Dattitude with Jim Derry Jim Derry

It's nearly a week since the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix with their first-round selection and the eighth overall. That doesn’t make them better now, but the Las Vegas oddsmakers have not budged the odds in the NFC South and still have them as big favorites over the New Orleans Saints, the defending champs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers.

Why? Does the draft mean nothing? Does the fact both the Bucs and Saints finished ahead of Atlanta last year mean anything? Does Kirk Cousins mean THAT much? What about the Saints adding Taliese Fuaga and Kool-Aid McKinstry and the Bucs drafting needs, as well?

We ask our friend Terrin Waack, who is a NOLA.com alum and currently serves as beat writer for the Dirty Birds at AtlantaFalcons.com to share her thoughts with host Jim Derry on Wednesday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 234). Also in the ‘Extra Point,’ Jim goes back 33 years to a doubleheader of big-time records in Major League Baseball on one day.

The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and what grade to we give the New Orleans Saints? If one were to judge by the first two picks alone – Taliese Fuaga and Kool-Aid McKinstry, it might be as high as an A+. However, some of us think that “wasting” a fifth-round pick on quarterback Spencer Rattler drops it a bit.

Is it a wasted pick, and does Kool-Aid for sure signal the end of Marshon Lattimore’s tenure in New Orleans? Jim Derry analyzes the weekend with Times-Picayune Saints beat writer Luke Johnson on Monday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 233), as they also talk about the other third-day picks and undrafted free agents that could make an impact on this team.

Lastly, on the 'Extra Point,' Jim is looking back to one of the signature drafts in recent memory, as on this date in 2006, Reggie Bush was a splash pick – the first by Coach Sean Payton – before others like Roman Harper, Zach Strief and Marques Colston – were picked. “Just one time for ya boy!”

Taliese Fuaga is the newest member of the New Orleans Saints after the team picked him with the first round of Thursday’s NFL Draft. Was this the right choice, and where does he slot in as a starter? What were his thoughts after being picked, and what did Coach Dennis Allen have to say?

It’s a post-first-day Friday edition of the Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 232) presented by Evangeline Securities, as we also get into the possibilities for the Saints on Day 2 at pick No. 45. Wide receiver? Running back? Another offensive lineman? A cornerback in case Marshon Lattimore is traded away?

Jim Derry shares his thoughts on the Saints and the laughable decision by the Atlanta Falcons to draft Michael Penix, along with some of the other Day 1 moments. He finishes the show with his ‘Extra Point,’ which looks back 21 years at one of the top busts in team history, as the Saints traded their two first-round picks to move up and grab lazy, out-of-shape Johnathan Sullivan with the sixth pick.

We’re just hours away from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, and there has been some movement both in mock drafts and in odds on where offensive tackles might go Thursday night. Will Olu Fashanu, JC Latham or other targets still be there when the Black and Gold draft at No. 14?

Will the team think they are forced to make a move up? Would they consider a guy like tight end Brock Bowers of Georgia if he is still on the board? Would they look at wide receiver or trade down? And what is in store for our 5-hour show Thursday night on all of our NOLA.com social media channels … including our Dattitude YouTube page?

Jim Derry is on all that on a special Thursday edition of the Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 231) brought to you by Evangeline Securities, with Saints Editor Zach Ewing. We’ll also briefly touch on the Pelicans’ no-show performance in Oklahoma City in Game 2, and the ‘Extra Point’ goes back 31 years to when the Saints traded beloved Pat Swilling to the Detroit Lions for the rights to draft eventual Hall-of-Fame left tackle Willie Roaf.

It's the eve of the NFL Draft for the New Orleans Saints (and the other 31 teams in the NFL), but the biggest question is: How can this team check all the 'needs' buttons with so few early picks? Have no fear, NOLA.com Sports Columist Jeff Duncan is here with Jim Derry to answer that question.

Of course, we have many other inquiries for Dunc, as well, and he shared his thoughts on Wednesday's Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 230) brought to you by Evangeline Securities. Will the Saints stay at 14, and what could possibly force their hand to move up (God, please no) or give them an opportunity to move down?

Is this a do-or-die draft for Coach Dennis Allen, and can the team become one of the league’s best simply with great days Thursday and Friday? How much will Klint Kubiak being here as offensive coordinator affect the decisions? Also, Jim wraps up the show with the 'Extra Point,' looking back to 1988 when the Saints drafted a “bull-deer” fullback named Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward.

It seemed like it was all there for the New Orleans Pelicans to steal Game 1 on the road at Oklahoma City on Sunday night, but scoring just two points in the final 3½ minutes and hitting the free-throw line just nine times all night spelled a heartbreaking 94-92 loss. Can they rebound in Game 2? Will Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and others step up?

The good news is it’s NFL Draft week, and Jim Derry gets things kicked off with FOX-8’s Garland Gillen on Monday’s Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 229), as they’ll also dive into the prospects of LSU receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, and where they might go Thursday night. Oh, and maybe the best move for the New Orleans Saints is to trade down on Day 2 to get a couple more higher picks?

Lastly, on the 'Extra Point,' Jim is all positive in looking back to the 2017 Draft that produced gems like Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk and other starters. And, of course, some guy named Alvin Kamara. We also look ahead to a busy week of Dattitude and shows on four mornings, including a preview of Thursday night’s live Draft show on NOLA.com.