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New Orleans — Three Performances of Note

The Real David Hawthorne?

PFF was a big fan of linebacker David Hawthorne back when he burst onto the scene in Seattle. Injuries derailed his career and we’ve never really seen that same player in New Orleans… until this game. It may only be preseason, but this was the real David Hawthorne, a wrecking ball against the run and a player that could read, react and penetrate quickly to disrupt plays. He finished with a +3.3 grade.

In the past, the Saints’ defensive scheme has tended to be a place where linebackers go to die, but maybe they can turn things around this year and actually play to the strengths of some very talented players within that unit. If they can get Hawthorne firing on all cylinders, then that’s a good step in the right direction.

Beating Up On Lewis

Keenan Lewis was one of the big marquee additions to the Saints this offseason, but this was a game he will want to forget in a hurry. He was thrown at eight times, and allowed six catches for 111 yards. The ugliest of them came on a deep shot to Andre Johnson, where he got turned around completely on a double move and left for dead down the sideline. He ended the day with a -3.9 grade in coverage and was victimized chiefly by Johnson, still one of the league’s best receivers.

With the kind of money the Saints gave Lewis, they need him to at least be able to stand up against receivers like Johnson, and they can’t afford for him to become a victim in the passing game.

Kenny Stills Makes The Most of Chances

It’s not often a player who is only thrown at twice can earn himself a +2.6 grade for the day, but that’s exactly what Kenny Stills managed to do for himself. He helped his grade by making a positive contribution as a blocker, but his two catches were extremely impressive. He beat Kareem Jackson deep down the left sideline for a 40-yard catch despite excellent coverage from the Houston corner and a vaguely underthrown pass, and then he got on the score sheet with a corner-post route that left Johnathan Joseph turned around and lost in coverage. New Orleans has managed to churn out positively contributing receivers in recent years, and they might have found another in Stills.

Profootball Focus

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.