Soon-to-be interim Saints coach Aaron Kromer insists he will coach the offensive linemen exactly the same way when he replaces Joe Vitt as acting boss at the start of the regular season. That hasn’t been LB Scott Shanle’s experience with Vitt in the first three preseason games.
Shanle said Vitt, whose sole focus normally is the linebackers, wasn't able to give that group as much attention while serving as interim coach.
“It’s been weird for me coming over to the sideline and not having Joe over there helping with corrections or just settling us down when need be,” Shanle said. “He has a role that he has to do on game day. But last week, when the defense wasn’t playing well (against Jacksonville), he still took the time to gather the defense together and inspired and motivated us. I feel he’s done it well for the multiple things he’s had to do.”
At the least, Shanle said Kromer and the offensive linemen, his position responsibility, would need a period of adjustment.
“I think he’ll handle it well, but the linebackers, we got a trial run at it last year when coach (Sean) Payton went down with the injury (broken leg) and Joe had to kind of do this (interim coach) role already,” Shanle said. “For us, it wasn’t as big of an adjustment going into the season because we already went through it.”
Kromer said Frank Smith, an offensive assistant who works with the line, would take on a slightly bigger role but would not supplant him on game days.
Guard Jahri Evans, who could be directly affected by Kromer’s new duties, said the linemen didn't know about the temporary promotion ahead of time.
"It will be interesting, but it’s all good,” Evans said. “We will still execute like we execute. To us he’s still going to be there. The only thing that’s a little bit different is game-day situations. We’ll talk about that as the days go on.”
Injury update: Vitt said recently acquired LB Barrett Ruud practiced on Thursday and might play late in the second half against Houston on Saturday. The Saints picked up Ruud in a trade with Seattle on Tuesday after losing LBs Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne and Chris Chamberlain to injuries last Friday against Jacksonville. Ruud would play MLB, replacing Lofton.
Vitt said CB Marquis Johnson, coming off a knee injury, is likely to play. DE Turk McBride (ankle) has practiced the past two days and might play. WR Andy Tanner, who sprained an ankle last Friday, hasn't returned to practice and won’t play Saturday.
This and that: Vitt said WR Adrian Arrington, who had meniscus surgery on Aug. 13, would be ready for the regular-season opener against Washington on Sept. 9. If true, count Arrington as a lock for the 53-player roster. … Kromer, who will take over as interim coach when Vitt begins serving a six-game suspension at the start of the regular season, has never been a head coach at any level.
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO.
