James Winston working his way back in full force for New Orleans Saintsand the big-armed KB quickly fell in love with the receiving corps he was endowed with.
“He’s as smooth as the other side of the pillow!” Winston said newcomer Chris Olav this week.
Winston - who is returning from a broken ACL he suffered in the 8th week of last season - has not yet had a chance to fully acclimatize to the All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas, and as volunteer camps start to grow, KB will he continued to find his rhythm with a bunch of new Saints belt catchers, including Olave and the acquisition of free agent Jarvis Landry.
And despite not being fully equipped to perform the exercises at full speed, Winston has long begun to tighten timing with the receiving group in a number of route trees. And he was pleasantly impressed by their fluidity, especially when it comes to Olava.
“He can go in and out of breaks very well,” said Winston, according to Catherine Terrell of Athletic.
“Electric and smart. [Olave is] a guy who always asks questions. He’s a guy who wants to know how you want it, and I really respect that. “
Olav pulled out 65 passes on 936 yards and a total of 13 TDs during his senior season in Ohio.
The Saints’ 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft was 4.39 in the 40-yard race and recorded a 32-inch vertical jump.
And he is not the only weapon that Winston will have at his disposal.
Landry brings a trusted veteran presence, plus ongoing skills in a slot for an outfitted New Orleans reception group. A five-time Pro Bowler and NFL admission leader in 2017, the stubborn playmaker had 52 catches at 570 yards and two TDs with Cleveland in 2021.
Then there’s Thomas.
The world-record VR1 - he holds the record for the number of admissions in one season (149) - is expected to return to form this season after missing the entire 2021 campaign after failing during rehabilitation from ankle surgery.
“He is not ready yet,” Saints coach Denis Allen told Thomas. “But he is here, he is in rehabilitation, he is recovering. And we are certainly eager to get him out of here. I know he’s working his tail to get back. And we feel good about where we are right now. our plan [to have him ready for training camp]. “
Olave, Landry and Thomas make an extremely talented trio that New Orleans hopes can revive their attack from the bottom five from before last season. Not to mention, speed dealer Marquez Callaway and Swiss Army knife Tess Hill are back on the list.
And the fact that Alvin Kamara is lurking in the hinterland doesn’t hurt either.
The versatile RB leads its position in receptions, receiving yards and is second in TDs since 2017. As of the 2017 season, he is one of only two defenders to have over 3,000 receiving yards (3,263), 20 or more TDs (20 ) and over 300 receptions (373).
He is equal to Caroline’s Christian McCaffrey in most incomes of 100 and more yards since 2017, with five.
But Winston will inevitably serve as the fuel that drives the car, and he expressed enthusiasm with his individual progress through the rehabilitation of the torn ACL, suffered in the 8th week of last season.
“I feel like I was very, very ahead of schedule,” Winston said this week.
“There is no reason to hurry. Let’s do this the right way … because we have time for this. I have recovered, I feel great, I accept this process and I remain faithful to the protocol. I am excited and grateful. When I get the opportunity to go out on the field and work with my teammates, I will use that opportunity. “
If Winston can return in 2022 with the nuances of his 2021 start - 1,170 yards of passes, 14 touchdowns and three spades in seven starts - his big new target group receiving targets could shift the New Orleans attack from the bottom of the league to the top. .
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