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The rookie class is going to play and play a lot
Three rookies started: weakside linebacker Alex Anzalone; cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23); and free safety Marcus Williams (43). It remains to be seen if this trio will be in the starting lineup when the regular season begins but it’s safe to say that all three will be in the regular rotation. And this doesn’t take into account Ryan Ramczyk, who will start at left tackle once he returns from injury, and camp sensation Alvin Kamara, who rested.



The defense looks much improved
Repeat after me: It's just the preseason. It's just the preseason. It's just the preseason. But it's difficult to ignore how solid the defense has played in all three exhibition games so far. The Saints shut out the Texans for four quarters and had a slew of big plays, including an interception (Damian Swann), eight tackles for loss and 12 pass break-ups. Most encouraging, the Saints have hardly had blown assignments or coverages so far. If nothing else, the defense looks well coordinated. And in case you're wondering, it's been nine years since the Saints last recorded a preseason shutout.

This linebacker corps has potential
The starting unit of A.J. Klein, Manti Te'o and Anzalone reminds me of the early linebacker corps of the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era, a group that featured Scott Fujita, Mark Simoneau and Scott Shanle. None of the three is going to make the Pro Bowl, but collectively they are a smart, tough and instinctive unit. Missed assignments will be few and far between with the group. Considering how shaky past linebacker units have been, the Saints will take solid tackling and sound assignment football from the second line of their defense.

Adrian Peterson's breakout performance is at least two weeks away
The veteran running back's much anticipated Saints debut didn't move the needle. He carried six times for 15 yards and caught one pass for a 1-yard loss. Peterson had little room to operate as the stingy Texans run defense swarmed him at the line of scrimmage on almost every carry. He did make one nice side cut to avoid a tackle in the backfield. All in all, it was a get-feet-wet workmanlike night for the future Hall of Famer.

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QBREES9

So we need a back for Drew. How did Nassib do. Are D looks better ( This linebacker corps has potential )

K Major

I see a young defense with swagger. Pre-season or not, these shut outs are confidence building.

QBREES9

Can't wait to watch the replay on the NFL N

WillMacKenzie

10 things I learned. Blitz lutz rankins ginn blitz Darius Victor blitz blitz blitz blitz

jeanpierre

Ten Things I learned tonight?

1. Hendrickson hadn't really been seen outside of practice and he looks as good as advertised; he will be eat in this defense...
   
   
2. Drew, AP should've taken at least one-two series against the Chargers, especially AP, who's been out awhile...
   
   
3. Saints had some dumb luck this past draft that Reuben Foster was taken by the 49ers and Ryan Ramczyk fell to 32...
   
   
4. Stephone Anthony, talented LBer, was never in the stars and is ANOTHER wasted first round pick because DA can't make it work...
   
   
5. Adam Bighill is making this team, and there will be a Hallmark Movie at the very least to tell his amazing story...
   
   
6. The Saints need quality reserve offensive linemen because they have absolutely nothing after Kelemete and an injured Fullington...
   
   
7. Khalif Barnes should take advantage of his new-found conditioning and reprise Kamala the Wrestler 'cause he's done as an NFLer...
   
   
8. Nate Stupar is as important to this linebacker unit as any linebacker on the roster and we need him back for this unit to excel...
   
   
9. There may be no ProBowlers in the secondary this year, but it will be a much improved unit with a pass rush helping it...
   
   
10. Biggest challenge facing the coaching staff now is how to keep LB Adam Bighill, DE Mitchell Loewen, DT Justin Zimmer, and RB Darrius Victor...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

ChrisXVI

Good to see you've come around on Bighill JP! Last week you said he's not making the team.

hagan714

Bighill is always in the mix and last man off the turf.

WillMacKenzie

I wonder if there's enough footage now for a saints hype video

jeanpierre

Hey, he's bringing it every week now. I'm not gonna say he's not when he's obviously doing it...

Stupar's injury and Anthony's absence is opening the door for him...

Things are very dynamic at this time of year, a flash play, an injury, and a career is born...

Look what happened in New England with Drew Bledsoe, minor injury, boom - enter Tom Brady...