Hmmm... I don't want to take it too literally, but I would say that these games show us quite a lot about "what this team is."

If we just forget for a moment about the different strategies and gameplans that would normally change the look and flow of these games, then what we have are individual players showing their coaches at what level they can compete at and what their skill-sets are. These individuals make up the team - barring any rosters additions/reductions - so I would say that we have a fairly good approximation of "what this team is."

We can always make the argument that the coaches were unwilling to show their hands this early on and, therefore, ran very vanilla Os & Ds, but still, I don't think the individual players are holding back on their performances - especially those still fighting for depth chart or roster spots. If they were holding back... these games would be worthless in one of their main functions, which is to allow the coaching staff to evaluate players in a competitive environment against another team.

Another argument might be that a lot of these guys won't have as big of an impact in the season - if any - and so it's virtually impossible to deduce from these games what the real game day team would look and feel like. But, so far it's mainly the first string guys that haven't looked really good in these games - well the D did against SF - and that is where the concerns rise from whether they be caused by lack of skills or just unfamiliarity of playing together as a team.

Anyway, I'm not saying a pre-season loss means that the Saints are doomed, but to say that these games cannot be used to give some indication of the capabilities of this team, is the polar opposite of overreacting and equally invalid in my opinion.

Im not worried it sux we took an L but im not worried, the offense moved up and down the field minus a blown assignments we're still legit! Andre Johnson does that to everyone just gotta do better on bracketing him, run defense needs to tighten up but again im not worried we play them in wk 4 or 5 I think, you dont want to let the cat outta the bag an show to much. What I saw on offense is we do what we want when we want on O. Defense again just gotta tighten up missed tackles dont help either I dont remember who whiffed on that first Foster Td but eewwwww he needs to break down and square up better

Did anyone else notice Reggie (#25) in the secondary? Garbage. I think the "real" bush could have tackled better than that. I was at the game and the guy next to me said " who is number 25? ", I told him it didn't matter, he wont be playing week 1. Also noticed someone wearing number 42, and it obviously wasn't Sharper, guess that means he is done.

You know, I just don't understand why these guys are so easily surprised like this every year. Why are they so over confident so swell headed? How many ti
Es does this need to happen to them before they finally get it?

Look, I know it's preseason, I know we play them again in 4 weeks, but at least play like professionals, at least put up a fight, let em know you were there. I'll say this, we had better tear them a new one when we play them in 4 weeks, and I mean we better show them and the rest of the league that they stand no chance of competing with us.

I did not like it then or now.

I think a good swift kick in the buttocks is what we needed. Stop listening to & reading the hype. Learn what you got to learn & go out & play!!

It was Oliver, the safety from the Chargers. When I saw that play I thought: well there goes his chances of making the 53... I bet GW is tearing him a new one for that.

Avoiding injuries to starters and discovering/new players should be the main concern of ALL teams in the pre-season.

When the Lions went 0-16 in the regular season a few years ago, they were 4-0 in pre-season.

I guarantee anyone that the Texans will not duplicate in Week 3 what they did last night. And that includes winning.

I hope your right man...thats the only home game or any game for that matter i get to go to this year...lol:bng:

I honestly didn't think it was a kick in the nads at all. My personal opinion is that we allowed that to happen... which is why as a gambling man(shame on me), I had my money on the Texans. I expected vanilla.

Texans had something to prove. the Saints didnt.

Just like the Saints discovered after the Super Bowl season, for a majority of the teams beating the defending Super Bowl champions was THEIR Super Bowl. Cleveland & Arizona come to mind immediately.

If the Packers don't realize that that fact alone will get a bad team to play over their normal ability, they won't be repeating either.