Saints vs. Ravens: Previewing New Orleans' Preseason Week 1 Matchup

After enduring the steady grind of training camp for the past two weeks, the New Orleans Saints will kick off their 2015 preseason Thursday night as they hit the road for a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Saints opened camp at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on July 29. Thursday night’s contest gives coach Sean Payton’s squad an opportunity to line up and go head-to-head with another NFL team for the first time since the beginning of camp.

While the result of a preseason game is, for the most part, insignificant, the contest will nonetheless provide Payton and his staff with a prime opportunity to prepare their team for the upcoming season. The dress rehearsal will also allow the staff to closely evaluate some key position battles.

For the players, this opening skirmish presents a fitting time for them to impress their coaches by making plays and delivering big hits, while providing Saints fans with a taste of real football for the first time in many long months.

Continue reading for a complete preview of the Saints-Ravens Thursday night matchup, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT.

What to Watch for

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Improved Run Defense

Coordinator Rob Ryan’s defensive line was gashed for big gains on the ground on almost a weekly basis in 2014. Consequently, the Saints are looking to improve their run defense in a big way this season, and Thursday night’s contest will be New Orleans’ first opportunity to demonstrate real improvement, particularly when the two teams’ No. 1 units are on the field.

It starts up front at the two defensive tackle spots in Ryan’s 4-3 alignment. This offseason, the Saints parted ways with starting nose guard Brodrick Bunkley. The ability of new starters John Jenkins and Kevin Williams to plug their gaps and slow down the Ravens’ potent running game will certainly be something to follow closely.

Rookie defensive tackle Tyeler Davison will also be one to keep an eye on, and there's no reason he shouldn't get an abundance of snaps against Baltimore. 

Stephone Anthony Set to Make Saints Debut

One of the key new additions to the Saints’ revamped defense is “Mike” linebacker Stephone Anthony, who was selected in the first round (No. 31 overall) of the 2015 draft.

Anthony possesses head-turning speed and athleticism, and he’s also a highly physical run defender who can lower the boom on opposing ball-carriers.

According to Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com, he’s worked with the starting defense in recent practices, although veteran David Hawthorne is still listed as the starter on the team’s unofficial depth chart.

Either way, Anthony should see plenty of action Thursday night, as Saints fans get their first glimpse of the likely future signal-caller of the New Orleans defense.

Competition at Wide Receiver

It’s no secret the Saints love to put the ball in the air. Even though Payton’s offense could feature a stout running game this season, it’s safe to assume the New Orleans passing game won’t be thrown by the wayside any time soon.

As far as personnel goes, things are quite unsettled at the wide receiver position, with all four preseason games still yet to be played.

Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks are locks to hold the top two wideout spots this year, but the positions after that are seemingly up for grabs. Thursday’s game could hold significant bearing on who fills the slots.

As for the veterans in this competition, speedster Joe Morgan, 6’4” possession receiver Nick Toon and versatile veteran Josh Morgan have all proved to be capable options, and they’ll all be striving to make a lasting impression in Thursday's game.

Meanwhile, second-year former undrafted free agents Seantavius Jones and Brandon Coleman are also battling for depth-chart positioning, and they should both see lots of action against Baltimore.

Lance Lewis, Willie Snead, Kyle Prater and R.J. Harris are other wideouts looking to make some noise in Thursday’s contest as the battle for depth-chart positioning and roster spots heats up.

Latest Injury News

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Injuries are to be expected in training camp, but the Saints are in relatively decent shape as they inch closer to Thursday night’s contest.

As of Monday, only seven players were sidelined at practice, according to NOLA.com Saints reporter Evan Woodbury.

They include starting defensive end Akiem Hicks, reserve wideout Jalen Saunders, rookie cornerback P.J. Williams, rookie linebacker Davis Tull, snapper Justin Drescher and backup safety Kenny Phillips.

Meanwhile, starting free safety Jairus Byrd remains on the physically unable to perform list.

Young Players to Keep an Eye on

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Hau’oli Kikaha

The aforementioned Anthony isn't the only young Saints defender making his debut Thursday night, as pass-rushing extraordinaire Hau’oli Kikaha will also get a chance to show off his impressive skill set.

A second-round selection in this year's draft, the former Washington Husky tallied an eye-popping 32 sacks during the last two seasons, including 19 in 2014. 

Kikaha’s collegiate game film showcases a lethal combination of body lean, hand strength and relentless competitive fire. The 6’3", 246-pound outside linebacker is listed as a starter on the Saints’ unofficial depth chart, and he’ll be looking to make his presence felt right away on passing downs.

Stanley Jean-Baptiste

New Orleans selected cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste in the second round of the 2014 draft.

The rookie out of Nebraska failed to garner any meaningful snaps last season, however, as undrafted rookie Brian Dixon passed him on the depth chart.

After enduring a fruitless first season, Jean-Baptiste is looking to make noise in the defensive backfield in 2015. Keenan Lewis and Brandon Browner are listed as the starting outside corners, but there’s room for other cover men to step up and make an impact in coordinator Rob Ryan’s defense.

At 6’3” and 218 pounds, there’s plenty to like about Jean-Baptiste from a physical standpoint. His coverage skills didn’t come around as a rookie, but an additional year in the system may prove beneficial to him, as he looks to find his niche in the New Orleans secondary.

Delvin Breaux

Another young corner to watch closely on Thursday is rookie Delvin Breaux, who’s attempting to lock down the nickel corner job this preseason.  

The 25-year-old’s route to the NFL was definitely an unconventional one. After breaking his neck during his senior year of high school, Breaux was rendered unable to play college football.

After recovering from the injury, he worked his way through the Arena League and into the CFL, where he starred for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

After being signed by his hometown Saints this offseason, the 6’1” cover man is looking to make his mark in the NFL. He’ll get his first chance Thursday night against the likes of Steve Smith and the rest of the Ravens receiving corps.

Garrett Grayson

For just the second time in the Sean Payton era, the Saints selected a quarterback in this year’s draft. In fact, the third-round selection of Garrett Grayson was the highest New Orleans had drafted a quarterback since Archie Manning went second overall to the Saints back in 1971.

If the Saints have been slow to draft a signal-caller under Payton, it’s not hard to figure out why. Drew Brees has shredded opposing defenses for nine years in New Orleans, and the team’s toughest decision involving a quarterback has often been the annual selection of a backup.

With Brees now at age 36, however, the front office opted to look toward the future at the position this past offseason, and Grayson will apparently get the first shot to succeed the future Hall of Famer.

Naturally, there will be a lot of eyes on the young signal-caller come Thursday night as he gets his first taste of professional football.

Prediction

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After repeatedly squaring off against teammates throughout training camp, it's safe to assume most of the players involved in Thursday night's contest are ready to test their mettle against NFL competition. 

The Saints, who finished 7-9 last year, will be looking to get off on the right foot in 2015. Although wins aren't always the primary objective in the preseason, it's important for Payton's squad to gain some confidence early on, and winning certainly doesn't hurt. 

Look for New Orleans to receive quality play from its starting offense and defense, as a host of new faces will be looking to prove their worth during their first outing for the black and gold. The reserves, with the aid of a couple of fourth-quarter field goals, will scrap their way to a close victory in this early preseason contest. 

Prediction: Saints 20, Ravens 17