Cam Jordan knows DK Metcalf’s name, but whether he actually spaced on the Seahawks WR’s title, he had a nickname ready to fly: “The King Orc Smurf.”
It was part in reference to Metcalf’s intimidating size on the field, much like the orcs of lore. The Smurf part was in reference to the WR's signature blue hair. Jordan eventually remembered the name in his post-game interview, but it was a remnant of a game that was chippy and chirpy early and often.
“I think that when they’re trying to create a tougher identity than what they are, that’s where you get a lot more chippier talk,” Jordan said. "But, again, we go back to our basics. We play the football that we want to play, and I think it takes care of itself.”
That chippiness manifested itself in several on-field dust-ups and personal fouls, most notably the frequent shoving matches shown on the broadcast between Metcalf and star Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The action drew two 15-yard penalties on Lattimore, who clamped down after an 84-yard touchdown to Metcalf on the Seahawks’ first pass attempt of the game. The Seahawks receiver finished the game with just two catches for 96 yards in the 13-10 Saints win.
But the losses of the composure and negative plays were a topic of discussion among the defensive leaders and the coaching staff after the result. Demario Davis, who experienced some chippiness in his own right, spoke at length about the situation.
He’s always been the type to “bully the bully,” even when the action isn’t directed at him. There’s plenty of time to prove you’re tough between the whistles, he said. While not pointing to any specific players, Davis pointed to a play where he was blocked after the whistle and returned the favor in kind on the next snap. Davis bullrushed Seahawks center Kyle Fuller so far into the backfield that he effectively tackled his own running back.
"We have 6, 7 seconds between the whistles. We don’t need no fake tough guys,” Davis said, conceding that the Monday Night Football energy probably played a role. "The extra pushing after the play, talking after the play. That’s not going to get any of us anywhere. It’s a physical game, you’re going to get your shot if you want it.”
While Lattimore vs Metcalf drew the attention, it was far from the only chippy action in the game. Defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson also drew a 15-yard penalty, and Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett drew a taunting flag for flipping a ball to PJ Williams on the sideline after a first down.
Still, Saints coach Sean Payton didn’t mince words about what his team needs to be focused on, despite whatever chirpiness is going on around him. Lattimore gets another testy matchup in week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with he and WR Mike Evans often involved in post-play shoving when they meet up.
“You don’t want to bring 140 people to Seattle from New Orleans and lose because it gets away from you,” Payton said. "Everyone’s counting on everyone, and I get it, but I think that’s a sign of a team that eventually you know how to win, and to win, and to win, and to win, and that becomes everything. … More important than anything else, it’s leaving with another win. And, you know, it’s a young team. We’re still preaching that message, but pretty soon you expect it."
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