Saints without starting cornerbacks Lattimore, Crawley for Rams game

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

OUT

CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle/DNP)

CB Ken Crawley (abdomen/DNP)

Limited

LB A.J. Klein (ankle)

S Kenny Vaccaro (groin)

T Terron Armstead (rest)

LOS ANGELES RAMS INJURY REPORT

OUT

WR Robert Woods (shoulder/DNP)

RB Malcolm Brown (knee/DNP)

DOUBTFUL

CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (thigh/DNP)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Lance Dunbar (knee/limited)

LB Bryce Hager (calf/full)

Limited

DT Aaron Donald (illness)

Full

LB Mark Barron

CB John Sullivan

LB Connor Barwin

T Andrew Whitworth

TE Derek Carrier

CB Troy Hill

CB Kayvon Webster

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton

Local Media Availability

Friday, November 24, 2017

How concerning is there (Los Angeles Rams) return game with (Pharoh) Cooper?

“They do a lot of good things in the kicking game. Their punt team’s always near the top. They have been very aggressive with fake passes, (and) fake kicks. They have got the gambit. You really have to pay attention to your punt return unit. They had the long kickoff return for a touchdown against Jacksonville. John Fassel does a fantastic job. I remember him when he was a 10,12,13 years old as a ball boy for us at the Giants. They cause you a lot of issues and the return game is part of it.”

What has Mike (Westhoff) added to the special teams so far?

“We have some wrinkles. He has a wealth of experience and someone that I think has added to our group. We will continue to look at what we are doing. I thought last week, the punt return in overtime, if you are not watching or paying close attention was significant because all of a sudden, we start with the ball close to the 40 instead of backed up. That is the hidden yardage that we are talking about.”

What did he do specifically to help set that up?

“It was just all the technique we’re teaching within a white return. Guys (are) detailing their assignments. All the same things that go into the same things (that) you do on offense or defense. Paying attention to the little things.”

What are you seeing from Aaron Donald?

“He is an active player. He causes fits both in the run game and the pass game. He is playing at the three technique which is where he is used to playing. He has a quickness about him. He’s real flexible and also has power. As a pass rusher, you have to be mindful of where he’s at and he’s been doing that for a while now. He is very good at it.”

How much of being aggressive on special teams is situational or versus a certain opponent?

“A lot of it is situational. Last week, we took an approach for last week’s game. Each week we’ll pay attention to what we want to do. But yes, a lot of it’s based on the team.”

How has Ryan Herman and that department been helpful just since the season has started?

“Good. We do a plethora of studies, numbers wise, league trends that are happening every weekend outside of specifically our game and opponent trends. That’s just one area. But any part of the research and analytic part of it, he does a ton of work. It is outstanding.”

Are you practicing at the (Los Angeles) Coliseum tomorrow?

“Yes. Just a walk-thru.”

It has been two weeks in a row that Terron Armstead has been rested. Why?

“It has been a routine. It is just something that we have done with a handful of guys, but him specifically, he is good.

New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael

Conference Call with Saints Media

Friday, November 24, 2017

It’s hard to imagine that anything with Drew Brees surprise you anymore but how surprised were you to see he’d never led a comeback quite like that last week?

“I think he’s had some games prior to this where we’ve been up a little at the end, so we haven’t had to see that. I would say since he’s been here day one, anytime he has the ball in his hands, we have confidence that something good is going to happen. So it wasn’t a shock to us.”

How confident are you no matter the situation when you have him out there?

“I think when you get to the situation where you are down, it is something that we practiced almost every day in training camp. It is something (that) we practiced during the week. Obviously it is a lot of quarterback, receiver, tight ends, running backs (all skill positions), all being on the same page. You continue to work on it and work on it and good things happen.”

How much have you enjoyed watching what Mark (Ingram) and Alvin (Kamara) have been able to do?

“Obviously it’s been great. Obviously the two of them have been playing really well (and) at a high level. The nice feeling is just the confidence you have regardless of run/pass, putting the ball in their hands and watching them go.”

Have you been able to sit back and think about the fact they’re on pace to be one of the best tandems of all time?

“I wouldn’t know that and I’m not really paying attention to stats. I just know that they’ve had some productive games.”

Do you guys need to see something from Willie Snead IV or are you just more comfortable with Brandon Coleman at this point in the season? What does he need to do to get going?

“I think part of that is just opportunities to be given. We’re comfortable where we’re at. But we’re also comfortable having him on the field so it’s just something that we’ll continue to build as the weeks pass on.”

Has there been any surprise at the level of play of Terron Armstead considering all of the injuries he’s dealt with this year?

“When he’s on the field, we know we have a top quality tackle and we’re obviously very confident when he’s playing. He’s, to me, one of the best in the league.”

What does he do that makes him different from others you’ve seen or coached? What makes him so special?

“First of all, he’s a smart player. He’s athletic. We’re confident with him in the run game and pass game. He’s someone that prepares every week. He knows what he has to do to be successful in a game. We just have all the confidence in the world in him.”

He’s been resting through some practices recently. Are you all just being proactive with him?

“I would say that’s a question more for the head coach to answer.”

What kind of value does having a guy like Senio (Kelemente) on the team provide for you?

“I think his versatility. It’s a great thing for him and again we’ve been able to plug him in multiple positions. Every time he’s had an opportunity he’s been very successful and he’s done a good job for us. We’re confident in him.”

New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen

Conference Call with New Orleans Media

Friday, November 24, 2017

What’s the challenge of preparing during the week when your top two corners have had limited participation? How do you kind of adjust to maybe not knowing what’s going to happen or what their availability is going to be?

“I think every week you go in and you gameplan and you have to have a plan for any type of injuries. Those things can adjust. Whatever you decide to do can adjust based on how the game is going. We’ll have contingency plans for whoever we have available to us and we’ll have a good plan to go out and execute against the Rams.”

Was that kind of the case last week? Did you have a contingency for say if Marshon (Lattimore) goes out, you might do things a little different?

“Certainly you’ll always have to evaluate how the game is being played. There’s certain things you do as the game goes on and get a feel for what you guys are doing well and adjust to those things.”

How prepared do you think those other defensive ends are now (in order) to replace Alex (Okafor)?

“I think one of the good things is we’ve developed some depth here so that we can withstand some of the injury concerns. I think our guys have done a really good job of preparing really this whole season and always getting themselves ready to play because you never know when you’re going to get called on. I think that’s part of that everyone says that that next man up philosophy and that’s really the way that this league is. You have to continue to prepare yourself every week even those guys that might not even be up, they might be inactive for the game but yet they have to prepare themselves all week as if they were the starter because you never know when you’re going to get called upon to go into the game and when you do, you have go in and perform at a high level.”

Is chemistry between a defensive tackle and a defensive end a big thing?

“Certainly, I think the more guys can work together the better that is. I think when you have some cohesiveness within your defense whether it be your front, the linebackers the back end of the defense, I think that’s obviously a good thing when guys have been working together. We’ve thrown different lineups out there throughout the season whether it be in the game or during practice I think our guys have a pretty good feel for how everybody likes to play.”

Is that something you see Sheldon Rankins stand out in at all? Just knowing the guy rushing next to him and being able to work with him?

“I think Sheldon’s done a really nice job with our front. I think he’s one of the better communicators up there. He’s a really smart player. He’s a really distinctive player. When you have those type of guys, I think regardless of who you put around them, they have a chance to be effective.”

What are some of the intangible ways Cam Jordan helps the defense?

“One of the biggest things that Cam does in such a good example for our defense is the fact that he plays so hard down in and down out. He is such a well-rounded player. I think that really provides a lot as a visual clue for everybody as to how you’re supposed to play this game. I think Cam really has grown up and matured as an individual and as a player. I think this year has probably been one of his better years just as far as being locked in everything that we’re doing and all of the assignments that he’s responsible for and I think that’s been a good thing for us.”