Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Preseason football isn’t about the final score, rather it’s part of the evaluation process ahead of the regular season so don't get caught up in the Vikings 34-25 win over the Saints.

With that in mind, the exhibition slate outside of the third game is mostly an opportunity for the Saints’ backups to shine. Friday night’s game between the Saints and Vikings was no different, as starters on both sides of the football began exiting the game after the first or second series.

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BRIDGEWATER SHINES

Quarterback Drew Brees might have been dressed and participated in the pregame warmups, but Teddy Bridgewater trotted out with the first-team offense once the game started. Bridgewater carried over a strong week of practice during his first series, completing 6 of 7 passes for 43 yards and led the Saints on a scoring drive, which was capped off by Wil Lutz’s 27-yard field goal. Bridgewater would go on to play the first two quarters and looked strong while completing 14 of 19 passes for 134 yards, which included a gorgeous 32-yard deep pass to wide receiver Cyril Grayson, and a touchdown to finish with a 110.4 passer rating. Taysom Hill took over in the second half.

REAL McCOY

Rookie Erik McCoy continues to make his case to be atop the depth chart, drawing a start with the rest of the first-team offense. He’s clearly coming on and before Friday night’s preseason game, the last time McCoy did not work with the starters was June 29 when Nick Easton lined up at center. It’s now been seven straight practices and the preseason opener with McCoy lined up as a starter. After the first series, the Saints pulled all the starters on the front five except McCoy, who should gain more valuable experience in live action.

HARRIS PROVIDES EXPLOSION

Rookie wide receiver/returner Deonte Harris showed Friday night why he left college as the NCAA all-division leader in kickoff and punt return touchdowns. Harris missed some practice time during training camp with an undisclosed injury, but he returned with a vengeance with explosive returns. Harris recorded three kickoff returns for 90 yards and had a 23-yard punt return negated by a J.T. Gray holding penalty.

MURRAY FLASHES CATCHING SKILLS

Running back Latavius Murray was active as a receiver in the first quarter, hauling in three catches for 22 yards on three targets. Murray’s production is notable because he arrived in New Orleans with a knock on his receiving capabilities. At least for one quarter, Murray showed he could be counted on out of the backfield, an obvious plus as Mark Ingram’s replacement in the Saints’ pass-friendly offense.

HENDRICKSON’ MOTOR

Third-year pro Trey Hendrickson drew the start in place of Cameron Jordan at left defensive end, and showed aggression at the line of scrimmage and an ability to generate a pass rush off the edge. Hendrickson just missed a sack on Kirk Cousins, who was hit and driven to the ground shortly before getting the rid of the ball for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Saints need depth at defensive end behind Jordan and Marcus Davenport, and Hendrickson showed Friday night he could be counted on.

NOLA

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

HENDRICKSON’ MOTOR ?

Trey did next to nothing last night. 3 years in and he has yet to provide any consistent impact in the pass rushing dept. "Just missed" on a sack isn't good enough.

I still don't see Alex Okafor's replacement on the roster.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Defense was not impressive last night. Felt like I was watching a college game

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

On the opposite side, hate to say it but the Vikes have a pretty tight defense and they definitely came in with a game plan on Offense. A good test for the Saints staff to evaluate players.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Nor did Davenport. He runs hard but needs to learn some moves. In the defenses defense they were playing a lot of Minnesota’s starters.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

It's only the first preseason game and it's for evaluation purposes only. I like the fact that Bridgewater looks good. Everyone knows I'm the Getsom Taysom guy but Teddy looks promising.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

P-roblem got beat by the worst double move and worst throw I've ever seen in my life.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

I thought it was weird that PJ Williams is getting the first-team reps and starting over PRob, but maybe he’s legitimately better right now.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Jets going from Bridgewater to Sam Darnold. Perpetual moves like that is why the Jets bring the league so much joy and laughter. Thank God they took than trophy from us. People are starting to forget the Saints use to suck really really bad.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Hendrickson? What is this writer dude talking about? "Almost had a sack". I almost took a shower yesterday but it doesnt make me smell any better today.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

But I do agree about Teddy ...

He played well and his accuracy was on point.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Williams actually wasn’t bad towards the middle of the season once he settled into the slot. He had no business playing outside and Saints found a way to use him at a position where he shines. In previous years they would have just left him out there to play. The Apple was a good move.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Yeah PJ was excellent down the stretch. I guess you go with the hot hand and PJ has great momentum right now. Don’t mess with the chemistry they built in the secondary.

I saw a rumor somewhere that the Saints are shopping CB’s thanks to our depth there and PRob is a name to watch.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

I can see moving a CB for a draft pick. I can also see moving an OLineman, too.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Do not ignore the fact that each unit is looking at specific aspects of the fringe players. In these preseason games they are not usually "scheming" against their opponent. They are looking for certain thing from certain players on offense, defense and special teams. What each side is looking at isn't necessarily the best best regular season counter-move to what the other team is testing.

I'm not coming up with this in a vacuum. I have heard MANY NFL head coaches say this when addressing the preseason games. It has even become more prevalent with the CBA mandated reduction of contact practices in training camp.

Just piggy-backing upon your post, JP, not disagreeing with you at all. If anyone has a problem with my pointing out that unit related performances that we see as fans in the preseason are pretty much meaningless, then give me a logical, well reasoned explanation of why I am wrong.

Well?

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Yeah....we lost!

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Believe me. I was sitting there watching every snap hoping that the big play would come through on offense, defense or special teams. I hate the Saints losing as much as, or more, than the rest of you, but a preseason loss is tempered by the known facts.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Positive or negative - I would avoid overreaction in either direction after preseason game 1.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

“Bridgwater Shines” is a bit overzealous.

He had 36 yards in the air with the remainder being YAC. Mostly check downs with the exception of an amazing catch by Grayson.

Not going to cut the mustard if Drew goes down, and Hill didn’t impress me in the pocket either.

LUTZ SHINES would be more accurate, returner Harris was good, Murray was good in limited time, and basically not impressed with the defense whatsoever.

Kyle Sloter was undrafted out of N Colorado and had a QB rating of 143, 6/7 8.9 avg and a TD. Sloter shines.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

I wouldn’t. Especially after our injury problems along the Oline last year. We need all the depth we can get there.
Same goes for the Db’s. That being said although Prob was playing well it was mentioned multiple times by players and coaches that it was hard for them to get into playing like a unit when He was in. Either way I think he’s better than anyone else we could get as a backup.

I could be wrong about CB but no way in hell are we shopping any lineman.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Didn’t get to see the game. Grrr. My brother who is a serious student of the game texted that Teddy had happy feet and did not look comfortable in the pocket. Saw a lot of positive comments here but only one factual breakdown of his efforts by willMackenzie. He sounded logical. Hoping Teddy can get it in gear. I think he and Hill both just need time under center. Hopefully they get it in preseason.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Pretty good summary. Bridgewater did what he is supposed to. If he plays like that and the defence gets better that will be enough to win games.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Big picture on Bridgewater; we got uncommon value with that trade.

An OL and a DB were were taken right about there. The OL graded out worse than EriK Mcoy. The DB is good but really no speed. He's not a top tier CB.

Not only did we get Bridgewater, but we also got a 6th in Saquan Hampton I think. He likely makes the team so we got a Pro Bowl QB and a good prospect.


As much as I like Hill, he would not win us many games as the starter. Accurate at times but also way off the dart board other times.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

I re watched some of Taysom's throws ... I'd say he's fairly accurate however ball placement is where he struggles.

** Side note - Erik McKoy was really impressive under center p/s game #1 . Doesn't seem to get "caught" or flat footed after the snap. Strong guy, see's the field well.

Solid draft pick.

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

Technically, any value in the trade for Teddy went poof at the beginning of the league year. Teddy resigned with the Saints as a free agent on a 1 year deal for this season. He's here because he wants to be here.

SFIAH

Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

We are all spoiled with how Brees gets rid of the ball before getting hit. In other words, real good pocket presence. Taysom can create plays when there are none, even though his accuracy isn't consistent.

Brees' arm when I saw him at Yulman's did show a bit stronger than it looked toward the end of the year last year. Speculation for his drop off, maybe.



This is still the first preseason game and nothing really useful other than talent evaluation.

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Re: Five takeaways from Saints vs. Vikings
 

I thought we got a 6th out of it this year. That would be Saquan Hampton.

Hard to follow the shuffling of pick trades sometimes. They can bounce all over the place but I do believe we got a 6th from the Jets in a pick swap. I would also take Bridgewater over Sam Darnold.