BlackandBlue

We have our first preseason game coming up, and since it is preseason, this will not be as indepth as the regular season overviews. I would like to point out a couple of matchups to everyone, so that they can judge for themselves as to how far we have come along.
After McNabb, the Eagles have two outstanding units.

Key Matchup #1: Saints D-Line vs. Eagles O-Line. The Eagles offensive line is one of the best in football, with three pro-bowlers anchoring this staff. This will be a good, early test to see how well our defensive line plays, in particularly how well Sullivan can handle Jermane Mayberry (who many consider to be the best overall lineman of the group) and starting center Hank Fraley.

Key Matchup #2: Saints WR corp vs. Eagles DB corp. Another good early test, as this is one of the best all around secondaries in the NFC. Watching Joe Horn and Troy Vincent go at each other will be a treat. I think Donte Stallworth will have some nice catches, even though Bobby Taylor is getting in his groove, I still believe that Donte's talent will outshine Taylor's. But none of the recievers can rest easy, with the hard hitting Michael Lewis at SS and the best defensive player on the squad, FS Brian Dawkins, lurking in the backfield.

This is for football purists only. Watching the O-Line fight with the D-Line can be boring at times, but I love every aspect of this game. I have not checked the injury reports, so I'm not sure who will not be playing. My schedule is a bit hectic right now, so I wasn't sure if I would be able to post this before gametime.

ssmitty

now dad gumit b$b.......you forgot the most important match up on the field....our beloved brooks agin mcnabb.........you could have a truck load of b&g members driving to your house right now to rearrange your face.....better peak out the window..noooooo, don\'t go thanking me,,,,,,shucks,,,,,,,,i was more than happy to point it out.......

in reality, the score will go as follows.......eagles up 7 quickly to start it off......2nd and 3rd stringers come back for the saints to pull out the victory 27-20.......

BillyCarpenter1

Well, all the talk has been about our new defense. Tomorrow we will get our first chance to see them in a game. I just read on the Eagles site that their starters will play for the full first quarter.

These are the things I will be looking for:

1. The front four and how much pressure we get on the QB. The QB must go down and he must go down hard.

2. Linebackers: How well they shut down the run.

3. Secondary: How they defend againt the pass and how effective they are in run support.

4. Hopefully, the Eagles will run the screen pass a lot and I will be very intrested in how we defend it.

5. What the fans reaction will be towards Aaron Brooks and if he is going to be more vocal. There has been much said from within the Saints orginization about the new Aaron Brooks and if it\'s going to start, there is no better time than tomorrow.

5. And last but not least, when Aaron lights it up in the first quarter how the Brooks bashing crew is going to respond on here. You know who you are. LOL



[Edited on 10/8/2003 by BillyCarpenter1]

DATMAN

FWtex

Defense defense defense. I\'ll be looking for the def line to shut down the middle and then the def speed to chase down the run to the outside.

And in reply to:

\"5. And last but not least, when Aaron lights it up in the first quarter how the Brooks bashing crew is going to respond on here. You know who you are. LOL \"

A preseason game is not going to convince me he has what it takes to live up to his talent potential. If he plays well I will give him his props.

coastalkid

BC, I too will be watching very closely how we do against the screen pass. That is the one single play that went for big yards against us last year EVERYTIME it was run. I hope we\'ve got that solved.

Batwood

Good luck Saint faithful.

I know it\'s just pre-season but I still hate the Eagles and will enjoy any loss they get. I\'ll be rooting for my South division brother on this one.

coastalkid

have we converted one????????????????????

tweeky

There are going to be so many starters out that I think its misleading to see how specific units do, especially without the normal gameplanning. I\'m going to be looking at certain players instead.
OFFENSE
1st: Curtis Keaton. Is he going to be tentative or explosive. We plan to feature him tonight so I\'ll be focused on him on offense.
2nd: Brooks, has his arm strength (and quick delivery) returned?
3rd: Woodbury, does he have what it takes to overtake O\'Sullivan? He may even be our #2 next year, since Bouman may be gone free agency.
4th: D.Lewis, Kelly, Gardner, whos the next Joe Horn?

DEFENSE
1st: Orlando Ruff, It’s a given he\'s a run stuffing monster, but only average in coverage. With Cie Grant and Darrin Smith out he\'ll see a lot of 3rd downs. Has he gotten better?
2nd: Mitchell and Jones, are they on the same page yet?
3rd: D-line guys,
Can K. Smith step up?
Is Melvin Williams our own Simeon Rice in the making?
Does Jackson still look like he swallowed his shoulder pads?
4th Rodgers, I\'m really excited about this guy.

Whether we agree or disagree; its all for Him.

coastalkid

tweeky I like your list...I\'ll be watching almost the exact same as you. We\'ll chat tomorrow and see what we saw.