On Saturday, August 10th, at 7:00 PM Central time, the New Orleans Saints take on the Arizona Cardinals in their first preseason game. The Saints have a 5-1 record going into their sixth preseason matchup against this opposing team. The Saints have a veteran team, but their offensive line is a major source of concern. Numerous variables will affect how well Klint Kubiak’s offense performs. In light of that, these are three spots to keep an eye on in the preseason.
The main narratives for the Saints players to keep an eye on on the offensive line are part of Klint Kubiak’s offensive blueprint.
As the Saints prepare for the 2024 preseason, they have a lot of questions about their offensive line. Before the preseason starts, New Orleans needs to address the left guard and right tackle spots. Right tackle Trevor Penning, a former first-round selection, is expected to start right now. He is switching from the left side, where he had difficulty during his first two seasons. It is up to John Benton, the new offensive line coach, to bring out the talent that landed Penning with the 19th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The two leading candidates for the vacant left guard spot are free agency acquisition Lucas Patrick and second-year pro Nick Saldiveri. Saldiveri missed training camp due to a groin ailment, but he is now well. Saldiveri will pose a challenge to Patrick, who is currently expected to start at left guard because of his similar athletic profile to Klint Kubiak’s offensive scheme.
Depth at Tight End
Juwan Johnson is not available at this time while he recovers from foot surgery. It is hoped that he will be ready to play against the Carolina Panthers in week one. On the unofficial depth chart, Taysom Hill is presently ranked as the second tight end. Given that Hill will fill a variety of roles, Foster Moreau should start at tight end. The Saints have intriguing possibilities in undrafted rookie Dallin Holker and little-known Michael Jacobson behind Hill and Moreau. These two young tight ends have a good chance of making the final 53-man roster and contributing to the offense. With his 6’7″ frame, Jacobson poses a formidable danger in the red zone. Holker should be a threat in the passing game after having a stellar year at Colorado State. Even though Holker is not the ideal size for the position, Klint Kubiak’s attack will benefit from his presence.
Competition for Backup Quarterback Position
The New Orleans Saints will have Derek Carr as their starting quarterback going into the 2024 campaign. This season, Carr will be adjusting to a new offense and has a lot to prove. Kubiak’s offense, which emphasizes the zone run scheme to enhance play-action passes, is particularly quarterback-friendly. Preseason snap totals will be critical for Carr, who needs to start the season quickly. The Saints have two young gunslingers competing for the backup position behind Carr. Spencer Rattler, a 2024 fifth-round rookie from South Carolina, is battling against Jake Haener, a second-year professional from Fresno State. Both quarterbacks will be in competition for the whole preseason, since they both looked excellent during training camp. The Saints’ most interesting subplot will pit Haener against Rattler, but in the end, Haener will secure a spot in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Leave a Reply