5 things to watch in Saints preseason opener against Vikings

Finally, an actual game -- sort of.

The New Orleans Saints begin the preseason Friday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Although the result has no bearing on how the Saints will fare this season, there will be elements within the game worth your attention.

Here's a rundown of five things to watch for after the 7 p.m. kickoff:

1. Teddy time

The two quarterbacks behind Drew Brees on the depth chart should get plenty of playtime, not only Friday against the Vikings, but throughout the preseason. For Teddy Bridgewater, this will be his first preseason game with the Saints since a late-August trade last year from the New York Jets. Bridgewater started one game in Week 17 with most starters resting against the Carolina Panthers and completed 14 of 22 for 181 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 33-14 loss. This time, he claims to have a better understanding of the offense Brees has mastered since he arrived in 2006. Bridgewtaer’s playtime against the Vikings should be extensive, so look for some measurable progress.

2. Center of attention

The unexpected retirement of veteran center Max Unger caused the Saints to sign Nick Easton from the Vikings and select Erik McCoy from Texas A&M with the team’s first selection in the NFL Draft. Both are interior offensive linemen with experience at center and guard spots. One of those two are likely to be the Week 1 starter in the middle of an offensive line that returns starters at the other four spots. McCoy has taken a bulk of the first-team reps at recent training camp practices. Easton, however, has more NFL experience as a full-time starter before a neck injury 12 weeks into the 2017 season sidelined him through the entirety of the 2018 season. The preseason game Friday will be his first live game action since the injury.

3. Defensive interior

The Saints are likely to have two newcomers on the interior of the defensive line in Week 1 against the Houston Texas. With Sheldon Rankins rehabbing from an Achilles injury and David Onyemata suspended one game, the Saints are likely to have Malcom Brown and Mario Edwards Jr. manning those spots. Both are experienced NFL players, with Brown and Edwards selected in the first and second rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft, respectively. Brown was a four-year starter for the New England Patriots before his departure as an unrestricted free agent.

4. On the run

With Mark Ingram gone to the Baltimore Ravens, the Saints need another running back to pair with Alvin Kamara. They added former Pro Bowl running back Latavius Murray during the offseason and have Dwayne Washington back after he as the team’s third running back while also playing extensively on special teams last season. Recent roster moves suggest the Saints are considering all options at that position. They added former Falcons and Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers last week and signed former Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams on Wednesday. Devine Ozigbo is an undrafted rookie from Nebraska who took some first-team reps during camp when Murray missed time with an injury.

5. What so special?

A roster this loaded leaves little room for newcomers to earn a spot. But pay close attention to the special teams units, as players who thrive there could be well positioned to be on of the 53 cutdown survivors.