Jaguars vs. Saints: Players Under Pressure to Perform in Preseason Matchup

There will be a number of big-time NFL players under pressure to perform on Friday night when the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints in a preseason clash. 

The list of players who must step up includes a second-year quarterback, a veteran tight end and an undrafted running back who used to dominate Division II. 

Here we analyze a trio of stars who are in need of a big performance on Friday night in the Big Easy.

Marcedes Lewis

Although tight end Marcedes Lewis can't throw the ball to himself in Jacksonville, he is desperate for a big season in 2012 after a less than stellar year in 2011. The 6'6" Lewis was targeted 85 times last season, but only reeled in 39 balls for 460 yards. Even more alarming, Lewis never found the end zone. 

The veteran's sensational 2010 season is in danger of becoming an afterthought. Many fans forget that just two years ago, Lewis went off for 58 catches, 700 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Jaguars. As the top receiving option in Jacksonville, Lewis must step up his game in 2012. Fantasy owners and the Jaguars' coaching staff alike will be watching.

Chris Ivory

Saints' running back Chris Ivory has struggled to get anything going on the ground this preseason. Ivory rushed for just 13 yards on nine carries in New Orleans' opener against the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game, and then ran for 17 yards on eight carries against the New England Patriots last week. In two games, Ivory is averaging less than 1.8 yards per carry.

Since joining the Saints in 2010, Ivory's rushing numbers have declined. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 12 games two years ago, but only played in six games last season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry on 79 attempts. The 24-year-old's disastrous preseason has only added to the concern over whether he can provide New Orleans with a dependable option in the backfield. 

Blaine Gabbert

The 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft will be under the microscope this season, one year after completing just 51 percent of his passes for 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Jaguars drafted Gabbert in hopes that he would be their franchise quarterback, but one more inept fall, and Gabbert will the next notable bust under center. 

Although Gabbert threw for 62 yards and a touchdown in Jacksonville's preseason opener against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, he only completed 50 percent of his passes and failed to threaten with any remarkable arm strength or accuracy. Gabbert will need to perform under pressure against the Saints on Friday night if he is to instill any hope in Jags fans this summer. 

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