JACKSON: Kellen Moore can shake ‘nice guy’ reputation by commanding competitive Saints

By Ross Jackson

Following the New Orleans Saints’ 44-13 blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, many questions have been raised regarding the rebuilding club. Everything from effort and practice habits to discipline and desire faces scrutiny throughout the week. 

The Saints looked hapless and unprepared going up against Seattle last week. It was a performance that special teams coordinator Phil Galiano called “unacceptable.”

“We’re embarrassed by our performance,” he said Thursday.  “And can’t wait to get back on the field and go show what we can do.”

Head coach Kellen Moore was also disappointed in the showing, making it clear postgame that the team did not play to its standard, but he has belief in his group to clean things up.  

“[Accountability is] something we have to spend a lot of time [on],” he said in his postgame presser. “Acknowledge, talk through and obviously understand if someone can’t play that way, then obviously we’ve got to find the guys who can. But I have all the confidence in the world [that] these guys will respond the right way .”

Now, New Orleans has traveled to west New York to take on the 3-0 Buffalo Bills in a bout that is sure to test the winless team in its toughest matchup of the season. 

While the game may not finish in a win, as few may predict, success can still be captured by Moore and his club by bouncing back with a competitive performance. 

Moore is not the loud, rah-rah leader of a head coach. But he still captures the respect and dedication of his team. But now is the time to prove that he can shake the “nice guy” persona enough to motivate a club that is navigating ample growing pains against a legitimate Super Bowl competitor. 

New Orleans has yet to score a single point in the first quarter of its three games, though the offense did come close against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. A fast start will be necessary against Buffalo in order for the Saints to put themselves in the best position to keep pace with the league’s No. 4 scoring offense, which averages 34 points per game. 

Moore’s ability to coach up his club after a tough loss to compete with one of the NFL elites would be a massive statement. A shocking upset would define the team’s future. While the latter is unlikely, the former would be just as impactful for growing and developing confidence for a group of young players.