Instant analysis from Saints' preseason loss to 49ers
It's never fun to look back on a loss, but it's important to keep in mind that winning and losing isn't really the point of the preseason. Evaluating your team and finding what they do well and where they must improve is the goal. But doing so after a win is much easier than coming off of a loss.
Still, here's our instant analysis of the New Orleans Saints' preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. We're asking and answering four major questions:
What went right?
Say what we will about how Dennis Allen runs the team, he can coach a secondary. The Saints totaled 8 passes defensed with standout moments from guys like Shemar Jean-Charles and Rico Payton, plus Rejzohn Wright and Johnathan Abram. The pass rush livened up, too, with a pair of sacks and five quarterback hits. They did the things well that matter most defensively by pressuring the quarterback and disrupting the receivers. You'd just like to see Jean-Charles come down with that interception and Payton Turner finish pressures a sacks.
Offensively? We saw some really nice things that have shown up in practice but not yet in action. Taysom Hill was used creatively as a tailback, lead blocker, and receiver running routes. Jamaal Williams had one of his better games in a Saints uniform before the coaches decided they'd seen enough. Derek Carr threw the ball effectively and stood up under pressure without familiar blockers or receivers around him. They took several steps in the right direction on Sunday.
What went wrong?
Does anyone enjoy playing against the Saints more than Joshua Dobbs? He ran all over them in a spot-start with the Minnesota Vikings last year and returned to wreak havoc with the 49ers' second-string offense on Sunday night. Mobile quarterbacks are still a problem for this defense and that's been thee case even with Demario Davis and Peete Werner starting at linebacker. Jordan Howden may have cost himself the opportunity to start by whiffing badly on a tackle against Dobs at the goal line. It was rough.
Offensively, neither Spencer Rattler nor Jake Haener could get anything going behind the backup line. They were both frequently under pressure and moving off their spot with defenders in their face. Haener underthrew too many passes and put a couple dangerously into traffic. Rattler wasn't able to set his feet and take advantage of his arm like we've previously praised him for. There are questions about the top of the depth chart for the Saints offensive line, but there aren't any answers waiting behind them.
What's the bottom line?
It's fine to feel encouraged by this game. It's also valid to feel concerned that the Saints had an opportunity to win it and they let that get away from them. Seeing both backup quarterbacks struggle is worrisome -- Rattler didn't make the most of having higher-rated help around him, while Haener struggled to elevate the talent he was working with. You'd like to see one of them, as Dennis Allen puts it, "take the bull by the horns."
We're getting a better feel for this Saints team. They can defend the pass. They aren't getting embarrassed in run defense. When the offense has its best players on the field and they're picking up first downs to set things up later, the system works. There are still real questions facing them and it's right to feel skeptical (we really do need to see it to believe they can challenge legit Super Bowl contenders), but things are trending in the right direction. Can they sustain it and build off that?
And what comes next?
The Saints will exit Levi's Stadium and get on a flight bound for New Orleans, where they plan to host fans at a couple of open practices this week. Tickets are free and still available for practices at the Caesars Superdome and Tulane's Yulman Stadium, so act fast. The preseason finale is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 25 against the Tennessee Titans. After that is the roster cuts deadline on Aug. 27, and then the regular season will be here before we know it.
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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Instant analysis from Saints' preseason loss to 49ers
