Latest news with #TalieseFuaga
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 75
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 75 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There are 75 days that separate us from now until the 2025-26 season opener for the New Orleans Saints. Advertisement The Saints are coming off a 5-12 season and are entering their 59th year of existence at home against the Arizona Cardinals. They'll also be doing it with a new head coach in Kellen Moore and some key new players. Budding star offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga wears number 75 for New Orleans. A first round choice in 2024, Fuaga enters his second year with the Saints and was one of the team's few bright spots last season. Fuaga is the 14th player to wear number 75 for the Saints in a regular season contest. Already one of the better young tackles in the NFL, it may not take long for Fuaga to claim a spot as the best player to wear 75 in New Orleans history. Saints History of 75 New Orleans Saints defensive end Bruce Clark (75) pressures the passer against the San Francisco 49ers. Credit: • Mike Rengel, DT (1969) Advertisement • Mike Richey, OT (1970) • Mike Crangle, DE (1972) • Elex Price, DT (1973-80) • Bruce Clark, DE (1982-88) • Doug Marrone, C (1989) • Emile Palmer, DT (1996) • Julian Pittman, DE (1998) • Rodney Leisle, DT (2004) • Jermaine Mayberry, OG (2005) • Mitch King, DT (2011) • Tyrunn Walker, DT (2013-14) • Andrus Peat, T/G (2015-23) • Taliese Fuaga, OT (2024-present) Dec. 8, 1974; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Elex Price (75) forces a fumble by St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart (17). Credit: Mike Rengel was the first Saint to wear 75, appearing in five games at defensive tackle during the 1969 campaign. Mike Richey was the first offensive player to sport the number, playing five games at tackle in 1970. Mike Crangle was the first New Orleans draft picks (4th round) to wear 75, but did so for just 13 games in his only year with the team. Advertisement The first player not named Mike and to wear 75 for more than one year was Elex Price, a defensive tackle. Price played eight years as a Saint, the second longest stint for a number 75 in team history. He appeared in 103 games and recording 32 unofficial sacks with an interception and 6 fumble recoveries. Former Penn State All-American Bruce Clark was a high 1980 first round choice by the Green Bay Packers. He refused to play for the Packers, instead opting for two years in the CFL before returning to the NFL with the Saints in 1982. Nov 3, 1985; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints defensive end Bruce Clark (75) tackles Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29). Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-Imagn Images Clark played with New Orleans for seven seasons, appearing in 103 games with 88 starts and earning 1984 Pro Bowl honors. Over his time with the Saints, Clark had 39.5 sacks, intercepted one pass, and recovered 9 fumbles. Advertisement Doug Marrone is best-known as a coach, including a three-year stint as New Orleans offensive coordinator and returning later for two more years as offensive line coach. Marrone was also an NFL player, albeit briefly. He was a backup center with the Saints for one game during the 1989 season. Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Tyrunn Walker (75). Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-Imagn Images Marrone was the first of six players that wore 75 for a single season, or less, between 1989 and 2011. Rodney Leisle was among those and makes his third appearance on our jersey countdown list. A fifth round pick by New Orleans in 2004, Leisle was with the Saints from 2004 to 2006, then returned to the team for the 2009 season. He wore numbers 75, 77, and 95 over those four years, sporting 75 only during his rookie season for two games. Advertisement Tyrunn Walker finally broke the one year 75 jersey string, wearing the number for 23 games over his two years with New Orleans. In those two seasons, Walker had 3.5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss as a rotational defensive lineman. November 27, 2022; New Orleans Saints guard Andrus Peat (75) blocks against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Andrus Peat arrived to New Orleans as the 13th choice in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He is the highest drafted Saints pick to wear No. 75. His nine years, 111 games, and 102 starts also represent the longest-tenured New Orleans player to wear the jersey. Peat was often maligned during his first two years with the Saints, struggling at both right and left tackle. He was moved to guard in 2017, where he earned three Pro Bowls and was one of the league's best interior run blockers. Ironically, Peat moved back to tackle and made 12 quality starts there during his final year with the Saints in 2023. Advertisement Aug 10, 2024; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (75) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Taliese Fuaga was the 14th choice in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, also succeeding Peat in the number 75. An All-American right tackle in college at Oregon State, Fuaga was moved to left tackle as a rookie. He'd respond by showing All-Pro traits as both a pass protector and run blocker. Fuaga now looks like he'll be moving back to right tackle this season for the Saints. Just 23, he is one of the centerpieces as the Saints rebuild their core talent and a key building block for the team's future. Related: Star UFL Cornerback Added By Saints Among Friday Moves Related: Saints Make Roster Move At Running Back On Friday Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 78 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 80 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 84 Related: Saints Sign Another Player To Their Tight End Position This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Highlighting 3 positions where the Saints got better this offseason
Where did this Saints team improve? Looking back at this past offseason for the New Orleans Saints, there was plenty to be said about the lack of depth and star power on both sides of the ball. While already in a difficult cap situation at the start of March, the Saints managed to make a handful of strategic moves aimed at bringing in contributors without sacrificing long-term flexibility. Most importantly, the team retained its draft capital and selected nine players in hopes of forming a young, sustainable core under new head coach Kellen Moore. With an aging roster filled with veterans no longer playing at their peak, it was clear that improvement was needed across the board. Fortunately for New Orleans, several key position groups saw notable upgrades--both through the draft and free agency. Here's a look at the positions where the Saints got better this offseason: Offensive line Coming into the offseason, the Saints faced major questions along the offensive line--particularly at left guard and right tackle. While 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga had a solid rookie campaign, and the interior features Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy and steady right guard Cesar Ruiz, the rest of the line lacked clarity. With Lucas Patrick departing and Trevor Penning still an unknown at tackle, the team needed to solidify those spots. With their first pick in this year's draft, they addressed the most pressing concern by selecting Kevin Banks Jr., a plug-and-play starter at left tackle. This move allows Fuaga to slide to his natural position at right tackle and gives the Saints flexibility with Penning, who could slide inside to left guard--a position many believe may better suit his skill set. Additionally, the signing of veteran Dillon Radunz provides valuable insurance at both tackle and guard, giving the Saints a more stable and versatile unit up front as they head into the 2025 season. Defensive tackle After finishing with a bottom-three run defense last season, the Saints had major work to do up front. Instead of overhauling the entire defensive tackle group, the team opted to retain veterans like Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders while strategically adding new pieces to the mix. Their first major move came early in the offseason with the signing of Davon Godchaux, one of the league's premier nose tackles and a Louisiana native coming over from New England. To further bolster the interior, the Saints used their first third-round pick on Texas defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, adding a dose of athleticism and youth to a unit in need of fresh legs and improved disruption. Safety The safety position saw a quiet but meaningful overhaul this offseason as the Saints worked to get younger, more versatile, and deeper on the back end. With Tyrann Mathieu entering the twilight of his career and no answer beside him, the team knew they needed to add quickly. The headliner of this year's free agent class safety Justin Reid, signed with the team after a strong run with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played a key role in two Super Bowl titles. Reid brings a unique skillset to the safety room as a physical downhill thumper, who can lock up tight ends and limit running backs out of the backfield. The Saints then used a third-round selection on Virginia's Jonas Sanker, a physical and instinctive safety with long-term starter potential. With Jordan Howden also returning for his second year, the Saints now have a well-rounded safety room that blends youth, versatility, and veteran stability.
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
75 days until Saints' season opener: Every player to wear No. 75
From Taliese Fuaga and Andrus Peat to Doug Marrone and Bruce Clark The New Orleans Saints will kick off their 2025 regular season with the Arizona Cardinals at home in the Caesars Superdome on Sept. 7, which is now 75 days away. We'll be counting down the days until kickoff by looking back on every Saints player who wore the corresponding jersey number. Who stands out in No. 75? Defensive end Bruce Clark (1982-1988) was a key player for the Saints in his day, having won a Pro Bowl nod in 1984. Lately it's been used by left guard Andrus Peat (2014-2023) who was selected for three Pro Bowls as an alternate. But when Peat left the team in free agency last year, the No. 75 jersey was picked up by Taliese Fuaga, and he wore it proud as a rookie left tackle before going back to his college position on the right side this spring. Here's the full list from Pro Football Reference: DT Mike Rengel (1969) OL Mike Richey (1970) DE Mike Crangle (1972) DT Elex Price (1973-1980) DL Bruce Clark (1982-1988) OL Doug Marrone (1989) DT Emile Palmer (1996) DE Julian Pittman (1998) DT Rodney Leisle (2004, switched to No. 77 in 2005) OL Jermane Mayberry (2005) DT Mitch King (2011) DL Tyrunn Walker (2013-2014) OL Andrus Peat (2015-2023) OL Taliese Fuaga (2024-Present)
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line
New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning could be facing his third position in four NFL seasons. At Thursday's OTA session with the Saints, Penning spent the majority of the day at left guard. This was a new position for him after spending the first three years of his career at either left or right tackle. Rookie first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. took most of the reps at left tackle, while 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga was at right tackle. Advertisement Penning, 26, was the 19th overall choice in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Saints out of Northern Iowa. He looked to be the probable opening day starter at left tackle as a rookie before a foot injury in the preseason finale. The injury kept Penning out for the first 11 games of the 2022 season. Once healthy in Week 12, Penning played just 66 offensive snaps as an extra lineman for five games. He'd get his first career start, at left tackle, in the season finale against Carolina. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) rushes against New Orleans Saints tackle Trevor Penning (70). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Courtesy of Walmart Penning did open up the 2023 season as the starter at left tackle. He struggled mightily, leading to him being benched by the sixth game. Over the final 11 weeks, Penning played a total of only 13 snaps as an offensive reserve. Advertisement Penning's struggles caused the Saints to use their first-round choice in the 2024 NFL Draft on Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga. Despite being a 1st Team All-American at right tackle for the Beavers, New Orleans moved Fuaga to left tackle. In turn, Penning moved to right tackle after playing the left side in college and with the Saints. At right tackle, Penning had the best showing of his short career. He started all 17 contests, playing 99% of the offensive snaps. Fuaga had an outstanding year on the left side, also starting all 17 games and looking like a potential perennial Pro Bowler. New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (75) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Penning was especially strong as a run blocker. However, his pass protection remained extremely erratic and he still struggled with blocks in space. New head coach Kellen Moore claimed that he would focus on improving the Saints in the trenches, something they'd immediately address in the draft. Advertisement New Orleans spent a first-round choice on an offensive tackle for the second straight year and third time in four years, using the ninth overall pick on Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks was a three-time all-conference selection, two-time All-American, and the 2024 Outland Trophy Award winner with the Longhorns. Kelvin Banks was a left tackle throughout his collegiate career. This left many to speculate about the potential shuffling on a Saints offensive front that has not played well in recent seasons. To open up OTA's, New Orleans had Banks at his natural left tackle spot while flipping Fuaga back to his college position of right tackle. This left Penning facing a third position change in four years. The Saints are expected to experiment with several offensive line combinations through minicamp and training camp. However, it's noteworthy that the Saints have selected a natural right and left tackle in the last two drafts but did not bring in a definitive answer at left guard. New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning (70) leads a running play against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Could Penning Be That Answer? It wouldn't be unprecedented. Remember that Andrus Peat, a first-round pick in 2015, was unable to be the answer at either left tackle or right tackle. Once moved to guard, Peat made three Pro Bowls and was one of the better interior run blockers in the NFL. Advertisement This doesn't mean that Penning will have the same result. However, an inside spot would limit his exposure in space, where he's been repeatedly victimized by more athletic defenders. Penning's physical abilities as a run blocker would also be more useful at a guard spot where the Saints have had a rotating door of players in recent seasons. Related: Most Underrated Saints Player Highlighted By PFF Related: Marcus Yarns Named As Undrafted Rookie To Watch Closest For Saints Related: Undrafted Edge Jasheen Davis Could Add Speed That's Lacked In Saints Pass Rush Related: New Orleans Saints 2025-26 NFL Schedule Breakdown Related: Rutgers Linebacker Tyreem Powell May Be An Undrafted Gem For Saints Defense Related: Undrafted Chris Tyree Has Skills To Become Another Of The Saints Overlooked Gems Related: Why Saints Drafting Of Kelvin Banks Jr. Made Sense
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What time do Indianapolis Colts pick today in 2025 NFL draft?
What time do Indianapolis Colts pick today in 2025 NFL draft? What time will the Indianapolis Colts be picking today in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft? We know that the Indianapolis Colts hold the 14th overall pick on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft, but at what time will they be making that selection? Well, while not an exact science, we can look back at the 2024 NFL draft and when the 14th pick was announced that year. On X, the official NFL account posted that the New Orleans Saints selected Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga at 9:47 PM ET. So, roughly around that time, we can anticipate the Colts being on the clock and making their pick. From there, the question quickly turns to, who will they select? Understandably so, the top two tight ends, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, are popular picks in mock drafts. But, of note, one of the best in the business, Daniel Jeremiah, had both Warren and Loveland off the board before the Colts were picking. I also wrote recently that while tight end is a favorite pick, the Colts cannot forget about the offensive line either. I'll also add that the defensive line is a third possible position the Colts could look to tackle in the first round.
