The Saints are now 0-3 in the preseason and while that’s no reason to hit the panic button, it’s plenty reason for concern. This team looks pretty bad. I took my son to the game (his first) and I felt for him because the experience was pretty miserable in person. I had the opportunity to watch the game later this evening and feel I can now formulate better thoughts with the advantage of replay. I’ll start with the major concern areas and finish with some positions.
PENALTIES
For 12 straight quarters now we’ve seen an absolutely horrible lack of discipline. This week it was to the tune of 11 penalties for 148 yards. The Saints are beating themselves in these games. So many flags on deep balls. Keenan Lewis, Kenny Phillips, Kyle Wilson, Stanley Jean-Baptiste… all guilty. It’s definitely more about evaluation than result for the coaches (and fans) but you’re still trying to win and execute. The Saints are not doing that right now. On some level you expect it because there are so many backups and young players playing… many guys who will never see an NFL field in a regular season game. Those players tend to be sloppy which is why they don’t end up on NFL rosters. But still, the Saints are getting flagged much more than their opponents. And with backups it’s one thing, but when your special teams is doing it that’s a real concern. Almost every big return the Saints have had this preseason has been negated by a penalty. And those hurt most of all because the foul might be 10/15 yards but you’re also losing the 50 yard return (or whatever) to go with it. Plays like that literally cost you 60 yards of field position. It’s a total back breaker and one of the biggest killer penalties there is in the game. It just has to stop. Greg McMahon has been the special teams coach for a while now with mixed results (being polite here), but if this doesn’t get cleaned up asap the Saints really need to start looking elsewhere. This can’t keep happening. Jerry Franklin might have had the worst preseason game of the year for the Saints in this one. Just awful. Can’t see him getting to the final 75.
PASS RUSH
Sean Payton made the joke that the Saints might second line after their first and only sack of the preseason in this game. I’m pretty sure Ralph Malbrough dropped that line on the podcast. Hey Sean, stop stealing Ralph’s material! The pass rush looks weak. Really weak. And it’s a major concern moving forward for this defense. I don’t care how much the cornerback quality has improved – quarterbacks have all day. Junior Galette with one Achilles might still be the best pass rusher on the team. I like Kikaha but the Saints need to figure out how to speed up the opposing quarterback’s internal clock.
OFFENSE’S RED ZONE EFFICIENCY
As good as Brees and company looked on that opening drive, the red zone issues continue. The Saints tried going to Josh Hill, Seantavius Jones, Josh Morgan, Brandon Coleman and Marques Colston on red zone targets at various stages of the game and none of these players made it happen. The throws and/or the coverage was mostly the issue, maybe moreso than these guys screwing up, but life after Jimmy Graham is clearly a problem. The Saints have not figured out how to cash in offensively. I have a feeling this is going to be a re-occurring issue.
Other quick observations:
- Miserable game from the backup QBs. McCown, Grayson and Griffin all took turns being pretty poor.
- The backup offensive line is very poor. The Saints are not set up to suffer any injuries there.
- Josh Morgan is toast. The dude cannot hang on to the ball.
- Seantavius Jones looks lost. The offseason hype is completely dead now.
- Davis Tull was not impressive.
- As mentioned, Franklin – disaster.
Now on to the positive stuff:
- I wonder if we might have a kicker battle again? Zach Hocker was real strong, including a hit from 53. Still think Dustin Hopkins is the guy, though.
- Marcus Murphy is the real deal. He looked like Darren Sproles out there. Definite keeper.
- I thought Tim Hightower ran with authority too. If Khiry Robinson and C. J. Spiller are out for a while, the Saints may have to carry 5 backs to start the season but these two can contribute.
- Brandon Coleman is maddeningly inconsistent. His 27 yard reception was a thing of beauty. At times you see just how special he can be. This game was no exception. Consistency in performance remains an issue but the Saints are so thin at receiver they have to give him a chance. I’d like to see him develop on the job. He may make some mistakes but it will be worth it in the long run I hope.
- Willie Snead, like Murphy, is clearly on this roster. I would say Snead was the MVP in this game. He continues to impress. And at this point I’d like to point you to THIS ARTICLE by Brian. Nailed it.
- Tyeler Davison looks good. As little as the Saints did to help their defensive line this offseason, at least the lone draft pick looks like he’ll contribute.
- Jalen Saunders is pretty much toast because of Marcus Murphy but he’s still a very good explosive return guy. I can already tell he’ll get cut but I really like his game and I hate that the Saints might have to lose him. Good problem to have, I guess.
- Damian Swann looked pretty good.
What did I miss? I can’t believe I saw this game in person and then watched it AGAIN. Ugh.
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