Saints Defeat Chargers, Look to be in Mid-Season Form

It didn't take long for the Saints to start to resemble last year's explosive team. After a dominating performance last week against Houston, the Saints continue to look impressive as they defeated the Chargers 36-21. What was most impressive is that the Saints outgained San Diego 552-323 in total yards, in a game that the starters played into the second half.

Here are some other thoughts on the 3rd preseason game:

• There are no more questions. Chris Ivory, you have made this team. Ivory runs hard and then showed in the second half that like Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, he is a threat to bring it to the house at anytime from anywhere on the field.
• Patrick Ramsey played well and the race for Drew Brees' backup is still too close to call. I wouldn't be surprised if the Saints kept both Ramsey and Chase Daniel, with Ramsey getting the early nod as #2 QB. He has a stronger arm and brings more veteran intangibles to the table than the second-year Daniel.
• Ladell Betts and DeShawn Wynn saw their first action in the black and gold, but neither was overly impressive in limited action.
  
• The Saints had Adrian Arrington try his hand at returning punts. He didn't look all that comfortable, but it shows that the team realizes they will likely be keeping him around. As the #6 WR, he'll be inactive on gamedays, but he's one injury away from having to suit up and you want him to be able to do multiple things for you, not sure play receiver.
• The reason Arrington is only #6 WR right now is that Courtney Roby is also having a solid preseason. Along with being one of the better all around special teams on the Saints, Roby is showing more as a receiver this preseason, and the Saints should have confidence inserting him into the lineup there.
  
• David Thomas hasn't racked up much on the stat sheet this preseason, but the more I see him, the more I enjoy watching him play. He genuinely seems happy to be playing football and give 110% on every play.
• Some guys have all the luck (or is it just skill), huh, Devery?
  
• The Saints defense doesn't look much different that last year either. They can still get the takeaway, but they'll also give up some yards here and there and blow an assignment as well. Who's fault was the Chargers' second TD with the receiver wide open in the corner of the endzone?
• The coverage units were better this week, save for one return, but now the biggest area the team needs to address is penalties. Leigh Torrance is lucky he got the pick-6 late in the game because before that he was a penalty waiting to happen. Two on the same play, just before his interception.
• The Saints still have some really tough roster decisions, especially at defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker and safety.
  

The Saints will finish the preseason this Thursday at the Tennessee Titans.