The New Orleans Saints have notably played zero starting players in the preseason this year. They scheduled joint practices with each preseason opponent and treated those as preseason games for the starters. That’s what makes Kellen Moore telling media, “a lot of the one’s won’t play in the game on Friday,” so interesting.
Just in case you thought that was a slip of the tongue, Moore was asked for clarification and said “just about all the first teamers.” It’s hard to not view the phrasing as intentional on Moore’s part when he could have just said "the first teamers."
Some fans have asked for the Saints starters to play in these exhibition games. That group of fans could be getting their wish in the finale, though Moore’s word suggests even that group of fans won’t get exactly what they wished for.
Tyler Shough won’t play but other Saints second year players could
When fans clamor for the starters to play, Tyler Shough tends to be included. Fans are excited and want their confidence to be justified by what they see in the preseason game.
Even if Moore does lets some of the starters play, that small group won’t include Shough. It could see a couple of the starters, but the starting quarterback is too risky to put out there.
Saying "a lot" and "just about" feel so purposeful that a change kind of has to be on the way. Still, it's more likely to be starter adjacent players instead of the "starting 22."
Danny Stutsman is a good example of a player who could see time. He isn't a starting linebacker, but he has been treated like one because they have a defined role for him. When Moore says "just about all the first teamers" will rest, Stutsman's role positions him as a potential exception.
The same could be said for Barion Brown. He played the first game then was held out of the second game because of workload over the week. Brown isn't one of the top two receivers, so he could see reps once again in the preseason finale.
Vernon Broughton is a starter, but he should be at the front of the line of starters who should play in the preseason. He is extremely inexperienced after missing essentially all of his rookie season with injury. Getting him some live action could be valuable for Broughton's early season performance.
Maybe "just about all the first teamers" turns into every single starter by the time Friday night rolls around. Still, Moore's phrasing has definitely made it something to watch.
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