Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs! This time, we take a look at the Saints loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1st Down: Bad Dress Rehearsal
For the most part, the third game of the preseason is the big dress rehearsal for the regular season. If that was the dress rehearsal, there needs to be some major changes for the Saints in the next couple of weeks. The offense looked to improve this week and had some form of improvement in the form of having an actual running game. But outside of a minor improvement there, the issues that have plagued the Saints the last few seasons are still there, especially on the offensive line. Speaking of which…
2nd Down: Offensive Line Still “Very Concerning”
The Saints offensive line has been one of the lowlights for this team as of late and Friday night’s performance was no exception. Yes, the Saints only got sacked once, but the QBs got hit quite a few times throughout the matchup. Sean Payton seemed even more frustrated with the lack of improvement from the line saying that their performance is still very concerning. If the Saints want to keep Brees around for the rest of the season, then they have to become a well-oiled machine and quick.
3rd Down: Garrett Grayson’s Last Stand?
The Saints are getting closer to making their first set of roster cuts and I’m not sure if the Saints third string QB will make the 53-man roster. Grayson has been poor for most of the preseason starting things off with a pick six against the Patriots and a pair of interceptions late to put the game on ice Friday night. Combine that with the past efforts from the third round draft pick, it could be the end of the line for Grayson.
4th Down: Injury Bug Strikes Again
The Saints came out of Friday night’s game with a few players that weren’t feeling too good. Michael Hoomanawui and Terron Armstead both left with what looked like injuries in the first half while Daniel Lasco left the game in the fourth quarter after getting rocked with a helmet-to-helmet hit. The seventh rounder says he feels fine, but is under the concussion protocol. It just seems like the Saints can’t get over these injuries. Hopefully they aren’t anything major especially with Armstead who has been one of the best performers on the poor offensive line.
-Clint Domingue