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The preseason is upon us. Finally! The Rams will host the Saints in what is sure to be a fun match-up. Rams fans will get to see plenty of action from players trying to grab a roster spot.
Word from Rams head coach Jeff Fisher is that quarterback Sam Bradford won't play this Friday. That's ok in my mind. The Rams backup quarterbacks need NFL speed reps more than Sam does right now, and Bradford will have his time under center later in the preseason.
Center Scott Wells and left tackle Jake Long will also be on the sidelines for the first game of the preseason. No worries there either. Fisher wants to ensure both offensive linemen are 100% before going into live action.
Let's talk New Orleans. The Drew Brees led Saints will walk into the Edward Jones Dome Friday following a regular season 11-5 record, having won a Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and a loss to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. The Saints offensive roster is dotted with star talent, namely the aforementioned Drew Brees, tight-end...cough...wide-receiver... cough... Jimmy Graham, consistent wide-out Marques Colston, and running backs Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram, with the latter not having reached his full potential.
Defensively the Saints sport a roster that is oft overshadowed by the offense. Cornerback Keenan Lewis isn't a shutdown corner, but he does a good job. The addition of free safety Jarius Byrd will definitely help Lewis out in press coverage. Kenny Vaccaro will be used in blitzing, and he was the Saint's number one run stopper in 2013. The comeback of corner Patrick Robinson from a season ending patella injury will be fun to watch, as he holds off veteran Champ Bailey and the under-achieving Corey White. The Saints possess a better than average defensive line. Players like Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette are great at getting into the backfield. With an improved coverage game, those two will put up some impressive numbers this season.
The Rams are a young team with a roster full of players poised to have breakout years in 2014. Given the chance, who would you take from the Saints?