Falcons set to face revamped Saints defense

The first game of the season always features some new wrinkles from opponents, but there will be additional unknowns for the Falcons when they play at the Saints at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Superdome.

New Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has changed the defense from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4. Because of the new coach and the new alignment, Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said watching video of last season’s New Orleans defense isn’t very useful.

“Maybe studying a guy’s pass-rush move or something like that,” he said. “Totally different scheme. You can’t say, ‘They did this against us.’ That part is out. New coordinator, new scheme, new blitz packages, a lot of (different) substitution groups.”

Koetter added that studying the Saints’ exhibition games isn’t very useful, either, because they kept their strategy simple. Saints injuries have added another variable, with 2012 starters Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma both on injured reserve.

Last season the New Orleans defense allowed 7,042 yards, the most in NFL history. The Saints also ranked last in the NFC in points allowed (28.4 per game).

New Orleans is banking on Ryan and the new scheme to make a difference. Ryan has been fired three times in the past five years, but he’s known as an energetic, aggressive coach.

“Their players have been talking that they are excited about what coach Ryan has brought to the table,” Koetter said.

Injury report: Falcons center/guard Joe Hawley (illness) was added to the official injury report.

Hawley and kicker Matt Bryant (back) fully participated in practice. Wide receiver Roddy White (ankle), cornerback Asante Samuel (thigh) and linebacker Stephen Nicholas (thigh) were limited.

White is expected to keep his streak of 128 starts alive.

“It says a lot about the type of player that Roddy White is,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Since we’ve been here, undoubtedly he’s been the toughest player on our team.”

The Saints have 11 players listed on their injury report.

Offensive tackle Terron Armstead (stomach), running back Travis Cadet (foot), wide receiver Marques Colston (foot), guard Jahri Evans (back), outside linebacker Junior Gallette (hamstring), linebacker Kevin Reddick (shoulder), offensive tackle Zach Strief (back), wide receiver Nick Toon (chest), outside linebacker Martez Wilson (elbow), defensive end Glenn Foster (ankle) and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (ankle).

Foster and Abdul-Quddus did not practice. The rest of the players fully participated in practice.

Smith's concerns: Smith has three major concerns going into the regular season, based on how the team performed in the exhibition season: penalties, third-down efficiency and red-zone scoring.

The Falcons were called for 27 penalties for 252 yards. If they stay on that pace in the regular season, they would finish with 108 penalties.

Last season, the Falcons set an NFL record for the fewest accepted penalties during a 16-game season. The Falcons were penalized only 55 times in the regular season, breaking the mark of 57 set by the 2008 New England Patriots.

Before breaking the mark, the 2010 Falcons ranked second on the all-time list with 58 penalties.

In 2012, the Falcons also set the league-record for fewest penalty yards (415) in a 16-game season. The 2007 Seattle Seahawks (428 yards) held the previous mark.

The Falcons converted 20 of 62 third downs (32.3 percent) during the exhibition season. They converted 92 of 204 third downs (45.1 percent) last season, which ranked second in the league. Only New England (49 percent) converted at a higher rate.

Inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, the Falcons scored touchdowns three times in 11 red-zone trips (27.2 percent).