New Orleans Saints Play Exhibition on Sunday

It's hard to believe it's already here. That first preseason game for the New Orleans Saints is at 7 p.m. Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Canton , Ohio , for the Hall of Fame Game.

For Saints fans, it's a good chance to check out the new talent. For coaches, it must be a nightmare as it's just another opportunity for players to get injured.

Payton said Thursday in Jackson that most starters won't get more than 12 snaps during the first quarter.

It's way too early to determine how the rookies will fare this season. Draft picks like receiver Robert Meachem and running back Antonio Pittman are still soaking up the playbook.

Meachem looked very much like a rookie on Thursday, with players like receiver Marques Colston making sure that the Tennessee product lined up in the correct spot.

QB worries

The Saints will be in big trouble if quarterback Drew Brees goes down at any point this season.

Rookie quarterback Tyler Palko doesn't look like he's ready to be a No. 2 signal-caller in the NFL just yet. His release looks deliberate and slow and his accuracy isn't that impressive.

Jamie Martin will more than likely stay the backup to Brees. He was effective at times when he was called upon by the St. Louis Rams.

But Martin is now 37 years old, and his arm isn't getting any stronger. He was never known for having a cannon to start with.

Jason Fife has the typical NFL stature for a quarterback and a strong arm. But he's not exactly the strongest in the mental aspect of the game.

He threw an interception during practice Wednesday and chased down and tackled the culprit out of frustration.

After the practice, Payton was asked if he appreciated his quarterback's tackling skills. Payton said, "No, and I don't like them throwing interceptions, either."

There should be some relatively big name quarterbacks being cut as teams get closer to the start of the season. Payton may grab the first big name that comes his way.

Deep defense

The Saints' depth at linebacker and the defensive backfield is vastly improved.

The addition of linebackers like Brian Simmons, Dhani Jones and Trev Faulk puts defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs in a good position. Scott Fujita, Scott Shanle and Mark Simoneau won't have to be on the field for 98 percent of the snaps anymore.

Cornerback Jason David and safety Kevin Kaesviharn will be the most important newcomers for the defensive backfield.

David has yet to pass Fred Thomas on the depth chart. Don't count out Thomas just yet. He can still play and contribute to the team this season. The receivers that ran free in the backfield weren't Thomas' fault every time.

The Saints' biggest concern this season may be stopping the power running game. Defensive tackle Hollis Thomas is still well overweight and fellow tackle Brian Young may not be ready at the start of the season.

Other Football Articles
Ted Ginn, Matt Flynn, James Davis, Marshawn Lynch

February News
•Bush teams with Shaq to host All-Star charity event
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat
•Boonton man scores big with Super Bowl tickets
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat

Super Bowl Weekend
•OK!'s Guide to the Super Bowl Parties
•"Hannah" primed to claim Super Bowl weekend
•Paris Hilton, Ludacris party alongside 50 Cent at pre-game Super Bowl concert

January News:
•Reggie Bush to Give Deposition
•New Book Points a Finger at Reggie Bush
•Reggie Bush Engaged to Kim Kardashian?

December News:
•Eagles vs. Saints Preview 12/23/07
•Bush Hoping to Play Against Eagles 12/18/07
•Cardinals 24, Saints 31
•Bush Out For the Year 12/12/07
•Falcons 14, Saints 34 12/10/07
•Falcons vs. Saints Preview 12/10/07
•Buccaneers 27, Saints 23 12/02/07
•Buccaneers vs. Saints Preview 12/02/07

November News:
•Panthers 6, Saints 31 11/25/07
•The Dissapointment of Reggie Bush 11/21/07
•Texans 23 Saints 10 11/18/07
•Jaguars Saints Preview 11/04/07

October News:
• Falcons 16 Saints 22 10/21/07
• Preview: Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints
• Saints 28,Seahawks 17 10/14/07
• Preview: Saints Vs Seahawks 10/14/07

September News:
• Titans 31, Saints 14
• Duo Clash: Reggie Bush and Vince Young Meet Again
• Preview: Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints
• Bucs 31 Saints 14
• New Orleans 10, Indianapolis 41
• Preview: New Orleans at Indianapolis
• Saints have Super Bowl aspirations

August News:
• Saints Make Progress, Dominating at Times - 08/27/07
• Brees Strong as New Orleans Saints Blowout Chiefs - 08/24/07
• New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs - 08/23/07
• New Orleans Saints Ready for Cincinnati Bengals
• Saints Bid Farewell to Jackson
• Saints' Starters Set to Hit the Field Against Bengals
• New Orleans Saints - NFC South Preview
• New Orleans Saints Play Exhibition on Sunday
• 2007 New Orleans Saints Odds and Predictions
• Saints Already Eyeing Sunday Night Opener

July News:
• Second-Year Coach is Reason for Saints' Success
• These Saints May Have Answers
• New Orleans Saints Enter '07 in Strange Position — as Contenders
• Will '07 Saints be Super?
• 2007 NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints
• New Orleans Saints Predictions

June News:
• New Orleans Saints Ready for Training
• New Orleans Saints Almost Finished With OTA's
• New Orleans Saints' Brees Buries Past, Looks to Future
• New Orleans Saints Signs Two Local Players
• New Orleans Saints' Meachem Expected Back by Camp
• New Orleans Saints 2007 Preview

May News:
• New Orleans Saints Camp Shows Team Ready For NFL Tops

April News:
• JaMarcus Russell, Draft, New Orleans Saints
• New Orleans Saints 2007 - 2008 Schedule
• New Orleans Saints 2007 Draft Preview

Feb News:
• Saints Limp into Scouting Combine
• Saints Tag Grant as Franchise Player
• New Orleans Saints Re-Sign LB Scott Shanle
• Super Bowl XLI Champions - Indianapolis Colts
• As You Watch Super Bowl, Don't Forget New Orleans

Jan News:
• Super Bowl XLI Preview
• New Orleans Saints Eager to Build on a Winning NFL Season
• Bears Win Over Saints - NFC Champions
• Saints vs. Bears - Playoffs NFC Championship
• Philadelphia 24, New Orleans 27
• Eagles at Saints - Playoffs
• Saints' 2007 Opponents Set

Dec News:
• Saints 21, Panthers 31
• Saints vs. Panthers Preview
• Saints 30, Giants 7
• Saints vs. Giants Preview
• Saints Fall to Redskins, but March into Playoffs
• Redskins vs. Saints Preview
• New Orleans Saints 42, Dallas Cowboys 17
• More About New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys
• New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys Preview
• Reggie Bush’s 4 TD’s: New Orleans Saints 34, San Francisco 49ers 10

Nov News:
• New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers Preview
• New Orleans Saints Playoff Contenders
• New Orleans Saints 31, Atlanta Falcons 13
• Saints vs. Atlanta Preview
• Cincinnati Bengals 31, New Orleans Saints 16
• Another Saints vs. Bengals Preview
• New Orleans Saints vs. Cincinnati Bengals Preview
• Pittsburgh 38, New Orleans 31
• Saints, Steelers, Headed in Opposite Directions
• New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers Preview
• New Orleans Saints at Mid Season
• New Orleans 31,Tampa Bay 14

Oct News:
• Saints Vs Ravens - Saints Lose
• New Orleans Saints Report Card
• Just Like the City of New Orleans, Saints Bounce Back
• New Orleans Saints Story Almost Too Good To Be True
• Philadelphia Eagles Collapse to New Orleans Saints 27-24
• Eagles Vs Saints Preview
• New Orleans Saints 24 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
• New Orleans Saints Ready for Tampa Bay Bucs
• Saints Again Show Spunk, but Run Out of Gas