Black & Gold Xs & Os: Five Things to Watch in Tonight's Preseason Opener

Everything in this column needs to be watched throughout the entire preseason which starts tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

No. 1: Left Tackle Position

Jermon Bushrod enters the preseason as the starter, as he should. But second round pick Charles Brown and veteran backup Zach Strief will look to unseat him. The battle starts tonight.

No. 2: Third RB Spot

With Lynell Hamilton being lost to a season-ending ACL injury, the Saints are now desperate to find a goal-line short yardage back. If they cannot find one, the third down troubles of 2009 could rear their ugly head again. Right now, P.J. Hill is the incumbent third back, but look for the Saints to search the waiver wire/free agent market if Hill doesn't prove himself this next month.

Additionally, Hamilton is one of the Saints finest special teams players. So his loss is actually a double shot to the gut of the defending champs.

No. 3:  Second Year Rookies

When the Saints took S Chip Vaughn and LB Stanley Arnoux two picks apart in the fourth round in the 2009 draft, it was with the hope that each would develop into an important player on their defense for years to come.

Well, despite both being lost to season-ending injuries before the 2009 campaign even begun, both have a chance this preseason to make their mark and earn playing roles. If Vaughn can prove himself worthy, Malcolm Jenkins will be freed for probably the role he fits best, as a hybrid defensive back.

Meanwhile, Arnoux has a realistic chance to start at the weakside linebacker spot, which opened up when Scott Fujita signed with the Browns.  This preseason will be huge for both players.

No. 4:  Defensive Line vs. The Run

Of course, New England is not a great running offense, which means tonight the Saints D-Line better be dominant against the Pats' running attack. Going forward this preseason, it would be nice to see the entire unit adopt a mentality of a brick wall.

To become the defense which Gregg Williams and Sean Payton are striving for, the front four must step their game up versus the run.

No. 5:  Defensive Line Provide a Pass Rush

Last season the Saints were good at getting team pressure, and DE Will Smith had probably his best overall season as a pro. But a lot of that was due to the elaborate pressure packages Gregg Williams put together.

A season later, teams are going to have a better feel for those packages and, thus, be more prepared to face them. It would help the entire defense if Smith, Bobby McCray, Alex Brown, and one or more of the young DEs step up and show they can rush the passer without the help of a blitz heavy scheme.

Again, these are things to watch for tonight, but also in all four preseason games.