The New Orleans Saints turned the ball over everywhere you looked, and Tony Jones Jr. wasn't spared from that. But otherwise he was the clear standout from the preseason opener.
Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert even went so far in his Point After breakdown to describe the performance as "Alvin Kamara-like," with 7 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown to go with 5 catches for another 38 yards.
A bit of the shine was taken off that performance by a second-half fumble, however, which will likely lead to some added focus on ball-security over the next week.
"The football has to be like gold," Hebert said.
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Those turnover woes also hit the veterans, with Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray also coughing up fumbles. All three quarterbacks -- Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston and Ian Book -- threw interceptions. But the miscommunication on Hill's intercepted pass to Ty Montgomery falls on the quarterback, Hebert said.
The read is based on zone vs man, and the defense was in zone, which means the receiver should sit. Hill released the ball where he thought Montgomery would be, a man-to-man read, and it went for a turnover. But Hill had his good moments, too, including going 4-for-4 on third-and-long to start the game.
“That was outstanding," Hebert said. "I thought all the quarterbacks had their moments.”
On the defensive side, linebackers Kaden Elliss and Zack Baun stood out with big games, as did young players in defensive backs Bryce Thompson and Eric Burrell, Hebert said.
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