Friday Night Lights

There’s no denying it; the Saints looked as flat as Mischa Barton's chest during their preseason debut. But we all know the team’s energy level will be much higher tonight because they are playing in front of fired up Saints fans. Fans, mind you, who’ve been waiting seven long months to cheer their boys on in the Dome.

The coaches expect to see intensity on the field and playmaking around the ball. They want players to get more experience with timing on routes in a game situation. But because it’s preseason, they are also concerned about avoiding injuries. So we won’t see the starters in for too long but there are many players who have a lot to prove on the field as they joust for recognition and the promise of permanent roster spots. Below the Chicks break down tonight's "what to watch."

Fat Chance: Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy (#92) was moved up to the first string this week taking over for Hollis Thomas (#99). Thomas, last year’s sizzling run stuffer, seems to have stuffed his face with too much home cooking in the off season. He’s been battling weight and conditioning issues since training camp started, meriting some not-so-favorable comments from Sean Payton. Clancy was signed as a free agent in June and played last season for the Arizona Cardinals. This is his chance to show Payton and defensive coordinator, Gary Gibbs, that he is finally ready to be a starter after being the second string guy in Arizona and Pittsburgh. It may be difficult for him to achieve a starting position if Thomas can do a quick turnaround and regain his girlish figure of last season. But Clancy has the opportunity to make a very favorable impression as long as Thomas is out of Payton’s good graces.

A Nickle of Quarterbacks- The Saints have five – count ‘em – five quarterbacks on their roster right now after signing Matt Baker on Tuesday. Baker who will be wearing (big surprise) #5 adds to the competition for the spot behind Drew Brees. There’s no way that all of these guys are sticking around so look out for fireworks from the second quarter on as Baker, Jason Fife (#11) and Tyler Palko (#3) try to prove their mettle and push 13-year veteran Jamie Martin (#10) out of their way.

Feel the Burn: Even though it was only the first preseason game, it was hard not to have that “Here we go again” feeling watching right cornerback Fred Thomas (#22) floundering and left cornerback Mike McKenzie (#34) meandering all over the field as they got stung early and often by the Steelers offense. Safeties Jay Bellamy (#20), Josh Bullocks (#29) and Kevin Kaesviharn (#43) did not inspire confidence either. Strong safety Roman Harper (#41), a spark plug of the secondary, is coming back this week for the first time since the sixth game of last season following his lengthy rehab from an ACL tear. Harper’s return could fire up his teammates and spur them to a better performance than last week. But look for this group to remain under the harsh glare of the microscope with coaches, press and fans all preseason if their play doesn’t improve.



Just for Kicks: Punter Steve Weatherford (#7) rocked the Superdome in the playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles after evading a tackle as he went to punt the ball and sprinted for a much needed first down. Weatherford was thought to have a firm grip on the job before training camp started but former Pro Bowler Chris Hanson (#6) has performed well so far. Payton dubbed the competition between Weatherford and Hanson as “wide open” and announced that Hanson will punt in the first half and Weatherford in the second on Friday night. Weatherford needs to rock the house again during preseason or Hanson may just MMMBop him out of a gig.

Also on the must watch list: Wide Receivers Robert Meachem (#17) and Lance Moore (#16), running backs Antonio Pittman (#24) and Pierre Thomas (#23), and linebackers Mark Simoneau (#53) and Brian Simmons (#51).