5 things to watch in Saints vs Jaguars: QB decisions, Kevin White hype, more

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No, Caesar didn't really live there, but the Saints are about to take the field for the first time at the newly renamed Caesars Superdome.

But there's a lot more on display than just some fancy new end zone seating (and trust, it is fancy). Several key roster battles, including quarterback, will continue to play out in the second of three preseason games. The Saints will have to trim five more players down to 80 by Tuesday afternoon, meaning the first impression from this game could decide several battles.

With that in mind, here are the top five things I'm watching for as the Saints and Jaguars face off in New Orleans.

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1. DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Taysom Hill
Photo credit Pool photo

Every preseason game looks a bit like a regular season game, and it even offers stats to analyze wayyy too deeply. But when it comes to the quarterback battle, the decision is a lot more important than the result.

A big play will look shiny on a highlight reel, but was it the right read? Was the ball delivered on time, or was luck a factor? Did the QB make the correct checks at the line based off both the shown coverage and pass rush? Were the pass-catchers lined up correctly? How about procedural penalties?

That's the type of analysis both Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill can expect and have been receiving throughout camp. Both have spoken to some of that process, which includes a report from coaches and decision grades and more analysis off of every throw and practice.

So when trying to determine who is winning the quarterback battle on Monday night, pay as much attention to what happens before the ball gets to a receiver than what happens after it. Because that's what the coaches will look at when they're deciding which quarterback to hand the keys to in a few weeks.

Things felt even in the QB race after Week 1, and they again feel even heading into Week 2. Is this the game that allows one of Hill or Winston to finally push into being the clear favorite?

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2. SOME THROWBACKS

Ty Montgomery and Lil'Jordan Humphrey
Photo credit Pool photo by David Grunfeld/NOLA.com

Both Hill and Winston threw interceptions in the preseason opener against the Ravens. Hill's was more concerning, as it came on a play that showed he was clearly not making the same read as receiver Ty Montgomery, who opted to sit down on his crossing route while Hill sent the pass to where the QB thought his WR was going.

That type of man/zone read concept is an important one in the Saints' playbook. In its most basic form, the receiver would sit down in a vacated space when the defense is playing zone, and continue on the crossing route against man-to-man defense, ideally with the cornerback stuck in trail behind him. Hill said the issue was ironed out, and the team ran a drill in this week's practice to work specifically on that concept.

Winston's interception came while stretching the field and targeting Lil'Jordan Humphrey on a fade route up the left sideline. The throw could've been delivered a bit higher to allow the 6-foot-4 receiver to take advantage of his length, but it was a catchable ball that Humphrey got his hands on. To make matters worse, the ball popped up out of his grip and into the crashing safety's arms. For No. 84 to make the roster, he needs to show off better hands than he has thus far.

Montgomery's spot on the 53-man roster doesn't feel set in stone, either. I'd expect to see both of those concepts again on Monday. It'll be on the quarterbacks to execute, and the receivers to close the deal.

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3. BOOK ON THE SHELF?

Trevor Siemian
Photo credit Pool photo

While there's a chance rookie quarterback Ian Book gets on the field late against the Jaguars, that'll only be the case if the Saints play all four quarterbacks.

Sean Payton said Saturday that it'd be veteran Trevor Siemian who takes over after Winston draws the start and Hill works in for phase 2. In the opener it was Book who took over and quarterbacked the Saints for the second half. Payton said he wants to see Siemian throw, and there's a chance Book gets in. But if one QB doesn't play, it'll be the rookie.

There might be a few competitive element in play here, as well. If the Saints end up cutting Siemian in a few weeks, he'll at least have some game tape to show if he finds an opportunity elsewhere. He spent last season stashed on the Saints' practice squad.

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4. TAILING TREVOR

New Orleans Saints
Photo credit Pool photo by Derick Hingle/AP

It's still only preseason, but the Saints will get a shot at Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. Sure, he's a rookie, but Justin Herbert didn't seem to have an issue walking into the Superdome and torching the Saints' secondary in his first NFL season.

The Saints' first-round rookie Payton Turner still hasn't returned to practice and is unlikely to make his debut this week, so who else will step up with an opportunity to stop the Jags' offense?

Will a pass-rusher break out? Will linebackers Zack Baun and Andrew Dowell continue making noise in their second seasons? How about a Pete Werner debut? Will Ken Crawley secure his hold on the starting outside cornerback job across from Marshon Lattimore? Can rookie Paulson Adebo follow up his impressive debut performance to show he's ready for an expanded role?

The defense will get a lot of chances to make noise and step up into opportunities in Week 2 of the preseason.

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5. CAN KEVIN WHITE HANG?

Kevin White
Photo credit Pool photo

It's probably impossible to not be at least a little intrigued at the idea of seeing if the No. 7 pick from the 2015 NFL draft can finally live up to expectations in New Orleans. But how long a leash does Kevin White actually have for the Saints to commit a roster spot to seeing what he can do when the games count?

There's no denying the team has a need at WR in Michael Thomas' absence, and that doubles if All-Pro return man Deonte Harris lands a suspension over an offseason arrest. But White will likely have to show something positive against the Jags to justify that commitment. The team has to cut down to 80 players by Tuesday afternoon.

What can White show less than a week after signing with the team? And is it ultimately going to be enough for the Saints to cut a young player like Humphrey or a veteran like Montgomery or Hogan to keep him around this season? Monday's performance could be a big factor in that all shakes out.

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LAGNIAPPE: While it isn't actually part of the game itself, I'm watching to see just how loud a live crowd can be at the Caesars Superdome these days. There's no capacity limit for the first time since the 2019 season. But how many fans show up with the new vaccine verification requirements? How loud can a moderately full Superdome be with the fans in masks? Does it actually matter? While the deafening noise is obviously a competitive advantage for the Saints, the greatest advantage of the Superdome has always been a bit more obvious: The people. The characters. The city.

The fans will be in the building. Under any circumstances that's a good thing, knowing just how deflating of a sight it is to pan over tens of thousands of empty seats during a game. The energy returns on Monday night.

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Follow Jeff Nowak on Twitter @Jeff_Nowak or contact him by email at jeffrey.nowak@audacy.com

Featured Image Photo Credit: Pool photo