Juwan Johnson says he considers the TE group to be like the Ninja Turtles, and Jimmy Graham is Master Splinter.
Important details: He wouldn’t assign any others in the group, but he identifies with Donatello. #Saints pic.twitter.com/Px5qaMkxW8
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) July 28, 2023
Tight end Juwan Johnson spoke to media after the New Orleans Saints third training camp practice ended, sharing a unique comparison for the Saints tight ends room to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This started with Jimmy Graham being likened to the heroes’ Master Splinter (“He’s like the O.G. of tight ends … he’s been so helpful to us as an older guy and so decorated not even here but in the NFL”) and Johnson comparing himself to the levelheaded Donatello (“I feel like I’m Donatello, I feel like I’m pretty smart, pretty chill”).
While Johnson wouldn’t dig any deeper on who the rest of the room fits, we did the obvious job. We went through every member of the New Orleans Saints tight end room and assigned them a member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles squad. Or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Tight Ends, if you will:
Master Splinter - Jimmy Graham
Johnson likened Graham to Master Splinter and we have to agree. Graham is the oldest player in the room (and the roster as a whole), sharing wisdom from his long career and guiding the young group of tight ends through training camp and preparing everyone for the long season ahead.
Leonardo - Foster Moreau
Leo is the leader of the group. After Jimmy Graham, I would put Moreau as the top guy in the room. He’s been around and contributed the longest, with Derek Carr at quarterback nonetheless.
Leo’s weapon of choice, the dual katanas, Moreau matches that by being a dual-threat tight end. He can either be a great blocker or asset in the receiving game.
Donatello - Juwan Johnson
There’s an argument to be made for Johnson to be Mikey, if you look at his TikTok career, but in the end we’ll side with Johnson’s take and match him with Donatello. Don is the most calm and smartest (real sly self-awareness there Juwan) of the group. To his credit, Johnson was named to multiple Academic All-Big Ten teams during his college career.
Donnie uses a bō staff, which is known for its flexibility. Johnson is an athletic receiving threat out of the tight end spot, but can still hit hard if he needs to when asked to block for his teammates.
Raphael - Jesse James
Raph is known as the most aggressive turtle. James isn’t some notorious jerk or anything, rather his play style will most resemble that attitude. James is a large and strong tight end (among the heaviest in the group, weighing in at 6-foot-7 and 261 pounds) that will be an intense blocker, likely the best blocker out of this group.
Raphael uses the twin sai daggers as his weapons of choice. The sai are sharp and can attack you, but also are known for their ability to block and trap your weapons.
Michelangelo - Lucas Krull
Mikey is the youngest and most immature turtle. Krull is the youngest and least-experienced tight end on the Saints roster. He’s naturally gifted as an athlete and is known for his energy. Krull is a fantastic athlete, having also played baseball during his college career and actually being drafted by the San Francisco Giants.
Michelangelo uses num-chuks, something used by someone with quick hands and high endurance and athleticism. All things important to the style of game that Krull brings to the roster.
Casey Jones - Taysom Hill
Now, Casey Jones isn’t actually a turtle. But is Taysom Hill really a tight end? They’re both a part of the group, just a little bit more on the outside. No one else in the tight end room is taking third string snaps at quarterback during training camp.
Casey Jones wears a mask and uses a bunch of different weapons. He has a hockey stick, baseball bat, golf clubs. Do we really need to go any further as to why this is Taysom Hill?
