The Saints offense didn’t have a bad showing in Week 1. Six TDs, a hundred yard plus yards on the ground and moved the ball at ease up and down the field. The Eagles forced seven turnovers, five picks and two fumbles in their season opening win at Carolina.
The Saints have had a solid week of practice according to head coach Sean Payton, and for their sake they better have had a good week. Tight end Jeremy Shockey says the saints need to pay attention to every detail in preparing for the eagles defense, he would know, as a member of the Giants Shockey is well away of Philly’s strong d.
A few keys to look at as the game unfolds…Saints quarterback drew brees points out the most obvious. Ball security. The Saints turned the ball over three times against Detroit, to do so against Philly would lead to disaster.
Another key on offense is how will the o-line hold up. Left tackle Jermon Bushrod has a gimpy ankle, missing practice once this week. The Eagles defensive line is solid. Last season, Philly’s defense recorded 47 sacks, 30 of those came from the defensive end position.
On defense, much has been made about the face quarterback Donovan McNabb will be a no go. Kevin Kolb will start but the eagles signed veteran Jeff Garcia to earlier in the week. Garcia led the eagles to a 5-1 record filling in for McNabb back in 2006 and a playoff birth. Kolb well, he’s played in 8 games and has zero touchdown passes and 5 interception and has completed less than 50% of his passes. Still Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams says his unit needs to prepare for Philly’s offensive philosophy and not a particular player.
Special teams. The Saints gave up 235 yards to Detroit in that department, last week. Philly’s DeSean Jackson returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown. The Saints resigned Courtney Roby to help their kick return game this week
Finally the link as it’s known Lincoln financial stadium, Philly fans are among the most passionate in the game and Shockey says his teammates will be in for a rude awakening when they arrive.
COACH’S KEYS
Saints head coach Sean Payton says he’s excited about the matchup and that it’ll be a good test to see where his football stands in the early part of the season. Here are Payton’s keys to the game and how he sees it.
“More so than ever in this game, on the road against a team like this, you’ve got to protect the football. I think that statistic is going to be crucial in the outcome of the game. I think that field position is going to be critical, so how we recover and how we return in the kicking game is an important statistic, in regards to protecting your field position.
Defensively, eliminating and minimizing the big play opportunities, and then offensively, ball security and having a good plan for this Cole (Trent Cole) he’s a real good defensive end who we’ll see to our left. Those are some of the things we’ve talked specifically about with the team.”
HOW I CALL IT
I feel it’ll be a close game with the saints possible getting a nice start. Jeff Garcia likely will see action in the game and then it’ll become a battle of which team makes the fewest mistakes. I think the saints offense has the weapons and Gregg Williams is itching to show his defense is worthy, I see it…Saints 23 Eagles 21 in an exciting ball game.
BUMPS AND BRUISES
Head coach Sean Payton gave his final injury report for the week on Friday.
LT Jammal Brown (hip) and TE Darnell Dinkins (foot) are listed as out for the game.
TE Jeremy Shockey (ankle) LT Jermon Bushrod (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee), S Usama Young (shoulder), and S Roman Harper (hamstring) are listed as probably
RB Pierre Thomas (knee), DT Kendrick Clancy (knee) are questionable.
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