Cappin’ Crunch

It’s the middle of preseason: do you know where your roster spot is? The Saints play their third preseason game tonight against the Cincinnati Bengals. For all those who haven’t yet secured a spot on the lineup...better keep the butterfingers at home. The cuts are about to come fast and furious as every team pares down the roster to the required 53 players before the start of regular season. The New Orleans Saints have many positions still in flux and lots of questions to answer as we approach the first game that counts.

Left His Heart in San Francisco?
It doesn’t seem like tight end Eric Johnson (#82) is missing his former team. Word is that he and Drew Brees have quickly established a tight rhythm on the field and he has already become one of the go-to guys for our fave QB as he goes through his pass progressions. We may see some of this developing chemistry during the first quarter which is slated for plenty-o “Cool Brees” action.

WKRP (Will Kaesviharn Really Produce) in Cinncinnatti?
While Safety Kevin Kaesviharn (#43) prepares to play his former team, we’re left wondering, “Where’s the guy who made 6 interceptions, 58 tackles and 4 sacks with the Bengals last season?” He’s got a compelling test this week against one of the most dynamic receiving duos in the league, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (pronounced: Who’s Your Mama). He scrimmaged against them for the last few years so he should be very familiar with their moves and tendencies. This intimate knowledge might give him the edge tonight.

Trade Bait?
Running back Aaron Stecker (#27) is facing some tough competition in his bid to stay with the Saints. Deuce and Reggie are the premier running pair in the NFL so Stecker would be the number three back at best. Plus he’s got rookies Antonio Pittman (#24) and Pierre Thomas (#23) battling hard against him. Stecker, a seven-year veteran, is recognized as a solid, experienced running back and a versatile player thanks to his special team’s expertise. Just the kind of guy the Bengals may be looking for after losing rookie running back Kenny Irons for the whole season when he tore a knee ligament in their first preseason game. Irons was supposed to be the Reggie to Rudi Johnson’s Deuce. The Bengals reportedly have their eye on Stecker to fill the need for a runner who can give them an outside option. Stecker just might be out to impress coaches on both sidelines come game time.

Worth Watching
Rookie Linebackers Marvin Mitchell (#50) and Desmond Sims (#46) were regularly working with the first team defense during drills at training camp. Mitchell, our 7th round draft pick, and Sims, a free agent, are poised to make some key plays against the Bengals’ offensive line which is currently missing both of their starting tackles from last season.