Kellen Moore just answered a vital question about Travis Etienne

You ever seen the canvas art in the mall that shows two different images depending on how you look at it? That’s the same way one could answer the question of what’s the New Orleans Saints’ most impactful free agency signing. Is it Travis Etienne or David Edwards? I tend to lean to the former, and Kellen Moore gave the best explanation of why the answer is Etienne.

When asked about Etienne's impact on how they'll handle Tyler Shough, Moore said, "I think it comes down to every week is a different battle, a different game plan. You just have to have the versatility to play different styles through a season." Etienne's key benefit won't be giving Shough more time to throw or creating separation for an easier pass. Etienne's greatest asset to Shough will be taking massive weight off his shoulders.

Moore’s response wasn’t directed at which signing will be more impactful, so the answer is still up for interpretation. David Edwards is an offensive lineman who naturally impacts the pass and run every single play. You could argue that’s going the most beneficial signing for Shough. 

Travis Etienne gives the Saints a new ceiling

Kellen Moore’s argument that Etienne helps the Saints win games in multiple ways creates a larger impact on the team as a whole. We often look at strategy as a one size fits all type of thing. "You're a passing team so that's how you'll win." That's also often true. However, at the ceilings the Saints are hoping to reach, flexibility becomes mandatory.

Etienne gifts the Saints that flexibility. The Saints may face a dominant secondary or pass rush and need to lean on the running game more. Shough could simply be having an off day. Cultivating a run game that can be the catalyst of victory allows for any of these circumstances to arise without feeling like the game is lost.

Moore didn't stop at merely saying the Saints have to be able to win games in multiple ways. That would have been a good enough reason. The cherry on top is Moore making it clear history supports running the football is a hallmark of the best offenses.

"Historically, the best teams traditionally have ran the football pretty well. Those are the best offenses and the most consistent offenses," Moore said. He called back to his own history in Dallas, Philadelphia and Los Angeles to prove the point. His successes came when running the football well, and his failures came when they struggled to run it well.

The Saints should be an improved running team because of both Etienne AND Edwards. The pairing helps create the ability to run the football at a much better rate than a year ago. It's the running back that makes you confident that run game can win you games.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow