The Patriots will be practicing with the Saints over the course of the next two days in preparation for Thursday night’s pre season game at Gillette Stadium.

The two teams aren’t just practicing together  because Bill Belichick and Sean Payton are buddies or because the Saints are in town and it’s convenient. They are practicing together because it’s a chance to compete against another organization. 

Joint practices and scrimmages are a big part of the pre season evaluation process and they are extremely beneficial. Here are five reasons why these practices with the Saints will benefit the Patriots. 

1. Jimmy G Competes Against Another Defense: Jimmy Garoppolo has looked good thus far in training camp but at times, that’s been against the Patriots second and third string defense. Garoppolo will get a different look from the Saints and he’ll be challenged more. We’ll get a better idea of what the Patriots have in Jimmy Garoppolo the starting quarterback this week.

2. O-Line Eval: Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has a ton of evaluating left to do and these joint practices will help in that process. Scarnecchia will be evaluating the offensive line during individual drills, inside run period, half line period and one on one’s. He knows who three of his five starters are so he needs to find four other lineman. Two that can start and two that can come off the bench.  These joints practices will give him a better idea of what he has. 
3. Pass Skelly (7 on 7) Will Help Paint a Clearer Picture at Receiver: Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and Mathew Slater are locks to make the team. The battle for the fifth receiver spot is ongoing. Malcolm Mitchell, DeAndre Carter, Chris Harper, Aaron Dobson and Nate Washington are all competing for that spot. Pass Skelly against the Saints will give these guys a chance to compete against another team and prove to the coaching staff that they have what it takes to make the roster. The fifth receiver spot will be up for grabs until the final cut. 

4. Find That Diamond in the Rough: The great thing about these joint practices is that it gives the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the entire roster. Maybe the coaches have overlooked a guy thus far. Now all of a sudden, they notice a player who is sticking out against the Saints. He’s making plays all over the place! Next thing you know, you just found yourself a player that could potentially help your football team this season. Guys tend to get overlooked in camp. Some times you don’t find the next Malcolm Butler until you practice in this type of setting. 

5. Competition: I know it’s a cliche but competition is the name of the game in all sports not just football. Any time you have a chance to compete against another team in a controlled setting like this, it’s beneficial. The Patriots will get a lot out of these joint practices.