TallySaint

5 TO WATCH

Monday, August 21, 2006
Times Picayune


Tonight is the second game for the Saints during the exhibition season, and tailback Deuce McAllister will take the stage for the first time. The spotlight will be on him and again on rookie tailback Reggie Bush. But pay close attention to the play of left tackle Jammal Brown and the effort of the defense against the Cowboys.



1. How does Deuce McAllister look? The tailback will see his first game action since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a game against the Green Bay Packers last October. At times during the first three weeks of training camp in Jackson, Miss., McAllister has seemed tentative. Early on, he limped slightly. But his weight seems to be down to a manageable level, and he has practiced without a break. How he handles hitting will be telling.


2. Can Jammal Brown pass block? Brown had a couple of whiffs against the Tennessee Titans Aug. 5 in his first game as a left tackle. The position is the most critical on the offensive line since often he is the last man exposed in the blocking front because no tight end lines up next to him. That means Brown has to take on the opponent's best pass rusher. He can't afford to be inadequate, since he's guarding quarterback Drew Brees' blind side with Brees coming off right shoulder surgery.


3. How's the Saints' pass rush? With defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith practicing against the Saints' suspect offensive line daily in training camp, it's difficult to gauge their effectiveness. They look great against their teammates, but what is it going to be like against an opponent? Pay close attention while the Dallas starters are in the game to get an indication of how Grant and Smith will be able to pressure the quarterback.


4. What about the run defense? The same can be said for the interior of the Saints' defensive line, Hollis Thomas and Brian Young, as well as the linebackers -- Scott Fujita, Alfred Fincher and Colby Bockwoldt. You'll be able to get a better handle on the strength or weakness of the Saints' defense by seeing what it does against another team's starters. Pay close attention to Thomas, who'll be counted on to be the Saints' run stuffer this season.


5. Will Reggie Bush break another one? There's no questioning what a special talent the rookie tailback is. He displayed his ability in a dazzling 44-yard run against the Titans. That was the major question with Bush: Would his nifty footwork and feint-of-feet moves translate from the college game to the pros? Question answered, even if it was only one play. As Bush said this week, that was just Reggie being Reggie. How many of those special moments might America see in tonight's nationally televised game?



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