SmashMouth

Let's ease back just a tad on the accolades. Not that the New Orleans Saints' defense won't be as potent as it appeared to be in its first two preseason appearances, against the No. 1 offenses of Arizona and New England. It very well could strangle opponents that way for the majority of the season, the same way it routinely has been even - and often has had the upper hand - in practice against a Saints offense that has set team and league records by the bushel.



But Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert and his starting unit Friday night provided reason for Saints fans to pause a bit, bridle the enthusiasm and remember that the defense remains under construction and that sometimes, opponents might kick a hole in the wall.

The Jaguars exited the first half holding a 17-10 lead in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, having scored touchdowns on 80- and 66-yard drives that lasted 5:22 and 8:15, with Gabbert having completed 13 of 16 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns and his offense having generated 209 yards.

"The biggest thing is being able to come away with points," said Gabbert, whose team pulled out a 27-24 victory. "All in all, we put up 17 points, which is something we can build on. We are improving each week and will continue over the next two weeks."

Yes, Gabbert has improved, from a confused rookie last season to a player who looked significantly more comfortable. And, of course, the Saints didn't completely show their hand Friday night; there's no reason to give up more than is necessary during the preseason.

But if anyone says he was encouraged by what he saw from the defensive starters on the field against the Jaguars, he'd have to be putting the most positive of spins on what he saw.

Too many missed tackles, plus too much open space for receivers, plus not enough resistance against the run, likely will equal a sobering film session for a unit that doesn't have to be the second coming of the Dome Patrol in order for the Saints to contend for the NFC title.

Jacksonville converted 5 of 8 third-down chances in the first half, a hefty 63 percent, and averaged 5.8 yards on its 36 plays. The shining moment for the Saints' defense came after a turnover - it held the Jaguars to Josh Scobee's 36-yard field goal after Saints quarterback Drew Brees fumbled and Jacksonville Terrance Knighton recovered at the Saints' 15-yard line with 8:52 left in the first half.

Otherwise, the Jaguars had their way a little too often for comfort.

"(Gabbert) stands in the pocket," Jacksonville Coach Mike Mularkey said. "The protection for the most part has been very good. We got to stop some of the penalties we're creating down in the red zone, making it tough on ourselves, but overall I'm pretty pleased with the way they performed in the first half."

The Saints, at least, were able to say much the same for their offensive output in the first half, too.

It wasn't the best showing for the offense this preseason - the one-drive, touchdown cameo against Arizona in the Hall of Fame Game was more impressive.

Read More

Attached Thumbnails