49ers vs. Saints: NFL Preseason TV Schedule, Radio, Game Time and More

Where: Superdome

When: Friday, 8 p.m. EST

Watch: CBS5 San Francisco, CST and Fox 8 New Orleans; online at NFL.com (must pay $19.99 for full league-wide package), live look-ins on NFL Network; game replay: 10:30 p.m. Saturday, NFL Network.

Hear: KNBR/BONE San Francisco, 870 AM New Orleans

Two teams with high expectations square up in the first week of the 2011 preseason. The San Francisco 49ers and their new coach Jim Harbaugh head down to New Orleans to test their new team out againts the New Orleans Saints.

The 49ers are starting a new era of football under Harbaugh, yet they are still sticking with quarterback Alex Smith, who has been under a ton of scrutiny during his tenure in the Bay Area.

They just signed Braylon Edwards, but he is already off to a rocky start. It's going to be a very interesting year.

Even though the Saints are now a few years off of their Super Bowl win, they still have Super Bowl hopes and will be one of the better teams in the NFC.

The passing game with Drew Brees under center will be one of the best in the league again, so this will be a good start at getting the offense on the same page at game speed.

49ers Key Addition

 This is not a player, but in this case I feel the 49ers key addition is their coach. Jim Harbaugh turned around the Stanford football program, and I think he will be able to do the same with the 49ers.

It's going to take him some time, but I think he's the right guy for the job.

Saints Key Addition

 Darren Sproles was great during his stint with the Chargers, and I think he's going to bring the same speedy dynamic to the Saints' offense.

He's also going to play a big role in their special teams, which will give Drew Brees a shorter field to work with.

49ers Biggest Loss

Nate Clements wasn't the best corner ever, but he worked well in the 49ers system, and I think they will be hard pressed to replace him this year.

Teams are going to look to throw on the Niners more than they used to, and I'm not sure if their offense can keep up.

Saints Biggest Loss

It's really going to hurt the Saints to not have Reggie Bush. Even though he wasn't all he was billed up to be, he still did add a very dynamic threat to their offense.

Hopefully Sproles can pick up where he left off.

What They're Saying

Safety Dashon Goldson had some offseason free agency drama with the 49ers, but Steve Cokran of the San Jose Mercury News say that the team actually persuaded him to come back.

Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune is reporting that there have been lots of injuries in the Saints secondary. It is giving some young players chances to step up, but isn't doing much for competition.

What's Worth Watching

New head coach Jim Harbaugh is going to be a huge addition to the organization. I think he's the right guy for the job, but it's going to take him a little bit of time to get the team on track.

Also, his faith in Alex Smith is somewhat unwarranted, but maybe he can see something in the kid that we can't!

I have questions about the Saints and whether or not they really are Super Bowl worthy. They have consistently been one of the better teams in the NFC, but I'm starting to wonder whether or not their window is closing.

Biggest Storyline

Alex Smith is simply the biggest story of this game and the 49ers preseason. Does he really have what it takes to be a legitimate starter in the NFL, because so far he has sorely underachieved.

The Niners passed up on Aaron Rodgers to draft Smith, which just adds to the sting.

Why is Harbaugh so high on Alex Smith?

For More NFL Preseason News Check Out Our Bleacher Report NFL Page.