New Orleans Saints head coach Darren Rizzi has often been described as a "players' coach" by people around the organization. He's certainly not pushover and possesses immense and strong emotion.
That being said, he cares about the mental aspect of the game for his players and how the NFL life can take a toll on them, both physically and psychologically. His discussion on a young playmaker has made some waves on social media recently.
Rizzi on Kendre Miller
The interim head coach for the Saints isn't drinking what Dennis Allen poured throughout the past two years. They are excited about the young running back in New Orleans, according to Rizzi.
“Kendre Miller’s a talented football player. There’s no one that’s gonna sit here and ever deny that.”
“You’ve seen that when he’s been active and healthy, that he’s a guy that can produce for the team. He’s a really good change of pace back, he brings another dimension to it.”
“His thing is gonna be consistency and staying healthy.”
-- Rizzi on Kendre Miller
Miller is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, a place where many in the organization did not think he should go before Allen was fired.
Per the source, the original plan for the running back, who “tweaked” his hamstring against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8, was to proceed with caution and keep him out of last week’s Carolina Panthers matchup but ultimately have him return in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons. That would have put Miller back on the field this upcoming weekend.
The back was instead placed on Injured Reserve, sparking frustration among the coaching staff who was confused as to why that would be necessary for such a minor injury. Apparently former Head Coach Dennis Allen “had a lot to do with it.” One source suggests a “lack of trust” in Miller’s ability to stay healthy may have been the driving force of Allen’s motivation.
-- Ross Jackson
Rizzi also made a comment that is a bit of a nod to the idea that Miller was in the "doghouse" for Dennis Allen. That won't be the case for him under Rizzi, whatsoever.
"I don't have a doghouse. My dog house is empty at the moment. I don't have a dog." -- Rizzi via Matthew Paras
The HC also noted that it will be "all gas, no brakes" for the young RB in his return. They won't rush him back, but he is chomping at the bit to make a difference for the offense in New Orleans.
Regularly, the former Saints head coach mentioned Miller, either directly or indirectly, as a player they needed to see on the practice field but could not often enough due to injury. Then, he made a strong-armed decision to put him on the shelf longer than he needed to be, even if it hurt the team.
All in all, expect Miller to be involved in the offense sooner than later when he is activated from the injured reserve. Rizzi won't hold anything against him as he tries to recover fully.
