home that’s when your crowds really into the game. I think the onus is on us to play well defensively to keep the crowd in the game and keep it loud and keep it difficult on the offense, but we really try not to focus on that as much, let’s make sure we’re paying attention to what our job is and doing the things that we need to do to play well defensively.”

How did Craig Robertson play when he had to come in the game?

“I thought he did a nice job of filling in and obviously he played a lot for us last year so we have a lot of confidence in Craig’s ability to go in and play and be a part of what we’re trying to do defensively. I think anytime you have veteran players that are backup players that have experience, I think that’s a benefit to you when they are called upon to come in the game.”

What is your review of Marcus Williams so far?

“I think Marcus is getting better every week. I think he’s communicating a lot more, he’s having a better understanding of really how teams are trying to attack us and what teams are going to try to do out of different formations or different personnel groupings, so I’ve been pleased with his progress. Obviously with these young players we want them to continue to improve on a weekly basis and that’s what I’ve seen out of him.”

How do you feel Cam Jordan has played thus far?

“I think Cam has been playing outstanding. I think Cam is one of the better defensive ends in this league because he is a well-rounded defensive end. He does a good job of pressuring the quarterback, but he also plays the run extremely well. There’s no question that he’s a critical piece in our defense.”

How impressive is it for him to be ranked third on the team in tackles playing in that spot?

“I think what makes him such a great player in my opinion is that he’s so well-rounded that he can play in every aspect of the game. He can play the run really well and rushes the passer really well. I think we have to do some things around him, maybe get the quarterback to hold the ball just a count longer because he’s really close on a lot of plays and the quarterback just gets the ball out. If we can have him hold the ball a half a count longer I think you’ll see the sack totals go up.”

Is there anyone that Cam Jordan reminds you of?

“Listen guys it would be hard for me to get into comparisons. I do know this, the thing that makes him a little unique is he does have the speed off the edge, but he also has the power, which not everybody has and I think that’s what makes him a little bit unique is that he does have unique power for that positon.”

New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael

Conference Call with Local Media

Friday, October 13, 2017

How much were you guys missing without Willie Snead?

“Well listen, he is a guy that when he plays, he’s contributed and been a significant value to us not only in the passing game, but also in the run game. We have an opportunity to get him out there this week and see some things. We just have to see where we’re at, but he plays a big role when he’s ready to go.”

Do you ease him back in or since he is familiar with the offense he can jump right back in?

“I think probably a little bit of easing him back in just to see where he’s at and evaluate how he feels and then as the week progresses if he feels good maybe he receives more (reps). Again, we are still evaluating that at this point.”

Does anything change regarding play-calling now that Adrian Peterson’s gone?

“I think when we’ve been successful here we’ve had a group of guys that contributed to that position. There is a lot of versatility that we have with Mark (Ingram) and Alvin (Kamara) and so we feel good with those two guys being on the field and really not necessarily saying, hey this specific role, we will hand the ball to both of those guys and throw the ball to both those guys and we feel comfortable with that.”

How pleased are you with Alvin Kamara’s development?

“First of all, he’s a smart, quick study and the more and more he’s around and in the offense and evolving it’s been pretty impressive.”

That’s important since there are some nuances to the routes he has to run?

“Yeah, it’s obviously a great trait to have and obviously it’s important in this offense, we ask those guys to do a lot responsibility wise in all phases and I think that bodes well for our team.”

Are you surprised how quickly he got up to speed?

“I still think there is some growing to do, but I know that during the whole evaluation process before the draft he was someone that coach Payton really liked. We spent time with him and felt that was one of his strengths is intelligence and also his ability.”

How do you think Larry Warford’s been playing this year?

“I think he’s been very steady and been consistent, he’s been reliable, he’s been available and I think both run game and pass game he’s played strong.”

What’s your overall evaluation of the run game so far?

“I would say the last couple weeks we feel better about the efficiency of it, but I don’t think it’s still where we want it to be. I think it’s something that we just have to keep working on, but again I think the last couple weeks we’ve seen progression, but again we want to be a little bit more efficient with it.”