Saints taking hard look at both young and old to bolster offense

METAIRIE – It was turn back the clock day at New Orleans Saints training camp.

There he was, tight end Jimmy Graham, back after a nine year absence reaching up high and pulling in a pass. Granted, it was the first day of practice in helmets and shorts, but it was fun to see.

Nine years later there he is – Jimmy Graham back in black and gold #WGNOtv pic.twitter.com/p9jNThJY8y

— Ed Daniels (@WGNOsports) July 26, 2023

It was a reminder of the good ole days, when the Saints offense was often unstoppable. In 2011, New Orleans had the best team in the NFL and didn’t win the Super Bowl but they were so much fun to watch.

That year, Graham was part of an offense that averaged more than 34 points per game. The Saints had a point differential of plus-208, highest in the NFL.

Graham blossomed, going from 31 receptions as a rookie to 99 in his second season. The University of Miami product averaged more than 13 yards per reception and lifted his touchdown reception total from five to 11.

Those were those days.

So, does Graham still have it? When a reporter asked Dennis Allen what he would be expecting from the 36-year old and other veteran players, Allen’s response was brutally honest.

“I will say this, and I learned this from Sean (Payton),” said Allen. “With all of these older veteran players, I don’t have to see it every day, but I have to see it. So, yeah there is going to be a point in training camp, preseason, where all of these veteran guys will have to be able to show they can do it, and do it at a high level.”

Despite his age, Graham certainly has an opportunity. The Saints offense, one that averaged a putrid 19 points per game last season, needs weapons.

Chris Olave is certainly one and so is Alvin Kamara. After that, the Saints have the help wanted sign out.

One guy who could help the Saints rather quickly is rookie running back Kendre Miller but the third round pick from TCU missed all of the Saints on-field offseason work while rehabbing a knee injury during the College Football Playoff.
For the Saints to invest a third round pick on a runner, it says they value Miller.

Allen said the window of opportunity for Miller is wide open.

“We are going to give him a lot of reps, and a lot of opportunities to prove that he can do it,” said Allen. “In the run game, in the passing game, and in terms of a receiver in the passing game, in terms of a protector.”

That sounds to me like a coach who is intrigued about what Miller can do.

Miller spent some time at Wednesday’s practice being shown the ropes by Kamara. We will see how quick a study Miller is. He looks quicker than advertised and appeared comfortable catching the football in his first NFL practice.

Rookie Kendre Miller at his first #SaintsCamp practice 👀#Saints | @TCUFootball pic.twitter.com/uqTWAeGtYE

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 26, 2023

Miller’s best could be yet to come. He is advertised as a physical, one-cut runner. When padded practices begin Monday, he will be one to watch.

Cam Jordan joked that a lot of players looked quick Wednesday but noted that the pads will tell the true story next week.

Jordan also added that his goal, in his 13th season, was simple.

“I will be trying to win the Super Bowl, we want to take Derek Carr back to Vegas,” said Jordan.

That’s February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium. If the Saints are there, it won’t be without a superior season from Carr. That will have to include strong play from some offensive weapons yet to be discovered.