Players are scheduled to report tomorrow for the start of Saints’ training camp and with it will commence the 2012 season and the road to New Orleans. Here’s the six things I’m looking for this training camp.
1. Do all the key players survive relatively healthy?
The biggest fear going into training camp/preseason every year is the season ending injury to a key player. You know you’re going to get numerous bumps and bruises prior to week 1, but the hope is that you can avoid major and catastrophic injuries to the starters and key reserves. To me that always trumps “how they look” in preseason games or who emerges in any camp battle.
2. Who are the reserve corners?
We have to figure Jabari Greer, Patrick Robinson, and Johnny Patrick have the top three corner spots on lockdown. But what about after that? The depth includes Elbert Mack, Corey White, and a slew of other guys you’ve never heard of. I’m really curious to see who makes the team as a 4th and 5th corner, and if they bring any sort of value to the team. The Saints may have to fish the waiver wire if these backups can’t cut it.
3. Who will be the #3 receiver?
Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson are virtual locks, but Nick Toon, Adrian Arrington and Joseph Morgan enter camp in a dead heat for that fourth spot. All three will get every chance to win it and it should be one of the more compelling stories in camp. I can’t wait to see how that battle plays out.
4. Are the new linebackers as good as advertised?
After the failed experiment with Shaun Rodgers and Aubrayo Franklin, I’m a little skeptical of players coming in and being awesome overnight. Lofton, Hawthorne and Chamberlain will be thrown into the fire and the defense will need them to play up to their supposed potential if we are going to see improvement.
5. Can the Saints avoid bountygate hangover?
You know it’ll be a distraction all season long. If they do a poor job of blocking it out early, it’s only going to get worse as the season progresses and becomes more stressful. How the Saints manage that early on will be very telling for the rest of the year.
6. Can the Saints generate a pass rush?
Are Martez Wilson and Junior Galette ready to be thrust into more full time roles and be consitent performers? Can Cam Jordon improve?
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