The New Orleans Saints bolstered the secondary with the addition of two cornerbacks, Sterling Moore and Dexter McDougle.
Rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore injured his ankle in the first half of Sunday's 34-31, overtime victory over Washington and attempted to return in the second half, but went back to the sideline after one play on defense. Lattimore's status for this week is unknown; the standout rookie has two interceptions this season and has provided blanket, man-to-man coverage against all comers.
Moore started 12 games (in 13 appearances) for the Saints last season, and had two interceptions, 14 passes defensed, a forced fumble and 55 tackles. He played two games with the team this season, and had three tackles, before he was released Oct. 25.
"He's familiar with our system and he's one of those players that knows what to do," Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday morning in a teleconference with local media. "He's got real good instincts."
McDougle, who is in his third season, played eight games this year with the Eagles and had five tackles. He played with the Jets in 2015-16.
"There's two elements (to the McDougle signing)," Payton said. "No. 1, he's someone that's excelled and played well in the kicking game. No. 2, he's experienced, he's smart and can play in the sub (packages) inside if you want him to. But the snaps you can get from him if you want to on the special teams, I think, is a big plus."
A NEW MAN:Payton said that Rams quarterback Jared Goff totally looks like a different quarterback in his second season.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2016 has completed 195 of 318 passes for 2,610 yards and 16 touchdowns, with four interceptions, in 10 games this season. He's been sacked 15 times. Last year, in seven starts as a rookie, Goff completed 112 of 205 passes for 1,089 yards and five touchdowns, with seven interceptions, and was sacked 26 times. Against the Saints last season, he completed 20 of 32 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception, and was sacked three times in a 49-21 loss in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
"The ball is coming out quickly, decisively," Payton said. "I think he's playing with a lot better feel for what he's doing, where he's going. He's not taking a lot of sacks, he's doing a lot at the line, he's getting in and out of bad plays – all the things you want to see a young quarterback do. I think (Rams coach) Sean (McVay) and his staff have done a great job with him, with that whole team."
ON THE MARK:Running back Mark Ingram II was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Washington (11 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown, plus three catches for 21 yards). Ingram and rookie running back Alvin Kamara also have been named FedEx Ground Player of the Week this season.
"I lose track of these FedEx awards," Payton said, jokingly. "I know that we felt like he played a real good game. Exceptional game. He had some good, strong runs. Real strong runs.
"Games, they go differently every week. Sometimes you can be sitting there in the second quarter and you feel like you've only had eight snaps. You have an interception on your first series, so that takes plays away from your overall total. You finish (4 of 12) on third down, (and) that takes snaps away. So they're at a premium. But I think that he's running with that confidence and pad level, all the things you like.
"Between he and Kamara, we're going to have more FedEx plaques, or whatever it is that they (present). Maybe they get to use FedEx services for free for a year, or something. That'd be a good deal. When you absolutely have to have it somewhere."
