WhoDat!656

NEW ORLEANS -- Of the four exhibition games, the third is the most important because most teams play their projected starters into the second half.

That's why I am looking forward to next Sunday's matinee matchup between the Saints and Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Kickoff is 3 p.m.

Two good teams, each with Super Bowl aspirations, going head to head, on a national stage (Fox).

Finally, we get to see some real football.

Now to the post-game analysis from Friday night's 28-20 victory against the Oakland Raiders:

It seems clear that the defense we will see under first-year coordinator Rob Ryan will more closely resemble the defense played under Gregg Williams from 2009 through 2011 than the defense played under Steve Spagnuolo in 2012.

Attacking.

Aggressive.

High risk/reward.

All in favor say aye!

Defensively speaking, in two games, the Saints have registered 11 sacks, yielded 400 yards and two offensive touchdowns, held the opposition to 27.6 conversion rate on third down (8 of 29), and played with emotion.

Granted, the Chiefs and Raiders are not among the league's elite, but it's a good start.

Offensively, quarterback Drew Brees appears to be locked and loaded and left tackle Charles Brown will do just fine if he can stay healthy. I like the addition of veteran tight end Ben Watson, the two young receivers, Nick Toon and Kenny Stills, and the reincarnation of Tampa Bay-reject Preston Parker makes for a good story.

OK, here is my biggest concern:

The depth on defense was suspect even before players started dropping like flies. Losing two of Ryan's foot soldiers from Dallas, OLB Victor Butler (knee) and DE Kenyon Coleman (torn pectoral muscle), certainly didn't help matters. Then, throw in the temporary losses of ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee), OLB Martez Wilson (elbow) and OLB Junior Galette (knee) and the problems are compounded.

Yes, Vilma and Wilson are due back in September but they will have missed valuable on-field time in Ryan's 3-4 scheme. Only Coach Sean Payton knows Galette's status and he isn't saying.

The good news is there is enough talent on defense to be competitive, most notably DE Akiem Hicks, DE Cam Jordan, ILB Curtis Lofton, hybrid OLB/DE Will Smith, CBs Keenan Lewis and Jabari Greer. and Galette, Wilson and Vilma when healthy.

Plus, rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro seems to be a perfect complement to veteran safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper. And rookie DT John Jenkins shows promise.

Don't misunderstand: The 2013 defense is not the second coming of the Dome Patrol but it definitely can make some noise this season.

Keep in mind: The preseason has nothing to do with wins and losses and everything to do with staying healthy and coming up with the "right 53,'' although Payton cannot be pleased with nine penalties and three turnovers by his reserves in the second half against the Raiders.

"Look, it's important we get a good evaluation on these players," Payton said. "The most important thing is the right 53 (players). That's the most important thing we have to do right now. It's not get all of our calls in on defense or offense or get all of our different returns in. It's getting the right 53.''

Amen.

Texans tilt will tell more about improved Saints defense

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."