New Orleans Saints Preseason Week One: Stock Up or Stock Down?

So after two weeks of hitting one another and four practices against the New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints finally got their first taste of game action.

So what, if it was just a preseason game?!

The Saints lost 27-24 and I'm sure that's not going to sit well with Sean Payton. Surely, he will use this to create a crisis. Creating a crisis is a re-focusing tool Payton learned while an assistant in Dallas under the legendary Bill Parcells. Payton created a crisis during the week leading up to the Super Bowl when about a half dozen players were late to media day.

Let's take a look at some Saints that stood out for reasons good or bad.

Stock Up: WR Larry Beavers

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METAIRIE, LA - JULY 30: Patrick Robinson #34 breaks up a pass to Larry Beavers #18 of the New Orleans Saints during the first day of Training Camp on July 30, 2010 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Wide receiver Larry Beavers gave the Saints their first real sense of excitement in the game. He answered New England's third touchdown with a score of his own. Beavers took a kickoff back 97 yards to pull the Saints within ten points early in the third quarter.

Stock Down: Saints Kick and Punt Coverage Units

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 04: Pierson Prioleau #31 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to their NFL game against the New York Jets at the Louisana Superdome on October 4, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

There were some sloppy areas for the Saints and this was definitely the sloppiest.

New Orleans gave up over 30 yards per kick-off return to Devin McCourty and over 20 yards per punt return to Julian Eldeman. New England had two possessions start in Saints' territory and another start at the Patriots' 47 yard line.

Those three possessions led to ten New England points.

You can't expect to improve the defense if you keep putting them on a short field.

Stock Up: QB Patrick Ramsey

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METAIRIE, LA - JULY 30: Patrick Ramsey #11 of the New Orleans Saints during training camp on July 30, 2010 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Recently acquired quarterback Patrick Ramsey saw extensive action as the Saints' second quarterback and showed why the Saints signed him to replace Mark Brunell.

Ramsey led a New Orleans touchdown drive and finished the day looking sharp and accurate. It's only one game, but Ramsey appears to be an upgrade over Brunell.

Stock Down: New Orleans Defensive Backs

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FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 12: Julian Edelman # 11 of the New England Patriots reacts after a second-quarter touchdown during the preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on August 12, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogas

Gregg Williams, the defensive coordinator with a sharp tongue, will be cutting down his defense, particularly his defensive backs, over and over this week in the film room.

Williams saw way too much of the Julian Edelman, the Patriot in this picture. Edelman sliced and diced his way through the perimeter of the Saints defense for six catches and 90 yards by forcing several missed tackles.

Edelman made Jabari Greer, Pierson Prioleau, Patrick Robinson and others look silly as they dove and grabbed air instead of a jersey.

We also didn't see the same ball-hawking mentality in this game that was the signature of the defense a year ago.

Stock Up: LB Jonathan Casillas

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NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 27: Jonathan Casillas #52 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on December 27, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The one bright spot for the black and gold defense was linebacker Jonathan Casillas. Playing like a man possessed, Casillas led the team with ten tackles, one sack, and three tackles for a loss. Clearly, he is playing as if his job is on the line.

He out-shined fellow linebacker Stanley Arnoux, who played sparingly and did not record a tackle.

Stock Down: Kickers and Punters Trying to Make Tackles

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Punter Thomas Morstead #6 of the New Orleans Saints kicks off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

I know that kickers and punters want to feel like real football players by getting in on a tackle every now and then but a preseason game is not the time to do it.

Punter Thomas Morstead appeared to injure either his shoulder or his arm while tackling Julian Edelman on a punt return in the first quarter and was done for the game. Fortunately, the injury doesn't look too serious.

Kicker Garrett Hartley must have felt left out because he attempted to make a tackle on a kick off return but got blasted by the New England kick returner. Luckily for Saints, Hartley wasn't hurt.

Hey guys, the next time you decide to do something you're not really good at doing and sacrifices your health at the same time, make sure the game actually counts.

Stock Up: RB P.J. Hill

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METAIRIE, LA - JULY 30: P.J. Hill #43 of the New Orleans Saints during training camp on July 30, 2010 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

His numbers may not be eye-popping (eight carries, 30 yards and one catch, nine yards), but I was impressed with his running style and ability. He ran straight ahead and with power.

Hill also had two huge blocks for Larry Beavers on his touchdown return.

He is competing with rookie Chris Ivory for the third running back spot now that Lynell Hamilton his out for the year.

Stock Down: Rookie CB Patrick Robinson

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METAIRIE, LA - JULY 30: Patrick Robinson #34 defends Adrian Arrington #87 of the New Orleans Saints during the first day of Training Camp on July 30, 2010 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

I don't want to be too hard on this guy because it was his first ever professional game and he went up against a talented offense, but he had a terrible night.

Robinson missed tackles than he made, was caught offside on a poorly timed blitz, and often looked lost. In this picture, he is paired up against receiver Adrian Arrington, who had himself a good game in New England.

I'll chalk it up to first game jitters, though, and hope that he improves before the next game.

He'd better improve because the Saints' next game is against a talented Houston Texans offense.