Having a game on Friday just always feels incredibly strange, but the Saints will host the Jaguars tonight in the Superdome for their first home game this season. In this third preseason game we’ll probably get a bit of an extended look at the first teams, which should give us a better feel for where the team is at.
1. Can the Saints’ starting unit dominate a team that was the NFL’s worst last year?
Based on how both teams fared last season, there should be a huge game in terms of talent, experience and chances of success between the two teams. In theory, the Saints’ starting units should look much stronger. Anything less than that is still no reason to panic because it’s just preseason, but all the same it would be disappointing to see the Saints’ starting leave the game tied.
2. Does anyone come out of this game a clear favorite for the #4 running back spot?
Travaris Cadet has been promising and Chris Ivory has struggled mightily with fumbles, but I still think this is Ivory’s job to lose unless some dramatic happens in these last few games to boost Cadet’s odds. Cadet will need to grossly outperform Ivory to have a shot at the 53 man roster. Ivory is less versatile, so anything Cadet can make happen on special teams is also a bonus.
3. Does Garrett Hartley get tested and does he pass?
The door is wide open for Garrett Hartley to win this kicker job now. John Kasay has missed 2 field goals in the preseason, including the game winner against the Patriots in a clutch situation. Blame the hold all you want… the Saints have wanted the young kicker with a stronger leg and a long term contract (Hartley) to win this job all along. Kasay has attempted four field goals in preseason and Hartley has attempted just one. Hartley made is lone attempt from inside 30 yards. I’d like to see him get tested with a kick of 40+ yards distance. With Kasay being less than perfect so far, a strong performance from Hartley would seal the deal.
4. What starting spots are still up for grabs?
Most of the guys battling for something are backups and special teamers battling for a roster spot. The roster is very mature and there’s not a lot of starting spots up for grabs. On offense the only real question is the #4 receiver spot, a backup role. Everything else barring injury is completely set. On defense, I see two starting spots still unresolved. Assuming Will Smith’s suspension stays as scheduled, there’s an opportunity for a defensive end (mostly likely Turk McBride or Junior Galette) to step in Smith’s place and start those first 4 games while he’s suspended. The other spot is at outside linebacker which Scott Shanle has occupied the last 6 years. I think Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne are locks to start, but Shanle could be dethroned by a few guys (Casillas, Herring, Chamberlain). That said, Shanle for six straight seasons has held off any competition the Saints have thrown at him so there’s no reason to believe this year will be any different. I do think Shanle’s starting spot is the least secure on the roster, but the staff knows and trusts what they’ll get from Shanle so it will take a monster preseason performance by some of those other guys if they want to be thrust into a more prominent role.
5. Avoid the injury bug!
I told you guys this would be a recurring feature in my 5 things gameday during preseason. So far the Saints have been extremely lucky on the injury front, knock on wood. Yes a number of guys are banged up, but that’s normal, and the most serious one (Jabari Greer) is still scheduled to be ready for the opener. The Saints have lost DE Greg Romeus and G Andrew Tiller to this point for the year. Neither is ideal but both figured to be role players at best, and they certainly weren’t guarantees to make the 53 man roster to begin with. Injuries and nicks are part of the game, but the hope here is to avoid a major injury to a key player. With extended playing time against the Jags for the starters, this game presents a little bit bigger of a risk than the last two.
Enjoy the game!
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