The New Orleans Saints open the preseason this Thursday at New England, marking the first time since I joined the Saints Nation blog that there will be actual football played (I joined during the chaos known as “will Sean Payton stay or go” phase. FUN). But I have to say that the real truth here is I hate preseason football. You think training camp causes unbridled optimism? HA. Throw together a great first quarter on Thursday and this fan base might start booking hotel rooms in Houston. Throw together a bad first quarter and … yeah, I don’t even want to think about it. The fact is analyzing preseason is unavoidable, but its best to pay as little overall attention as you can. Remember: this team has had awful preseasons and been fantastic, great preseasons and been downright terrible. It’s indicative of nothing!
Now that I’ve said all that, Marijn and I are going to discuss five things we’re looking at come Thursday – whether it be position battles, coaching wrinkles, the performance of rookies – in short, the stuff every fan should be paying attention to vs NE, things that are way way more important that a W.
(please keep in mind that every statement you’re about to read is with the understanding that this is week 1 of preseason, and that likely nothing we see on Thursday is going to do all that much to answer much of anything).
Brian Bauer (@SaintBrian9)
I think the top thing I’m looking at Thursday is the offensive line. This is a unit that looked pretty awful at times last year, and it’s easy to argue that they may have actually gotten worse since last December. And yet, during the NFL draft in May, the Saints basically said through their actions that offensive line – especially guard – was not something they were terribly concerned about. We’re going to find out in a hurry whether they were right. New England boasts a strong defensive line and would love to show off their prowess as their preseason opens by throwing around whoever’s under center for the Saints. Despite all the improvements the Saints made to their offense (Michael Thomas, Coby Fleener, a healthy Mark Ingram), bad line play would be a gut punch. Marijn, what’s the biggest item you’re looking at on Thursday night?
Marijn Pessers (@Monedula_)
When I agreed to do this I did not realize that we are actually hijacking Andrew Juge his recurring segment (probably for just one time), but I know he won’t mind. Me, as a true Jugean, I say we should start with the very most important thing of preseason. NO INJURIES.
Having said that first I will comment on your pick. The offensive line. Good one. That is the one thing that I am worried about. Defense and the weapons the Saints have look nice now. But we went into 2014 and 2015 with question marks on certain positions. We now have those at the O-line. It will prove to be a weak point of this Saints team. By the way, I think you are wrong in your conclusion why the saints did not address Guard is that the guys they wanted were gone. They decided not to waste their pick on a guy that does not fit them.
So. MY first thing I will be watching; Running Back. The Saints are really deep there. Ingram is the number 1. But there are great players who will be 2nd 3rd or 4th string on that position. So that means there will be great players to watch even after the first 10 snaps. Spiller will be looking great vs 3 rookie LBs.
BB
I think especially when it comes to a guy like Tim Hightower. He looked fantastic at the end of last season, but we’re literally talking about some incredibly fresh legs compared to a lot of worn down guys that late in the year. Otherwise, I’m excited to see a guy like Daniel Lasco in person; I’ve heard good things.
My second thing is probably how Coby Fleener looks as he’s unveiled in this offense for the first time. I know, I know, I dogged the Fleener signing at the time, so maybe that’s why I’m so interested in seeing if Fabio can fit in. I assumed it was pretty much a done deal that he would walk right in, but a few of the comments Andrew Juge made at his (fantastic) visit to camp this weekend give me a little pause …
MP
Yes I saw the same same tweets, but I think Brees is not gonna force it to Fleener in those 10 snaps they get together. Fleener will not catch one ball. So as much as I would like to see that guy, we won’t.
I am also gonna watch the secondary. They are playing the Patriots, but except for a surgical Brady they have some not top guys at the Helm. I am hoping for at least 2 interceptions. We need them to show something. They have been good in camp, but there is something else to showing it in a game, even though it is a preseason game, if they play good it is a sign of them having fixed the problems. I am looking forward to see if they can scheme their defense in some way that they can utilize their players abilities like the interception making capability of Byrd. Having said that, I also would like to see Harper make a sack!
BB
Actually, I do think we’re gonna see a little Fleener, and I do expect him to catch at least a pass or two. As for the secondary, yeah, we’re on the same page on that one. Reports from camp swirled all over twitter when Brees had a very uncharacteristic 4 INT afternoon (from the files of overreaction central, btw, I actually had a neighbor cautiously approach me and ask if I was concerned that Brees looks so “bad” in camp). You can be like my neighbor and start wringing your hands that Brees is starting to slip, or do what most fans did and start wondering if it means this secondary is up to the challenge of not making every QB they play look like Aaron Rodgers. The personnel looks good together, the depth is there and for once the health is there (so far). Let’s see what these guys can do to a very limited Brady.
Another thing I’m watching is the play of the defense in general, ie, what can we expect out of Dennis Allen. Granted, he’s not gonna show many if any cards on Thursday, but boy oh boy do Saints fans need to feel like there’s some signs of a stable presence on the sideline. Year one of Rob Ryan’s tenure withstanding, defense and it’s commander have been a debacle of late. I’d like to see some indicator – a beefed up pass rush, a middle that gets penetration, linebackers who have some concept of where they’re supposed to be (that would be nice).
MP
Yes some sacks would be nice. Interior push is something that would be nice. So there are a few things left, QB, Kicker and WRs. But of those 3 the only one that is a real battle is the WR position. I am gonna look at Thomas. I want to see him grab some great one handed catches. I am going to draft him in my dynasty league. I draft #6… Hmm on second though. Hide him Payton! I do not want him to make the grab of the week! If he does I have no chance to get him there. I have 5 top WRs already on that team anyway. Make him ready when Fitz is retiring!
BB
And that’s always the trick isn’t it? We want to see answers to so many of these questions, but at same time we don’t want Payton to show any of the good cards! Sometimes I think pre-season is as much about misdirection as it is about figuring everyone’s roles. Anyway, here’s to the return of football! See you next week!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
