Andy Dalton
Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen announced that veteran quarterback Andy Dalton will continue to be the team’s starting quarterback moving forward. Week one starter Jameis Winston exited earlier this year after struggles with nagging back and ankle injuries suffered in week two but has now made a full return to practice. Even with his recovery, Allen and the coaching staff said they made a performance-based decision to stick with Dalton indefinitely. Saints analyst Mike Detillier said the coaching staff has confidence in Dalton’s ability to run the offense efficiently.
“The coaching staff feels that Andy’s ability to run the offense efficiently apparently is better than what they feel Jameis can do.”
After a slow start to the season, Dalton helped to improve the Saints’ offense to third-best in the NFL with 398 yards per game. In four starts, Dalton has thrown for 946 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions and Allen said he’ll retain his starting spot as long as that success continues. Detillier warned that if the production decreases and turnovers continue, Dalton could be at risk of returning to his backup role.
“I think as long as the production’s there and you’re not turning over the football, he sticks with Dalton. Again, this is a production league. If you don’t get it done then he’s going to have a hook with Dalton and go with Jameis Winston.”
The ups and downs of the offense have been the story of the Saints’ underwhelming season so far with injuries to key players such as Jameis Winston, Alvin Kamara, and Michael Thomas, and the quarterback situation has received much of the attention. Detillier, however, believes that more emphasis should be placed on the underperforming Saints defense that ranked top in the NFC last year in points allowed.
“A team that gave up the least amount of points in 2022 in the NFC- they are getting gashed in both the running game and also via the pass. They have to get better on the defensive side of the football.”
Despite the sluggish start, the Saints are still only one game out from first in a disappointing NFC South and will host the Raiders in Caesar’s Superdome at noon this Sunday.
Comments