The next starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints will have three speedy receivers to work with this season, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks.
Olave is healthy after suffering two serious concussions last season, including one against the Carolina Panthers that knocked him out for the rest of the season.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore is just as excited as quarterbacks Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler to work with Olave.
Moore was a big fan of Olave in the pre-draft process when he was the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator.
“You saw the skill set, you see the physical components, he’s got speed, he’s got excellent hands, he attacks the football, I think that’s the thing that jumps out on film, his just spatial awareness and understanding football is at an incredible level, we do like a receiver test when we bring guys in, and he was if not the best, one of the top guys we’ve ever had as we went through that process over the years,” Moore said.
Moore is hoping cornerback Alontae Taylor turns out to be one of the best corners in the league.
Taylor has been enjoying working in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system.
“I’ve actually had a lot of fun playing in it, I’ve been able to like I said move around, kind of play my style of play but once I kind of grasp the book and things like I’ve been able just to kind of freely play,” Taylor said.
Moore feels like Taylor will provide a lot of flexibility for the defense, being able to play the star position and outside.
While Taylor is moving around on defense, there has has been some movement along the offensive line.
Taliese Fuaga has moved from left tackle to right tackle, Kelvin Banks Jr. is playing left tackle, while Trevor Penning has moved from right tackle to left guard.
So how much of a challenge will it be for Penning to make that move?
“I can’t say the challenges that he can experience because he doesn’t have no challenges right now, he’s just learning a new position I think that’s just the mental part of it, Trevor can go out there and be the best ever, I can’t say what challenges I would expect him to face but right now I think the main thing he’s got to focus on is the mental part, learning a new position,” right guard Cesar Ruiz said.
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