From the Westbank: Forget the Score — Show Me Who’s Ready to Play

Who Dat Nation, football is back in New Orleans.

The Saints open the preseason today against Jacksonville in the Dome, but this isn’t one where I’m worried about what the scoreboard says when the clock hits zero.

Forget the score. Show me who’s ready to play.

With Tyler Shough and several starters expected to sit, this game is about the next group of guys getting their opportunity.

That starts with Spencer Rattler, who is expected to start at quarterback. Here’s his chance to show what he can do with meaningful preseason snaps. I want to see command of the offense, good decisions and somebody taking advantage of the opportunity in front of him.

Unfortunately, we won’t get the look at Jordyn Tyson we were hoping for. Our first-round receiver suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday’s joint practice with Jacksonville. In August, I’m perfectly fine being cautious with that one. Get him healthy. We need Tyson when the games actually count.

But his absence creates opportunities for somebody else.

Who steps up at receiver? Who makes the coaches notice him?

I’m also interested in seeing Oscar Delp. Tight end could be an important part of this offense, and preseason is exactly where a young player like Delp can start showing whether he’s ready to contribute.

Then there’s the defense.

I want to see the young defensive linemen, the secondary and especially the guys fighting for those final roster spots. Preseason games aren’t always pretty, but somewhere on that field today there’s probably a player most Saints fans haven’t talked much about who has a chance to make us remember his name.

That’s what today is about.

Not the final score.

Execution. Effort. Competition.

Show me who’s learned the offense.

Show me who can tackle.

Show me who wants that roster spot.

And show me some signs that this young Saints team we’ve been talking about all offseason is headed in the right direction.

The games don’t count yet.

But the evaluation starts today.

It’s Game Day in New Orleans.

WHO DAT!

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank
WhoDatNation.com

• 

When Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2006, he quickly discovered that this city doesn’t just welcome people with words—we show up with food.

In his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech, Drew recalled neighbors bringing crawfish étouffée to his new home. The next day it was jambalaya. Then came gumbo.

“It was the perfect representation of what New Orleans is all about,” Drew said.

In honor of Drew’s induction—and the neighbors who helped make New Orleans feel like home—we’re sharing three respected Louisiana recipes for the dishes he remembered.

🦞 Crawfish Étouffée — Emeril Lagasse
Crawfish tails smothered with butter, onion, celery, bell pepper, bay leaves and Louisiana seasoning, then served over hot rice.
See Emeril’s recipe

🍚 Seafood Jambalaya — Chef Paul Prudhomme
A deeply seasoned Louisiana jambalaya combining seafood, tasso, vegetables, rice and layers of spice.
See Chef Paul’s recipe presented by Chef Kevin Belton

🥘 Chicken and Sausage Gumbo — Chef Isaac Toups
Chicken thighs and smoked sausage simmered in a dark roux with the Louisiana trinity, garlic, stock and a splash of amber beer.
See Chef Isaac Toups’ recipe

Three dishes. Three neighbors. One unmistakably New Orleans welcome.

Congratulations, Drew—and thank you for reminding the world what Who Dat Nation is all about.

⚜️ Read Drew Brees’ complete Hall of Fame speech:
NOLA.com transcript

WhoDatNation.com

• 

Drew Brees gave New Orleans more than wins, records, and a Super Bowl championship.

When he arrived in 2006, our city was still hurting and fighting to rebuild after Katrina. Drew and the Saints gave us something we desperately needed: hope. Every Sunday, they reminded us that New Orleans could rise again—and when they brought home the Lombardi Trophy, it felt like the entire city had won.

Drew didn’t just play for New Orleans. He believed in New Orleans, invested in New Orleans, and became part of who we are.

Congratulations, Drew. Canton is where your career belongs, but New Orleans will always be home.

⚜️ Forever our quarterback. Forever a Saint. Forever part of this city.

— WhoDatNation.com

#DrewBrees #WhoDatNation #NewOrleansSaints #WhoDat #HallOfFame #NewOrleans

For months, Saints fans have heard the rumors.

Trade Alvin Kamara.

Release him.

Make Travis Etienne the featured back.

Well, it looks like the Saints have made their decision.

According to multiple reports, Alvin Kamara is staying in New Orleans after agreeing to a reworked contract, keeping the franchise’s all-time leading rusher in black and gold. Both Kamara and the organization reportedly shared the same goal: finishing his career as a Saint.

Personally?

I think it’s the right move.

This Was Never About Choosing One Running Back

Some people acted like adding Travis Etienne meant Kamara had one foot out the door.

I never saw it that way.

Etienne brings speed, explosiveness, and youth.

Kamara brings experience, leadership, and the ability to change a game with one touch.

Why wouldn’t you want both?

This offense doesn’t have to choose between them.

It has the chance to become one of the most versatile backfields in the NFL.

Kamara Still Matters

Is Alvin Kamara the same player he was in 2018?

No.

Very few running backs are at 30 years old.

But he’s still one of the smartest players on this roster.

He’s still one of the best receiving backs in football.

And more importantly, he’s one of the leaders this young offense needs.

With Tyler Shough entering a critical season and rookies like Jordyn Tyson and Oscar Delp learning the NFL game, having Kamara in that locker room is worth more than what’s printed on a stat sheet.

The Bigger Picture

This move tells me something about where the Saints think they are.

They’re not tearing everything down.

They’re trying to win now while building for the future.

Kamara doesn’t have to carry the offense anymore.

He just has to help lead it.

And if Etienne can take some of the workload off his shoulders, we may actually see a fresher, more efficient Alvin Kamara this season.

Tony’s Take

I know some fans wanted to move on.

I understand the salary cap concerns.

But legends don’t come around every day.

If Alvin Kamara truly finishes his career as a Saint, I think that’s exactly how it should be.

Now let’s see what he and Travis Etienne can do together.

That backfield has a chance to be a lot of fun.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Every year, the “experts” release their rankings.

And every year, somebody gets overlooked.

This year, it feels like it’s the New Orleans Saints.

One national ranking has the Saints sitting near the bottom third of the NFL, basically saying this team isn’t ready to compete.

Honestly?

I think they’re missing the bigger picture.

Let’s be clear—the Saints haven’t earned the benefit of the doubt. They won six games last season, and nobody is handing them a division title.

But are they really the 24th-best team in football?

I’m not buying it.

Look at what’s changed.

The offense is better.

Tyler Shough isn’t walking into his first NFL season anymore. He has meaningful experience under his belt and another offseason in Kellen Moore’s system.

The Saints added Travis Etienne to bring explosiveness to the running game.

They drafted Jordyn Tyson, who has already impressed during rookie minicamp.

They added Oscar Delp at tight end and continued building around a young offense instead of standing still.

That’s not a team that’s rebuilding.

That’s a team that’s trying to take the next step.

The NFC South isn’t exactly unbeatable.

Nobody ran away with this division last year.

Every team has question marks.

If the Saints get solid quarterback play and stay healthier than they were a year ago, why can’t they be in the mix?

In fact, NFL.com recently ranked New Orleans as its No. 1 candidate to go from worst to first in its division, pointing to improvements on offense, Tyler Shough’s development, and the team’s offseason additions.

That’s a very different outlook than simply writing them off.

My Take

Maybe the rankings are right.

Maybe they’re not.

But I remember when people counted the Saints out before.

This fan base has seen enough football to know that games aren’t won in June.

They’re won between September and January.

If the Saints prove the doubters wrong this fall, don’t act surprised.

Sometimes being overlooked is exactly the motivation a football team needs.

I’ll take being underestimated over being overhyped any day.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

A Super Bowl Champion, Saints Hall of Famer, team captain, and one of the greatest defensive ends to ever wear the Black & Gold.

Will wasn’t just a great football player—he was a leader, a teammate, and someone who represented New Orleans with class on and off the field.

Gone far too soon, but his legacy will live on forever in the hearts of the Who Dat Nation.

Happy Birthday, #91. We’ll never forget you.

⚜️ Who Dat!

Training camp is where talk starts turning into football.

Every team has optimism this time of year. Everybody looks faster in shorts. Everybody says the right things. But once camp opens, you start finding out who is ready — and who still has work to do.

For the Saints, this year feels especially important. New faces, young players, veterans trying to hold roles, and a team trying to prove it can take a step forward in 2026.

Here are five Saints with the most to prove.

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1. Tyler Shough

This one is obvious.

Shough showed flashes last season, but now the question changes. It’s not “can he survive?” anymore. It’s “can he lead?”

He needs to show command, consistency, and control of the offense. The Saints gave him more weapons. Now he has to prove he can use them.

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2. Zach Wilson

Wilson is getting another chance, and those don’t come forever.

The talent has always been there. The arm is real. But training camp will show whether he can make smart decisions, play within the system, and push the quarterback room the right way.

He doesn’t have to be perfect.

He does have to look dependable.

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3. Jordyn Tyson

First-round picks don’t get to hide.

Tyson made a good first impression at rookie minicamp, but training camp is different. Pads come on. Veterans test you. Expectations get louder.

The Saints drafted him to add explosion to the offense. Now he has to show he can separate, learn quickly, and become more than just a camp headline.

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4. Oscar Delp

Delp could become one of the more important rookies on this offense.

A reliable tight end helps everybody — the quarterback, the run game, the red zone, third down. If Delp can block and become a dependable target, he gives the Saints something they badly need: balance.

Camp will tell us how quickly he can handle the NFL game.

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5. Kool-Aid McKinstry

The secondary needs answers, and Kool-Aid has a chance to be one of them.

Talent isn’t the question. Consistency is.

He has to show he can hold up against top receivers, limit mistakes, and become a player the defense can trust every week.

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Bottom Line

Training camp won’t decide the whole season.

But it will tell us a lot.

If Shough looks steady, Tyson looks ready, Delp earns trust, Wilson pushes the room, and Kool-Aid takes a step forward, the Saints have a real chance to look different this year.

Not just younger.

Better.

That’s what I’m watching.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Who Dat Nation, I think we’re all guilty of it.

We spend so much time talking about the future that we forget to appreciate the players who helped build the foundation.

That’s why Cam Jordan deserves a little attention today.

At 37 years old, Cam is back for another season in black and gold after signing a new one-year deal with the Saints. He’s also back in the NFL Top 100 after many people thought his best years were behind him.

Think about that for a second.

Sixteen seasons.
One franchise.
Countless big plays.
Countless battles with Atlanta.

And somehow he’s still here.

What stands out most isn’t the sacks anymore.

It’s the leadership.

You hear young players talk about him. You hear Tyler Shough talk about him. You hear veterans talk about him. Everybody points to Cam as one of the voices that sets the standard inside that locker room.

The Saints are getting younger.

Tyler Shough.
Jordyn Tyson.
Oscar Delp.
Christen Miller.

They’re all trying to figure out what it means to be a professional.

Having Cam Jordan around for that matters.

A lot.

Maybe this is his last ride.

Maybe it isn’t.

But one thing is certain:

When Cam Jordan finally hangs it up, Saints fans are going to realize how hard it is to replace a player who gave everything to this city and this organization for more than a decade.

For now, let’s enjoy one more season.

Because players like Cam Jordan don’t come around very often.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Every offseason there’s a team that surprises people.

Maybe this year it’s the Saints.

Now before anyone starts planning a parade down Poydras, let’s be realistic. This team won six games last year and hasn’t made the playoffs in five seasons. Nobody is handing New Orleans anything.

But when you look at the roster today versus where it was a year ago, it’s hard not to see reasons for optimism.

First, there’s Tyler Shough.

The Saints spent the second half of last season finding out whether they had a quarterback. By the end of the year, Shough gave fans something they haven’t had in a while — hope. He still has plenty to prove, but he’s entering this season with more experience, more confidence, and a lot more help around him.

And that help matters.

The Saints completely rebuilt the offensive weapons around him:

• Travis Etienne in the backfield
• Jordyn Tyson at receiver
• Oscar Delp at tight end
• More speed, more depth, and more playmakers across the board.

The defense still has questions. Losing veteran leadership is never easy, and the secondary is going to have to prove it can handle some elite quarterbacks and receivers this season.

But here’s what people forget:

The Saints don’t need to become the Chiefs overnight.

They just need to be better.

A better offense.
A healthier roster.
A quarterback taking the next step.

That’s how teams make the jump.

The schedule isn’t impossible, the NFC South is still wide open, and for the first time in a few years, it feels like the Saints have a direction instead of a question mark.

Will they win the division?

Maybe.

Will they make the playoffs?

It’s certainly possible.

What I do know is this:

I think the rest of the league is expecting the same old Saints.

And that might be their mistake.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Every offseason it feels like the same conversation.

Trade Alvin Kamara.

Move on.

Start over.

And every offseason, Kamara seems to say the same thing:

“I want to be a Saint.”

The latest reports suggest a trade is actually less likely than some of the rumors floating around social media. Kamara showed up for OTAs, said there’s no bad blood with the organization, and his agent has publicly stated he expects him to be in New Orleans this season.

Now, does that mean he’ll still be the featured back?

Probably not.

The Saints brought in Travis Etienne for a reason.

But here’s my question:

Why are so many fans in a hurry to push out one of the best offensive players in franchise history?

Kamara is the Saints’ all-time leading rusher.

He’s been part of some of the best teams this franchise has ever had.

And even if he’s no longer the player he was five years ago, he still brings leadership, versatility, and experience to a young offense that’s trying to find its identity.

Could this be his last season in New Orleans?

Maybe.

But if that’s the case, I’d rather spend the season appreciating what he’s meant to this franchise than trying to ship him out every time a rumor pops up online.

Sometimes the answer isn’t to move on as fast as possible.

Sometimes the answer is to appreciate a great player while he’s still wearing black and gold.

That’s where I stand.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank