The New Orleans Saints got off to a slow start on offense in the preseason. In the first preseason game of the year against the Arizona Cardinals, the starting lineup had two drives that totaled nine plays and resulted in just 18 yards and two punts. Needless to say, fans were disheartened.
Unfortunately, the starting lineup picked up where it left off in Week 2 of the preseason. Against the San Francisco 49ers, the Saints started the game with two three-and-outs. Nothing was working, and fans feared that this could be a sign of what was to come later in the year.
On the next drive, however, the starting lineup found the switch and finally flipped it. The Saints began the drive at their own five-yard line and managed a 16-play, 95-yard touchdown drive that lasted over eight minutes. For the first time this year, New Orleans looked like the offense everyone had hoped for.
What really got things going was the running game. New Orleans ran the ball 10 times during the drive, tearing the San Francisco defense apart. With Alvin Kamara out for the game, Jamaal Williams and Taysom Hill did most of the damage. Hill capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown, fittingly.
This run-oriented mentality should come as no surprise, as new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak made it clear all offseason that running would be the Saints’ identity. However, it’s one thing to have that desire and quite another to actually execute.
For the first time this year, New Orleans has done this in a game. The offensive line was on the move, as were the full backs. The running backs did their job by chasing after them and running up the field. All of this was accomplished without Alvin Kamara and Taliese Fuaga, two key starters who can really get the running game going.
Of course, it’s only the preseason and the 49ers didn’t even have their best defenders playing. Still, it was great to see the offense actually make a name for itself and score points. Now the Saints need to build on that and carry it into the regular season.
