Saints Gameday Kansas City Chiefs | Sunday, August 13, 2023

KANSAS CITY

EDITOR

Justin Macione

ART DIRECTOR

Ali Sullivan

PROJECT MANAGER

Erika Hahne

CONTRIBUTORS

Davis Friend, Grace Ostendorf, Christian Verde, Peyton Burkholder, Grant Segar, Raley Curry, Layne Murdoch Jr., Megan Kotteman

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Michael C. Hebert

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Kate Henry

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Meggie Schmidt

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Brooke LeBlanc Genusa

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Rosa Balaguer

SENIOR PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Meghan Rooney

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Ashley Pemberton

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER & IN STADIUM SALES

John Holzer

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Todd Matherne

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PRE-GAME ENTERTAINMENT

Color Guard – Mandeville High School JROTC

American Flag Unveiling – Saints Season Ticket Holders

Saints Flags Unveiling – Saints Season Ticket Holders

TODAY’S ENTERTAINMENT

Gumbo

Sir Saint

Storyville Jazz Band

Saints Legend

Cheer Krewe

CHAMPIONS SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT

Live Band – Kings of Brass

DJ – DJ Arie Spins

Emcee – Sheba Songz

HALFTIME

Louisiana Leadership Institute All-Star Marching Band

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

People’s Health Champion

Entergy Lineman: Powering Saints Nation

Community Coffee Military Recognition

50% OF THE PROCEEDS OF TODAY’S 50/50 RAFFLE WILL BENEFIT THE LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

SAINTS LEGEND OF THE GAME TACKLE DARYL TERRELL

A native of Heidelberg, Miss., former New Orleans Saints tackle Daryl Terrell joined the Saints in 1998. He initially went to training camp with the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi. After spending the 1998 season on the team's practice squad, Terrell appeared in 12 games with one start as a jumbo tight end in 1999. A valuable reserve along the line in 2000, when the Black and Gold won the NFC West and the franchise's first playoff game, he appeared in every contest. In 2001, Terrell played in every contest and started nine games at left tackle and two at left guard. Terrell played for Jacksonville in 2002 and for Washington in 2003, finishing out his career. After retirement, Terrell returned to the New Orleans area, where in his free time he is passionate about continuing to give back through various community appearances representing the team.

SAINTS GAME EXPERIENCE DEPARTMENT

VICE PRESIDENT Nancy Gold

DIRECTOR Chryssi Flores

SR. COORDINATOR Hailey Williams

COORDINATORS

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Jessica Weinberg

Anitra Christman

Kinsey Hopkins-Campbell

Ish Anany

GAME DAY STAFF Asia Jupiter

Heaven Mullen

Jamarqavian James

Kelly Livaccari

Jasmyne Bracy

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Josh Highnote

Kadaro Thomas

Kaegen Faulk

Marissa Brown

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Martin Mapp Jr

Morgan Ledet

Shaun Colledge

Skylar Rupprecht

PA ANNOUNCER Mark Romig

ANNOUNCER ........................................ David “Storm” Manning

HOSTS Theo Mitchell

MUSIC COORDINATOR Kyle Curley

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ................................... Josh Richardson

VIDEO PRODUCTION James Crosbie

Shota Hashimoto

Brianna Latino

Forest Gaines Jr

Blairre Perriatt

STORYVILLE JAZZ BAND Bruce Hirstius & Gregg Paretti

IN-STADIUM DJ.................................................. DJ Raj Smoove

CHAMPIONS SQUARE DJ DJ Arie Spins

Gayle Benson provides leadership for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans. She succeeds her late husband, Tom Benson, who passed away on March 15, 2018, after serving as Owner of the Saints since 1985 and the Pelicans since 2012. The New Orleans native is an accomplished business professional and philanthropist with strong ties to the local community and is dedicated to contributing to the growth and enhancement of the Gulf South region.

Mr. and Mrs. Benson worked together to build championship-level NFL and NBA organizations, housed in state-of-the-art facilities at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center, while making a positive impact in the community away from the football field and basketball court as well.

With the Saints franchise under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Benson, the team has reached new heights since 2006, when they entrusted Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis to set the direction for the organization, responding by making important coaching hires and continually supplementing and upgrading the roster through the draft, free agency and trades. Since then, the franchise has reached its highest point of success, posting a 175-116 record from 2006-22, featuring 10 winning seasons, nine playoff berths, seven division titles, three NFC Championship appearances and the Super Bowl XLIV title.

Off the field, the Caesars Superdome is more than halfway through a five-year, multiple-phase enhancement, in addition to periodic renovations at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center to retain its status as one of the most cutting-edge practice facilities in the NFL. The Caesars Superdome has been sold out on a season-ticket basis for every campaign since 2006, with a waiting list of over

GAYLE BENSON

OWNER & CEO

73,000 and 172 consecutive sellouts for contests played at the facility through 2022. The facility is currently undergoing a $475 million transformation, which will allow it to retain its standing as one of the world’s iconic multipurpose facilities. The club has also positioned itself as a leader in the community, assisting with the recovery from several natural disasters as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, while also working to enhance the region as a whole.

In Mrs. Benson’s first five seasons of ownership, New Orleans has posted four consecutive winning seasons (2018-21) and three consecutive NFC South division titles (2018-20), reaching the NFC Championship game in the 2018 campaign. No NFC team has matched the Saints’ 29 regular season road victories since 2018. Their 56 wins (regular season and postseason combined) are tied for first in the NFC during the five-season period. 14 Saints have received 30 Pro Bowl selections and eight players over the past four seasons have received Associated Press All-Pro honors.

Mr. Benson played a significant role in the city of New Orleans hosting five Super Bowls during his ownership and wielded extensive influence and respect among fellow NFL owners with a 25-year tenure as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Following in the footsteps of her late husband, Mrs. Benson has become instrumental with her influence and leadership in important league issues, serving on the Audit, Business Ventures and Hall of Fame committees and the Social Justice Working Group.

She helped the city land Super Bowl LIX to be played in February, 2025, which will mark the 11th time Louisiana and the Crescent City will serve as a host, tying with Miami for the most Super Bowls by a host city. The economic impact of Super Bowl XLVII, played in 2013, which Mr. Benson successfully campaigned for, was $480 million. Added to this is the value of the exposure and charitable contributions that the National Football League makes during Super Bowl week that extends for generations. Mrs. Benson is committed to continuing to bring Super Bowls to New Orleans.

Immediately upon Mr. and Mrs. Benson’s purchase of the former Hornets franchise from the NBA in 2012, construction began on a state-of-theart basketball practice facility to house the entire organization together. The franchise was rebranded as the Pelicans. Through agreements with the State of Louisiana upon the purchase of the Pelicans in

2012, the Smoothie King Center has undergone a complete renovation, featuring a new center-hung HD scoreboard, which debuted in 2015, along with several additional fan upgrades. Through this commitment, NBA All-Star Weekend was awarded to New Orleans in 2014 and 2017, making the city one of just seven current NBA markets to host the midseason event at least three times. Active in league affairs, Mrs. Benson serves as a member of the NBA’s Labor Relations Committee and was named to the NBA Foundation Board of Directors in 2020. As a board member, she is constantly an advocate for the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Since her 2020 addition, every distribution by the foundation has benefited New Orleans nonprofits.

On the court, she oversaw a significant overhaul of the Pelicans in 2019 when she hired Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin and committed to significant upgrades to the Ochsner Sports Performance Center’s basketball facilities. Through the support of these organizational improvements by Mrs. Benson, combined with the 2019 acquisition/2020 resigning of forward Brandon Ingram, a 2020 NBA All-Star and winner of the league’s Most Improved Player award, a trade for guard C.J. McCollum and the hiring of Head Coach Willie Green, the Pelicans have established a solid foundation.

Community investment and giving back have been hallmarks of Mr. and Mrs. Benson’s ownership of the Saints and Pelicans. This tradition continues under Mrs. Benson’s stewardship, sharing her late husband’s vision and passion for helping others. She has further enriched the New Orleans community through her support to causes in the health and wellness, cancer care, education, arts and faith-based sectors.

As dedicated corporate citizens, the Saints and Pelicans annually put millions of dollars back into the community in financial support, in-kind donations, charitable appearances and donations of goods and services. Mrs. Benson’s philanthropic leadership has been recognized far and wide since becoming Owner.

Mrs. Benson has always quickly responded and taken action to address conditions that adversely affect the local community. With the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida providing multiple challenges to the New Orleans area and its citizens since 2020, Mrs. Benson has donated

over $2 million, partnering with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to assist local organizations and individuals in need to help the region and its residents recover from these circumstances. In 2020, utilizing the platform of the Saints and Pelicans to harness the unifying power of sport to advance race relations across both the Gulf South and the country, she formed the Social Justice Leadership Alliance. The alliance, with key front office executives and players from both franchises in leadership positions, advocates for issues of change in minority communities.

In 2014, Mrs. Benson was honored by the New Orleans Council for Community and Justice with its Weiss Award, recognizing achievement for exceptional civic and humanitarian contributions. In 2015, the couple was honored by the regional chapter of the Anti-Defamation League with the A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award. In 2018, she and Mr. Benson (posthumously) were honored by two of the city’s leading higher education institutions. They received a Dermot McGlinchey Lifetime Achievement Award from Tulane University, honoring those who have demonstrated service, volunteer involvement and commitment to Tulane and their hometown communities, and were inducted into the University of New Orleans’ Hall of Distinction.

In 2019, Mrs. Benson received several important honors. She was honored by Xavier University of Louisiana with the Sister Maris Stella “Women of Faith” Award and was recognized by the United Negro College Fund with the group’s MASKED Award for her support of educational opportunities for all. Mrs. Benson was honored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame with its Distinguished American Award. The National World War II Museum selected her as an American Spirit Medallion recipient. The Greater New Orleans Foundation honored Mrs. Benson with the organization’s Spark Plug Award, given to an individual whose philanthropy in the greater New Orleans community has been exemplary.

In 2021, Mrs. Benson was presented by the University of Holy Cross with its Spes Unica Award, the educational institution’s highest honor, based on her support of the university’s mission to educate both the mind and heart. She was the Times-Picayune’s 2021 Loving Cup award winner, an honor which has been presented since 1901 to men and women who have performed exemplary service to the community without expecting material recognition. Mrs. Benson was recognized by the local charity, Clover, as a co-recipient of the 2022 Reverend Beverley Warner Ward, for her extensive work with the non-profit whose mission is to educate children, strengthen families and build community. Mrs. Benson was honored by the American Cancer Society’s Louisiana Chapter with their 2022

Heart & Soul Award for her constant support in the fight against cancer through the services provided to cancer patients, families and caregivers at Ochsner’s Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center. She was recognized by the Southeast Louisiana Council, Boy Scouts of America with their 2022 “Distinguished Citizen” Award. In April, 2023, Mrs. Benson was honored as a “Louisiana Legend” by Louisiana Public Broadcasting for distinguishing herself in the sports field and through her philanthropy.

In addition to serving on the boards of several local educational institutions and the New Orleans Museum of Art, Mrs. Benson also is a member of the Audubon Commission, which oversees the Audubon Nature Institute.

Mrs. Benson has been a long-time trusted and valued member of the local Catholic community, reflecting her deep religious faith. She has worked tirelessly with the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Catholic Charities organization and its umbrella agencies that feature almost 50 programs and three affiliated ministries. These organizations deliver health and human services to the poor and vulnerable in the eight Southeast Louisiana parishes which the Archdiocese serves, as well as food and nutrition services throughout the state. Mrs. Benson has worked closely with St. Louis Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program.

Her support of the Catholic Church has been recognized numerous times. In 2002, she received the Medal of the Order of St. Louis Award for dedication to the Catholic Church. In 2010, she became an Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate. In recognition of longstanding support of Catholic education, Mr. and Mrs. Benson received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Awa rd from the National Catholic Educational Association. In 2012, Mr. and Mrs. Benson received from Pope Benedict XVI the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award, the highest Papal award granted to a lay person, for outstanding service to the Church and the Pontiff. She holds a leadership role after being inducted as Dame Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and is a member of the Order of St. Lazarus, a confraternity of Christian faithful who profess their commitment to Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Benson began her professional career in 1968 as a manager for a noted New York-based jeweler. She was responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operation of over 40 sales associates. She then branched out into real estate development, which allowed her to successfully integrate her passion for interior design with property management. Her first real estate transaction occurred in 1978 when she purchased a home in New Orleans’ Irish Channel and sold the property eight months later after extensive restoration. She would go on to purchase, manage and eventually sell numerous properties, primarily in the city’s Uptown district.

In 1975, Mrs. Benson began a 30-year design industry career and achieved tremendous success.

Throughout the course of her interior design career she was recognized with numerous professional awards and served as an inaugural member on the Louisiana State Board of Licensing for Interior Designers for four years. She directed numerous major design efforts with her clients, including the Caesars Superdome (formerly Louisiana and Mercedes-Benz Superdome), several of the city’s most prestigious hotels, local supermarket chains, automobile dealerships, yachts and many others.

In 2000, Mrs. Benson worked with the Superdome on renovations to the iconic New Orleans landmark’s third and fourth level public spaces, in addition to renovations on select suites. She also owned and developed a commercial real estate building on the corner of Laura and Octavia streets, a women’s clothing private enterprise called “Toujours la Ligne” and a designer’s showroom called “Designers Resource” which served as a wholesale location for designers and architects seeking to purchase fabric, wall coverings and accessories. The Men of Fashion Committee recognized Mrs. Benson as one of the “Ten Best Dressed Women in New Orleans” in 1983.

In addition to her ownership of the Saints and the Pelicans, Mrs. Benson established GMB Racing Stables in 2014 with an initial purchase of seven colts and the hiring of three veteran trainers, all with Louisiana ties. In 2016, two of the thoroughbreds, Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready, participated in the Kentucky Derby. Her Lone Sailor horse ran in the 2018 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. She owns Benson Farm in Paris, Ky., a 1,000-acre farm with nearly 50 horses. As part of her passion for horse racing, she is a member of the Jockey Club of New York. Mrs. Benson also serves as Owner of four automotive dealerships (Best Chevrolet, Cadillac of New Orleans, Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans and Mercedes-Benz Van Center); Benson Tower; Benson Capital Partners; Made By The Water; and Corporate Realty. She also owns the Hyatt Regency New Orleans as part of a partnership.

Mrs. Benson was born in New Orleans and grew up in Old Algiers. She began her education in Catholic schools and in 1966 graduated from Martin Behrman High School in Algiers. She received a Doctorate of Letters from Notre Dame Seminary in 2014.

Serving as keynote speaker at their respective commencement ceremonies, Mrs. Benson has been awarded honorary degrees from University of Holy Cross (2015), Southern University of New Orleans (2021), and Delgado Community College (2022). She also received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Loyola University New Orleans (2019).

Mr. and Mrs. Benson married on October 29, 2004, at the Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel. Mr. Benson died on March 15, 2018.

Dennis Allen enters his second season as head coach of the New Orleans Saints in 2023 after being named the 17th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 8, 2022.

Now in his 28th year in coaching, 22nd in the NFL, including 13 with the Saints, Allen has played for, coached with and learned from some of the best coaches in all of football. He was recruited to play at Texas A&M by R.C. Slocum and in the NFL he has honed his skills on the staff of Super Bowl XLIV champion head coach Sean Payton for 12 seasons and also for Super Bowl participants John Fox and Dan Reeves.

During his 27 years of coaching in the NFL, Allen has worked with 10 players who have combined for 23 Pro Bowl selections and he has also coached two Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners and three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Allen’s defenses have consistently been among the most productive in the NFL in a number of categories, including scoring defense, total yards allowed and sacks. The team’s defensive play-caller since the middle of the 2015 season, the Saints are the only team in the National Football League to rank in the top three in both opponent rushing yards per game and sacks cumulatively over the six-season period since 2017. Allen’s defenses have ranked in the top 10 in yards per game and opponent points per game each of the past two seasons.

In his first year as head coach of the Saints, Allen guided New Orleans through the challenge of significant injuries at virtually every position to win three of their last four games after a Week 14 bye and give up 20 or fewer points in the final eight contests of the season, 10 points apiece in each of the final three contests.

Under Allen’s supervision, New Orleans ranked second in the NFL in pass defense (184.4 ypg.), fifth in total defense (314.8 net yards per game), tied for fifth in sacks (48), ranked sixth in opponent

DENNIS ALLEN

HEAD COACH

PLAYING CAREER: Texas A&M, 1992-95.

COACHING CAREER: Texas A&M, 1996-1999; Tulsa, 2000-01; Atlanta Falcons, 2002-05; New Orleans Saints, 2006-10; Denver Broncos, 2011; Oakland Raiders (Head Coach), 2012-14; New Orleans Saints 2015- (Head Coach since 2022).

red zone touchdown percentage (50.0) and ninth in scoring defense (20.3 ppg.). New Orleans posted shutouts in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1991-92 campaigns. Linebacker Demario Davis and defensive end Cameron Jordan, who became the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks, were each named to the Pro Bowl while Davis earned AP (second-team) honors.

Offensively, New Orleans improved nine or more spots in league rankings in both net yards per game and net passing yards per game. The team’s top draft selection, wide receiver Chris Olave, earned PFWA All-Rookie recognition, as he led the team in receiving with 72 receptions for 1,042 yards. Running back Alvin Kamara became the only player to currently have six consecutive seasons of at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage. Taysom Hill ranked second on the team in rushing with a career-high 575 yards and team-leading seven rushing touchdowns, adding two receiving scores for a club-best nine total touchdowns, while adding two scoring throws. Tight end Juwan Johnson tied for third at the position in the league with a club-best seven touchdown grabs on 42 receptions for 508 yards.

In 2021 in his final season as defensive coordinator, Allen’s defensive unit boasted two Pro Bowl selections (Jordan and cornerback Marshon Lattimore) and one AP All-Pro selection (Davis), ranked first in the NFL in opponent red zone touchdown percentage (43.5), second in opponent first downs (304) and opponent rushing first downs (84), fourth in scoring defense (19.7 points per game), opponent net yards per play (5.08) and run defense (93.5 yards per game), seventh in total defense (318.2 net yards per game) and eighth in sacks (46). New Orleans’ streak of 22 regular season/postseason contests without allowing a 100-yard rusher at the end of the season was the longest in the NFL. With 25 takeaways and a plus-seven turnover ratio, Allen’s defense was instrumental in leading the Saints to their fifth consecutive winning season.

Allen handled Sean Payton’s head coaching duties in a December 19, 9-0 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Payton was sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols.

In 2020, the Saints defense boasted one of the league’s top units, finishing tied for first in interceptions (18), ranked fourth in opponent net yards per game (310.9) and opponent rushing yards per game (91.3), fifth in opponent net passing yards per game (217.0) and opponent points per game (21.1) and eighth in sacks (45).

The 139 road points given up on the road by New Orleans were the fewest in the NFL and the third-lowest total by the club since the start of a 16-game regular season schedule in 1978. New Orleans did not allow a 100-yard rusher until Week 14 of the season, marking an NFL record of 55 games (regular season/postseason combined) of not giving up 100 yards to an individual.

The 2019 Saints ranked third in the league in sacks, recording 51 takedowns, and finished fourth in run defense at 91.3 yards rushing per game. The sack total was the highest for the Saints since 2001. New Orleans also ranked sixth on third down (34.8 percent) and 11th in total defense (333.1 yards per game). With two Pro Bowl starter selections on defense – Jordan and Lattimore and one AP first-team All-Pro – Davis – the Saints had two contests where they did not surrender a defensive touchdown for the first time since 2000. Jordan finished with a careerhigh 15.5 sacks, ranked third in the NFL and tied for the fourth-highest total in franchise history, also earning All-Pro honors. Davis filled up the stat sheet with a team-high 111 tackles, four sacks, one interception and a career-high 12 passes defensed.

In 2018, the Saints boasted the second-best run defense in the NFL, allowing just 80.2 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. His defense also collared 49 sacks, which tied for fifth in the league. The New Orleans defense held its opponents to 20 points or less in 10 games in 2018 and had a six-game streak of keeping opponents under 20 for the first time since 2000. Jordan was selected to the

Pro Bowl as an AP All-Pro in a season where he posted 12 sacks. On the interior, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins posted eight sacks in a breakout campaign, the most takedowns by a Saints interior defender since 2000. Davis, in his first season with the club, became only the fourth player in Saints history to record 110 tackles and five sacks in a season. Lattimore led the team with five regular season takeaways and added two more in the club’s postseason win over Philadelphia.

In 2017, Allen coordinated a Saints defense that finished third in the league in interceptions (20), tied for seventh in sacks (42) and ranked 10th in opponent points per game (20.4 ppg.) after ranking 31st in 2016. Away from home, New Orleans surrendered only 18.3 points per game, tied for sixth in the NFL, their 146 road points given up tied for the fifth-lowest total by the club since the start of a 16game schedule in 1978. Allen oversaw a defense that featured first-team All-Pro Jordan, who posted 13 sacks, and Lattimore, who led rookies with five interceptions and garnered AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, as both defenders earned Pro Bowl trips. Lattimore was the second rookie under Allen’s tutelage to capture league Rookie of the Year honors. Rookie safety Marcus Williams, the club’s second round draft pick, joined Lattimore as a PFWA All-Rookie selection, tying for second among league rookies with four picks.

In 2016, a young Saints defensive unit took several strides in the right direction, surrendering only 90.6 rushing yards per game over the final 13 weeks of the season, ranked sixth in the NFL over that period. In fact, New Orleans allowed under 100 yards rushing in eight games on the season, the fewest in a single season since giving up seven in 2013. Jordan led the team with 7.5 sacks. Linebacker Craig Robertson started all 15 games he appeared in and filled up the stat sheet with a team-high and career-high 131 tackles, one sack, one interception, five passes defensed and two recoveries.

After starting the 2015 season as the club’s senior defensive assistant, Allen assumed coordinator duties in Week 11. As New Orleans rallied to win three of their final four contests, Allen’s unit contributed to finishing strong as the defense surrendered 35.1 total net yards per game below the overall season average, including 25.1 fewer yards per game in stopping the run. New Orleans also held opponents to a season-low 17 points in two of the final four contests. Jordan was selected to his second Pro Bowl, as he recorded double-digit sacks (10) for the second time in his career.

Allen served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012-14. In his second season, he guided a team that made significant improvement in several areas. Offensively, the Raiders ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing, improving 16 spots in league rankings from 2012 and sixth in yards per

rush (4.6), improving 21 places in league rankings despite starting an NFL-high eight offensive line combinations due to injury. The defense replaced nine starters, yet improved in several categories. The defense recorded 38 sacks, 13 more than 2012, and tied for second in the NFL with 15 different players getting to the quarterback. The rush defense improved five spots from 18th in the NFL in 2012 to 13th in 2013, as they limited opposing offenses to just five runs of 20-or-more yards, tied for the fewest in the league, and kept opponents to less than two yards per carry three times. On special teams, the Raiders moved from the NFL’s bottomthird to first overall in opponent gross punting (41.7), ranked third in opponent net punting (37.0) and fourth in opponent kickoff returns (20.4).

Allen coached the first four games of the 2014 season for the Raiders, during which he helped usher in a pair of rookies that went on to enjoy impressive first-year campaigns in quarterback Derek Carr, signed by New Orleans this offseason, and linebacker Khalil Mack. The club’s pass defense ranked fourth in the NFL.

In 2011, Allen served as defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. He led a defense that helped the Broncos win the AFC West division crown and advance to the AFC Divisional round with an AFC Wild Card game victory. The Broncos improved 12 spots over the previous year in overall defensive ranking and bettered their points allowed eight spots. The defense produced four Pro Bowl selections as rookie linebacker Von Miller joined cornerback Champ Bailey, safety Brian Dawkins and defensive end Elvis Dumervil on the AFC squad. Miller set what was the team’s rookie record with 11.5 sacks en route to AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and Dumervil also thrived under Allen, rebounding from injury to register 9.5 takedowns. The Broncos’ 41 sacks as a team marked the unit’s most since 2000.

During Allen’s previous five-year tenure in New Orleans, he first served as assistant defensive line coach (2006-07) before being promoted to secondary coach (2008-10).

He was a part of a defensive coaching staff that engineered significant improvement from 200910, when the club went 24-8 in the regular season, qualified for the playoffs both times and captured Super Bowl XLIV. Under Allen’s direction in 2010, the Saints allowed an NFL-low 13 touchdown passes, while New Orleans ranked fourth in both opponent net yards per game (306.3) and pass defense (193.9 ypg.) and fifth in opponent third down efficiency (34.5 pct.). Safety Roman Harper was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, posting 100 tackles and three sacks, and cornerback Jabari Greer recorded two interceptions with one brought back for a touchdown.

In 2009, Allen tutored a secondary that played

a key role in helping the Saints to the club’s first Super Bowl victory. A revamped unit accounted for an NFL-high five interception returns for touchdowns and totaled 21 picks with two of the four starters being selected to the Pro Bowl. Opposing quarterbacks managed a meager 68.6 passer rating against the Saints, ranked third in the NFL. Greer returned one pick for a touchdown. Harper led the unit with a career-high 127 tackles and added 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles while being selected to his first Pro Bowl. Cornerback Tracy Porter picked off quarterback Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in the fourth quarter in consecutive postseason contests, with his famous Super Bowl XLIV interception being brought back for a touchdown.

While serving as assistant defensive line coach from 2006-07, Allen helped develop a unit that ranked as one of the defense’s strengths. During that stretch, the front four combined for 49.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and 10 recoveries. Defensive end Will Smith was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 2006, posting a club-best 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Allen joined the Saints after a four-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent his final two years as defensive assistant/quality control with an emphasis on working with the defensive line. Over the previous two seasons, he was in charge of defensive quality control while helping tutor the secondary.

Over his last two years in Atlanta, the Falcons’ defense was paced by the play of the front four. In 2004, Atlanta led the NFL for the first time in club history with 48 sacks, and the unit sent defensive end Patrick Kerney to the Pro Bowl. In 2005 defensive tackle Rod Coleman represented the club in the Pro Bowl and the Falcons notched 37 sacks.

In 2002, Allen’s first year with the Falcons, he assisted in coaching the defensive backfield. Atlanta improved to 16th against the pass after ranking 30th the year before, and tied for third in the NFL with 24 interceptions.

Allen worked as the secondary coach for the University of Tulsa (2000-01) before heading to the NFL. Prior to his stint at Tulsa, Allen was on the coaching staff for four years (1996-99) at his alma mater, Texas A&M, as a graduate assistant working primarily with the school’s secondary under Slocum.

A native of Hurst, Texas, Allen earned four letters for Texas A&M as a safety from 1992-95 and started the final 21 games of his career. A highlight was his fourthquarter interception that clinched an 18-9 victory over Texas in 1993, sending the Aggies to their third-straight Cotton Bowl. He collected Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after intercepting two passes in a 36-14 win over Oklahoma in 1994.

Allen was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Bills and competed in their training camp in 1996. Allen’s late father, Grady, played at Texas A&M and was a linebacker for the Falcons from 1968-72. Allen and his wife, Alisson, have a daughter, Layla, and a son, Garrison.

Dennis Lauscha, a native New Orleanian, has been a fan of the Saints since he was a young boy. He attended Jesuit High School and received degrees in Business, first from the University of Alabama, followed by an M.B.A. from Loyola University. Starting out his career as a C.P.A,, Lauscha worked for a major global financial services firm before his decades-long career with the Saints. He first joined the Saints in 1998 as Treasurer, and as a result of his hard work, loyalty and business acumen, Lauscha rose through the executive ranks to serve as Vice President, Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President before reaching his now esteemed post as President since 2012. In his role, he oversees the club’s financial operations, government affairs, marketing, ticket and suite sales, legal, stadium, community affairs, human resources, business intelligence and information technology. He also serves as president of the Pelicans franchise and represents both clubs at National Football League and National Basketball Association Owners meetings.

In addition to his duties with the Saints and Pelicans, the New Orleans native maintains multiple roles within other holdings of Mrs. Benson, maintaining a role in the management of her four local automotive dealerships (Best Chevrolet, Cadillac of New Orleans, Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter), Corporate Realty and other real estate holdings, GMB Racing, Benson Capital Partners, Made By The Water and other investments. Lauscha’s collaborative style, financial acumen and long-term

view has played a key role as a member of a contingent that has negotiated agreements for both the Saints and Pelicans with the state of Louisiana. These have resulted in long-term lease agreements, continuous improvements to their playing and practice facilities, revitalization of the areas around them and generation of revenue for the state without any new taxes for citizens.

Lauscha’s dealings with the Saints and Pelicans, state officials and local organizations have provided an opportunity for community involvement. His professional and charitable work was recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness, when he was selected as one of the 40 Most Influential Members of the Community. The honor is bestowed on those who are laying the groundwork for a better city. In 2010, he was named the Alumnus of the Year by Loyola’s College of Business and was named to the 2010 Class of Role Models by the Young Leadership Council. He was honored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame with its 2014 Distinguished American Award. In 2015, Lauscha gave the commencement address to the graduates of the University of New Orleans. In 2016, he was inducted into the Order of West Range for the Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation. He was honored as a 2019 Laureate of Junior Achievement’s Greater New Orleans chapter. Lauscha has also completed the National Football League Managers Program at Stanford University's Executive Education Graduate School of Business. Most recently, he was named Jesuit’s 2022-23 Alumnus of the Year.

MICKEY LOOMIS - EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER

Responsible for the club’s entire football operations, Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis enters his 22nd season in his current position and 24th with the Saints. He is a veteran of 37 years in the NFL and during his time in New Orleans has been honored with the most prestigious awards presented to a league executive. Yet the most satisfying achievement of Loomis’ career has come in helping mold a roster that has produced many of the franchise’s finest moments over the last 17 seasons, including the Super Bowl XLIV championship.

In 2006, after being the key figure in the hiring of Head Coach Sean Payton, the signing of QB Drew Brees and essentially rebuilding a team that would advance to the NFC Championship – Loomis was voted the NFL Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America. He was also honored by The Sporting News as the George Young Executive of the Year, an award voted on annually by NFL front-office executives and owners.

Loomis has continued to build on the success of 2006, highlighted by 10 winning seasons, nine postseason appearances, seven division titles, three NFC Championship game berths and

the Super Bowl victory. Over the past 17 years, he’s brought aboard a group of players who have played a key role in New Orleans posting a 175-116 overall record through a combination of the draft, free agency and trades. He’s also presided over the club’s ability to retain their core players, re-signing significant contributors to long-term contracts. In 2022, Loomis conducted an extensive coaching search on behalf of the organization to lead the Saints into the future. Following the search, Dennis Allen was promoted from defensive coordinator and hired as the Saints’ 17th head coach in franchise history.

Prior to arriving in New Orleans, Loomis spent 15 years with the Seattle Seahawks, including as executive vice president from 1992-98. He joined the Seahawks in October, 1983, was promoted to vice president/finance in 1990 and to Executive Vice President in 1992.A native of Eugene, Ore., Loomis has a degree in accounting from the University of Oregon and a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from Wichita State University. Married to Melanie, Loomis has four children: Alex, Katherine, Sam and Lucy.

DENNIS LAUSCHA - PRESIDENT

Ben Hales Senior Vice President of Marketing & Operations

Ed Lang Senior Vice President of Finance / Chief Financial Officer

Vicky Neumeyer Senior Vice President/ General Counsel

Greg Bensel Senior VP of Communications, Broadcast, Community Relations & Governmental Relations

Michael Stanfield Senior Vice President of Sales

Greg Rouchell Senior Vice President of Human Resources

CLANCY BARONE - TIGHT ENDS COACH

Clancy Barone enters his first season as tight ends coach of the New Orleans Saints. Barone has 34 years of coaching experience, his first 17 at the collegiate level and his last 17 in the NFL. New Orleans is the sixth NFL stop for Barone, who most recently served as tight ends coach for the Chicago Bears from 2020-21.

Prior to his Bears tenure, Barone coached either tight ends or offensive line with the Falcons (2004-06), Chargers (2007-08), Broncos (2009-16), and Vikings (2017-18). As a tight ends coach, Barone has had four players voted to the Pro Bowl with four different teams: the Falcons’ Alge Crumpler, the Chargers’ Antonio Gates, the Broncos’ Julius Thomas and the Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph.

In Chicago, Barone oversaw high-level performances from veterans, as well as developing younger players. In 2021, Cole Kmet posted a career-high 60 receptions for a career-best 612 yards in his second

BICKNELL - SENIOR OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT

Bicknell enters his second season as a senior offensive assistant in New Orleans. He has 13 years of National Football League experience in the coaching ranks and 28 years of college and professional experience overall. The Holliston, Mass., native possesses extensive coaching experience on both the offensive line and at the skill positions.

Bicknell has coached several positions in the NFL, including coaching the Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers from 2018-2020, helping develop Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. He coached receivers for Baylor University in 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-15 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. He coached tight ends for the Buffalo Bills in 2010-11 and wide receivers in 2012. He got his NFL start in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was an assistant offensive line coach in 2007 and took over as the offensive line coach in 2008.

Prior to the NFL ranks, Bicknell coached the offensive line at

KODI BURNS - WIDE RECEIVERS

Burns enters his second season as New Orleans’ wide receivers coach after originally joining the team in 2022, coaching at the collegiate level for 10 seasons prior to joining the Black and Gold. In 2022, Burns played a role in developing rookie wide receiver Chris Olave, who became only the third rookie in franchise history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards.

Burns coached wide receivers at the University of Tennessee in 2021 after spending six seasons coaching at Auburn, where he started out as a graduate assistant with the Tigers in 2013 before coaching running backs at Samford in 2014 and wide receivers at Middle Tennessee in 2015. When he returned to Auburn, he served as co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach from 2016-20 and added the role of passing game coordinator in

KEVIN CARBERRY - ASSISTANT OFFENSIVE LINE

Carberry enters his first season as the Saints’ assistant offensive line coach. He brings to New Orleans six years of experience in the NFL coaching ranks, with 14 years of experience at the college and professional levels.

During his six years coaching in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams, Carberry tutored multiple Pro Bowlers and the Rams 2021 Super Bowl Championship team, who finished tied for sixth in the NFL with least amount of sacks allowed (31). He guided the Washington offensive line that protected the third-ranked offense and allowed the fourth least amount of sacks in the NFL (23). In his first pro coaching gig in 2014-15 with the Cowboys, Carberry assisted Bill Callahan with the offensive line in 2014 when the team finished second in the NFL in rushing and RB DeMarco Murray led the league in rushing while setting a franchise record with 1,845 yards.

Carberry also has extensive experience at the collegiate coaching ranks,

season. In 2020, the Bears returned to the postseason after a oneyear absence as Jimmy Graham led the team with eight touchdown catches, the second-most among NFC tight ends and his most since 2017-on 50 receptions, adding one more scoring grab in the playoffs. Barone played on the offensive line at the University of Nevada and Sacramento State University, and holds a place in the Hornets Athletics Hall of Fame.

PLAYING CAREER: Nevada, 1983-84; Sacramento State, 1985-86. COACHING CAREER: American River College, 1983-84; Sacramento State, 1991-92; Texas A&M, 1993; Eastern Illinois, 1994-96; University of Wyoming, 1997-99; University of Houston, 2000-02; Texas State, 2003; Atlanta Falcons, 2004-06; San Diego Chargers, 2007-08; Denver Broncos, 2009-16; Minnesota Vikings, 2017-18; Chicago Bears, 2020-21; New Orleans Saints 2023–.

Temple in 2006 and spent eight seasons in NFL Europe. He began his coaching career at Boston University, coaching safeties, running backs and linebackers from 1993-97.

Bicknell played tight end for three seasons at Boston College from 1989-91. Bicknell’s father, Jack Sr., coached at BC and spent 13 seasons as a head coach in NFL Europe. Meanwhile, Bicknell’s brother, Jack Jr., is currently offensive line coach at the University of North Carolina.

PLAYING CAREER: Boston College, 1989-91.

COACHING CAREER: Boston University, 1993-97; Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe), 1998-99; Berlin Thunder (NFLE), 2000-03; Cologne Centurions (NFLE), 2004-05; Temple, 2006; Kansas City Chiefs, 2007-09; Buffalo Bills, 2010-12; Philadelphia Eagles, 2013-15; San Francisco 49ers, 2016; Baylor, 2017; Cincinnati Bengals, 2018-20; New Orleans Saints, 2022–.

2019-20. Over his time at Auburn, nine offensive players were drafted to the NFL, including two receivers in 2021: Anthony Schwartz (third round by the Browns) and Seth Williams (sixth round by the Broncos).

Burns played four seasons at Auburn from 2007-10. He began as a quarterback his first two seasons, becoming the first Tiger to start as a true freshman since 1998. He shifted to receiver as a junior, tallying 2,300 receiving yards and 22 career touchdowns. He won a National Championship in 2010 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2011.

PLAYING CAREER: Auburn 2007-10. COACHING CAREER: Arkansas State, 2012; Auburn, 2013, Auburn, 2016-20; Samford, 2014; Middle Tennessee, 2015; Tennessee, 2021; New Orleans Saints, 2022–.

as a graduate assistant at Kansas from 2009-11, defensive ends coach at Stephen F. Austin (2012-13) and run game coordinator/offensive line coach at Stanford (2018-20). Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, he was a four-year letterman at Ohio before spending his rookie season on the practice squad of the Detroit Lions (2005). He later played for the Berlin Thunder (NFL Europe - 2006), New York Dragons (Arena Football League2007) and Philadelphia Soul (AFL - 2008).

PLAYING CAREER: Ohio University, 2002-05; Detroit Lions, 2006; Berlin Thunder (NFL Europe), 2006; New York Dragons (Arena Football League), 2007; Philadelphia Soul (AFL), 2008. COACHING CAREER: St. Rita High School (Chicago), 2006; St. Ignatius (Chicago) College Prep, 2007-08; Kansas, 2009-11; Stephen F. Austin, 2012-13; Dallas Cowboys, 2014-15; Washington Commanders, 2016-17; Stanford, 2018-20; Los Angeles Rams, 2021-22; New Orleans Saints, 2023–.

BOB

Carmichael’s in his 15th season as New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator after tutoring quarterbacks his first three years with the club. He has been a key figure in the planning and preparations of an offensive attack that has been ranked first in the NFL in yardage in six seasons and in the top 10 each campaign from 2006-19. During Carmichael’s tenure on the Saints coaching staff, the club’s 14-year streak of finishing in the top 10 in offense was the third-longest since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Retired quarterback Drew Brees, who retired following the 2020 season, was named to the Pro Bowl 12 times while becoming the league’s all-time leader in completions and passing yardage.

Despite limitations to the New Orleans offense due to injuries at multiple positions, New Orleans improved from being ranked 32nd in the NFL in 2021 to 16th in 2022 in net passing yards per game, while developing rookie wide receiver tandem Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to step in for veterans Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry.

Olave, the 11th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, became only the second Saints rookie to lead the team in receptions (72), receiving yardage (1,042) and yards per catch (14.5)

while becoming only the third Saint in franchise history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a rookie campaign. Third-year tight end Juwan Johnson had career-highs in all major receiving categories, as he caught 42 passes for 508 yards with a team-leading seven touchdowns, tied for third in the position in the league. Taysom Hill contributed to the running game with a career-high 575 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and the passing game, where he caught two scores for a team-high nine total touchdowns and threw for two more. Running back Alvin Kamara had his sixth consecutive season with 1,300 total yards from scrimmage (team-high 1,387) despite missing two games with injuries.

Born Oct. 6, 1971 in Framingham, Mass., Carmichael attended Medway High School where he played football and baseball. He was a four-year letterman in baseball at Boston College, where he graduated with a degree in mathematics in 1984.

COACHING CAREER: New Hampshire, 1994; Louisiana Tech, 1995-99; Cleveland Browns, 2000; Washington, 2001; San Diego Chargers, 2002-05; New Orleans Saints, 2006–.

RONALD CURRY - PASSING GAME COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS COACH

Ronald Curry, who is in his 18th season overall in the National Football League and his seventh as an assistant coach with the Saints, is one of the top offensive minds on New Orleans’ coaching staff. After working primarily with the wide receivers his first five seasons with the club, the former college signal-caller will serve as quarterbacks coach for the third season, while adding the role of passing game coordinator in 2022.

In 2022, under Curry’s collaboration with Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael and the offensive staff, the Saints improved from 32nd in the NFL to 16th in net passing yards per game, while he tutored Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston. Winston led the team to a dramatic season-opening, come-from-behind victory at Atlanta, while Dalton set a career-high in completion percentage (66.7%), as he

JAHRI EVANS - OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT

After serving as a training camp intern in 2022, Evans begins his fulltime coaching career in 2023 as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints.

Evans was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft and spent the first 11 seasons of his 12-year playing career with the Saints. He was a six time Pro Bowl selection, five time AP All-Pro and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010’S All-Decade Team, as New Orleans finished in the Top Ten in total offense each of the 11 seasons he lined up for the Saints, while the 196 sacks surrendered by the offensive line over that period

PHIL GALIANO - ASSISTANT SPECIAL TEAMS COACH

Galiano enters his fifth season with the New Orleans Saints as assistant special teams coach. Galiano is a veteran in the coaching ranks with 23 years of experience, including seven seasons in the NFL.

Over his Saints career, Galiano’s work with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has made the kicking an integral part of New Orleans’ success. On coverage units, J.T. Gray’s 84 tackles rank second in the NFL. Galiano has helped guide K Wil Lutz into second place on the club’s all-time list for scoring (781), field goals (165) and PATs (286). The punting game has produced the top three seasons in club history for inside-20s. Since 2019, the Saints have excelled in the return game. Over the four-season period, the team has been ranked sixth in the NFL in both punt return average (9.6) and kickoff return

completed 252-of-378 passes for 2,870 yards with 18 touchdowns, only nine interceptions and a 95.2 passer rating.

Curry was originally selected in the seventh round (235th overall) by the Oakland Raiders out of North Carolina in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played in 76 career games with 32 starts and registered 193 receptions for 2,347 yards and 13 touchdowns from 2002-08. The Hampton, Va., native was an All-American in football and basketball in high school and played both quarterback and point guard for the Tar Heels.

PLAYING CAREER: North Carolina, 1998-2001; Oakland Raiders, 200208. COACHING CAREER: Mooresville Christian Academy (Head Coach), 2010-12; San Francisco 49ers, 2013-15; New Orleans Saints, 2016–.

were lowest in the NFC and second-lowest in the NFL. He has been inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame (2020), Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2022) and was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

Prior to being selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by New Orleans, Evans was a three-year starter at Bloomsburg, anchoring the left tackle position. He was a finalist for the Division II Gene Upshaw Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2004 and 2005.

PLAYING CAREER: Bloomsburg, 2001-05; New Orleans Saints, 2006-16; Green Bay Packers, 2017. COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2023–.

average (23.5). In 2022, Galiano helped develop rookie WR/RS Rashid Shaheed, as he averaged 9.7 yards on 20 punt returns, while P Blake Gillikin had a team-record 32 punts inside-the-20.

A three-year starter at safety for Shippensburg, Galiano served as a tri-captain as a senior, helping lead the Raiders to three consecutive winning seasons from 1997-99. The Norristown, Pa., native graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

PLAYING CAREER: Shippensburg, 1996-99. COACHING CAREER: Dickinson College, 2000; New Haven, 2001; Villanova, 2002; Rutgers 200306; Florida International, 2007-09; Rutgers, 2010-11; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2012-13; Rutgers, 2014-15; Miami Dolphins, 2016; Penn State, 2017-18; New Orleans Saints, 2019–.

PETE CARMICHAEL - OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

STAFF - COACHING

MATT GIORDANO - DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT

Matt Giordano, a nine-year NFL veteran safety in the playing ranks and Super Bowl champion, enters his first season as a defensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints. This will be his second stint in New Orleans after contributing on defense and special teams in 2010.

The Fresno, Calif., native was a fourth-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2005 and enjoyed a nine-year NFL career with the Colts (2005-08), Green Bay Packers (2009), Saints (2010), Oakland Raiders (2011-12) and St. Louis Rams (2013), starting 30-of-116 career games, while accumulating 202 tackles, one sack, 11 interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns), 16 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 52 special teams tackles and one coverage fumble recovery. He also appeared in seven postseason games for the Colts and Packers, and was a member of Indianapolis’ Super Bowl XLI championship team.

Following his playing career, Giordano served as head coach at

PETER GIUNTA - SENIOR DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT

Peter Giunta (pronounced GEN-ta) enters his eighth season as a Saints senior defensive assistant in 2022. He’s a 44-year coaching veteran, including 32 years of experience in the NFL with three Super Bowl Championships.

In 2022, Giunta worked with a Saints secondary that contributed to the New Orleans defense being ranked fifth in the NFL in net yards per game, with a stingy back end responsible for being ranked second in the league in opponent net passing yards per game and being tied for giving up the third-fewest touchdown passes (17) in the league. Giunta worked with veterans, such as S Tyrann Mathieu, while overseeing the development of second-round pick CB Alontae

TODD GRANTHAM - DEFENSIVE LINE COACH

Todd Grantham, a 33-year coaching veteran is in his first season as the Saints’ defensive line coach. Grantham, who has extensive college and NFL experience along the front seven and as a coordinator, spent the 2022 season as an analyst at the University of Alabama after serving as a defensive coordinator in the college ranks from 2010-2021.

From 2018-21, Grantham served as defensive coordinator at the University of Florida. From 2018-20, the Gators defense registered 65 takeaways, tied for 11th-most in the nation over that span. With a turnover margin of plus-12 in 2018 and plus-five in 2019, UF also finished with a turnover margin of at least plus-five in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014 and 2015. The Gators also ranked in the topten in the nation in sacks in both 2019 (49-fifth) and 2020 (35-tied for seventh), leading the Southeastern Conference each season.

Grantham came to Gainesville after serving in the same position at Mississippi State in 2017 and at Louisville from 2014-16, where he tu-

ADAM GRISTICK - DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT

Adam Gristick enters his first NFL season as a defensive assistant with the Saints. He brings to New Orleans seven years of experience coaching at the college ranks.

Prior to joining the Saints, Gristick served on the coaching staff at Eastern Illinois University from 2018-22. During his tenure in Charleston, he coached linebackers, adding the title of defensive game run coordinator in 2020 and defensive coordinator in 2022. He went to Eastern Illinois from Syracuse, where he served three seasons as an assistant after start-

his high school alma mater, Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., where he amassed a record of 51-16.

Giordano played two years at the University of California after transferring from Fresno City College. He started 14-of-25 games at safety for Cal and posted 111 career tackles, four stops for a loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six passes defensed and two interceptions. He was an honorable-mention All-America selection and first-team All-Pac-10 honoree in 2004, when he totaled 61 tackles, 1.5 stops for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, six passes defensed and one interception. Giordano was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

PLAYING CAREER: Fresno City College, 2001-02; California, 2003-04; Indianapolis Colts, 2005-08; Green Bay Packers, 2009; New Orleans Saints, 2010, Oakland Raiders, 2011-12; St. Louis Rams, 2013.

COACHING CAREER: Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) High School (Head Coach), 2016-21; New Orleans Saints, 2023-

Taylor. Mathieu started every game, posted a career-high 91 tackles and led the Black and Gold with four takeaways. Taylor played in 13 games with nine starts and led the Saints with 11 passes defensed, fourth among National Football League rookies.

The Salem, Mass., native had a four-year playing career as a defensive back and running back at Northeastern (1974-44).

PLAYING CAREER: Northeastern, 1974-77. COACHING CAREER: Swampscott (Mass.) High School, 1978-80; Penn State, 1981-83; Brown, 1984-87; Lehigh, 1988-90; Philadelphia Eagles, 1991-94; New York Jets, 1995-96; St. Louis Rams, 1997-2000; Kansas City Chiefs, 2001-05; New York Giants, 2006-14; New Orleans Saints, 2016–.

tored former Saints first round pick Sheldon Rankins. He first entered the college coordinator ranks in 2010 at the University of Georgia, where he enjoyed a four-year stint, first as defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach from 2010-11, and adding the title of associate head coach from 2012-13.

Grantham played guard and tackle for Virginia Tech from 1984-88, where he also started his coaching career (1990-95). He earned secondteam All-South and honorable mention All-America honors as a senior, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 1989.

Grantham and his wife, Paige, have a son, Corbin, and a daughter, Olivia. PLAYING CAREER: Virginia Tech, 1984-88. COACHING CAREER: ; Virginia Tech, 1990-95; Michigan State, 1996-98; Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2001; Houston Texans, 2002-04; Cleveland Browns, 2005-07; Dallas Cowboys, 2008-09; Georgia, 2010-13; Louisville, 2014-16; Mississippi State, 2017; Florida, 2018-21; Alabama, 2022; New Orleans Saints, 2023-.

ing his coaching career in quality control at Missouri State in 2015.

The Orefield, Pa., native played linebacker at Eastern Illinois from 2010-14, where as a three-year starter from 2013-14, he helped EIU capture back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships and FCS playoff appearances from 2012-13.

PLAYING CAREER: Eastern Illinois, 2010-14. COACHING CAREER: Missouri State, 2015; Syracuse, 2016-17; Eastern Illinois, 2018-22; New Orleans Saints, 2023-.

STAFF - COACHING

MICHAEL HODGES - LINEBACKERS

The Saints hired Hodges in 2017 to serve as a defensive assistant. He was promoted to assistant linebackers coach in 2019 and enters his fourth season in the position.

Under Hodges’ guidance in 2022, Demario Davis was again one of the Saints’ most productive defensive players, leading the team for the fifth consecutive season in tackles. He also set a career-high with 6.5 sacks, leading all inside linebackers in the NFL, earning AP second-team All-Pro and a selection to his first Pro Bowl Games. Pete Werner finished with 79 tackles and two forced fumbles. Hodges

DOUG MARRONE - OFFENSIVE LINE

Now in his second coaching stint with the Saints, Doug Marrone returned to New Orleans in 2022 after originally spending three seasons on the club’s coaching staff from 2006-08 as offensive coordinator/offensive line.

Marrone possesses 31 years of coaching experience, including 10 as a head coach, six in the NFL. This will be his 17th season coaching in the NFL.

In his first season back with the Saints in 2022, Marrone navigated an offensive line group that featured nine different starting combinations throughout the season and still produced three 100yard rushing performances by Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara. Kamara led the team in rushing with 897 yards, while Hill ran for a careerhigh 575 yards and a team-best seven touchdowns. With the Saints offensive line group having only one lineup change over the first eight weeks of the season, New Orleans was fifth in the NFL in total offense (394.4 ypg.) and eighth in rushing yards per game (141.3).

Marrone returned to New Orleans after serving as the offensive line coach at the University of Alabama in 2021. Marrone joined Alabama after four-plus seasons as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-20). He guided the Jaguars to the 2017 AFC Championship game after finishing with a 10-6 regular season

MIKE MARTINEZ - ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH

Mike Martinez enters his first campaign on the New Orleans Saints coaching staff as assistant to the head coach after serving as a football operations/scouting assistant from 2020-22. In his role, he is responsible for assisting Head Coach Dennis Allen in organizing the club’s football operations. Martinez is responsible for coordinating the Saints’ meeting and practice schedules, the team’s daily football calendar and orchestration of team and staff events, as well as providing administrative assistance to the coaching and operations staff.

KEVIN PETRY - OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT

Kevin Petry enters his seventh season as a member of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff.

In his fifth season as an offensive assistant, Petry will continue to assist offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and the rest of the Saints offensive staff. After working with the quarterbacks in 2022, Petry will tutor the Saints' wideouts with Wide Receivers Coach

Kodi Burns in 2023.

Petry was responsible for coordinating the Saints’ meeting and practice schedules, daily football calendar and orchestration of team and staff events, as well as providing administrative assis -

also supervised fourth-year linebacker Kaden Elliss through his breakthrough campaign, posting 74 tackles to go with seven sacks, to lead the position group and rank second on the team, along with two forced fumbles.

Hodges played linebacker at Texas A&M where he earned second team All-Big 12 honors as a senior when he led the Aggies in tackles and honorable mention as a junior after beginning his career as a walk-on.

PLAYING CAREER: Texas A&M, 2008-11. COACHING CAREER: Fresno State, 2013-13; Eastern Illinois, 2014-16; New Orleans Saints 2017-.

record in his first full season as head coach after going 1-1 in interim duties in 2016. His 2017 team was tied for the NFL’s biggest win/ loss improvement (plus-seven) among first-year head coaches and earned him AFC Coach of the Year recognition from the prestigious Kansas City Committee of 101. He also spent time as head coach for the Buffalo Bills (2013-14) and Syracuse (2009-12).

Marrone’s first seven NFL seasons as an assistant coach (2002-08) culminated with his hiring at Syracuse based on his success in New Orleans from 2006-08. During Marrone’s first Saints tenure, the Saints led the NFL in total offense twice (391.5 avg. in 2006; 410.7 avg. in 2008) and passing yards per game two times (281.4 avg. in 2006; 311.1 in 2008).

PLAYING CAREER: Syracuse, 1982-85; Miami Dolphins, 1987; New Orleans Saints, 1989; London Monarchs (NFL Europe), 1991-92.

COACHING CAREER: Cortland (N.Y.) State, 1992; U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 1993; Northeastern, 1994; Georgia Tech, 1995-99; Georgia, 2000; Tennessee, 2001; New York Jets, 2002-05; New Orleans Saints, 2006-08; Syracuse (Head Coach), 2009-12; Buffalo Bills (Head Coach), 2013-14; Jacksonville Jaguars (interim head coach last two games of 2016 and head coach 2017-20), 2015-20; Alabama, 2021; New Orleans Saints, 2022-.

The Boise, Idaho, native played basketball at Dordt (Sioux Center, Iowa) University and graduated with degrees in communication and sports management.

COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2023-.

tance to the coaching and operations staff from 2017-22.

This will be Petry’s 11th year as a member of the Saints organization. During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he served as a video assistant. From 2012-14, Petry was a member of the team’s equipment staff.

The Covington, La., native who prepped at St. Paul’s High School, graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in sports administration in 2013. Petry and his wife, Kelsey, have one son, Louis Michael.

COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2017-.

DARREN RIZZI - ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR

Rizzi brings 30 years of coaching experience to his fifth year with the New Orleans Saints, including a ten-season stint with the Miami Dolphins from 2009-18. In 2022, Rizzi added Assistant Head Coach duties.

Since entering the NFL in 2009, he has coached six special teams players who have been named to seven Pro Bowls. He has also coached six players to the NFL All-Rookie team in the past nine years.

Rizzi’s units have served in the top half of NFL writer Rick Gosselin’s annual special teams rankings in 11 of the 12 years he has served as a coordinator, including first in 2019 and fifth in both 2020 and 2021.

In 2022, the Saints special team units delivered another productive season. Rookie WR/RS Rashid Shaheed finished with a 9.7 punt return

MARCUS ROBERTSON - SECONDARY COACH

Marcus Robertson, a 15-year NFL coaching veteran, is in his first year as the New Orleans Saints’ secondary coach. He spent the previous four years as the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backs coach. In total, Robertson has spent the last 32 seasons in the NFL as a player, coach and administrator, and has coached defensive backs with Tennessee (2007-11), Detroit (2012-13), Oakland (2014-16), Denver (2017-18) and Arizona (2019-22).

Under Robertson’s tutelage in Arizona, Budda Baker has been the only safety in the NFL named to the Pro Bowl each of the last four seasons. Robertson also developed S Jalen Thompson, who in 2021 was one of just five NFL players with 100+ tackles (club-best 120), 3+ interceptions and 5+

JOEL THOMAS - RUNNING BACKS

Joel Thomas enters his ninth season as the Saints running backs coach after 16 years of coaching in the college ranks. Since arriving in 2015, the club has led the National Football League with 148 rushing touchdowns. In total, Thomas’ running backs have registered 25 individual 100-yard performances since 2015. Under Thomas’ tutelage, Alvin Kamara has earned five Pro Bowl selections as the only player in the NFL to have at least 1,300 total yards from scrimmage in each of the last six seasons. In his eighth season in New Orleans, Thomas tutored Kamara to his sixth straight season with at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage (1,387). He became the first Saint to lead the team in rushing five consecutive seasons, carrying 223 times for 897 yards, while ranking second on the team in receiving with 57 grabs for 490 yards. Kamara moved into a tie for first place in club record books in total touchdowns (72) and rushing touch-

JORDAN TRAYLOR - OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT

Jordan Traylor enters his fifth season with the Saints, his third on the coaching staff. After two seasons as a defensive assistant, Traylor will work on the offensive side of the ball in 2023. During his first two seasons with the Saints, Traylor served as a scouting assistant.

Prior to coming to New Orleans, he served as an offensive analyst, working with quarterbacks at the University of Arkansas in 2018 until first joining the Saints prior to 2019 training camp. In the 2016 and 2017 seasons, he served as an offensive graduate assistant working with quarterbacks and receivers at the University of Texas.

WILLIAMS - OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT

D.J. Williams, a former college quarterback, enters his fifth season with the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant, after helping the coaching staff during 2017 training camp and both the club’s coaches and football operations in 2018. Williams graduated from Grambling State in 2015, where he played quarterback for the Tigers from 20112014, starting contests all four seasons and earning tryouts with several NFL teams following the conclusion of his college career.

D.J. Williams is the son of Washington Commanders executive Doug

average. Despite missing three contests, DB J.T. Gray led the Saints with 12 coverage stops. P Blake Gillikin also set a team-record with 32 punts inside-the-20 under Rizzi’s tutelage.

The Hillsdale, N.J., native played tight end at the University of Rhode Island. He went on to tally 160 receptions for 2,426 yards (15.2 avg.) and 15 touchdowns in his collegiate career and was a consensus All-American in 1992.

PLAYING CAREER: Rhode Island, 1989-92. COACHING CAREER: Colgate, 1993; New Haven, 1994-97; Northeastern, 1998; New Haven (head coach), 1991-2001; Rutgers, 2002-07; Rhode Island (head coach), 2008; Miami Dolphins, 2009-18; New Orleans Saints, 2019-.

passes defensed. In 2022, Thompson finished second on the team with 109 stops and added two takeaways and a club-best eight passes defensed.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Robertson played four seasons at Iowa State and 12 years in the NFL for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1991-00) and the Seattle Seahawks (2001-02) after being drafted by Houston as a fourth-round selection (102nd overall) in the 1991 NFL Draft.

PLAYING CAREER: Iowa State, 1987-90; Houston Oilers/Tennessee, 1991-2000; Seattle Seahawks, 2001-02. COACHING CAREER: Tennessee Titans, 2007-11; Detroit Lions, 2012-13; Oakland Raiders, 2014-16; Denver Broncos, 201718; Arizona Cardinals, 2019-22; New Orleans Saints, 2023-.

downs (49). Kamara also moved into second place in club record books in total yards from scrimmage (8,888), third place with 5,135 career rushing yards and fifth place with 430 receptions. Mark Ingram II added to his totals as the franchise’s all-time rushing leader (6,500) and is only the third player in club records with 8,300 yards from scrimmage (8,304).

Thomas lettered at Idaho from 1993-98, where he was a two-time, first-team All-Big West selection, including Conference Player of the Year as a senior. He holds Vandals career records with 3,929 rushing yards and 51 rushing touchdowns. He was inducted into the University of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 and earned his degree in public communications in 1998.

PLAYING CAREER: Idaho, 1993-98. COACHING CAREER: Purdue, 2000-01; Louisville, 2002-03; Idaho, 2004-05; Purdue, 2006-08; Washington, 200912; Arkansas, 2013-14; New Orleans Saints, 2015-.

The Gilmer, Texas, native, who played quarterback and wide receiver in high school, started his collegiate playing career at Mississippi College from 2012-13, before transferring to play quarterback at Texas A&M from 2014-15, where he was a Southeastern Conference All-Academic selection. Traylor is the son of UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor.

PLAYING CAREER: Mississippi College, 2012-13; Texas A&M, 2014-15.

COACHING CAREER: Texas, 2016-17; Arkansas, 2018; New Orleans Saints, 2021-.

Williams, who won Super Bowl XXII as their starting quarterback, the pinnacle of his 12-year storied pro playing career, followed by a long tenure in NFL front offices.

From 2019-21 and in 2023, Williams has participated in the NFL/Black College Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Coaching Summit. He served as the National Team quarterbacks coach at the 2023 Senior Bowl.

PLAYING CAREER: Grambling State, 2011-14. COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2019-.

D.J.

STAFF - COACHING

Joe Woods is in his first season as the Saints’ defensive coordinator. A 31-year coaching veteran, including the last 19 in the NFL, Woods will enter his sixth season as a defensive coordinator after spending the last three coordinating the Cleveland Browns defense.

In 2022, Woods led a Browns defense that had an evolving cast of personnel due to injuries. Despite the changes, the Browns tied for fourth in the NFL in passes defensed, ranked fifth in pass defense and helped Cleveland with four of its last seven games after a 3-7 start, surrendering 17 points or fewer in five of the contests. In 2020, Woods helped the Browns reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002, as they led the NFL with six red zone takeaways and tied for second in the league with 17 forced fumbles. Over his 19-year career among the

BRIAN YOUNG - PASS RUSH SPECIALIST

Brian Young enters his eighth season as the club’s pass rush specialist. In his 15th season as a valued member of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff, Young has worked with all of the club’s front seven position groups after breaking into the ranks as a coaching assistant from 2009-11 following the conclusion of a nine-year playing career and 124 games along the defensive line in the National Football League.

Since 2017, New Orleans’ 281 sacks rank first in the NFC and second in the league, nine different defensive linemen have produced multi-sack games and the New Orleans defense went an NFL-record 55 regular season and postseason games without allowing a 100-yard rusher between the 2017-20 campaigns. The Saints have ranked in the top ten in sacks five of the last six seasons and have finished in the top five in run defense in four of the last five campaigns. During the 2022

NFL coaching ranks, Woods has tutored 15 Pro Bowl selections and two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Before the start of his coaching career, Woods lettered four years as a cornerback and safety at Illinois State, where he served as a team captain during his senior year in 1991 and went on to earn first-team All-Gateway Conference following his final season.

PLAYING CAREER: Illinois State, 1988-91. COACHING CAREER: Muskigum College, 1992; Eastern Michigan, 1993; Northwestern State, 1994; Grand Valley State, 1994-96; Kent State, 1997; Hofstra, 1998-2000; Western Michigan, 2001-03; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-05; Minnesota Vikings, 2006-13; Oakland Raiders, 2014; Denver Broncos, 2015-18; San Francisco 49ers, 2019; Cleveland Browns, 2020-22; New Orleans Saints, 2023-.

season, Young helped the Saints produce 48 sacks to finish the year tied for fifth in the NFL. He also coached defensive end Cameron Jordan to a season where he led the team with 8.5 sacks and reached his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl and eighth overall, becoming the franchise’s alltime takedown leader.

Young first joined the Saints coaching staff in 2009, after concluding a nine-year NFL playing career, during which he posted 22.5 sacks and eight fumble recoveries. From 2004-08, he served as a valuable member of the Saints interior defensive line rotation, starting 58-of-64 contests. Young played at Texas-El Paso from 1996-99 and is a member of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame and the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame.

PLAYING CAREER: Texas El-Paso, 1996-99; St. Louis Rams, 2000-03; New Orleans Saints, 2004-08. COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2009-.

JOE WOODS - DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Khai Harley Assistant General Manager / Vice President of Football Operations

Scott Kuhn Director of Football Administration

Jeff Ireland Vice President/Assistant GM-College Personnel

Michael Parenton Director of Pro Personnel

Mike Baugh National Scout

Terry Wooden National Scout

Cody Rager Assistant College Scouting Director

Casey Talley Area Scout

Joey Vitt Jr. Area Scout

Mike DiJulio Area Scout

Jon Sandusky Area Scout

Paul Zimmer Area Scout

Will Martinez Combine Scout

Zach Stuart Director of Analytics

C.J. Leak Area Scout

Scott Campbell Senior College Scouting Analyst

Ziad Qubti College Scouting Coordinator

Matt Phillips Area Scout

Harry Piper Scouting Assistant

Debbie Gallagher Executive Asst. to the EVP/GM

Ryan Powell Pro Scout

Justin Matthews Pro Scout

Tosan Eyetsemitan Pro Scout

Rishi Desai Scouting Assistant

EXECUTIVE

Gayle Benson Owner & Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Manwaring Senior Executive Assistant to the Owner

Melissa Hoang Executive Personal Assistant to the Owner

Eldric Washington Personal Assistant to the Owner

FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

Mickey Loomis Executive Vice President/General Manager

Khai Harley Assistant General Manager/Vice President of Football Operations

Scott Kuhn Director of Football Administration

Derek Stamnos Director of Operations

Grant Matthews Manager of Team Operations

Debbie Gallagher Executive Asst. to EVP/General Manager

Zach Stuart Director of Analytics

PLAYER PERSONNEL

Jeff Ireland Vice President/Assistant General Manager-College Personnel

Michael Parenton Director of Pro Personnel

Ryan Powell Pro Scout

Justin Matthews Pro Scout

Tosan Eyetsemitan Pro Scout

Cody Rager Assistant College Scouting Director

Mike Baugh National Scout

Terry Wooden National Scout

Mike DiJulio Area Scout

Jon Sandusky Area Scout

Casey Talley Area Scout

Joey Vitt Jr. Area Scout

Paul Zimmer Area Scout

C.J. Leak Area Scout

Scott Campbell Senior College Scouting Analyst

Matt Phillips Combine Scout

Ryan Herman Football Research & Strategy

Will Martinez Scouting Coordinator

Ziad Qubti College Scouting Coordinator

Chad Vincent Director of Football Applications

Ben Autin Senior Football Applications Developer

Harry Piper Scouting Assistant

Rishi Desai Scouting Assistant

COACHING

Dennis Allen Head Coach

Clancy Barone Tight Ends

Bob Bicknell Senior Offensive Assistant

Kodi Burns Wide Receivers

Pete Carmichael Offensive Coordinator

Kevin Carberry Assistant Offensive Line

Ronald Curry Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Phil Galiano Assistant Special Teams

Matt Giordano Defensive Assistant

Peter Giunta Senior Defensive Assistant

Adam Gistrick Defensive Assistant

Michael Hodges Linebackers

Doug Marrone Offensive Line

Mike Martinez Assistant to the Head Coach

Todd Grantham Defensive Line

Kevin Petry Offensive Assistant

Marcus Robertson Secondary

Darren Rizzi Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator

Joel Thomas Running Backs

Jordan Traylor Offensive Assistant

D.J. WIlliams Offensive Assistant

Joe Woods Defensive Coordinator

Brian Young Pass Rush Specialist

EQUIPMENT

John Baumgartner Head Equipment Manager

Corey Gaudet Assistant Equipment Manager

Richard Killian Assistant Equipment Manager

Ben Steib Equipment Assistant

COMMUNICATIONS

Doug Miller Executive Director of Football Communications

Justin Macione Director of Football Communications

Sam Shannon Corporate Communications Manager

Davis Friend Football Communications Coordinator

Dan Simmons Alumni/Legends Development Coordinator

Grant Segar Communications and Government Relations Associate

PLAYER ENGAGEMENT

Fred McAfee Vice President of Player Engagement

Danny Lawless Director of Security

Evan Meyers Assistant Player Engagement/Legends & Alumni Manager

ATHLETIC TRAINING

Ben Stollberg Director of Sports Medicine

Shone Gipson Head Athletic Trainer

Jonathan Gress Director of Rehabilitation

Kevin Mangum Assistant Athletic Trainer

Bobby Feeback Assistant Athletic Trainer

Jamie Meeks Director of Sports Nutrition

MEDICAL STAFF

Dr. John Amoss Chief of Internal Medicine

Dr. Karim Meijer Team Orthopedist

Dr. W. Stephen Choate Team Orthopedist

Dr. Hazem Eissa Team Physician

SPORTS SCIENCE/STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

Matt Rhea Director of Sports Science

Matt Clapp Strength & Conditioning

Charles Byrd Strength & Conditioning

Rob Wenning Strength & Conditioning

VIDEO Dave Desposito Video Director

Joe Alley Assistant Video Director

Tim Youngblood Video Assistant

Chris McNeice Video Assistant

ADMINISTRATION

Dennis Lauscha President

Greg Bensel Senior Vice President of Communications, Broadcast, Community and Governmental Relations

Ben Hales Senior Vice President of Marketing and Operations

Ed Lang Senior Vice President of Finance/CFO

Vicky Neumeyer Senior Vice President/General Counsel

Greg Rouchell Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Michael Stanfield

Senior Vice President of Sales

Jeanne Brown Executive Assistant to the President

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Stephen Pate Vice President of Business Operations

Ian Tigchelaar Senior Director of Business/Marketing Operations

Katie Krajcer Director of Event Policies and Fan Engagement

Morgan Parmer Senior Manager, Initiatives

Megan Bourg Manager of Event Policy and Fan Engagement

Courtney Kennedy Operations Manager

Giancarlo Hernandez Operations and Fan Engagement Coordinator

Brady Johnson Operations and Fan Engagement Associate

SOCIAL UNIFICATION/YOUTH SPORTS

Elicia Broussard Sheridan Senior Director of Social Unification/Youth Sports

Austin Pasco Manager, Youth Programs

Jason Lapouble Community Relations Manager

Adam Fournier Senior Coordinator, Community Engagement

DIGITAL MEDIA

Doug Tatum Vice President, Digital Media

Alex Restrepo Senior Director of Social Media

Beth Blackburn Director of Digital Media

Andy Weilbaecher Digital Developer

Megan Kottemann

Social Media Manager

Justin Vlosich Digital Media Coordinator

Madison Leavelle Social Media Illustrator

Christian Verde Social Media Coordinator

Tatiana Lubanko Social Media Coordinator

Jean Marie Jenkins

Hannah McCreight

Social Media Associate

Social Media Associate

Andrew Lang Digital Media Associate

Michael C. Hebert Director of Photography

PRODUCTION

Shaneika Dabney-Henderson Vice President of Production

James Crosbie Senior Director of Production

Layne Murdoch Jr. Director of Photography

Jon Lavengetto Senior Content Manager

Brendan Hassett Livestream Manager

Jon Mahody Producer/Editor

John Sebag Videographer/Content Creator

Brianna Latino Director of Production

Shota Hashimoto Senior Motion Graphics Manager

Blairre Perriatt Motion Graphics Senior Coordinator

Ryan Micklin Junior Editor

Chrys Sims Producer/Editor

BROADCAST

John DeShazier Senior Writer/Digital Media Contributor

Todd Graffagnin Digital Media Contributor

Erin Summers Broadcast Coordinator

Josh Richardson Gameday Producer

MARKETING STRATEGY, CREATIVE SERVICES, EVENTS & GAME PRESENTATION

Nancy Gold Vice President, Brand Strategy

Mariana Jerez Special Events Manger

Andy Antunez Marketing Manager

Eliana Levy Marketing Project Manger

Luke Halverson Graphic Designer

Christopher Grim Graphic Designer

Tiana Watts Graphic Designer

Dan Askin Director of Digital Marketing

Bradley Gale Email Marketing Specialist

Sara Anderson Director, Entertainment Teams

Jenny Craig Assistant Manager, Entertainment Teams

Chryssi Flores Director, Game Experience

Hailey Williams Senior Game Experience Coordinator

Jessica Weinberg Live Entertainment Coordinator

Charity Mackey Brand and Events Coordinator

Anitra Christman Game Experience Coordinator

Kinsey Hopkins-Campbell Game Experience Coordinator

Richard Merrifield Game Experience Associate

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

Rich Barbier Vice President, Consumer Insights & Analytics

Basem Elkhatib Senior Business Intelligence Analyst

Sarah Lassman Senior Business Intelligence Analyst

Luis Carlos Villaseñor Business Intelligence Analyst

Victoria Boldis Consumer Insights Analyst

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP

Matt Webb Vice President, Corporate Partnerships

Dr. Dan Kaufmann Director, Global Partnership Sales & Strategy

Erica Bernadas Director, Partnership Marketing, Sales & Innovation

Victoria

FINANCE & ACCOUNTING

David Chaix Vice President, Head of Team Accounting

Mallory Vedros Controller

Kristi Dupuy Senior Accounting Coordinator

Josh Harris Senior Accounting Coordinator

Alicia Dupart Payroll Manager

Justin Pelligrini Financial Reporting Manager

Felicia Jones Payroll Coordinator

Alex Watermeier Accounts Receivable Coordinator

Theresa Magallanes Accounting Coordinator

ADMINISTRATION

Jay Romig Executive Director, Administration

John Berfect Mail Clerk

LEGAL

Matthew Sharpe Associate General Counsel

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Dr. Darvelle Hutchins Vice President, Equity & Impact

Julie Borsch Senior Director of Community Relations

Justine Drake Community Relations Coordinator

HUMAN RESOURCES

Mary Vinet Senior Director of People & Benefits

Linley Fenlason Senior Talent Acquisition & Retention Manager

Charlene Brown Benefits & Legal Coordinator

Rodrick Cureton Coordinator, People & Culture

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jeff Huffman Senior Director of IT Security & Administration

Jody Barbier Senior Director of IT Operations

Chris Chapital Senior Manager, Computer Information Systems

Kelvin Smith Senior Network Administrator

Brock Orrett Systems Administrator

Robert Crump IT Support Specialist

Jordan Lewis IT Support Specialist

FACILITIES

Terry Ashburn Facilities Director

Wade Vicknair Assistant Facilities Manager

Corey Rogers Grounds Superintendent

Gordon Duplessis Groundskeeper

Cody Vicknair Groundskeeper

Erick Delgado Groundskeeper

CAESARS SUPERDOME A NATIONAL LANDMARK

Created by Law - November 8, 1966

Construction Began - August 11, 1971

Opened - August 3, 1975

Home of Major Sports Events

• New Orleans Saints (NFL Football)

• Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic (NCAA Division I Football)

• State Farm Bayou Classic (Southern U. vs. Grambling State Football)

• R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (NCAA Division I Football)

• LHSAA/State Farm Prep Classic (State High School Football Championships)

• Super Bowls XII (1978), XV (1981), XX (1986), XXIV (1990), XXXI (1997), XXXVI (2002), XLVII (2013)

• NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2012

Legendary Moments

• Saints played first professional football game inside the Superdome when they hosted the Houston Oilers on August 9, 1975

• Alabama beat Penn State 13-6 in first Sugar Bowl game in the Superdome in 1976

• “Pistol Pete” Maravich & New Orleans Jazz set a NBA crowd mark of 35,077 in 1977

• Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks before 65,000 in 1978

• LSU-Notre Dame basketball game in 1980 set the NCAA record attendance of 68,112

• Sugar Ray Leonard defeated Roberto Duran in “No Mas” fight in 1980

• Pope John Paul II addressed 80,000 school children in 1987

• George Bush nominated for election at 1988 Republican National Convention

• Grambling’s Eddie Robinson coached his final game in 1997 Bayou Classic

• Tulane rolled out a perfect 12-0 season in 1998

• #2 LSU defeated #1 Oklahoma 21-14 to win college football national title in 2004

• Saints defeated Falcons 23-3 in first game after Hurricane Katrina on Sept. 25, 2006

• Saints beat the Eagles 27-24 to advance to NFC championship game for the first time in team history on Jan. 13, 2007

• LSU beat Ohio State 38-24 to win BCS Championship before record crowd of 79,651

• Saints defeated the Vikings 31-28 in overtime in first NFC Championship game they hosted to advance to Super Bowl XLIV, before 71,276 on Jan. 24, 2010.

• In the midst of a comprehensive multi-season transformation that started in 2020, which will result in one of the most state-of-the art facilities in the world, the club has reached a 20-year naming rights agreement with Caesars Entertainment to rename the stadium the Caesars Superdome.

SAINTS-CHIEFS MEMORABLE MOMENTS

With New Orleans and Kansas City kicking off their 2023 preseason this afternoon at the Caesars Superdome, it will be the 11th exhibition between the clubs with the Saints holding a 6-4 lead. The Chiefs hold a 7-5 record over the Black and Gold in the regular season. Read more about two of the more compelling

november 16, 2008

Saints 30, Chiefs 20 at Arrowhead Stadium - In their last regular season win against the Chiefs, the Saints took a 5-4 all-time series lead after an impressive effort in both the passing game and with the pass rush on defense. After falling 7-0 in the first quarter, New Orleans took the lead in the second period when RB Deuce McAllister scored a one-yard touchdown plunge, tying him for the franchise record at the time of 53 career touchdowns. WR Lance Moore also had a notable game, as he posted career-highs at the time with eight receptions for 102 yards and furthered the score to 20-10 just after the half on a 47-yard pass from QB Drew Brees, who finished the game 25 of 36 for 266 yards. Also crucial to the victory was the Black and Gold defensive end unit that brought pressure from the edge and recorded four sacks on the afternoon, including two by newcomer Jeff Charleston.

november 14, 2004

Saints 27, Chiefs 20 at Superdome - In an impres sive ground and air attack powered by QB Aaron Brooks, WR Joe Horn and RB Deuce McAllister, the Saints rebounded from a 10-0 first quarter deficit to tie up the all-time series. The Black and Gold put points on the board on the opening play of the second quarter on a rush from Brooks, who went 15 of 27 for 259 yards and a touchdown, includ ing a 57-yard catch by Horn on the next drive. The reception fueled an 89-yard drive that was capped by a 13-yard scoring burst by McAllister to bring the score to 14-10. Kansas City man aged to tie the game 20-20 midway through the fourth quarter but the Saints responded as Brooks found a 42-yard touchdown connection with Horn. The Chiefs were about to seal a last minute victory, but LB Orlando Ruff had other plans as he caught a crucial interception off a deflected pass on the New Orleans 4-yard line with 1:16 remaining in the game to preserve the victory for the Saints. Horn, who played four seasions with the Chiefs, originally a fifth-round pick for them in 1996, finished with five receptions for a season-high 167 yards (33.4 avg.) with the scoring grab in his first matchup against his former team.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Saints Safety

Tyrann Mathieu

Beloved by both the fan base and organization as the quarterback of the Chiefs defense from 2019-21, Mathieu immediately transformed the Chiefs defensive unit and secondary upon his arrival, recording 13 interceptions over that period and being selected to two Pro Bowls and twice as an Associated Press All-Pro. The “Honey Badger”, who was a standout at St. Augustine High School and at LSU, is now at home both literally and figuratively with a similar role in the Saints secondary, while sharing leadership responsibilities with linebacker Demario Davis and defensive end Cameron Jordan. In today’s contest, Mathieu will be able to apprise his teammate’s top to bottom of Kansas City’s prolific offensive scheme led by Head Coach Andy Reid, that will prove to be a test for the defense.

Chiefs Running Back

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The former Catholic High School and LSU standout returns to the Caesars Superdome for the second time since helping power the Tigers to a 2019 College Football Playoff Championship victory. A first round draft pick of the Chiefs in 2020, the Baton Rouge native led Kansas City as a rookie in 2020 with 803 rushing yards, adding 36 receptions. He has been productive the past two seasons, despite fighting a knee injury in 2021 and a season-ending ankle injury in 2022. Following a full offseason rest of rehab and strength and conditioning, the 5-7, 207-pound runner will be showcasing his abilities and competing for more extensive snaps in the 2023 preseason.

CONTINUAL BUILDING PROCESS MAKES SAINTS LOOK DANGEROUS IN 2023

After the second consecutive season of devastat ing injuries hurting the team’s playoff chances, the New Orleans Saints are yearning to put the National Football League on notice in 2023.

The 2023 edition of the Saints is not only made up of hungry and determined returning players, but also significant free agents and newcomers that have come to make a difference in the Big Easy. Dennis Allen now has one season as head coach for the Saints under his belt, and he looks to bring the same level of maturity, leadership and calmness to the squad so they can bounce back harder and faster than ever. Some veterans look to add another building block on top of their already successful resumes, like DE Cameron Jordan and LB Demario Davis, while others look to rebuild and battle back from injury, like WR Michael Thomas and CB Marshon Lattimore. Furthermore, both free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft watched the Saints bring in difference makers on both sides of the ball.

Allen is more than prepared to lead his squad into battle. In his first year at the helm, there were a lot of different things he and his coaching staff had to deal with, from injuries at every single spot on the field, including a quarterback change. The 2022 Saints did not have a single offensive player that appeared in all of the team’s games, and the defensive side had similar struggles, with only three players on the league’s fifth-ranked unit starting every contest. The Saints also had 75 different players play in a game in 2022, which was ninth-most in the NFL.

Allen spoke to how the season went last year, and had optimism when facing questions about the team.

“7-10 is not where we wanted to be,” said Allen. “There’s areas we have to improve on, but we are not as far off as some might think. I see a path to success as we go into the future.”

New free agent signing, Derek Carr, spoke to how Allen has already made the team extremely strong and connected.

“I thought it was really cool of D.A. that we got to do a team event with everybody,” said the Fresno State alumnus, referring to a bowfishing competition during OTAs. “You are in a group with guys that you are not usually in the meeting room with, and that just continues to make the team stronger.”

Looking at the players, health will be a common talking point from top to bottom; however, our biggest signing of free agency is healthy and ready to go. Carr is ready to win in New Orleans. He agreed to terms on a four-year contract in March to solidify the team’s quarterback position. Since being selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Raiders, Carr has started all 142 regular season games that he has played in, completing 3,201-of-4,958 passes (64.6 percent) with 217 touchdown passes and a 91.8 passer rating, while adding 845 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Since 2014, he ranks fourth in the NFL in passing yardage, seventh in passing touchdowns and his 3,201 completions through the first nine campaigns rank second in NFL

history. Carr was also selected to four Pro Bowls (2015-2017,2022) throughout his career.

Carr’s professionalism and quality have Thomas excited to play with him.

“He’s been amazing,” Thomas said. “I can’t wait to play with him. And just be out there and execute and create something special with him, a connection. I just like the way he demands the huddle, the sense of urgency, just the way he handles himself. He’s a pro. I respect him a lot and I’m always watching him and talking football with him.”

Thomas also thinks that his duo with Carr is menacing.

“We can execute at a high level against anyone,” Thomas said.

He brings 10 years of experience to the

Saints, from Las Vegas with the Raiders. Carr set numerous team passing records, including the franchise’s career passing yardage, touchdown pass marks and single-season mark in passing yards (4,804 in 2021), as the only signal caller in Raiders’ history with multiple seasons reaching the 4,000 yard mark. He also holds franchise records from his Raiders tenure for multipletouchdown games (69), contests with a passer rating of at least 100.0 (47) and 300-yard passing performances (33). Carr’s 2022 campaign will be aided by the talent and wide variety of weapons that he has at his disposal, including RBs Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams, Thomas, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed at the wideout position and Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau and Jimmy Graham as a tight end quartet.

The backfield duo of Kamara and Williams is extremely new and fresh since Williams signed with the Saints during free agency. Williams signed with New Orleans after he had his best season by far of his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, as he led the National Football League and set a Lions single-season franchise record for rushing touchdowns with 17 last year. Through 17 games and nine starts for Detroit, Williams added on 262 attempts for 1,066 rushing yards and 12 receptions for 73 yards, producing the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career and the first for a Lion since 2013.

Meanwhile, Kamara has been one of the most dynamic playmakers the NFL has ever seen since being drafted by New Orleans in 2017. The former Tennessee standout has racked up the second-most rushing touchdowns (49) and thirdmost rushing yards in Saints history in just six seasons. He is a force to be reckoned with in the passing game as well. Since entering the league, Kamara is second in receptions totals (430) and second in receiving yardage (3,753) among running backs. He also became the fastest running back in NFL history to get to 3,000 rush yards and 3,000 receiving yards.

New Orleans also added rookie Kendre Miller out of TCU when they selected him with the 71st pick (third round) at the 2023 NFL Draft.

The wide receiver room saw an influx of talent in the offseason. After rookies Olave and Shaheed led the offensive charge because of all of the injuries suffered to Saints wide receivers, the wideout corps will welcome back a healthy Thomas paired with Carr. In his first five campaigns, he recorded 510 receptions for 5,950 yards and 32

touchdowns, the most receptions by a player in NFL history in his first five seasons, reaching the milestone in an NFL-record 69 games. In just three games in 2022, he recorded 16 receptions for 171 yards (10.7 avg) with three touchdowns.

Olave, a former Ohio State standout, led the way last season for New Orleans and made an immediate impact, receiving PFWA All-Rookie honors. He appeared in 15 games with nine starts, finishing with season totals of a team-high 72 catches for a club-best 1,042 yards (teambest 14.5 avg.) and four touchdowns. Olave joined Thomas (2016) and Marques Colston (2006) as only the third Saint to cross the 1,000yard threshold in their rookie seasons. With a stellar season under his belt in New Orleans, Olave will look to do even more in the Saints passing attack in 2023.

Shaheed burst onto the scene in New Orleans after being on the practice squad until midOctober, scoring on his first two offensive touches. Playing in 12 games and starting in six of them, he caught 28 passes for 488 yards (17.4 avg.) and two scores, and carried four times for 57 yards and a score. The pair of Shaheed and Olave carried the load in terms of receiving in the final third of the season. Not only did Shaheed shine at receiver, but he also put up impressive performances as a return specialist. Shaheed returned 20 punts for 193 yards (9.7 avg.) and 14 kicks for 320 yards (22.9 avg.). The undrafted rookie out of Weber State looks to build on top of the excellent rookie season he had as a deep threat, return specialist and an offensive weapon.

Tre’Quan Smith will continue to be a consistent and valuable piece in the Saints wide receiver rotation. Entering his sixth season with the Saints, the third-round draft pick from Central Florida ranks second on the team in touchdown receptions since his rookie year, 2018 (18).

New Orleans also added much needed depth to its tight end room, bringing in two tough veterans – Foster Moreau from the Las Vegas Raiders and Jesse James from the Cleveland Browns. The tight end position was led last season by Juwan Johnson, who established himself as a red zone target. The New Jersey native had a breakout season in 2022, playing in 16 games and starting 12 of them, but also finishing with 42 receptions for 508 yards and a team-best seven touchdown grabs, which was tied for third among NFL tight ends. Johnson was an important piece to the offense in 2022, and he hopes to build off

of last season’s stellar performances.

Moreau spent his previous five seasons in the league at the Raiders with Carr as his quarterback. In his last season with the Raiders in 2022, he played in 15 games with fourteen starts, setting career highs in receptions (33) and receiving yards (420) while also adding two touchdowns in the mix. For his career, Moreau has appeared in 61 regular season games with 34 starts and has recorded 91 receptions for 1,107 yards (12.2 avg.) with 12 touchdowns. He has also posted at least 30 catches in each of the last two campaigns. The New Orleans native and former LSU and Jesuit High School standout has quick feet with a steady pair of hands, and he is ready to re-ignite the connection with Carr in New Orleans.

After being selected in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he spent four seasons with them, two with Detroit, one with the Bears and most recently the Browns in 2022. In 2021, he appeared in 14 games with nine starts in 2021, recording seven receptions for 62 yards (8.9 avg.) with one touchdown for the Chicago Bears, and contributed to the Cleveland Browns offense for the first two contests of 2022 before suffering a seasonending biceps injury.

In his nine-year career, he played in 104 regular season games with 63 starts, catching 157 passes for 1,522 yards (9.7 avg.) with 12 touchdowns. In six playoff contests with three starts for Pittsburgh, he has recorded 13 receptions for 171 yards. James will bring his much needed veteran experience as a receiver and a blocker to the Saints tight end room.

Jimmy Graham was also a key addition at the start of training camp. Well-known in these parts, the 6-7 red zone target found open spaces often during his first stint in New Orleans where he shattered club records for tight ends and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and as an All-Pro twice.

In 2022, New Orleans Offensive Line Coach Doug Marrone navigated nine different starting combinations throughout the season due to injuries. In the process, they still produced three 100-yard rushing performances by Taysom Hill and Kamara, while Marrone developed several promising young players.

Cesar Ruiz has flexibility that is renowned league-wide, as he has opened games at right guard and center in 2021 and 2022. The club’s first round draft pick in 2020 has settled into the right guard position, where his 46 consecutive games started from 2020 through Week 15 of the 2022 campaign marked the club’s longest streak at the time. Injuries cost him the streak though, as he was put on injured reserve late in the 2022 season because of a season-ending foot injury.

Flanking the right side of the line will be Ryan

“I see a path to success as we go into the future.”

- HEAD COACH DENNIS ALLEN

Ramczyk. The first round pick by the Saints in 2017, Ramczyk played and started in 16 games last season. He will be able to provide veteran experience and incredible quality and stability on the line to protect Carr in 2023.

Left guard Andrus Peat returns after playing and starting in 11 games in 2022. Center Erik McCoy looks to be a stable force once again in the middle of the trenches.

On the left side of the line, James Hurst held it down last season for New Orleans. He started all 16 games he appeared in, 15 at left tackle and one at left guard. A toe injury in the middle of the preseason stunted the progress of Trevor Penning, where he only played in six games all season, receiving his first career start at left tackle in the season finale. Hurst and Penning are both competing at left tackle, while the benefit of Hurst is his ability to play every position on the line but center with short notice, making him a candidate at multiple positions as well. Calvin Throckmorton also provided important depth on the interior in 2022, playing in 14 games with six starts at guard.

The Saints’ Secondary should continue to be a great asset. As a collective, they helped the defense finish second in the NFL last season in opponent passing yards per game. They are returning both starting safeties in Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye, as well as the cornerback group of Paulson Adebo, Lattimore, Bradley Roby and Alontae Taylor.

Lattimore has been nothing short of special over his six years in the league, becoming one of the league’s elite corners. Last season he was injured for 10 games, but is looking forward to stymieing opponents with his agile feet and never-ending tenacity. On the other side of Lattimore, Adebo has proven himself as a staple in the Black and Gold uniform. In 13 games last season with 12 starts, he recorded 60 tackles (51 solo) and seven pass breakups.

Taylor was a splendid surprise as a rookie last season out of Tennessee. He accumulated 45 tackles (38 solo), one stop for loss and a clubbest 11 passes defensed.

The safety duo of Maye and Mathieu were extremely successful when they played together last season, but unfortunately, we only saw a small sample size of them both on the field. With Maye recovering from a ruptured Achilles suffered in 2021 and bothered by several nagging injuries last season, the duo of him and Mathieu are expected to provide a combination of hardhitting and coverage in 2023.

Mathieu showed out in his return to his home state. The New Orleans native and LSU standout was one of only two players who played and started in every game for the Saints, and he tallied a career-high 91 tackles (team-leading 64 solo), one sack, three tackles for loss, eight

passes defensed, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a team-high three interceptions.

Examining the front-seven, the Saints continue to rely on Jordan for productivity, and he continues to deliver. Jordan recorded eight and a half sacks last season, just enough to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson (115) for the most sacks in franchise history, starting 2023 at 115.5. He is the first defensive lineman in team record books and second Saint overall to record at least 7.5 sacks in nine different seasons, and Jordan’s 11 consecutive seasons of at least 7.5 sacks is the current longest streak in the National Football League. He joined Reggie White and John Randle as only the third NFL player to do so in at least 11 straight seasons since takedowns became an official statistic in 1982. The 13-year pro continues to be a huge difference maker for the defense as a whole.

The defensive line is exploding with talent, starting with fifth-year pro Carl Granderson. Granderson had a career year as he played in 16 games and started four of them along the edge. He recorded career-highs in tackles (53) and solo tackles (30), while adding five and a half sacks. Providing depth along the edges will be Tanoh Kpassagnon, Payton Turner and 2023 second round draft choice Isaiah Foskey out of Notre Dame, where he set the school record in sacks.

On the interior of the line, new faces rule the position as they look to replace the two starting defensive tackles from last season because of free agency departures of David Onyemata (Atlanta Falcons) and Shy Tuttle (Carolina Panthers). Former New York Jet Nathan Shepherd, Kansas City Chief Khalen Saunders and Saints first round draft selection Bryan Bresee headline the interior. They all look to bolster the interior in their first year in New Orleans.

Shepherd played in all 17 games with three starts in 2022 and posted a career-high 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four stops for loss as part of a Jets defensive line rotation. Saunders played in a career-high 16 games in 2022 and posted career-highs in tackles (48), sacks (3.5) and stops for loss (three) in his final season in Kansas City, when they captured Super Bowl LVII. Former Clemson standout Bresee was the fourth defensive tackle off the board and the 29th overall. They will all make it a point to try and impress coaches for an immediate impact.

The Saints brought back an important depth

piece in Malcolm Roach on a one-year deal. The Baton Rouge native appeared in 13 games with three starts and recorded a career-high 26 tackles (14 solo) and his first career sack.

Assisting in the defensive scheme will be the linebackers, headlined by Davis. He started and played in all 17 games last season, and was the only Saint to accomplish this feat besides Mathieu. He has racked up at least 100 tackles in each of the last five seasons for New Orleans, leading the defense to a top-five mark in rushing yards allowed per game in four of those last five seasons. Davis has been selected AP All-Pro the last four seasons, and he got his first Pro Bowl nod last season. Entering his 11th NFL season, Davis will serve as a veteran presence in a linebacker room that includes third-year starter Pete Werner and additional competition among Zack Baun, Ryan Connelly, Nephi Sewell and D’Marco Jackson, in addition to several rookie challengers.

A second round pick in 2021, Werner has found his groove in New Orleans. He made an immediate impact on defense and special teams, as he appeared in 12 games with 11 starts, recording 79 tackles (55 solo), three passes defensed and two forced fumbles with one special teams stop as New Orleans ranked fifth in total defense. Baun enters his fourth season out of Wisconsin and has made a large impact on special teams, with a career-high of eight special teams stops in 2022.

After missing all of 2021, kicker Wil Lutz looks to continue to build after missing 2021. In 2022, he moved into second place in club record books in both field goals and points behind Morten Andersen, only the third Saint to register 700 career points.

Blake Gilikin punted 77 times for 3,571 yards (46.4 gross), a 41.6 net average and 32 pinned inside the 20-yard line, a franchise record which also ranked fourth in the NFL, while holding for all field goal and extra point attempts. Like Lutz, he looks to build off.

Now healthy and recovered from a topsy-turvy 2022, the Saints look to make serious noise in the NFC in 2023.

“We are trying to win a championship and we are trying to win games,” Carr said. “I believe that we can do that. I believe in myself, I believe in my teammates, and I believe in this organization.”

“I believe in myself, i believe in my teammates, and I believe in this organization.”

- DEREK CARR

GREER TO HEADLINE 2023 SAINTS HALL OF FAME CLASS

“Through God’s grace, I came to the best place on earth to play football.”

This adoration of New Orleans came from Jabari Greer after the announcement of his induction into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. Originally signed by New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent in 2009 after playing the first five years of his NFL career in Buffalo, New York, Greer’s coverage abilities became an asset to the Saints defense. Observing some struggles against the pass in 2007 and 2008, Dennis Allen, then the team’s secondary coach, worked with the player personnel staff and Head Coach Sean Payton at the start of free agency to reshape the unit. Greer said when he was added to the roster, New Orleans was looking to build a “very fluid and aggressive” defense.

“Me and Tracy (Porter) were basically zero, man-to-man coverage almost every play,” Greer said, describing how the duo operated in their three seasons together (2009-11).

Greer, 5-11, 180, acknowledged that he didn’t have the typical size of someone competing at this position, sometimes against taller receivers, so he focused on other aspects of his skillset.

“When you have one of the world’s best athletes running at you at full speed…it can be challenging, so it

was really important for me to be an expert on technique,” Greer said.

Greer’s attention to detail set him apart as a student of the game in practice and in the meeting room. Allen said Greer became “a tremendous addition to the team” with “the best feet of any corner [he’s] ever seen.”

One of the ways Greer fell in love with New Orleans was through its people. He commented on how well the Saints organization embraced diversity, community and family, allowing that to “permeate” throughout the city. “This is a city that loves its people and because it loves its people so well, they love their team,” Greer said. “You only get that from a city that sees itself in its team.”

His experience with the New Orleans Saints and its passionate fanbase helped Greer define success in the National Football League. “Success is being accepted, celebrated and cherished, and continued to be invested in, even when usefulness as a player or employee has diminished,” he says.

Greer’s highlight as a New Orleans Saint is an obvious, yet significant one: Super Bowl XLIV. As confetti came down on the field of Sun Life Stadium in Florida, hitting the newly christened Super Bowl champions, Greer looked into the gleaming eyes

of his children and flashbacked to where he was at their age.

“I remember staying up late (as a youth), watching the New York Giants, and I’m seeing the confetti falling and I’m thinking, ‘Man. That looks incredible.’ ” More than two decades later, Greer’s children were having the same experience, closer to the field.

Greer knew this moment was so much greater than helmets and shoulder pads – a way to repay his family for their support.

“This moment, through God’s grace, has given me the opportunity to change my childrens’ lives,” Greer said.

Next to be honored at the June press conference were Bob Parkinson and Steve Paretti, the 2023 recipients of the Joe Gemelli “Fleur de Lis” award. The award, named after the late Joe Gemelli, is given to those who have contributed to the betterment of the Saints organization. Paretti and Parkinson were selected to receive the award due to their respected camera work, bringing Saints football action to fans’ televisions for decades.

Bob Parkinson, a Bethesda, Md., native, originally came to New Orleans as a student enrolled in Loyola University New Orleans. He worked outside of the city before returning to WWL-TV. He worked at WWL-TV for 27 years, including a nearly two decade-long tenure covering Saints games, practices and interviews.

Parkinson’s co-recipient, Steve Paretti, said he often followed Parkinson to find the best angles to shoot.

“He could always work his way into the bench and I always got spotted and got pulled out by the state police,” Paretti remarked. “This guy was one of the reasons that I was better at what I did,” Paretti said.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Paretti received a communications degree from the University of New Orleans and covered sports at the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He left his hometown briefly to work in Lafayette before accepting a position as a news and sports operator at WDSU-TV. He worked at the station for 35 years, including 22 years spent covering and shooting Saints games, before retiring.

Events surrounding the official induction of Greer and the recognition of Parkinson and Paretti will occur the weekend of Dec. 8-10, including the Dec. 10 game versus the Carolina Panthers in the Caesars Superdome.

Since his first full season in 2019, Saints defensive back J.T. Gray’s 54 special teams tackles rank first in the NFC and second in the NFL.

With 1,214 career tackles, Saints linebacker Demario Davis is one of only three active NFL players with 1,200 stops, along with Tampa Bay linebacker Lavonte David and Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner.

The team-leading receiving touchdown total from tight end Juwan Johnson and team-leading rushing touchdown total from tight end Taysom Hill in 2022

UGO AMADI safety

ALONTAE TAYLOR cornerback

JAMEIS WINSTON quarterback

WIL LUTZ kicker

DEREK CARR quarterback 4 MARCUS MAYE safety

TAYSOM HILL tight end

TRE’QUAN SMITH wide receiver

BLAKE GILLIKIN punter

BRYAN EDWARDS wide receiver

CHRIS OLAVE wide receiver

MICHAEL THOMAS wide receiver

JAKE HAENER quarterback

KAWAAN BAKER wide receiver

KEKE COUTEE wide receiver

KEITH KIRKWOOD wide receiver

BLAKE GRUPE kicker

PETE WERNER linebacker

PERRY wide receiver

BRADLEY ROBY cornerback

RASHID SHAHEED wide receiver / return specialist

MARSHON LATTIMORE cornerback

JOHNATHAN ABRAM safety 24

KENDRE MILLER running back

LONNIE JOHNSON JR. cornerback 28

JAMAAL WILLIAMS cornerback 30

JORDAN HOWDEN defensive back

ISAAC YIADOM cornerback 27

TYRANN MATHIEU safety 32

KIRK MERRITT running back

ELLIS MERRIWEATHER running back

ANTHONY JOHNSON defensive back

TROY PRIDE defensive back

SMOKE MONDAY safety 38

NICK ANDERSON linebacker

ALVIN KAMARA running back

TY SUMMERS linebacker 42

LOU HEDLEY punter

RYAN CONNELLY cornerback 43

NEPHI SEWELL linebacker

ADAM PRENTICE fullback

JAKE BARGAS fullback 47

ADRIAN FRYE defensive back

PAULSON ADEBO cornerback

J.T. GRAY defensive back

ZACH WOOD long snapper

CESAR RUIZ center / guard

D’MARCO JACKSON linebacker

ZACK BAUN linebacker

DEMARIO DAVIS linebacker

PRINCE EMILI defensive tackle 57

ANFERNEE ORJI linebacker 58

NIKO LALOS defensive end

KODA MARTIN guard

TOMMY KRAEMER guard

NICK SALDIVERI offensive lineman

ALEX PIHLSTROM offensive lineman

LEWIS KIDD offensive lineman

LANDON YOUNG tackle

TREVOR PENNING offensive tackle

RYAN RAMCZYK tackle

STORM NORTON tackle

MARK EVANS II offensive lineman

MAX GARCIA cetner / guard

ANDRUS PEAT guard / tackle

CALVIN THROCKMORTON offensive lineman

JAMES HURST offensive lineman

ISAIAH FOSKEY defensive end

CHUCK FILIAGA guard

JERRON CAGE defensive line

JESSE JAMES tight end

FOSTER MOREAU tight end

JUWAN JOHNSON tight end

JONTRE KIRKLIN wide receiver

LUCAS KRULL tight end

JAMES WASHINGTON wide receiver

NATHAN SHEPHERD offensive tackle

JACK HEFLIN defensive tackle

CARL GRANDERSON defensive end

PAYTON TURNER defensive end

KHALEN SAUNDERS defensive tackle

MALCOLM ROACH defensive lineman

SHAQ DAVIS wide receiver

LYNN BOWDEN JR. wide receiver

SAINTS ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

ANDY REID, HEAD COACH

PRO CAREER: Andy Reid was named the 13th head coach in Kansas City Chiefs history on January 7, 2013. He is entering his 32nd season in the National Football League and his 25th season as an NFL head coach in 2023. In 2022, his tenth season with the Chiefs, Reid tallied 14 wins. In 2022, the Chiefs earned their seventh-consecutive AFC West title and were undefeated against AFC West opponents. This was the third time Reid led the team to an undefeated AFC West season. The Chiefs also hosted their fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game, an NFL record, and defeated the Cincinnati Bengals en route to their Super Bowl LVII victory over the Eagles. He became one of two active coaches (Bill Belichick) who have led teams to multiple Super Bowl wins. Reid now owns 22 postseason victories, second only to Belichick’s 31 postseason wins. In 2019, Reid led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl appearance and victory in 50 years, for the first time since 1969. Additionally, the Chiefs’ 35-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game brought the Lamar Hunt Trophy to Kansas City for the first time ever. In 2015 Reid also led the Chiefs to their first playoff win since 1993, with a win at Houston in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. In his first season in Kansas City in 2013, he helped orchestrate the

franchise’s best single-season turnaround as the Chiefs won 11 games and made the playoffs after going 2-14 the previous season. Prior to joining the Chiefs, he served as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles for 14 years (1999-2012), earning NFL Coach of the Year honors three times. Reid compiled the best win total (140) and playoff victory total (10) in Philadelphia Eagles history. He captured six division titles and five trips to the NFC Championship Game. Reid was an assistant coach with Green Bay (1992-98) under Mike Holmgren. With Green Bay, he helped the Packers earn a Super Bowl XXXI victory over New England. Career record: 269-154-1.

BACKGROUND: A tackle and guard at Brigham Young (1979-81), Reid played on three Cougars Holiday Bowl teams. He served as a college coach at Brigham Young (1982), San Francisco State (1983-85), Northern Arizona (1986), Texas-El Paso (1987-88) and Missouri (1989-91). Reid graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He also received a master’s in professional leadership in physical education and athletics.

PERSONAL: Born March 19, 1958, in Los Angeles, Calif., Reid and his wife Tammy have five children: Britt, Crosby, Drew Ann, Spencer, and the late Garrett. He has 11 grandchildren: Maverick, Somers, Saylor, Blake, Reid, Brigitte, Canyon, Ryker, Rylen, Garrett and Ford.

TOMMY TOWNSEND punter

BRYAN COOK safety

HARRISON BUTKER kicker

JERICK MCKINNON running back

BLAINE GABBERT quarterback

ISIAH PACHECO running back

MARQUEZ VALDESSCANTLING wide receiver

PATRICK MAHOMES quarterback 15

RICHIE JAMES wide receiver 17

JUSTIN REID safety

MIKE EDWARDS safety

TRENT MCDUFFIE cornerback

KADARIUS TONEY wide receiver

DRUE TRANQUILL linebacker

SKYY MOORE wide receiver

CLYDE EDWARDSHELAIRE running back

DEON BUSH safety

NICK BOLTON linebacker 32

JAYLEN WATSON cornerback 35

JAMES WINCHESTER long snapper 41

JACK COCHRANE linebacker 43

WILLIE GAY linebacker 50

L’JARIUS SNEED cornerback 38

MIKE DANNA defensive end 51

LEO CHENAL linebacker 54

GEORGE KARLAFTIS linebacker

AUSTIN REITER center

JOE THUNEY guard

TREY SMITH guard

DANNY SHELTON nose tackle 71

NICK ALLEGRETTI guard

JAWAAN TAYLOR tackle

LUCAS NIANG tackle 77

DONOVAN SMITH tackle 79

BLAKE BELL tight end 81

NOAH GRAY tight end

TRAVIS KELCE tight end

DERRICK NNADI defensive tackle

CHRIS JONES defensive tackle

CHIEFS - ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

SAINTS STATISTICS 2022 Season Final Statistics

SAINTS STATISTICS

WR Rashid Shaheed

PEN TO PAPER

On Friday, August 4, Saints DE Cameron Jordan, his father Steve, wife Nikki and their four children posed for a group photo after the 13th-year defensive end and eight-time Pro Bowler and defensive team captain signed a two-year contract extension. The 24th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Jordan has endeared himself to both the Saints organization and the team’s fan base throughout a dynamic career where on the field, he is the franchise’s all-time sacks leader, with 115.5 takedowns, and off the field has been a community stalwart as a two-time nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.