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In Week 1, the New Orleans Saints forced two key turnovers against the Atlanta Falcons. A takeaway is one of the most prized moments for any NFL defender. For the Saints though, it’s about more than pride. It’s a mindset.
While interceptions are usually the flashiest turnovers for a highlight reel, fumbles are where the Saints defense have focused this offseason. Against the Falcons last week, that attention paid off.
“[The football] is the only thing in our game that scores any points,” Saints head coach Dennis Allen told me. “To be able to take the ball away, or protect the ball, that’s where your mindset has to be.” Actively thinking about the ball is key to taking it away. Linebacker Pete Werner was a model for this last weekend.
In the first quarter, the Falcons offense was looking to drive and respond after the Saints took the lead with Taysom Hill’s 11-yard rushing touchdown. The Falcons came out on first and ten from their own 25-yard line in a 3×1 set, meaning three receivers were lined up on one side, with a lone receiver on the other. Werner was lined up in the box on the defensive left side of the field. On the opposite side, wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus was out wide on the defense’s right, matched up with Marshon Lattimore.
However, before the snap, Zaccheaus went in motion. The ball was snapped as the wideout was crossed the tight ends on the opposite side of the formation. This forced Werner into coverage on a speedy receiver. He manned up Zaccheaus and stuck with him up the sideline as he ran what the linebacker described as a wheel route. About 15 yards down the field, Zaccheaus cut inside while fellow wideout Drake London cleared out the middle of the field. It was all green grass for the Falcons.
This is where mentality comes into play. As quarterback Marcus Mariota completed his pass to the crossing receiver, Werner was in position to make the tackle immediately. Being a sound tackler, the former Buckeye would have been making a solid play by simply limiting yards after catch and living to fight another down. Instead, Werner had only one thing on his mind.
FUMBLE!@petewerner23 strips the ball and @BradRoby_1 recovers it!#Saints 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/dwRpG3KQhm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 11, 2022
“I was able to come in with a top-down punch out,” Werner said. “And it led to a takeaway.” The linebacker reached over and, like Charles “Peanut” Tillman, punched the ball out from Zaccheaus’ grasp. The ball fell to the turf and cornerback Bradley Roby dove in to seal the recovery and get the ball back into the hands of the Saints offense.
“As simple as it sounds is as difficult as it is,” said Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard. “When you get there, can we think about the ball? ‘Well there’s so many other things that are happening. ‘ I’m in coverage or he’s breaking through the hole. I’m getting there. I have to tackle. I have my eyes here…’ and then at that split moment, can we just think about the ball? And a few special people can.”
Werner proved on Sunday that he is one of those special people. As did newly acquired starting safety Marcus Maye. On a scramble by Mariota late in the third quarter, the Falcons were in the redzone. On third and 4, Mariota picked up 9 yards with his legs after escaping the collapsing pocket around him. As he neared the 5-yard line, safety Tyrann Mathieu stood him up and Maye, instead of simply helping to bring the mobile quarterback down, flipped the field by ripping the ball loose. Mathieu was able to recover, keeping the Falcons from extending their 23-10 lead.
Mentality, Werner estimates, is 50% of what it takes to generate turnovers. The willingness to actively approach each snap, each tackle, and each moment as a chance to make a massive impact. Allen called turnovers “The biggest determining factor in winning and losing in our league.” If the Saints defense can continue to think about the ball the way the coaching staff is emphasizing, they will continue to put themselves and their offense in positions to win games and keep them alive when they’re down.
FUMBLE!@petewerner23 strips the ball and @BradRoby_1 recovers it!#Saints 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/dwRpG3KQhm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 11, 2022
Ross Jackson has been the host of the daily Locked On Saints podcast, covering the New Orleans Saints since 2018. Since then, his host role has expanded to include co-hosting Locked On NFL on Tuesdays with a focus on in-depth analysis on the biggest stories across the NFL and fantasy football. Ross is also a contributor for Saints Wire, part…
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