National Football League

Saints adjusting to new starters on defense

Published Sep. 6, 2010 1:11 a.m. ET

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Malcolm Jenkins fully expects Brett Favre to try to pick on him when the Saints host the Vikings in the NFL's season opener Thursday night.

''I'll just have to hold my own,'' said Jenkins, who'll start for All-Pro safety Darren Sharper.

As the Saints open their 2009 title defense, they're not exactly the same team they were a year ago. While all of their offensive starters will be back to watch the championship banner go up in the Louisiana Superdome, the defense will have at least three new starters.

Veteran former Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown also is new to the starting lineup, along with an outside linebacker to be named later.

On Sunday, when the Saints held their first practice with their 2010 regular-season roster, it appeared third-year pro Jo-Lonn Dunbar would get the nod at strongside linebacker, a spot vacated when Scott Fujita left for Cleveland in free agency. However, coach Sean Payton was evasive when asked about the Saints' plans, which seemed clear until Jonathan Casillas, who'd started at outside linebacker throughout the preseason, fractured his foot in the last exhibition game.

That situation could get even more muddled if starting middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma isn't ready to return from a right groin injury. He was hurt in the third preseason game, did not play in the fourth and has so far declined to discuss his health.

Vilma did, however, give a vote of confidence to the defense the Saints will put on the field against Favre and Co. this week.

''Unfortunately, we did lose some guys, but I think we have a good group coming back,'' Vilma said. ''It's three new starters, but if you look at it the other way, we have eight old starters. On top of that, we have guys that have played. Malcolm Jenkins played a lot for us last year. Jo-Lonn Dunbar played a lot. Alex Brown? Come on, a ninth-year wily old vet? He knows what to do. I think the chemistry is not going to be as much an issue as execution from everybody, not just the new guys.''

Sharper may return eventually, but cannot do so until Week 7 because his lengthy recovery from offseason left knee surgery led coaches to place him on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

The Saints drafted Jenkins as a cornerback in the first round of 2009. As a rookie, he played on special teams and started six games because of injuries to Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter. He wasn't moved to free safety until this past offseason, and now is slated to play his first regular-season game in his new position against one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

''I'm excited,'' Jenkins said. ''It gives me a chance to see exactly where I'm at. I've had my warmup games as far as the preseason and now it's the real deal.''

Payton said the Saints will miss Sharper's experience, but are eager to see how Jenkins meets the challenge.

''When you lose experience, there are certain things in regards to instincts and that's the key,'' Payton said. ''Malcolm is a quick study and he's smart. He's going to look at a lot of the tape and he's going to spend time with Sharper. It's a close-knit group and they're going to look closely at this offense.''

Favre said he wasn't certain Jenkins' substitution for Sharper works in Minnesota's favor.

The Vikings quarterback noted that while Sharper is very instinctive, he also takes risks.

''You can also use his aggression against him,'' Favre said.

''Right now, Jenkins seems to be playing a little more - and I'm just guessing - a little more like coach Williams (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) wants him to play it,'' Favre continued. ''You just don't really see him at this point being as aggressive or as risky as Sharp does. But I don't know if that plays to our advantage or not.''

Coach Brad Childress said Jenkins is a ''more athletic free safety'' than Sharper.

''I'm sure it's taken him a little more time to get up to speed, play the middle of the field, but he has corner-type skills, so I don't think there's a tremendous downside to that,'' Childress said.

NOTES: The Saints signed eight players to their practice squad: DE DeMario Pressley, LB Harry Coleman, QB Sean Canfield, TE Dustin Mitchell, CB Reggie Jones, FB Matt Clapp, G Brandon Carter and WR Montez Billings.