Dattitude with Jim Derry

There’s some breaking camp news for the New Orleans Saints on Friday morning, including the release of a quarterback and the signing of two wide receivers. Does this mean Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler have locked up spots and one of the two will be the backup to Derek Carr in 2024? What’s up with the injuries to the receiving corps?

Time to get up to speed on what’s going on with the Black and Gold, and then there’s Part 3 of our third annual NFL team-by-team previews, looking at the AFC North. Will Lamar Jackson be able to put together another MVP-like performance, and will the addition of running back Derrick Henry be enough to push the Baltimore Ravens over the top? Can Joe Burrow stay healthy and give the Cincinnati Bengals a chance to go from worst to first in the division?

Jim Derry is back with his Friday partner Larry Holder with their AFC North crystal ball on the Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 261) presented by Evangeline Securities. They also ask if the Cleveland Browns can win again with defense and – maybe – a healthy Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb? And is the year Mike Tomlin has his first-ever losing season with the Pittsburgh Steelers?

One of the big stories of training camp for the New Orleans Saints so far has been the injuries. Star wide receiver Chris Olave, one of the NFL’s top cornerback’s Marshon Lattimore, RB2 Kendre Miller and more. Should we be super concerned or is this just an early preseason bump in the road?

That being said, there are bright spots in wide receiver Mason Tipton, running back Jordan Mims, and defensive end Chase Young looks ready to go. Which current reserve offensive lineman could find their way into the starting lineup? Lucas Patrick for the injured Nick Saldiveri? Landon Young for Trevor Penning? Move Taliese Fuaga back to right tackle?

Host Jim Derry went brings in Ross Jackson of the “Locked on Saints Podcast” on Wednesday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 260) presented by Evangeline Securities to discuss all these topics, and Jim has plenty to say before Ross joins. Also, producer Gabe Henderson has presents some “top” and “bottom” lists, while Jim’s ‘Extra Point’ goes back 24 years to the day the Saints traded for quarterback Aaron Brooks.

We’re not sure which is getting more hype so far this offseason and into training camp: Taysom Hill with the new Saints offense or the attention being placed on the running game? What does Hill think, and does he seem OK with the changes Dennis Allen and Klint Kubiak have in store?

And what about the running game? Will it be THAT different? Who will step up on offense that we might not be focusing on right now? Oh, and there are quite a few candidates who could have a breakout-type season on defense. Will it be Payton Turner?

Host Jim Derry goes solo with plenty of comments from show producer Gabe Henderson and our listeners on Monday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 259) presented by Evangeline Securities, and he has many thoughts, as well as sound clips from Hill, Allen and Turner. Also, he opens with his opinion on the uproar of the Olympics Opening Ceremonies and ends the show with his ‘Extra Point’ that focuses on the absurdity of quarterback contracts in the NFL.

The New Orleans Saints have wrapped up their third day of training camp, and there is plenty to talk about including how the offensive line depth chart is looking, running back Kendre Miller’s hamstring injury, whether Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener has a leg up in the quarterback race and the defense is looking good to start.

And then there’s Part 2 of our third annual NFL team-by-team previews, looking at the AFC West. The obvious question is if any team can challenge Patrick Mahomes at the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Will Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos take a step forward with Bo Nix at quarterback?

Jim Derry is back with his Friday partner Larry Holder with their AFC West crystal ball on the Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 258) presented by Evangeline Securities. They also ask if Los Angeles Chargers new coach Jim Harbaugh has given enough help to Justin Herbert and if the Las Vegas Raiders can be a surprise.

The New Orleans Saints opened training camp in Irvine, Calif., on Wednesday morning, and we have a ton of questions – some obvious and some not so much.

First, if Alvin Kamara is participating in practices, does that mean he and the team are close to a new deal? What about the love fest between the players and Coach Dennis Allen? Is it real? Will the offense get it together under coordinator Klint Kubiak? Will the defense fix some glaring problems? And will the team be able to navigate through the first six games.

Host Jim Derry went to our top source at NOLA.com in Saints Editor Zach Ewing on Wednesday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 257) presented by Evangeline Securities. Also, in Jim’s ‘Extra Point,’ he says Joe Burrow sporting a new buzzcut signals the next chapter in his career and maybe a next step for the Cincinnati Bengals. The new “Real Slim Shady?”

It's official: New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk will miss the entire 2024 season and his future in football is in serious doubt. So does that mean it’s set in stone first-round pick Taliese Fuaga will begin the year as the starting left tackle and Trevor Penning will be at right tackle? Will Nick Saldiveri start at left guard?

Does the extension of Rashid Shaheed help solidify the wide receiving corps? What about LSU? They were predicted to finish fifth in the SEC – is that too high, too low or just right? Is their schedule one of the easier ones in the league?

Host Jim Derry asks these questions of Monday’s guest, Garland Gillen of FOX-8 Sports. Just 2 days before the start of Saints training camp, there’s plenty to talk about on the Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 256) presented by Evangeline Securities, and Jim finishes the show with his ‘Extra Point’ that focuses on the embarrassment and near-monumental upset of the US Men’s Basketball Team against the South Sudan this past weekend.

The time has come for us to begin our third annual NFL team-by-team previews, but this year we’re doing it a bit different. Instead, we’re going to do them division by division each Friday, and we’re opening here with our first of an eight-part series and the AFC East.

Will Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills claim their fifth consecutive division title? Will Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins crack through and win it for the first time in 16 years? What about Aaron Rodgers – will he stay healthy? – and the New York Jets? And then there’s the New England Patriots … um, no.

Jim Derry is not alone with his previews this season, as he is joined by Larry Holder with previews and predictions on the Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 255) presented by Evangeline Securities. They also will talk about the news of the day that New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is out for the season, and Jim shares his thoughts on Tiger Woods missing another cut in a major.

There are plenty of question marks for the New Orleans Saints entering training camp, but the receiving corps is not one of them. Is this unit the strength of the team’s offense, and could Chris Olave become a real star in the NFL? After Rashid Shaheed, is Cedrick Wilson or AT Perry the WR3?

Also, it’s time to look at the Pelicans, who are 2 months away from their own training camp. Does the trade for Dejounte Murray change the trajectory for the team, or will the lack of a starting big man be a detriment? Is Zion Williamson ready to become an MVP candidate?

All these questions are answered, as Jim Derry brings in WDSU-TV sports anchor Fletcher Mackel on Wednesday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 254) presented by Evangeline Securities. Also, before Fletcher heads to Paris for the Olympic Games, we ask the local angles he’ll be covering, and in Jim’s ‘Extra Point,’ he says Paul Skenes might already be the best pitcher in baseball after just 11 major-league starts.

The New Orleans Saints had the oldest starting lineup in the NFL entering the 2023 season, but what about 2024? Does it matter? And if they have a rough start, will they start making some changes?

Also, we have been talking about how tough the first six games are on the team’s schedule, but maybe it isn’t as bad as we think it is? On a scale of 0 to 5, how hot is Coach Dennis Allen’s seat? Will the new offensive coaching staff make a difference?

Lots of questions means lots of answers for Jim Derry and his Monday guest, WWL-TV sports director Doug Mouton. They have plenty to talk about on the Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 253) presented by Evangeline Securities, Jim ends the show with a special ‘Extra Point’ that offers a tribute to local football star Jacoby Jones, who died suddenly this past weekend just 3 days after his 40th birthday.

Training camp for the New Orleans Saints begins in less than 2 weeks (rookie report next week), and we have plenty of questions about this team.

Will Alvin Kamara return for the start? Will the offensive line overperform their low expectations? How hot is the seat of Coach Dennis Allen? But even with all that, there are reasons one could be optimistic … what are they?

Summer break is over, and Jim Derry is back. He is joined on Friday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 252) presented by Evangeline Securities by sports writer Hart Pisani, who also shares details of his new podcast, “When the Lights Go Out.” And in the ‘Extra Point,’ Jim loves the gesture by Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen sent out to fans of the team.