Mike Nolan and Manti Te’o gear up to face former team

The Saints face off against the Chargers in week 2 of preseason on August 20. Mike Nolan and Manti Te’o will look to make a statement against their former team.

Te’o spent the past 4 years in injury purgatory with the Chargers. They decided to let him go at the end of his rookie contract.

Mike Nolan had only spent one year as the Chargers linebackers coach in 2015, before joining the NFL Network as an analyst.

His signing this offseason was spurred by the release of Saints’ long-term LB coach Joe Vitt.

The two new Saints additions are both seeking a fresh start in New Orleans after struggling to make their way as San Diego-ans(?)

It was a fairly quiet departure from the Chargers for both Te’o and Nolan. Obviously there is no bad blood between either of them and the organization.

But a game against your former team will always have some extra meaning.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Saints decided to give Manti Te’o a few extra series throughout the game, maybe even using him on a blitz or two.

With prior experience as a head coach and a defensive coordinator himself, I’m sure Mike Nolan will try and steer Dennis Allen toward a more aggressive game plan.

Te’o and the rest of the Saints linebacking corps played a serviceable game against the Browns in week 1. Improvement is still needed.

Maybe the extra emotion this week will provide a spark for the group.

The Saints and the Chargers will meet for two joint practice sessions this week at the Chargers training facility in Costa Mesa. They face off on Sunday.