Saints Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down From Win at Chargers

Here's who impressed and who took a step back in the Saints preseason win over the Chargers.

The New Orleans Saints won their second straight preseason game with a 22-17 defeat of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. Most of the starters from both teams didn't suit up at all, having gotten their work in during two days of joint practices earlier in the week. 

Jameis Winston got the start at quarterback and played the entire first half, completing 13 of 21 throws for 169 yards. Winston was deadly down the field, but also showed the patience to check down when necessary. Jake Haener took the reigns for the second half and completed 11 of 17 for 118 yards. He looked much more confident than he did in his first outing. Both quarterbacks showed terrific ability to escape pressure and made big plays down the field.

New Orleans scored just one touchdown, but had three different scoring plays wiped out by a Lucas Krull drop and two penalties on Bryan Edwards. The passing game was crisp, despite erratic protection. The running game struggled, mostly because of poor blocking, and managed just 61 yards on 21 carries.

Defensively, the Saints were extremely disruptive throughout the evening. They registered five sacks and forced three turnovers. The Chargers didn't record their first 1st down of the game until their fourth drive and had only 25 rushing yards on their first seven possessions. 

The secondary, made up of almost entirely third stringers, got another terrific performance from Ugo Amadi but otherwise had some crucial penalties and breakdowns. However, New Orleans showed outstanding depth across their front seven and made big plays throughout the contest. Kickers Wil Lutz and Blake Grupe went 5 for 5 on field goals, ultimately making the difference in the game. 

THUMBS UP 

Jaylon Smith, LB

Aug 20, 2023; Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Jaylon Smith (59) and safety Johnathan Abram (24). Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY

Smith, a six-year veteran, was signed just days before last week's game against Kansas City, so was seeing his first action as a Saint. He made an immediate impact. 

On the first L.A. drive, Smith's tackle in coverage on a third down held the Chargers short of a first down and forced a punt. He then made an outstanding pass breakup on their third drive to force another three-and-out. Smith was extremely active, especially in coverage, and was credited with three tackles on the night. 

Signed to compete for the third linebacker spot, Smith appears to have a significant edge for the job. He'll have to hold off D'Marco Jackson, Ty Summers, and Ryan Connelly, who each had strong outings against the Chargers. However, Smith's experience and athleticism should give him the edge while those young linebackers develop. 

THUMBS DOWN 

Bryan Edwards, WR 

Saints WR Bryan Edwards (11) during a training camp practice. Credit: New Orleans Saints 

A three-year pro, Edwards had a great opportunity with Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed all sitting out. Instead, he might have played his way right off the team. Two pass interference penalties, one especially egregious for a veteran, wiped out New Orleans touchdowns on the same third quarter drive. 

Edwards was again outshined by rookie WR A.T. Perry, a sixth-round pick. He was also vastly outplayed by undrafted rookie Shaq Davis, Jontre Kirklin, and Lynn Bowden. Those three combined for eight receptions and 159 yards. Edwards contributed no catches, sloppy route running, and two catchable balls that he couldn't bring in.

The Saints have already released veteran wideouts James Washington and Keke Coutee in recent weeks. Thought to be a physical complement to Michael Thomas, don't be surprised if Edwards is instead the next name to go. 

THUMBS UP 

Rookies 

• Bryan Bresee, DE 

• Anfernee Orji, LB 

• Kendre Miller, RB 

• Ellis Merriweather, RB 

• Nick Saldiveri, G 

• Shaq Davis, WR 

• A.T. Perry, WR 

• Blake Grupe, K 

Aug 20, 2023; New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Miller got the backfield start, as the third-round choice saw his first NFL game action. He responded with 10 carries for 23 yards behind an inconsistent line and three catches for 36 yards. One of those was a spectacular 27-yard sideline route on a perfectly thrown ball from Winston and terrific catch from Miller. 

Merriweather was no slouch. He added 15 rushing yards of his own and pulled in four receptions for 26 yards. Neither back benefited from good blocking up front. However, both ran decisively and showed nice receiving skills out of the backfield. 

Miller looked like he'll be ready to complement Jamaal Williams during Alvin Kamara's suspension. Merriweather still has some work to do as an undrafted player. But he's put out some good tape and will not be easy for Darrel Williams to overtake in the backfield. 

Saldiveri put out some good tape of his own alongside Trevor Penning on the left side. He showed good feet in pass protection on early reps and excellent mobility to get to the outside as a lead blocker. One of the few bright spots up front.

Perry didn't match his spectacular outing from a week ago, but still showed sharp route skills and good hands in traffic. At this point, it's hard to see him left off the roster. One player that put his stock on the rise is undrafted rookie Shaq Davis.

Aug 20, 2023; New Orleans Saints WR Shaq Davis catches a pass over Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Brown (38). Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

A big wideout with good athleticism, Davis made some great plays in traffic and showed the speed to be a downfield threat. He's at least put himself in the conversation with Lynn Bowden and Jontre Kirklin for possibilities as the team's fifth or sixth wideout. 

Orji has some work to do at a New Orleans linebacker position that's been playing well. However, the undrafted rookie made a few nice run stops and has shown good coverage range while being active on special teams. 

Grupe may not supplant Lutz at kicker, but is also making this a spirited competition. He's been consistent in practice, has been perfect on all four of his preseason field goals, and has shown a strong leg on kickoffs. Assuming the Saints stay with Lutz, who's also been outstanding, then don't be surprised to see the team attempt to ''stash'' Grupe on injured reserve for a year.

First-round pick Bresee had perhaps the most promising outing of all the New Orleans rookies. He was part of a standout performance by the entire defensive line and penetrated the Chargers backfield on his own on several plays. Bresee batted down one throw, created nice pressure, and recovered a fumble caused by a Payton Turner sack.

THUMBS DOWN

Offensive Line 

Aug 20, 2023; Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Jerrod Clark (72) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2). Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

As mentioned above, the New Orleans secondary had some bad moments also (aside from Amadi and two interceptions), but mostly from players who aren't expected to make the active roster. The offensive line, aside from Penning, also played their backups. However, several of them are expected to provide crucial depth up front. 

Penning had several solid reps over a couple series, though was beaten badly in back-to-back plays on the third possession. His replacement, second-year T/G Lewis Kidd, was a microcosm for the unit's struggles all evening. 

While Kidd had an awful outing, he was far from the only guilty party. His counterpart, RT Storm Norton, was pushed into the backfield several times and responsible for multiple penalties. Veteran linemen Max Garcia also joined Norton, Kidd, and others in the penalty party. 

The Saints were flagged 14 times on the night, with most of those coming from their offensive linemen. Pass protection was slightly better than it was last week, but still not consistent enough. New Orleans averaged a meager 2.4 per rush, certainly nowhere near good enough. While the Saints starting five look potentially strong, this unit still shows a very concerning lack of competent depth.

GAME STAR

Defensive Line 

Aug 20, 2023; Los Angeles Chargers guard Austen Pleasants (75) attempts to block New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY

Chargers QB Easton Stick was sacked five times, had three passes batted down, and under almost constant harassment throughout the game. Los Angeles running backs averaged just 2.8 per carry and managed only 57 yards.

End Niko Lalos was a one-man wrecking crew on the final Charger drive, batting down a pass and collecting two sacks on three straight plays. Saints linebackers Ty Summers, Orji, and D'Marco Jackson also created havoc late in the game. However, this was a clash dominated by the Saints defensive line. 

Playing without Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, and Nathan Shepherd, New Orleans controlled the line of scrimmage from the start. They consistently shut down interior runs and created pressure from the inside and the edge.

End Payton Turner, quietly having the best camp of his career, had several pressures, a strip sack, and played well against the run. Fellow DE Tanoh Kpassagnon also had a disruptive contest, flushing Stick from the pocket several times and deflecting a pass. Rookie DE Isaiah Foskey still has to finish plays, but looked far more decisive than he did against Kansas City. 

Inside, Bresee had his best outing of training camp. Tackles Khalen Saunders and Malcolm Roach also made their presence felt, destroying Chargers interior blocking through the first three quarters. Jack Heflin and Prince Emili continued that trend through the fourth quarter. 

It was a dominating effort from the Saints defensive line. One that fueled a strong performance from New Orleans in all facets by the majority of their team.