Saints and Packers touted as a Mini-Superbowl
 

The Saints are recommitting to the running game and have some new faces to make it happen. Reggie Bush is gone, but Pierre Thomas returns after being slowed by an ankle injury last season. He’ll be joined by free agent addition Darren Sproles and first-round rookie Mark Ingram .

“There’ll be plenty of touches not only for Pierre, but for Mark and Darren,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “And it’s our job to mix those up and also to let the running back get comfortable and get in a rhythm when he’s in the game.”

New Orleans will be without wide receiver Lance Moore , who has a nagging groin injury.

When the Saints are on defense, coordinator Gregg Williams loves to call blitzes. But that’s where Rodgers is at his best.

“The one thing about Aaron Rodgers that’s most impressive is that he was the best quarterback last year against the blitz and the pressure,” free safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “He gets the ball out of his hand quick, so we’ve got to find ways to create some things.”

Despite the condensed training camp, the Packers have added new wrinkles to their offense, including a no-huddle look that proved successful in the preseason.

The Packers also are getting at least three likely starters back from season-ending injuries: tight end Jermichael Finley , safety Morgan Burnett and running back Ryan Grant ; Grant will split carries with James Starks . A fourth potential starter returning from injury, defensive lineman Mike Neal , has a nagging knee injury and his status for Thursday is unclear.

The Packers think the reintroduction of those injured players, along with some incoming rookies who may play significant roles, will help them fend off any sense of complacency that may have prevented past Super Bowl winners from repeating.

From Yahoo Sports