Anthony G. Halkias II

Verifiedanthalk@RoundtableIO

Copied to clipboard

Sports Journalist

Anthony G. Halkias II covers the Oklahoma City Thunder with in-depth analysis, breaking news, player evaluations, roster insights, and storytelling. A West Virginia University Journalism graduate, Anthony combines professional reporting with a passion for basketball to deliver engaging coverage.

Posts

4Followers

4Following

PODCAST: Saints’ Run Game Crisis: What the Steelers Loss Exposed and What Must Change

The New Orleans Saints enter their bye week searching for answers after a frustrating 16–10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris. In this episode, Halk breaks down what went wrong, why the running game remains such a concern and what meaningful improvement should look like when New Orleans returns. Eighteen rushing yards on seventeen carries tells a difficult story, but fixing the problem requires more than demanding additional handoffs. Halk explains how blocking, defensive positioning, play design and running back decisions connect, giving Saints fans a clearer understanding of what the coaching staff must evaluate. Alvin Kamara’s receiving production provides another angle. Could better opportunities in space help the offense while New Orleans repairs its rushing attack? The conversation also examines Kendre Miller’s struggles and why touch quality matters alongside workload. Tyler Shough completed nearly 79 percent of his passes against Pittsburgh, yet the Saints scored only ten points. Halk discusses the encouraging throws, the costly interception and how to evaluate quarterback development without ignoring accountability. Plus, get reactions to Barion Brown’s explosive contribution, Devaughn Vele’s touchdown and the pressure created by Chase Young and Carl Granderson. The show explains why sacks alone cannot solve third-down problems. Then, Who Dat Court tackles three fan arguments before a schedule breakdown highlights upcoming home games against Cleveland and Carolina, followed by road tests in Chicago and Cincinnati. Expect honest opinions, relatable humor and practical football insight, along with four bye-week priorities that give Saints fans specific improvements to watch for against Cleveland next.Oct 28, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Saints Show New Life as Tyler Shough Breaks Out Before Historic Paris Showdown

The New Orleans Saints finally gave their fans something to feel good about. On this episode of the Saints Roundtable, Halk breaks down New Orleans’ 34-27 win over the New York Giants and why the performance felt so different from what we had seen in recent weeks. After falling behind 10-0, the Saints exploded for 34 unanswered points and showed the kind of complementary football Kellen Moore has been searching for all season. Tyler Shough accounted for four touchdowns while protecting the football, the Saints rushed for 175 yards and the offense finally stopped putting everything on the young quarterback’s shoulders. Alvin Kamara also made NFL history by joining an exclusive group of players with 5,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. We also examine the defense’s four takeaways, why allowing 461 total yards is still a major concern and what New Orleans needs to clean up before facing a much more experienced opponent. Finally, we preview Sunday’s historic matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris, the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France. Halk breaks down the biggest matchups involving T.J. Watt, Chris Olave, Kamara and the Saints defense, plus why reaching 3-4 before the bye would completely change the conversation around this team. The Giants game proved the Saints can respond. Now Pittsburgh will tell us whether that response was real progress.Oct 21, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Gayle Benson Puts Saints on Notice as Pressure Builds on Kellen Moore, Tyler Shough

The New Orleans Saints are 1-4, and the pressure around this team is starting to feel very real. On this episode of the Saints Roundtable, Halk breaks down Gayle Benson’s public message that the current level of performance is unacceptable and why those comments raise the stakes for everyone inside the building. Words are no longer enough. The Saints have to start showing progress on the field. We also revisit the 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, where New Orleans managed only 142 total yards and once again struggled to sustain offense. Tyler Shough threw for just 96 yards with two interceptions, while Kellen Moore admitted the offense was not good enough and took responsibility for the protection plan and play-calling. Halk also dives into Alvin Kamara’s usage, Chris Olave’s importance, the continued pressure on the offensive line and why the Saints defense continues giving this team opportunities it cannot afford to waste. Finally, we preview Sunday’s road matchup against the New York Giants, including Jameis Winston, Malik Nabers, the Giants’ offensive-line injuries and the biggest matchups New Orleans has to win. The Saints do not need another explanation for why they are 1-4. They need to start giving fans reasons to believe they will not stay there.Oct 16, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Cam Jordan Sounds Off After Embarrassing Falcons Loss as Saints Face 4-0 Vikings

The New Orleans Saints are 1-3 after an ugly 45-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and veteran defensive leader Cam Jordan did not sugarcoat what happened. On this episode of the Saints Roundtable, Halk breaks down Jordan's blunt postgame reaction after Atlanta ran for 205 yards and completely controlled the game. Jordan called the performance embarrassing and admitted the Falcons "had their way," giving Saints fans an honest assessment of a rivalry loss that never really felt competitive. We also dive into Tyler Shough's 286-yard performance, why his final numbers looked better than the offense actually felt and his refreshingly honest response to fans booing inside the Superdome. Chris Olave continues to produce at a high level, while Alvin Kamara added two touchdowns despite another difficult night for the running game. Halk also examines Kellen Moore's ongoing slow-start problem, the defensive injuries that mattered against Atlanta and why New Orleans simply cannot afford another flat opening quarter. Finally, we preview Sunday's matchup against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Brian Flores' defense has been dominant, Will Reichard has been automatic, and the Saints must prepare for Aaron Jones, T.J. Hockenson and potentially Justin Jefferson. Monday night was embarrassing. Sunday is New Orleans' chance to prove it learned something from it.Oct 7, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Tyler Shough's Four-TD Game Wasted as Saints Face Huge Falcons Rivalry Test

The New Orleans Saints are 1-2 after a brutal 35-27 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and this may have been their most painful defeat yet. Tyler Shough threw four touchdown passes, Chris Olave topped 100 receiving yards and New Orleans built an 11-point lead, only to collapse with four fourth-quarter turnovers. On this episode of the Saints Roundtable, Halk breaks down exactly how the game slipped away and why the biggest issue was not talent, but finishing. We examine Shough's continued growth, his chemistry with Olave and the emergence of Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant as major red-zone weapons. There are also important injury developments. Travis Etienne Jr. has been placed on injured reserve, while several defensive starters are dealing with injuries ahead of Monday night. Defensively, the Saints must regroup after allowing Brock Bowers to dominate the middle of the field. Chase Young continues to provide pressure, but the upcoming matchup may be even tougher. Finally, we preview a massive Monday Night Football rivalry game against the Atlanta Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. is coming off his best game of the season, Bijan Robinson leads the NFL in scrimmage yards and Atlanta just dominated Green Bay at Lambeau. The Saints have already proven they can fight back. Now, against their biggest rival on national television, they have to prove they can finish.Oct 3, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Tyler Shough Stuns Ravens as Saints Prepare for Dangerous Raiders Showdown

The New Orleans Saints delivered one of the biggest surprises of Week 2, overcoming an 11-point deficit to defeat Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens 24-17. Now, Tyler Shough and company return to the Superdome with an opportunity to build momentum against the undefeated Las Vegas Raiders. On this episode of the Saints Roundtable, Halk breaks down Shough's impressive performance, his game-winning rushing touchdown and the growing belief that New Orleans may have found its franchise quarterback. We also examine Chris Olave's explosive start, Devaughn Vele's emergence and Juwan Johnson's increasingly important role in Kellen Moore's offense. Defensively, the Saints answered major questions by limiting Derrick Henry to 68 rushing yards and shutting out Baltimore in the fourth quarter. But significant concerns remain, including an inconsistent rushing attack, Alvin Kamara's slow start and the loss of offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Looking ahead, we preview Sunday's home opener against the 2-0 Raiders, featuring Kirk Cousins, Ashton Jeanty and Maxx Crosby. Can New Orleans protect Shough, establish its running game and finally avoid another slow start? Our sports betting segment explores potential opportunities involving Olave's receptions and receiving yards, Shough's passing production, Johnson's receiving totals and Kamara's touchdown potential. We also examine Jeanty's rushing matchup and the game scripts that could create value. The Saints have already proven they can overcome adversity. Now it's time to find out whether they can build on their statement victory.Sep 25, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Tyler Shough, Chris Olave Give Saints Hope Before Brutal Ravens Test

The New Orleans Saints may have opened the 2026 season with a heartbreaking 31-30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions, but Week 1 gave fans plenty of reasons to keep watching. In this episode of the Saints Roundtable, we break down Tyler Shough's wild performance, from three early turnovers and a 21-0 deficit to finishing with 410 passing yards and three touchdowns while nearly completing an incredible comeback. Chris Olave also looked every bit like a superstar, exploding for a career-high 182 receiving yards and strengthening what could become one of the NFL's most exciting young quarterback-receiver connections. We also dive into Devaughn Vele's breakout performance, Kellen Moore's aggressive decision to go for two in overtime, and the impact Alvin Kamara could make as he prepares to return to the lineup. Defensively, the Saints showed some encouraging flashes from Chase Young and Vernon Broughton, but allowing Jahmyr Gibbs to rush for 156 yards creates an obvious concern heading into Week 2. That concern becomes even bigger with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens waiting next. Baltimore scored 41 points in its opener, making this an immediate test of whether New Orleans can clean up the turnovers, improve against the run and start faster. Halk breaks down everything Saints fans need to know, the biggest Week 1 takeaways, and why Baltimore could reveal whether this team is simply entertaining or legitimately dangerous.Sep 18, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Saints Face Major Week 1 Test as Tyler Shough, Chase Young Take Center Stage

PODCAST: Saints Face Major Week 1 Test as Tyler Shough, Chase Young Take Center Stage

Sep 12, 2026

SaintsRoundtable

PODCAST: Tyler Shough’s Future, Chris Olave’s Rise and the Saints’ New-Look Backfield

PODCAST: Tyler Shough’s Future, Chris Olave’s Rise and the Saints’ New-Look Backfield

Sep 5, 2026

SaintsRoundtable