Saints' struggles are silver lining

With anxious excitement to finally see NFL games in action, it’s hard to see through all the similarities of a real game and not want to look at it like a crystal ball of the team’s future.

With the first offensive play of the game, we saw a run up the middle for a one-yard gain, then a short pass across the middle for six. On third down, incomplete and the punt team runs on. The next possession… three-n-out, followed by a… three and out.

A slow start for the New Orleans Saints…

…That’s right - that was the Saints’ first three offensive series. But no better for the San Francisco 49ers, it took them five series to get a first down with the first completion as the ignominious first quarter came to a close.

Here’s a look at the each possession of the first quarter.

49ers: three-n-out (3 yards)

Saints: three-n-out (7 yards)

49ers: three-n-out (6 yards)

Saints: three-n-out (7 yards)

49ers: three-n-out (1 yards)

Saints: three-n-out (3 yards)

49ers: three-n-out (1 yard)

Saints: Field goal (21 yards)

49ers: one first-down (14 yards)

49ers: (25 yards)

- 13 yards rushing, 12 yards passing

Saints: (38 yards)

- 26 yards rushing, 12 yards passing

The 49ers’ 25 yards on offense didn’t impress commentators, fans, coaches or players, and as the game progressed in similar fashion, we saw their frustration.

But if the 49ers had found a few broken plays that ended in scores, they would have been just as misleading.

Does it tell us the 49ers and the Saints will eventually be good? Or bad? Or does it just tell us that the aftershock of the lockout is in effect, they’re green, and to expect more; especially from the 49ers, who are at a greater disadvantage than any other team in the NFL, and there is lots of work need to be done.