5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

WHO HELPED THEIR CAUSE

Alvin Kamara
One snap was all it took for the New Orleans Saints’ first third-round pick from the 2017 draft to reach the end zone. At this point, Kamara probably doesn’t need to touch the football anymore in a preseason game to help his cause.
Kamara took the team’s first offensive snap and jetted for a 50-yard touchdown. He showed patience to the hole created by Ryan Ramczyk, Andrus Peat and Josh Hill on the left side.
The versatile tailback also caught one pass for 22 yards on another play to highlight his speed and versatility. He ended up with five carries for 61 rushing yards and had an 11-yard punt return.
Kamara deserves all the preseason hype he has received.

A.J. Klein
There’s a reason the Saints plan to use Klein as an every-down linebacker.
Klein zeroed in on Melvin Gordon through a hole up the gut and hammered the Chargers' tailback for a 2-yard loss. Later, Klein drove a blocker deep into the backfield to flush Kellen Clemens from the pocket. Alex Okafor took full advantage with a blindside shot on Clemens for a brutal sack.
Klein picked up a half sack when he teamed with Sheldon Rankins to take down Clemens. Klein even downed a great Thomas Morstead punt at the Chargers' 5.

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Chris Banjo
The reserve safety won’t make the Saints solely because of his play on defense. Banjo knows he has to make his mark on special teams.
Banjo stood out twice on the coverage teams. He stopped the Chargers' Brandon Oliver at the Los Angeles 15 on a kick return and halted punt returner Isaiah Burse for a 5-yard loss. Banjo followed that up by swarming Burse on another return in the second quarter for an 11-yard loss.
A monster game for Banjo to say the least.

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Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

I don't think Payton is going to be able to keep AK off the field this season. He reminds me of Thurman Thomas. Kid is a absolute stud. If not held back he will be starting by week 8. MIA will be gone next season.

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

In pregame Deuce said he wasn't even sure Anthony was in L.A. Anymore.

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

I thought the same thing about the holding call. Chase just hung on too long. He seems to have a habit of that. Ramczyk is going to take his lumps but I think he hung in pretty well. I think he will be fine. How bout that defense. We wanted to get to the QB and create turnovers, that's what we got. They were fun to watch even if it's preseason.
They seemed to rotate players in and out of the defensive line the first quarter when the starters were in more frequently than I remember in the past. Do you think this committee approach will carry into the season?

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

Ramczyk has a little work to do on his technique, he is lunging forward a little too much which allows the rusher to beat him. He also flips his hips earlier than he should instead of just continuing to set vertical.
That is stuff that he probably could get away with in college just by being bigger, stronger and faster than most everybody. Luckily that is quite easily corrected in practise. This was a good test for him and I am encouraged.

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

I noticed his shoulders get turned I think like you said with practice and coaching he will learn How to handle a rush

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

Yeah and his shoulders turns because of his hips. A good O-line coach will have this corrected. That was no slouches he played against thou.

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

The Ram has few issues and they can be corrected with game action. He's young and going up against 2 great defensive players doesn't do well for your nerves. He will calm down and be one of the all time greats for the Saints. You heard it here first sports fans!

Re: 5 Saints who helped, 5 who hurt their cause vs. Chargers
 

He missed a pretty important one who helped their cause: CB De'Vante Harris. He was starting on the outside in nickel and PJ Williams was sliding inside. I don't know if they're still experimenting and wanted to see how Harris would handle it or if they really like him that much but he shut it down. I originally left him off the final 53 but he makes it now.