Saints Nation: GAMEDAY!! 5 Things to Watch

FOOTBALL IS BACK BABY!! Tonight the Saints host the 49ers in the first preseason of the season. There’s countless things I’m curious about, but as always the main goal of a preseason game is to get out of it healthy. That trumps everything else. After that, you want to get a good look at who’s filling out the 53 man roster and making the back end parts of the team. With that, I give you the 5 things to watch for:

1. Who’s good on special teams and who isn’t?

When you’re a backup in the NFL, you need to play special teams to stick on a roster. If the backups miss tackles or screw up on special teams, they’re toast. Conversely, if a guy makes big plays, he’s really strengthening his case.

2. Do we still feel good about Chase Daniel as a backup?

Last year he had stiff competition from Patrick Ramsey to make the team. This year he has no competition (Sean Canfield is horrible). How does he play in this game with extended reps? If he solid as a #2 quarterback for the team?

3. Is Clint Ingram (pictured) back to his old self?

Back when he was healthy on the Jaguars, Ingram was a stud linebacker. I’m hearing great things about him in camp. He’s a big reason why Danny Clark got cut this week. If he can perform like the Clint Ingram of old, our linebacking core is much better off. How does he look tonight? Is he healthy? Can he regain his starting quality ability?

4. With Lynell Hamilton gone and Chris Ivory hurt, who takes advantage?

There’s tons of buzz about Joique Bell right now, so keep an eye on him. We know Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas are locks to make the roster. Ivory is still rehabbing his foot and hernia, so he’s out for at least a month. He’s definitely a candidate for the PUP list. Who does that leave as the #4 back? Don’t be surprised if the Saints bring in a new back to camp if they don’t like what they see from Bell or Chris Taylor. This is their chance in this game to showcase their stuff.

5. Do the Saints avoid major injuries to crucial players?

This may be last but it’s most important. Preseason is about survival and getting through it. I cringe every time I think about how Billy Miller’s career ended. We need to avoid that at all cost.