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The New Orleans Saints' offseason has been one of keeping many of their own pieces around, including Chase Young, Juwan Johnson, Nathan Shepherd, and others. Additionally, they have brought back many of their own former players, including Brandin Cooks, Isaac Yiadom, and Will Clapp.
With that said, they have also let some players walk, one of whom is a former first-round pick of theirs in defensive end Payton Turner. Turner struggled immensely both with health and production when on the Saints, playing only 31 games in four seasons, posting 5 sacks, 50 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and 1 recovery. This led to the Saints not picking up his fifth-year option for 2025, and instead, he would move on to the Dallas Cowboys.
In a recent conference call transcribed by Garrett Podell for CBS Sports, Turner discussed the differences between the two defensive systems and how he fits into the Cowboys' unit:
"[The Cowboys] got these different types of bodies and different guys who can do a few different things. I can kind of do a little bit of everything at a high level. In New Orleans, where I see the difference is…this defense with coach Eberflus is a lot about penetrating and getting vertical and then react. As opposed to New Orleans, we [were] really detailed with our technique as far as you need to hold this gap. It wasn't so much about getting knockback, getting vertical. They both have their advantages, they're both different. I'm excited to switch it up a little bit and get back to get off the ball and set the edge vertically and getting back to it."
Additionally, Turner said the following about finding a routine that was right for him and how he has changed his conditioning somewhat:
"Finding a routine helped me to be available. That was the biggest thing I think I struggled with in New Orleans. We get so focused on getting so big and strong, I think sometimes, younger guys think, 'You've just got to lift super heavy all the time, get as strong as you can get.' Sometimes you neglect the mobility stuff that got you to that point."
He also made it clear that injuries were definitely a setback for him, making his point clear by saying, "I feel like [the injuries] impeded my progress."
It is intriguing to hear how Turner views the new scheme under Matt Eberflus and how it compares to Dennis Allen, as it was clear from day one that he is a physical prospect with traits but lacking technique at the time. Trying to fit him into a mold with a scheme that requires immense technique was likely never going to work, and putting him with a team that values the ability to get vertical to block passes or use their traits to their advantage may end up helping him out a ton.
The injuries will always be a concern, but now that he has a 16-game season under his belt and has changed his routine a bit, maybe he can put things together in year five with a new team.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Ex-Saints first round pick reflects on why things didn't work out
Continue reading...
With that said, they have also let some players walk, one of whom is a former first-round pick of theirs in defensive end Payton Turner. Turner struggled immensely both with health and production when on the Saints, playing only 31 games in four seasons, posting 5 sacks, 50 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and 1 recovery. This led to the Saints not picking up his fifth-year option for 2025, and instead, he would move on to the Dallas Cowboys.
In a recent conference call transcribed by Garrett Podell for CBS Sports, Turner discussed the differences between the two defensive systems and how he fits into the Cowboys' unit:
"[The Cowboys] got these different types of bodies and different guys who can do a few different things. I can kind of do a little bit of everything at a high level. In New Orleans, where I see the difference is…this defense with coach Eberflus is a lot about penetrating and getting vertical and then react. As opposed to New Orleans, we [were] really detailed with our technique as far as you need to hold this gap. It wasn't so much about getting knockback, getting vertical. They both have their advantages, they're both different. I'm excited to switch it up a little bit and get back to get off the ball and set the edge vertically and getting back to it."
Additionally, Turner said the following about finding a routine that was right for him and how he has changed his conditioning somewhat:
"Finding a routine helped me to be available. That was the biggest thing I think I struggled with in New Orleans. We get so focused on getting so big and strong, I think sometimes, younger guys think, 'You've just got to lift super heavy all the time, get as strong as you can get.' Sometimes you neglect the mobility stuff that got you to that point."
He also made it clear that injuries were definitely a setback for him, making his point clear by saying, "I feel like [the injuries] impeded my progress."
It is intriguing to hear how Turner views the new scheme under Matt Eberflus and how it compares to Dennis Allen, as it was clear from day one that he is a physical prospect with traits but lacking technique at the time. Trying to fit him into a mold with a scheme that requires immense technique was likely never going to work, and putting him with a team that values the ability to get vertical to block passes or use their traits to their advantage may end up helping him out a ton.
The injuries will always be a concern, but now that he has a 16-game season under his belt and has changed his routine a bit, maybe he can put things together in year five with a new team.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Ex-Saints first round pick reflects on why things didn't work out
Continue reading...
