OUTSIDE THE HUDDLE

REUNITED Dennis Allen was the Raiders head coach back in 2014 when the team drafted Derek Carr in the second round. Now, nearly a decade later, they’re back together and trying to make good on the second acts of their careers. As Allen said at Carr’s introductory press conference, “It’s time for us to go finish what we started.”

MEANT TO BE Rookie quarterback Jake Haener is from Northern California, but he grew up a Saints fan because of Drew Brees and wore No. 9 at Fresno State as an homage to the Saints legend. Shortly after the Saints picked him in the fourth round, Haener remarked on that lifelong fandom. “That is just so unbelievable. I literally would wear Drew Brees jerseys, I’d wear Saints beanies. Having an opportunity to go play in New Orleans is literally going to be a dream come true.”

STREAK CONTINUES The Saints got into position to draft Haener by sending a future fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fans of the Saints weren’t surprised by the move: New Orleans has traded up at least once in 10 consecutive drafts, and each of its previous 25 draft-day trades have been to move up.

GOTTA CATCH ’EM ALL New Saints running back Jamaal Williams wore a Pokémon-themed hat as he signed his three-year contract, then kept it on his head for the length of his introductory press conference. The character: Eevee.

WELCOME TO TOWN The Saints made sure the cameras were rolling when Williams sampled boiled crawfish for the first time. The incredulous look on teammate and New Orleans native Tyrann Mathieu’s face when Williams suggested the local delicacy needed some barbecue sauce was worth it.