The Saints are now 3-0 in preseason despite a third straight double digit penalty performance. This time it was 10 penalties (compared to 3 for the Colts!) but overall the team played well. At halftime it was 20-10 Saints and the 1st stringers utterly dominated the Colts. You may say Andrew Luck is the next best in the game, but he was little match for a superior defense, and a superior quarterback on the other side of the ball. Below are my notes:
- I was pretty impressed with Austin Johnson, who scored the first touchdown. He reminded me of Jed Collins. Very versatile and pretty good in blocking. If Erik Lorig doesn’t figure into the team’s week 1 plans and beyond, he’s probably your starter, and he’ll be fine.
- Brees looked rusty on the opening drive, missing passes by small margins compared to his usual precision, and as the game wore on he got more and more acclimated. The Saints scored two touchdowns on his two drives and Sean Payton had seen enough.
- Pierre Thomas always makes the first guy miss.
- Jonathan Goodwin started and looked very good at center. To me he was the Saints’ best o-lineman on the day. His run blocking and screen/pull leads were vintage Goody of ’09. Pretty clear to me at this point who belongs as the starter.
- It was also interesting to me that Luke McCown was not only with the #2’s, but holding for Shayne Graham with the primary kicking unit. Suggests that McCown and Graham have the inside track on jobs?
- Interesting that McCown’s stats were 3-10 for just 45 yards, and Ryan Griffin was 8 for 13 for 46 yards but McCown looked a lot better. The quarterback battle for #2 behind Brees is very much in question at this point.
- The starting offense and defense look on point, seriously. Mark Ingram and Jairus Byrd in particular look righteous.
- Kenny Vaccaro made a sick interception. So did Keenan Lewis, but it was called incomplete and somehow Payton never challenged the play. He should have, though, because to me it was clearly a pick.
- Brian Dixon (who?) made one of the plays of the preseason with a beautiful pick on a pass in the end zone. No doubt, of the backups, he was by far one of the best.
- Junior Galette gave us all cardiac arrest with an apparent injury but he’s fine. Kenny Stills re-injured his quad.
- Derek Dimke drilled a 45 yarder to keep this kicker battle interesting. Neither guy missed.
- A steady first half performance that should leave the fans feeling good. As expected, this team is for real.
See you in the Dome on Thursday!
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