GumboBC

Some of us have debated what preseason really means. Some (myself included) don't put a lot of stock in the preseason games.

Well, whatever your opinion of preseason is, everyone should pay more attention to this 3rd preseason game against the Bears

The third preseason game is especially crucial as it has become THE game for teams in preseason. This is THE game where the starters play almost the entire game. This is THE game where there is SOME game planning done.

The first 2 preseason games have provided very little information on what we can expect from this Saints team. Several key players have been out on offense. The defense has been evaluating talent and some jobs are still up for grabs. Further, there hasn't been any game planning as the coahes are trying to find out how certain players do in certain situations.

Tonight, for the first time, we are going to get a glimpse of what the Saints are really trying to do on offense and defense. I don't think we're going to see everything. I don't know if we'll see Will Smith, Darren Howard, and Charles Grant on the field together. But, we will get to see how our starters match-up with another teams starters for an EXTENDED period of tiime. And because there is some game planning, they should be in a postion to be successful. Unlike these first 2 preseason games.

If the Saints play well on defense in tonights game, I will walk away from the preseason feeling encouraged. If they play poorly tonight, I will be very concerned. Not that I think they won't get better, because I'm sure they will. But, maybe they won't be ready for the start of the season. We can't afford another slow start out of the gate.

On offense, Brooks won't play. I don't expect our passing game to be great. But our back-up QB's need to play better. My main concern is to get all of our starting O-line on the field together and open some holes for Deuce and protect the QB.

IF the receivers keep dropping the ball, it's going to be a very big concern for me.