New Orleans Saints Preseason Update: The Second Half

The Saints, along with every other team in the NFL have started the second half of their preseason schedule and by all accounts things are looking good for the Saints. They dropped their preseason opener to the New England Patriots but still played a strong game, also winning a convincing game over the Texans.

Can the Saints continue their success as they head into the regular season?  Will they be able to handle a tough schedule?  How are things looking as they head into the final days before the regular season starts?  Let’s find out.

Cutting It Down

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NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 27: Troy Evans #54 of the New Orleans Saints moves on the field during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 27, 2009 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Saints made some roster moves just recently to help trim their roster and keep players that have a chance at making that roster intact.  Here is a quick summary of some of the moves that they just recently.

The Saints released wide receivers Mark Bradley and Rod Harper as well as linebacker Troy Evans and offensive guard Tim Duckworth and corner back Danny Gorrer.  

Evans had been with New Orleans for quite a while but with the glut of talent that the Saints have at the position, he was expendable. 

Injury Update

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METAIRIE, LA - MAY 08: Stanley Arnoux #57 of the New Orleans Saints works out during the Rookie Minicamp at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility on May 8, 2009 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Saints, like every other team in the NFL right now, have some injuries.  Here is a quick look at some of the key injuries on the team and how they are affecting things.

Safety Darren Sharper continues to remain out.  Talk is that he will indeed be back for the first regular season game against the Vikings.  The same can be said for linebacker Clint Ingram who hasn’t played a down so far this preseason.  He should be back in time for their first game against Minnesota.

Also sitting out because of injury were linebacker Stanley Arnoux and tight end Jimmy Graham.  Both were injured during the first preseason game against the Patriots.  Arnoux has been “perpetually injured” since coming to the team as a rookie last season.

One other injury of note, but nothing serious, was a knee injury that Tracy Porter suffered earlier in the week.  It appears as if it’s pretty minor and that he will end up getting back to practice soon.

Special Teams Problems

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints watches a play against the Houston Texans at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

A lot has been said about the Saint’s special teams units this offseason. 

Coverage units in the preseason have been less than stellar and head coach Sean Payton is trying to find something to make things work.  Granted, special team units are generally more difficult to put together during the preseason but the Saints have experienced some significant trouble here. 

They will seek to put together the best unit possible and work with that unit as they move through the regular season.

Starter Play

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Houston Texans at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Saints plan to play their starters into the middle of the third quarter during their game this Friday night, as they want to see how well both the offensive and the defensive units have come together. 

Teams generally use the third game of the preseason as a tune up for the regular season since the fourth game is more for showcasing the second and third team players to see who may end up sticking around and which players may end up getting cut.

It’s Game Time

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Dan Orlovsky #7 of the Houston Texans in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Saints will take on the San Diego Chargers this Friday night at 7:00pm (New Orleans time).  The Chargers have won one out of two games so far this preseason as have the Saints. It promises to be a good game with two of the most potent offenses in the NFL squaring off against one another. This should be an exciting game as both teams starters will play into the third quarter.