It's important to not make too many assumptions based off one preseason game, but a few things look clear already.
The signings of Chase Young and Willie Gay to 1-year deals this past offseason? That's going to work out just how the Saints hoped, as the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert and Mike Detillier broke down on Second Guess this week from the Silver Slipper Casino.
“The defensive line, you saw the potential of what could be with Chase Young," Detillier said. "Man, that poor guy trying to block him for the Cardinals, he barely had an arm on him and he was around him.”
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Young, the former No. 2 overall pick by Washington, only registered one tackle in his limited snaps, but his impact was clear to see -- along with the rest of the pass rush -- against the Cardinals. Midway through the second quarter Arizona still had -3 passing yards. In all the Saints logged four sacks, 7 QB hits and 2 TFLs on the day. They also flushed Cardinals QBs Desmond Ridder and Clayton Tune several times on the day.
"Hopefully Chase Young does that against Bryce Young, the very first game, right, against Carolina," Hebert said. "You get a bunch of quarterback hurries or quarterback pressures, you get a sack or two or whatever and you get off to a great start."
The Saints were able to sign Young to a 1-year, prove-it-type deal this past offseason with the pass-rusher in need of neck surgery. He worked back quickly and has been on the field for every day of training camp. His 10 snaps in the preseason opener matched the totals of other defensive starters like Tyrann Mathieu, Alontae Taylor and Nathan Shepherd. That workload is a clear indicator that there are few, if any, limitations for Young stemming from the injury.
"When I look in my crystal ball, that Chase Young is gonna be so dominant, he’s on that 1-year deal, you know what’s gonna end up happening? I don’t know, the Saints fans, we gotta pay him," Hebert said. "And will they pay him? Because somebody will pay him if he gets 9-10, double-digit sacks."
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The other major veteran newcomer is Gay, who joined the Saints this season after winning back-to-back Super Bowl victories as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The athletic linebacker's versatility was clear to see. He's been lining up all over the field in training camp, and his most intriguing skillset might be his ability to work up to the line and operate as a stand up pass rusher.
Demario Davis and Pete Werner were held out of the preseason opener due to injuries, but that trio will likely be on the field together a good bit this season. Hebert predicts the duo of Gay and Davis will combine for double-digit sicks from the linebacker position. Davis has registered 6.5 on his own each of the past two seasons, both career highs.
Gay had five total tackles and one TFL in his debut.
"Money well spent, who you’re bringing in," Hebert continued. "I would say they definitely hit in free agency with Willie Gay and Chase Young.”