Saints: Two Positions, A Player To Watch Against The Chiefs

The New Orleans Saints fans should pay attention to two position groups, and one players versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL Preseason.

Today, New Orleans will host the Super Bowl Champions at Caesars Superdome in the teams' preseason opener featured on the NFL Network.  Of course, most will be eyeing the virtuoso quarterback play of Patrick Mahomes, but how will the new franchise signal-caller Derek Carr will bring balance back to an erratic Saints offense?  It's an obvious choice to list a quarterback or Michael Thomas; however, two position groups and a player should be kept on the Saints fans' radar this afternoon.

I. SAINTS OFFENSIVE GUARD POSITIONS

In the trenches — games are won and lost here. Get your binoculars out for the two offensive guard positions. Andrus Peat and James Hurst are expected to continue their camp battle for the left guard spot.  The media and fans have often maligned Peat due to injuries and a few porous protection in the past.   He was injured early in camp and is still nursing a gimpy quad, but the unofficial depth chart stirred-up questions about James Hurst snatching away the position from the team's former first-round pick.  We'll see only see Hurst with Derek Carr in the starting rotation with Peat out of the lineup.

Reports have right guard Cesar Ruiz performing well at Saints training camp after an injury and offseason surgery on his foot.  But who's behind him is the question.  You'll get a glimpse of the 2nd- and 3rd-string offensive linemen Calvin Throckmorton and Mark Evans II with quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Jake Haener (rookie). Versatility is the key here at right guard.

II. SAINTS DEFENSIVE TACKLES

New Orleans' two additions, Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders, take over on the defensive line after David Onyemata (Atlanta) and Shy Tuttle (Carolina) left via free agency to NFC South opponents.  At Friday's practice inside the Superdome, center Erik McCoy stood his ground against Shepherd and started the "first skirmish" of the camp, John Hendrix reported.  The two agitated bulls and anchors for their lines displayed the toughness fans love to see and coaches cringe at because of possible injuries.  Nevertheless, can the two free-agent signings at defensive tackle stop the run and collapse the pocket for Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Payton Turner, and Isaiah Foskey to go to work?

III. THE RUSHERS

We know what Alvin Kamara can and will do. How it will work with Derek Carr is a mystery.  The NFL suspension will have the All-Pro running back missing the season's first three games.  We all will watch how Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller will perform.  Mostly Miller.  Why?  His game closely aligns with Kamara. One. How will Miller get into the open and make plays in space?  Two. How will Miller pick up the pass protection for his quarterback(s)?  Running the football is second nature for the young TCU star.  He has to recognize the defenses, protect the quarterback, and take advantage of match-ups against linebackers or nickel corners.

The New Orleans offense and defense will have good tests against Andy Reid and former Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.  This game is played inside out.  As a fan, please watch the interior lines in action today.  They will give you a measure of hope for the 2023-24 season.