LATEST FROM JOHN DESHAZIER

'Now it's just about getting a starting spot. That's what I want, that's what I'm here for'

'That system is something that I think has done really well in our league, for a long period of time'

'(Ramcyzk) isn't quite where I was hoping he'd be, and really quite frankly, where he was hoping he'd be'

Lauscha: 'We do it well and I think we're going to continue to be in that (Super Bowl) rotation'

'He's a young player still with a lot of desire'

'I'm going to do my best to make sure they know they didn't pick the wrong one'

Fullbacks Adam Prentice, Zander Horvath envision higher usage

Davis has been named All-Pro five consecutive years

'To have another opportunity to suit back up with these guys, help this whole city win, that means a lot to me'

'I should go after my dreams just like he did. I should keep chasing and never stop'

Former New Orleans Saints great was finalist for second straight year

Evans and cornerback Eric Allen are two of 15 modern-era players eligible for the Class of '24

Interior line settled with Hurst, McCoy and Ruiz

'Even if they punt the ball and he gets it at the 15-yard line, and he returns it to the 30-yard line, he gets you in the best field position that's possible'

Rookie impresses in first season as a pro

Shaheed makes AP All-Pro and Pro Bowl in second season

Wide receiver posts best campaign since 2019

Tight end finds his stride in second half of the season

Six players started at tackle during the season

Veteran was slowed by ankle injury and finished with two sacks, six quarterback hits

'I think maybe we've gotten a little too comfortable over the last few years, and so I want to make it uncomfortable'

Completed 74 percent of passes, 14 touchdowns, two interceptions in last five games

Saints made a two-win improvement from 2022

Defensive end Payton Turner returns after missing 15 games, recovers fumble

Saints score season-high 48 points, allow three points in final three quarters

Saints have committed one turnover in last four games en route to 3-1 record

'That's what they want to do. As a team, as far as the scheme goes, they want to be able to run the football'

'We felt like not only could be he a returner, but we also felt like he could help us out at receiver'

'I'm not going to go in there light-footing it'

'We put ourselves in that position, but we fought back and earned the right to be playing for something at the end of the year'

Has completed 73 percent of passes for 10 touchdowns, two interceptions in last four games

Safety Johnathan Abram had an interception, forced fumble for the defense

Defense forced four turnovers and had two sacks

Running game must be more effective in regular-season road finale

'There's always going to be ups and downs, but it's about how you get up from it, how you bounce back from it'

'He's just one of those guys -  he's confident, he plays with swagger, he's really trying to carry the whole team on his back, be that play-maker for them'

'How do I love them the best and get the best out of them individually'

'This is what we are, this is what it is and we have to win'

'I have no idea where everything is going to stand by the time we get to the Tampa Bay game, but that's what we control. We control how we get ready to go play that game'

Saints scored final 15 points in 30-22 loss

Another good run-stopping effort will be critical

'We're all just getting more comfortable with each other. This is some of the things that we saw in training camp that we could be'

'Regardless of what we think or how we feel, we're going to kick that ball off on Thursday night and we've got to be ready to play'

'You kind of get what you emphasize'

Quarterback Derek Carr, offensive line play clean games in victory

Two red zone touchdowns, seven sacks highlight 24-6 win

Saints defense must contain another mobile quarterback

'He has brought a lot of energy and consistency to their offense'

'You've got to know where to put your focus and time in'

'If I can be out there, I'm going to do my best to be out there for my team'

'The margin for error is extremely small right now, and we need to make sure we're taking advantage of every opportunity'

Demario Davis had 1.5 sacks of defense's four sacks

Defense allowed 99 net passing yards and two field goals against Carolina

Only seven others have reached milestone since 1920

Red zone runs on offense, pressuring Panthers quarterback are vital

Carr practiced full on Friday, Olave missed Thursday and Friday with flu

'It's just really been cool to see that part of it and seeing his journey'

"We're looking at it like, we've got to get these guys this week"

'I realized I could be a good football player and still do great things in the community'

'I don't keep track. I'm just trying to keep going, man, and trying to keep playing'

Jameis Winston would start if Carr is unable to play

Concussion, arm and back injuries sideline Carr against Lions; he has been forced to leave three games with injuries

Furious rally undermined by slow starts on offense, defense

Red zone improvement on offense is a must

'Just a tough, physical mind-set. That's really what he was as a player, and I think that's what he is as a coach'

'You've got to stay ready so you don't have to get ready, man'

Saints' 42.5 percent conversion rate in red zone is fourth-worst in NFL

'We understand the sense of urgency and I can certainly appreciate the fans' urgency. And I can assure you that the people inside the building feel the same sense of urgency'

Safety Tyrann Mathieu had two interceptions to lead defense

Saints were 0 for 5 in red zone, allowed 228 rushing yards

Falcons will test New Orleans' run defense

'We're in first place - after everything we've been through and haven't been playing perfect on both sides yet'

'It just gives me more opportunities to make a play on the ball'

'Been around 14 years, and two Super Bowls. I just know how to do it'

'We're not relying on help from anybody. We're relying on the guys in this room. And we don't need help from anybody'

"There was a little jitters there, but over time I just told myself to just play football"

'We know we have to do better than what we've done, we've been way too inconsistent'

Winston threw two touchdown passes in second half

Saints finished with 280 yards of offense, defense allowed 24 first-half points

Saints still seeking fast start defensively