Who Dat Nation, here we go. One preseason game left.
After getting punched in the mouth 34–0 by the Rams last week, I don’t need anybody telling me, “It’s only preseason.” We know it is.
But we also know what we saw wasn’t good enough.
Friday night against Dallas isn’t about the preseason record. It’s about finding out who deserves to be on this football team when the games start counting.
And apparently, Kellen Moore feels the same way.
The Starters Have Done Their Work
Moore says most of the Saints starters will sit against Dallas. He’s seen enough after 145 snaps in three joint practices, and he likes where that group is mentally and physically.
That means Friday belongs to everybody else.
Guys fighting for the last roster spots. Guys trying to make the practice squad. Guys who might be playing for their next NFL opportunity.
We’ve been asking all preseason:
Who’s ready to play?
Friday night, some guys are going to give us their final answer.
And Now We’ve Got a Kicking Battle
Just when we thought the kicking competition between Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown was going down to the wire, the Saints brought in veteran Daniel Carlson.
And we’re not talking about some random camp leg. Carlson is a former two-time All-Pro, has made 86.9% of his career field goals, and has connected from as far as 60 yards.
At Wednesday’s Tulane practice, all three got eight attempts. Brown went 8-for-8 while Smyth and Carlson each missed once. Moore says the competition continues into the Dallas game.
Tony’s opinion?
Good. Make somebody earn the damn job.
Forget 34–0 — But Don’t Forget What Caused It
We don’t need to carry that Rams game around all season.
But we better learn from it.
Protect the football. Cut down the penalties. Finish drives. Win some battles up front.
And when an opportunity presents itself, take it.
That’s what I’m watching against Dallas.
Not the final score.
I’m watching the guy who knows this might be his last chance and plays like it.
I’m watching the backup who makes the coaches reconsider their depth chart.
I’m watching which kicker steps onto the field with the job on the line and knocks it through the uprights.
Tony’s Take
Friday night isn’t really about beating Dallas.
It’s about answering one final question before the regular season:
Who belongs?
We’ve had a whole training camp.
We’ve had three joint practices.
We’ve had two preseason games.
Now everybody fighting for a job gets one more chance to show us something.
So show us.
Because after Friday night, preseason is over.
And then?
Detroit is waiting.
We win together. We lose together. We complain together.
And we come back together.
That’s Who Dat Nation.
WHO DAT!
— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank
WhoDatNation.com
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