The Good, The Bad And The Back Up QBs

It’s only the second week of the preseason but Saints Twitter is ready to send this team to the Super Bowl. As a fan, I would love nothing more but I am here to be a voice of reason and give some perspective to what I see. I know my colleague Brian likes to say that during the preseason “Nothing is as good as you think it is or as bad as you fear it is except for injuries.” There was a lot to love about the team this week and there were things that came out that need to be cleaned up. So we will digest the good, the bad and the ugly.

THE GOOD

• The Defense- The defense had a great showing all around. They played with passion and speed. Denis Allen called a very aggressive game plan. I am curious if Allen will continue to be this aggressive in the regular season. I would like to think that he will. I think Allen will push his secondary to be exceptional to allow him to be aggressive. He may end up having to be a little more conservative due to the lack of experience we have at the corner position, but early on I would definitely expect to see a similar game plan played.
• The Pass Rush- The pass rush was on full display for two straight games. Before you start screaming, I understand a lot of starters who will be playing in week 1 for both the Chargers and the Browns sat out but you have to be encouraged by what you see. I would not expect the Saints to get 8 sacks in a game come the regular season. The Arizona Cardinals led the league in sacks last year with 48, an average of 3 per game, while the Saints had 30. Also worth noting that 6 of those sacks came from a guy who will not play this year. The Saints will need the secondary to be special and the pass rush to be outstanding for them to get to 40+ sacks this season. But it is encouraging to see the hustle by these defensive linemen.
• The Linebackers. Oh. My. God. The linebacker play last night was something we haven’t seen in a while. The three players who led the team in tackles were all linebackers, Klein, Te’0 and Robertson. I might get killed for this but the linebackers we saw last night reminded me of the 2009 linebackers. None are a bona-fide pro bowler or hall of famer but they are smart, they know their job and they can execute. One has to wonder if Anthony is slowly becoming the odd man out.
• Alvin Kamara/Mike Thomas- The Saints have two young talented players that should be with the franchise a long time. Kamara was advertised as this Darren Sproles/Reggie Bush satellite type back but he is so much more. Kamara could eventually push Ingram out of town. He is that good. He won’t replaced Ingram or Peterson this year in the starting lineup unless Payton feels he just can’t keep him off the field. But he will be the running back of the franchise soon. As for Mike Thomas, the dude is just a baller and shows up. His twitter handle of @cantgaurdmike is so true. He is a special player.
• Chris Banjo- Banjo has been left off a lot of roster projections but I bet as new projections come out in the coming weeks he sneaks in. What he brings to the Special Teams is undeniable. He halted Chargers returner Isiah Bruce for a loss of 5-yards on one return and a loss of 11-yards on another return. He may not make the team as a starting safety but he has a lot to offer has a special teamer. Monster game to say the least.

THE BAD

• Damien Swann- Was anyone else mad, or surprised for that matter, when Swann was flagged for pass interference on a 3rd and 23 after Robertson sack the quarterback the play before? Well if that didn’t piss you off what about the 17-yard reception on the next play to James Jones? Swann’s days are numbered. He would have to be the defensive MVP the next two weeks of having a chance to make this team.
• The back up offensive linemen- I think the Saints are maxed out on injuries to the offensive line. One more injury could be detrimental to the team. Hopefully if the Saints make any postseason run Armstead will be back giving them some breathing room but lets just pray Bryce Harris never has to play.
• Offensive Skill Positions- Outside of Kamara and Thomas the other players didn’t really do much. A lot of that has to do with the quarterback and offensive line play but they will need to be better than what they showed the last week. Especially if the doomsday scenario of losing Brees to an injury were to occur.

THE UGLY (Or really just the backup QBs)

Everything about the quarterbacks was God awful last night. Chase Daniel was mediocre at best, Ryan Nassib was the golden boy last week and most hated this week. Theres really nothing more to say here other than we can hope and pray that Brees lives through the season. Daniel will be your backup and I doubt you see a third on the roster this year.

Bonus section- MIXED REVIEW

Ryan Ramczyk was never going to have a 100% successful outing against Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. I thought he played exceptionally well in the pass game and on the long Kamara run but as the first half played on some things crept up that will need to be cleaned up. He got beat a few times making life hard for Chase Daniel. Things won’t get easier for him so he will need to work on his game and fast.