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What We Learned From the Saints In the Preseason Opener

What did we learn about the Saints after watching their first preseason game against the Chiefs?

John Hendrix

What We Learned From the Saints In the Preseason Opener
What We Learned From the Saints In the Preseason Opener /
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NEW ORLEANS -- It was great being back in the Superdome for the first Saints preseason game, and somehow the Saints came back to win the game 26-24. Here's all the things we learned from the black and gold in their opener against the Chiefs.

TRAINING CAMP RECAPS: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | What We've Learned | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14

ATTENDANCE

No surprises here, but here's who wasn't in uniform and why: Tre'Quan Smith (groin), Rashid Shaheed (groin), Kirk Merritt (hamstring), Demario Davis (calf), Landon Young (sprained MCL), Andrus Peat (quad), Jesse James (groin), Lucas Krull (tailbone). Shaheed, Davis, and Peat were all here in street clothes, which is a good sign. We also got to see Kirk Merritt out on the field during the Who Dat chant.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE AND DEFENSE MAKES IMPRESSION

I saw everything I needed to see on the opening possession. We had creative formations, big time hookups, and successful running plays that the drive was capped off by a touchdown. That's all I asked for. The Saints were porous on opening drives last year, so hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

Derek Carr finished 6-of-8 as he found four different receivers on the first series. Alvin Kamara had a nice 12-yard run off the right side for a first down on the second play of the game. Carr had hookups to Juwan Johnson for 18 and 11 yards, Michael Thomas had a nice 16-yard hookup from Carr, and we saw a successful 17-yard screen play to Kamara. The drive was capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Keith Kirkwood.

Defensively, it was a nice recovery by them that saw them stop the Chiefs on a 4th-and-1 play to get the ball back. Pete Werner made the read and stop to give the Saints back the ball, and he was also handling all defensive calls with Demario Davis being out. Khalen Saunders also made a nice run stop on the drive.

A.T. PERRY, JAMEIS WINSTON CONNECTION WAS HOT

Jameis Winston and A.T. Perry had the chemistry going on the second offensive drive, which led to another scoring drive to put the Saints up 14-0. Winston completed both of his passes for 43 yards, with the touchdown going to Perry for 29 yards. With Winston being healthy, it was great to see him pilot the drive. It was also big for Perry, who has come on as of late in training camp after having some ups and downs.

Perry's first half ended with 6 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, helping his case for a roster spot after that outing. As far as Winston, he finished 11-of-13 for 92 yards and a touchdown. He got a little more banged up after the first scoring drive, taking some sacks, but it was good seeing him being able to pilot some drives.

THE O-LINE DEPTH NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER YESTERDAY

There wasn't much optimism to be had after the first offensive line exited play. Yes, the backup units had some moments, but it certainly wasn't too encouraging what we saw from them. They need to pull this thing together fast, because it's hard to envision the starters going a full 17 games.

GENERAL NOTES AND THOUGHTS

  • Check back on the tape at the 12:53-mark of the 2nd Quarter. That pass rush rep by Payton Turner was exactly what you wanted to see from him this year.
  • In a special teams competition, Blake Gillikin's first punt attempt of 23 yards just isn't going to fly. You have to be consistent, and a miscue like that last year against the Bengals didn't help their case in losing the game. Gillikin came back from it, which included an outstanding play by Kawaan Baker to pin the Chiefs late in the half.
  • Alontae Taylor in the slot is a work in progress, and he got beat on the 43-yard gain to Richie James. Taylor did a nice job staying with the receiver and recovering some, and hopefully he learns from it. To Taylor's credit, like he's done in practices, he comes back from it. He made a great play on a pass that led to a pass breakup for the team's first takeaway, an interception by Ugo Amadi.
  • The first touchdown by the Chiefs had clear miscommunication on it. The Chiefs ran a rub route and Bradley Roby and Alontae Taylor were not on the same page.
  • I don't know that I've seen Taysom Hill at fullback before, and if it's happened in the past, I can't remember the last time it did. There was one play where he was in a three-point stance with Adam Prentice as the running back.
  • No Andrew Dowell on special teams means someone is going to have to emerge, and Ty Summers was making a lot of plays in the first half. He and Ryan Connelly are players we'll overlook a lot, but Summers can make this team with this kind of effort.
  • Zack Baun being used in rushing situations and run support continues to be ideal, as he got the first sack of the preseason. The team has to figure things out in pass coverage, however.
  • Kendre Miller left the field after getting attention in the blue medical tent in the 3rd Quarter. He walked to the back under his own power, so we'll have to see what happens there.
  • Jake Haener's first two series definitely saw him have some jitters. One of his throws to James Washington was a bit high, and the pick saw he and the receiver not on the same page. He had a rough couple of series in the third quarter. You honestly could have just thrown the entire 15 minutes in the trash for the Saints on both sides of the ball. Haener did have a confidence booster at the end of the game after piloting a touchdown drive. He'll most assuredly learn from the experience.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

Interception from Ugo Amadi after the PBU by Alontae Taylor

Lynn Bowden Jr. with a nice return

Ellis Merriweather touchdown from Jake Haener

Nice special teams hit by Nephi Sewell

Kyle Phillips with a late-game pick to give the Saints back the ball

Published
John Hendrix
JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net

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