It has been a long off-season for the New Orleans Saints since their loss in the NFC Conference Championship Game. Since the Saints did not have much opportunity in the 2019 NFL Draft, they needed to capitalize in free agency. New Orleans made some key moves in many areas that had depth issues. These training camps and preseason games are the ultimate indications of how the Saints will mold their team. They will essentially figure out which players will be the main productive players on offense, defense, and special teams. The Saints will get their first taste of their new team as they start their preseason schedule against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night.
Analyzing the New Orleans Saints Ahead of their First Preseason Game
Teddy Bridgewater and Latavius Murray Set Reunion Matchup
This season will be Bridgewater’s second season as the backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints while Murray is in his first year with the team. Last season, the Saints beat the Vikings in week eight with a 30-20 score, but Bridgewater did not play in the game. This Friday, the Saints will likely start Bridgewater at quarterback and split first-team reps between Murray and newly-acquired Jacquizz Rodgers. Both players look forward to seeing their old teammates in Minnesota, but they’re focused on achieving their personal goals on Friday. They’re determined to get New Orleans to the Super Bowl, as they are favorites by many media outlets to win the NFC.
Bridgewater hasn’t been the same since suffering multiple complications following a non-contact injury a week before the 2016 NFL season in Minnesota. Among the injuries he suffered was a torn ACL that sidelined him for 19 months. Bridgewater said after Wednesday’s practice that he is fully healed and is in the best shape he’s been in since before the injury. New Orleans signed Murray to be the supporting running back for first-string running back Alvin Kamara. He contributed nicely for Minnesota for the two years he was there, but he did not contribute the same input as he did for Oakland from 2014 to 2016. Murray will compete with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rodgers for playing time throughout the preseason. Murray will likely get his chance early.
Jared Cook Coming Into His Own for the New Orleans Saints
Among the biggest signings for the New Orleans Saints this off-season was former Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook. The Saints signed Cook as the key replacement to 38-year-old Benjamin Watson, who retired and then signed with New England. They signed Cook, who is coming off his best season, statistically, in his ten years in the league. Last season, he accounted for 896 yards and six touchdowns on 68 receptions (all career-highs). His performance got him to his first-ever Pro Bowl. Cook took his time to decide he wanted to play with a more successful team. He ultimately wanted to avoid more turmoil with the Oakland Raiders.
Cook brings an immediate connection to the Saints passing game, as fans and the media could tell that the team missed a well-balanced but always available tight end. Fans were highly fascinated by the number of big plays Cook made in the first week of training camp. Cook’s immediate input into the offensive system highly encouraged head coach Sean Payton. Cook is looking to become the first highly productive tight end since the Saints traded Jimmy Graham. Cook can be a huge contributor for the Saints high-powered offense that ranked third in the league in points per game (31.5).
Competitions to Watch for Throughout the Preseason
There will be plenty of time for rookies and role players to make their impact for the New Orleans Saints when they start competing against other teams starting Friday night against Minnesota. The Saints made their first pick of the 2019 NFL Draft in the second round, as a result of the Marcus Davenport trade. Former Texas A&M center Erik McCoy was selected by the Saints after three-time Pro Bowl center Max Unger retired. McCoy had strong practices with the first team. Newly-signed center Nick Easton has also been receiving significant reps in practices. How they play in the preseason games will be very important. In addition, former Minnesota Vikings cornerback/return specialist Marcus Sherels has been making noise in training camp. He has been a driving force for the Saints special teams and a consistent coverage player in practices. He is hoping to contribute and play for a bigger role for the Saints.
It was a big surprise when New England declined the fifth-year option of former first-rounder defensive tackle Malcom Brown. Picking up Brown means the team will keep defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in his natural slot at the one-technique position. New Orleans could play Brown for a couple series against Minnesota to get him accustomed to the defensive system. Two of the team’s top three picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (fourth round) and Saquan Hampton (sixth round), are likely going to play most snaps at the safety positions throughout the preseason games. New Orleans selected both safeties to play specific team roles. They will be looking to take advantage of their key reps throughout the preseason, starting on Friday night.
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