Star wide receiver Michael Thomas has been ruled out for several weeks with a high ankle sprain. His loss was felt on Monday night as the New Orleans Saints fell in a disappointing 34-24 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. If Thomas is to remain out, New Orleans need Emmanuel Sanders to step-up. Monday night was an opportunity for Sanders to assert himself as the new number one receiver with Thomas watching from the sidelines. However, the veteran receiver did little to command more targets moving forward.
New Orleans Saints need Emmanuel Sanders to step-up
A Slow Start in New Orleans
Trust was missing between Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Sanders. The receiver dropped his first target of the game and then failed to get on the same page with Brees on his second. Both those opportunities came in the first quarter. Sanders failure to capitalise on those early opportunities did little to earn the trust of either Brees or Head Coach Sean Payton.
Three unproductive drives killed New Orleans chances in the game. A Brees interception just before half-time turned into three points for the Raiders. The turnover was followed by two punts on consecutive drives as the usually efficient New Orleans offense failed to move the ball efficiently in the second half. Brees did not look the way of his new receiver once on any of those drives.
The focus shifted to third-year receiver Tre’Quan Smith for most of the game. Smith caught his first target of the game, and Brees looked his way seven times over the game. Catching five of those targets to the tune of 86 yards. Afters Sanders first two unsuccessful targets, he did not get another look until a garbage-time drive with the game already gone.
Smith has been on the roster in New Orleans three seasons now. His familiarity with Brees explains the quarterback’s eagerness to have him involved over Sanders. As far as pedigree goes though, Sanders is a former Superbowl champion. The two-time Pro Bowl receiver has nearly 8,000 career receiving yards to his name. Smith has not topped 500 yards in a season, so it is telling just how far off Brees and Sanders chemistry is for Smith to receive the bulk of the targets amongst the receivers on Monday.
New Orleans marquee signing on offense caught his first touchdown for the Saints in Week 1. That touchdown was part of a three reception, 15-yard outing for Sanders in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There was nothing explosive to his performance.
Sanders has plenty left to give
Sanders still has the ability in Year 11. He is fresh off a Superbowl appearance with the San Francisco 49ers. That was only six months ago, and Sanders quickness and veteran route-running ability meant he enjoyed a productive season in California. In fact, he was one Jimmy Garoppolo overthrow from catching the potential game-winner. Late in the fourth quarter, Sanders burned the Kansas City Chiefs secondary on a deep post route. The 49ers chose to let him walk, and he landed in New Orleans.
Energy and explosiveness have been missing from Sanders his first two games for New Orleans. Perhaps it is the new playbook or a lack of opportunity. Getting on the same page as Brees is crucial. He could be hampered by an unlogged nagging injury. Whatever the reason, with Thomas out of the lineup, Sanders needs to step-up for New Orleans
Whether Thomas plays against the Green Bay Packers or not in Week 3, Emmanuel Sanders must contribute more.
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