Back in the Dome for the first time this year, the New Orleans Saints will look to continue their defensive success against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defense is quickly erasing any remaining doubt of their abilities as they have been consistently excellent thus far in the preseason. Today’s task: a Jacksonville offense still searching for identity, as their marquee player remains absent.
Who's had a better offseason with a Jaguar? Maurice Jones-Drew's agent, or Lane Pryce?
PASS DEFENSE
Without a doubt, the most impressive takeaway thus far from the preseason has been the early dominance of the Saints’ pass defense. The pass rush, missing from a year ago, has developed into the unit’s main catalyst for keeping opposing quarterbacks at bay. The versatility of the defensive line has been a pleasant surprise for coaches and fans alike. Even the defensive backfield, considered by many (yours truly included) to be a weak link, has shown up nicely so far; S Malcolm Jenkins looks like a new player under Spags’ system.
The Saints’ defense turns its attention to second year QB Blaine Gabbert and the Jacksonville passing attack. Gabbert, who starred collegiately at Mizzou two years ago, produced a lackluster rookie year, throwing 12 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and leading. If Gabbert is to present any inkling of a threat this year, he will need a ton of help from his skill position teammates. The biggest acquisition for Jacksonville is rookie WR Justin Blackmon, who lit up the college scene at Oklahoma State, but is a late camp arrival. It remains to be seen how much of an early impact Blackmon will make, if at all.
More of the same is in order for the Saints’ pass defense: get to the quarterback, let Jenkins roam at safety, keep big plays to a minimum, hope turnovers happen. If the defense avoids penalties, generates a pass rush from the front four, and disallows any yards after contact, this should be easy work for New Orleans.
RUN DEFENSE
Jacksonville’s running game is usually something that will keep opposing coaches, players, and fans up all night. Such is not the case for this year’s version of the Jaguars. RB Maurice Jones-Drew, the franchise’s best player and only real nationally recognizable one, has yet to report to camp; he is in the midst of a contract dispute, and isn’t anywhere close to coming to terms on a new deal. That leaves the Jacksonville offense with a backfield rotation of Rashad Jennings, Montell Owens, and Jalen Parmele.
Oof.
If the Saints have trouble against this running attack, it might be time to go back to the drawing board defensively. Outside of Jennings (who filled in nicely at times last year), the Jags possess no established player to shoulder the load. The Saints have struggled at times this preseason against the run, leaving this game as a bit of a confidence builder for the defense. Gap assignments along the defensive front, lax tackling from the defensive line and linebackers, and over-aggressiveness from the entire unit have led to blown plays, missed tackles, and huge gains for opposing running backs.
Jacksonville will try to establish some sort of a running game, no matter how futile, early on in order to take some heat off of Gabbert. If the Saints can smother the run early in the game, more pressure will be on the quarterback to move the offense. Expect a rededication to stopping the run, as the last two games proved that this might be somewhat of an early weakness for the defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LB Jonathan Casillas
Coaches have raved about Casillas in camp, pointing to his speed, quickness, and versatility both as a run stopper and in pass coverage. One of his many tasks tonight will be covering TE Mercedes Lewis, who has quietly become a very solid pass catching option, despite below average play from his quarterbacks. Going against one the best in Jimmy Graham during practice only helps Casillas who, when healthy, gives another dimension to an already athletically gifted linebacking corps.
DT Akiem Hicks
Another early star from camp has been rookie 3rd round DT Akiem Hicks. Hicks, a 6’5”, 324 pound mammoth from Regina, has enough size to truly disrupt the interior of the opposing offensive line both as a gap-filler against the run, and as a pass rusher. He has earned a regular spot in the Saints’ defensive line rotation, and should see more playing time tonight.
