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For most of training camp, the New Orleans Saints' defense has looked better than the offense.

Some of the surprising imbalance is clearly a result of the defense performing better than the past two years, thanks largely to some new players and an improved comfort level under coordinator Dennis Allen.

But, as the team prepares for its third preseason game Friday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7 p.m. at the Superdome), coach Sean Payton thinks it's time for the offense to show it can perform how the Saints expect.



"I want to see our first offense be better," he said Wednesday. "I want to see us play better in the front, and I want to see us run the ball better. The third down numbers have been solid, but I would say that's important."

Payton said the Saints' starters will play "a good half," and while the high-octane Steelers offense will provide a good test for the defense, the offense is the unit that needs to display some consistency.

The third-down numbers — converting 45.2 percent — have been the clear bright spot for an otherwise sloppy offensive performance in the first two preseason games. The Saints offense has six turnovers, plus another on special teams, and the group is averaging just 4.3 yards per play, surely dragged down by the team having just one 20-plus-yard play against the Houston Texans last week — a 9-yard reception by Tommylee Lewis aided by a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty.

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QBREES9

"I want to see our first offense be better," We all do.

jnormand

Yeah I'd like to see something. Seems like the offense has been abnormally stagnant. Preseason or not, the offense is unusually boring and the turnovers are too frequent. A good first half by the starters would be a welcome sight.

RailBoss

Well I'm thinking we can all agree on that.
Seems like it's kind of a given however.

WillMacKenzie

#buttergate

Could the Saints turnover issues be due to the buttery coating the NFL is experimenting with this year in an effort to decrease injuries?

saintfan

Turnovers. Gotta stop em. Gotta stop em right now.


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spkb25

Sean is simply challenging them.

darstep

Ingram's fumble was at the end of the play fighting for an extra 1/16th of a yard.
Murphy's punt return got plucked 0.003 seconds before his elbow got down.
The Drew INT was an all out mugging that didn't get called.
The McCown INT and fumble were ... well the fumble was kinda funny.
In his mind he just knew he was going to escape, go deep and wow the fans.
He looked like Forrest before the braces fell off.
The camera couldn't get his face while the guy was walking into the end-zone.
I bet that was priceless.
Wish they could have bubble-cloud his thoughts at that moment.
The Coleman giveaways just look Schleprock but I'm hoping against hope.
Simply, a little more concentration and most of these troubles go away.
I will be looking at the running the ball thing.
See who is actually handling their man or getting handled.
Drew will need some run game support or come up with one of his own.
I hate that forward flip shuffle pass he does while running for his life.

**SaintSince67**

hagan714

stop jumping the OGs all around already.

vpheughan

"Turnovers. Gotta stop em. Gotta stop em right now."

One more for Coach Cliches Quote Book!