TAYSOM ➡️ JUWAN (also peep the block from Jamaal)
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/e7c5IQDLNq
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 5, 2023
Now this is funny. The New Orleans Saints added a new element to their offense in recent weeks by working nose tackle Khalen Saunders into short-yardage sets as a fullback. And on Sunday, they took things a step further by having Saunders run a route in scoring position after he had previously worked as an extra blocker. The play was designed to flow to him with Tayson Hill dropping back to pass.
But the Chicago Bears didn’t take the bait. They weren’t about to be the first defense to allow a touchdown pass to the big man, with linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety Eddie Jackson both running with him in coverage. The extra attention freed up Juwan Johnson on the other side of the field, so Hill simply looked the other way and connected with him on a too-easy touchdown pass.
And Saunders rightfully wants everyone to know about his role on the play. It wouldn’t have happened without him forcing the defense’s hand.
“Binkatron, that’s my new nickname. I feel like Calvin (Johnson) out there,” Saunders told reporters after the game, referencing his nickname of “Binky” and Johnson’s famous “Megatron” moniker. He continued, “I looked up, had to turn around and count each one of them to let them know, ‘Y’all got three people on a D-lineman right now.’
“I got triple teamed. Count them. Binkatron,” Saunders added.
There were other defenders in the area and just two were covering him, but we won’t hold it against Saunders. Whether it’s two or three opponents covering him, he’s still commanding respect from the defense, and it’s helping the team. Saunders should continue drawing attention given his resume.
He didn’t get many opportunities to play offense with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he scored touchdowns as both a runner and receiver in college at Western Illinois, and he’s been playing both ways dating back to his high school career at Parkway Central in St. Louis. He isn’t someone defenders can overlook. But here’s hoping he gets his own touchdown someday.
