The New Orleans Saints have never been undefeated in preseason play, but have a chance to do so Thursday night with a win over the Miami Dolphins. Coach Sean Payton says for his team it's all about getting better each week.
"In the preseason, you work on two aspects. The main thing is to get better and improve...and then the second aspect is to make sure that the evaluation process is correct. Those are the two things that we're trying to focus on. There have been some things that we're pleased with and there are some things that we have to clean up."
The Saints scored an average of thirty-three points a game in their first three games, and they are allowing a meager 9.3 points. That's an average margin of victory of twenty-four points. Impressive.
On the flip side, in the Sean Payton era the Saints have yet to win the turnover battle. Going into their game with the Miami Dolphins, the Saints are "plus six" in the takeaway department. Another concern is the Saints lack of balance on offense.
The number one ranked offense had one of the worst rushing averages in 2008, which was on average less than 100-yards per game. But, the Saints have shown great balance this preseason. The Saints have rushed the ball an average of 34.3 times per game, while passing the ball 32 times per contest.
One reason for the success of the Saints ground game is a slew of talented running backs including rookie's PJ Hill and Herb Donaldson. Coach Payton says that both of his rookie RB's have done well up to this point.
"P.J. (Hill) and Herb (Donaldson) have both done a good job as young players. They have similar running styles; both of those guys carry their pads pretty low and never seem to take clean hits."
Although the Saints first team players won't see a lot of action, Sean Payton has seen improvement from his entire team this preseason. But the Who Dat Nation wants to know...will the Saints preseason momentum carry over to the regular season?
"It's merely playing well. I've been on teams where you may have played well in the first half and you felt pretty good about how the starters played...and there was some carryover into the regular season. And, then I've been in situations where maybe you didn't play as well early on, but you ended up winning the game.
Look to see which bubble players use this final outing to make an impression on the Saints staff to try and make the team. Running backs Herb Donaldson, P.J. Hill and Lynell Hamilton will battle for that 4th position. And, DB's Leigh Torrence, Pierson Prioleau and Chip Vaughn will find out if the Saints will keep 'em, cut 'em or out 'em on IR. "The key is continuing to improve and measuring week to week how you're doing as a team; that's the big thing. Outside of that, you can't really draw any conclusions. You have to play them, but the games we're playing right now aren't going to count on the record. We have one more opportunity and then we get going for real," Payton said.
Saints Head Coach: Sean Payton
Division: NFC South
2008 Record: 8-8
Miami Breakdown
After a 1-15 mark in 2007, Tony Sparano helped guide the Dolphins to one of the biggest turn arounds in NFL History, as Miami went 11-5 last season and won the AFC East over the mighty New England.
Like the Saints, Miami will not play their starters for long in the game, but they'll have some heated battles...seeing who will make their 53 man roster. The Dolphins won't surprise anyone in 2009, as everyone will take them as a serious threat, after their eleven win season in 2008.
Not much to say here about the Dolphins, as they will not show much, since both teams will play again in the regular season. Look for Miami's back-ups to play hard...as both the Saints and the Dolphins have a chance to finish the preseason without a blemish on their record.
Dolphins Head Coach: Tony Sparano
Division: AFC East
2008 Record: 11-5
Noteworthy: Both teams are undefeated in preseason play. The Saints beat Oakland 45-7 last week, Houston 38-14 in week two of the preseason and opened the preseason with a 17-7 victory over the Bengals
Thursday September 3rd, 2009 at Louisiana Superdome
4pm - First Take / 7PM - Kickoff on WWL 870 AM/FM 105.3
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