The New Orleans Saints played their season opener on Saturday night, beating the Arizona Cardinals 16-14. Here are three things we learned from our first look at the team against a different opponent.
Nothing to see
If you were expecting the Saints to light up the scoreboard under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, you’ll have to wait at least seven more days. The first team didn’t show or do much. The offense was a bit more boring than what we saw in training camp, but one would still have liked a better performance. Derek Carr completed just 2 of 6 passes for 12 yards. It was a small sample size since the first team only played two series, but it was much different than Carr’s preseason debut last year, when he completed 6 of 8 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.
In front
The offensive line, which replaces three starters from last season, will be closely scrutinized throughout the preseason. It didn’t take long to realize it’s still a work in progress. Carr’s first pass attempt was deflected at the line of scrimmage. Right tackle Trevor Penning was penalized for holding. Guard Oli Udoh was penalized for holding and false starts on two consecutive plays. The Saints racked up seven penalties in the first half alone, most of them by the offense. The offense’s issues mentioned above can be traced back to the play of the guys on offense.
Bread and butter
Defense was the strength of training camp, and that continued in the first preseason game. The Cardinals didn’t manage a first down until 10:22 remained in the second quarter. The defensive front, led by Bryan Bresee, Carl Granderson and Chase Young, was just as disruptive in Glendale, Arizona, as it was in Irvine, California. That the defense had to face someone other than its own offensive line was a good sign that the unit could be powerful. Cardinals starting QB Kyler Murray didn’t play, but the Saints held Desmond Ridder in check (4 of 9 for 43 yards, two sacks).
