Blogging Dirty
FanSided

3 New Orleans Saints the Falcons must slow down in week one

By Nick Halden

Aug 26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) runs to the locker room after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) runs to the locker room after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Jul 29, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) during passing drills during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) during passing drills during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Michael Thomas

Thomas is finally back healthy for the Saints after a tenuous last couple of years that seemed to hint at Thomas wanting to leave New Orleans. Instead, both sides appeared to have mended fences and be heading into the season with the former top receiver as their primary target. Thomas thrived in the New Orleans offense under Sean Payton with Drew Brees simply throwing Thomas a short out route or a slant and letting the receiver work after the catch.

Thomas didn’t make a name for himself by being a big play receiver but rather one that is going to take the bulk of the targets and wear a secondary down. Thomas is going to be a problem for Atlanta as he has been in seasons past.

Atlanta’s best move would be to have consistent help and let A.J. Terrell shadow Thomas in his return allowing Casey Hayward to take on Chris Olave or Jarvis Landry. Whether or not Thomas is going to be the same player he was before his injuries is unknown but the Falcons need to approach this game with the mindset that he will be. The only concern for New Orleans is Thomas is healthy should be can Winston and Thomas find the same chemistry Thomas had with Drew Brees?

Home/Atlanta Falcons News