GLENDALE, Ariz. — The New Orleans Saints pulled the plug on the starting offense after two underwhelming series in Saturday’s 16-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals – with a notable exception.
Tackles Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning remained in the game for another two series and played a total of 25 snaps as the Saints’ coaching staff chose to get an extended look at arguably the biggest question mark on the roster.
There’s more work to be done before they can reach a conclusion.
“They need to play,” coach Dennis Allen said. “Those guys need to play. They haven’t established themselves yet, so they need a ton of reps. So that was the thought (behind it).”
Allen said it was too early to establish any firm conclusions on how the two did without having a chance to review the tape.
With that in mind, Fuaga appeared to have the better night of the two. For his first game at left tackle, Fuaga – who played on the right side at Oregon State – held his own against several different Cardinals pass rushers. Arizona notably rested its starters, but Fuaga did well when asked to defend edge rushers such as Victor Dimukeje (four sacks in 2023) and Cameron Thomas (a third round pick from 2022). Fuaga’s patience was noticeable as he maintained his technique even when physically pushed back on occasion.
Fuaga wasn’t perfect, though. Backup quarterback Jake Haener nearly threw an interception when forced to get the ball out after outside linebacker Jesse Luketa bent Fuaga to turn the corner. And when the 1’s were in, Fuaga was part of an offensive line that got little push to free up running backs Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.
Still, Fuaga seemed pleased with his performance. He said the switch to left tackle felt natural, noting that he’s had “a lot” of reps at practice and gone against formidable pass rushers like Carl Granderson and Chase Young.
“I definitely think I did my little thing a little bit out there,” Fuaga said. “But whatever the coaches and the team needs me at, that’s where I’ll be.”
Penning’s mistakes, on the other hand, were much more glaring – and likely not what the Saints wanted to see given the 25-year-old is in his third NFL season rather than his first.
Penning was badly beat on first-and-10 to begin the Saints’ second drive. Tyreke Smith – a listed fourth-stringer on Arizona’s depth chart – faked as if he were rushing outside and then quickly bolted inside to cause Penning to bite on the fake. That led starter Derek Carr to rush and overthrow an open Chris Olave down the field.
That wasn’t Penning’s only notable gaffe, either.
Later, when the first-team offense was pulled outside of Fuaga, Penning and Lucas Patrick (who moved from left guard to center), the 2022 first rounder was called for holding on a play that put New Orleans into a second-and-19 situation.
In both instances, Penning’s mistakes killed the ensuing drive for New Orleans. The incomplete pass to Olave led to a three-and-out, despite New Orleans starting with promising field position at its own 47-yard line. Penning’s penalty on second down also set up a three-and-out, with the Saints unable to climb out of the hole that Penning created.
This offseason, the Saints have done a lot to build Penning’s confidence – and in turn, the tackle has said he is in a better place.
His inconsistent play hasn’t eased concerns.
Days before the preseason opener, Allen said he noticed improvement in Penning’s game, but added there’s “still a ways to go” -- particularly in the passing game.
So on Saturday, when Carr and Co. exited, Allen made the choice to leave Penning and Fuaga out there. If it was a pre-planned decision, he didn’t tell the two tackles ahead of time.
Not that they minded.
“I definitely got more of a feel when I was out there a little bit longer,” Fuaga said. “Just getting more reps is good for me.”
