Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry was on the field for 28 defensive snaps and nine special teams plays in his NFL debut, and the former Pinson Valley High School and Alabama star could be in for an even bigger role in Game 2 on Sunday.
The New Orleans Saints sent the rookie cornerback to the field in their season opener against the Carolina Panthers when Marshon Lattimore was sidelined with a hamstring injury. New Orleans’ injury report for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys lists Lattimore’s participation status as questionable after he did not participate in practice this week.
“I’m always ready to play,” McKinstry said Thursday. “I’m always focused and ready. You never know. And that’s a big deal. A lot of guys in the locker room always tell me, ‘You never know when you’re going to get called. It could be the first play, it could be the last play,’ so that’s how I prepared last week and that’s the same thing I’m doing this week.”
McKinstry made two tackles, and profootballreference.com shows that the receivers covered by the rookie were targeted three times by Carolina quarterback Bryce Young, with one of those being completed for 5 yards. Pro Football Focus says McKinstry allowed two pass catches for 40 yards.
“I think I played pretty well,” McKinstry said. “It was my first time out there throwing myself in the deep end. I felt comfortable. …
“I think the speed was fine. I think the speed was fine for me. I think I adapted well to the speed.”
McKinstry got off to an unfortunate start. On his first play for Lattimore, McKinstry dropped coverage to contain Young. The Carolina quarterback threw the ball to wide receiver Jonathan Mingo for a 35-yard gain. It was the Panthers’ longest play in the Saints’ 47-10 victory.
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“He likes the competition,” said Joe Woods, New Orleans’ defensive coordinator. “You know he’s in there. Now the first play – um. Right? He’s got to make sure he stays in coverage. But one thing’s for sure: He’s not blinking.”
“The game is not too big for him. He was excited to go into the game. He went out there, he challenged the receivers, and I think that’s what I liked about him – and I went to Pro Day just to visit with him and stuff like that. But he’s a very confident player, he’s a very smart player, and, again, playing in front of a big crowd is not too big for him.”
McKinstry said he learned his lesson and moved on to the next game.
“As a cornerback, you know that off the top of your head,” McKinstry said. “You learn that off the top of your head. As a cornerback, I’ve known that since high school. When somebody catches the ball, it’s time to move on. I think you know that. Like I said, as a cornerback, you already know that. Adapt to the next play.”
In his debut, McKinstry spent a quarter of his defensive snaps in the slot corner.
“Wherever the team needs me,” McKinstry said. “Obviously, I get a lot more use as a cornerback because I played a lot more cornerback in college. But wherever I’m needed, I’m there and ready to help the team.”
The Saints will play the Cowboys at 12:00 p.m. CDT on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Dallas opened its season with a 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. New Orleans’ secondary will feature Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is a first-team All-Pro selection in 2023.
“I think what they do, they do very well,” McKinstry said. “I’m just ready to go out there and fight. … Obviously, you always have to know where 88 is. But the other guys are good, too. Those guys are making plays, too, so we’ve got to keep those guys in check, too, and make sure they don’t make plays.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
