End of Season Presser Takeaways From Saints GM Mickey Loomis
Mickey Loomis spent nearly a whole hour with the media on Wednesday afternoon during his end of season press conference. Unlike previous years, there was a bit more edge and spirit to his responses. Here's a rundown of some of the most important things to come out of the Saints presser.
Mickey Loomis End of Season Saints Takeaways
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen looks on against the Detroit Lions during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
DENNIS ALLEN CONFIRMED AS HEAD COACH IN 2024
Not that it was really a surprise, but Loomis confirmed that Dennis Allen would return as the Saints head coach next season. What was interesting was Loomis' responses and reasoning for a return. Loomis urged patience with Allen, citing the likes of Hall of Fame Head Coaches Tom Landry, Chuck Noll and Bill Walsh while also throwing in Bill Belichick. The point he made, which he was ready for with a note in his back pocket, was the records each of those coaches had in their first three years.
"Chuck Noll his first three years: 1-13, 5-9, 6-8. They recognized he's a good football coach. Bill Belichick, his first three years: 6-10, 7-9, 7-9. Tom Landry: 0-11, 4-9, 5-8, 4-10, 5-8. All of them Hall of Fame coaches. The easy thing is to blame them. You gotta look beyond that."
"My assessment is Dennis Allen is a good coach," Loomis also said.
MOVING ON FROM PETE CARMICHAEL, JOEL THOMAS
"We decided as organization that we needed a change," was the response Loomis gave on why the team moved on from Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator. He said that he felt like the offense can perform better and needed the change in that area. He declined to get into specifics on why they let each of the three offensive coaches go. He said that Carmichael was a much bigger part of offensive success than he gets credit for.
The Saints could have blocked the request for Joel Thomas going to the Giants, but Loomis said that didn't think that it was fair to do it. He brought up how long Thomas has been with the Saints and the success he's had. It was Thomas' decision to pursue the move.
LAST SEASON'S FAILURES, ROSTER OUTLOOK
Naturally, the Saints didn't achieve their goal, which was the postseason. Loomis said that collectively, there were higher expectations for the team.
"I’ve got to hold our guys to a standard to do the things necessary to win, and I've probably let that slip a little bit over the last few years and we're going to get that fixed." Loomis said that they're going to get that fixed.
He held a meeting with the players, and the specifics were not discussed. However, Loomis has done this before, but this one had more intensity to it.
"I've had meetings with the team before. It's been a while. I felt like there were some things that needed to be said to the players." He said that he feels like they've got too comfortable and wanted to make it uncomfortable.
Loomis is excited about the potential for the Saints next season, but they ultimately have to go out and do it. That also means they have to win the fans back. He also brought up the importance of actions speaking louder than words.
To get fans back? Loomis was straightforward with his response. "You have to win. You have to perform well."
He added that if the team is not meeting the bar, "That's on us." He also said that if he were in the stands some, he would have booed a couple of times.
He doesn't look at the team as old, even though he's seen the stats that have been thrown out regarding the team having the oldest roster. He said, "You've got to look at beyond the raw number."
Loomis pointed out the importance of what has alluded the team for the past three years, which is getting into the postseason. "I think every year is. That's the first standard. If you don't make the playoffs, then you can't say you had a successful season."
DEREK CARR EVALUATION, NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
"He did a lot of good things. He wasn't perfect, for certain. He was hurt for a good portion of the season, maybe more than he let on." He added that Carr hit his stride in the end. He also stated that the easy and lazy thing to do is blame the coach and quarterback for the season result, reiterating that Dennis Allen is a fantastic defensive coach as well.
He was asked whether or not Carr will have any input on the next offensive coordinator. Loomis said, "We don't ask our players to make decisions. That's not a burden we put on them."
The Saints will take their time hiring a new offensive coordinator. Loomis said that it's often a mistake to go for the expedient hire and they're just starting the process. As of right now, New Orleans has three interview requests in with Dan Pitcher (Bengals), Zac Robinson (Rams) and Shane Waldron (Seahawks). Loomis said there's a set of criteria that a lot of different guys can fill. As for Ronald Curry, it was not revealed that any in-house candidates would be promoted.
There was a question on whether or not the Saints want the offense to have an entirely new approach or a new set of eyes on the same system, which Loomis said that it remains to be seen.
TREVOR PENNING
"I think with Trevor, we didn't do him any favors." Loomis cited him coming in as a rookie and missing 10 games, getting hurt and not having an offseason. "A lot of that falls on us in terms of where he was and what he was able to do." He said the team is still high on him and has a plan for him in the offseason.
PUTTING THE LATE TD AGAINST THE FALCONS TO BED
Loomis said that the final rushing touchdown for Jamaal Williams has been overblown. There was no incentive for him to get into the end zone.
"There was no underlying message to that. They were trying to do a favor to a teammate."
Loomis said that he would have rathered it not happen. There was a point where a question was being asked about the notion of the locker room being lost where he said, "It's silly."
OTHER NOTES AND NUGGETS
- Loomis has a positive outlook on Ryan Ramczyk, and it sounds like he does as well. He said, "I have a positive feeling about where he's going to end up, and I think he does as well."
- It doesn't seem like retirement is in the future for Doug Maronne, as rumors had apparently surfaced about his future. Loomis' response was, "I think he's a fantastic coach, and I haven't heard anything about him retiring. That would be news to me."
- There was another rumor that came out regarding the future of Loomis and Khai Harley, potentially take elevated roles. However, Loomis shot them down. "That was just made up. That's never been discussed or talked about."
- Loomis said that he did not know about any other requests for Harley and Jeff Ireland. "I'm rooting for them to get an opportunity, although if they get one I'll probably rue it." The Chargers announced that they completed their interview with Ireland on Wednesday.
- Loomis did not want to discuss the possibility of adding Jon Gruden as the offensive coordinator or get into any specifics. "I dont want to talk about any individual candidates for that role."
- Loomis said if Michael Thomas and Marshon Lattimore were available, they would have played. Loomis did also say, "There's a reason but I'm not going to get into it," when talking about the option vs. signing bonus for Lattimore and that it's just cap management.
- "I don't know," was the response when asked about restructuring Derek Carr's contract. Loomis said they're going to have to restructure a lot of contracts this offseason. "We're going to have to make up some ground cap wise."
