Saints’ starters struggle mightily in 23-point drubbing

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, August 22, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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It was Monday Night Football. It was Reggie Bush. It was two of the NFL's most compelling teams, the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.

Unfortunately for this somewhat highly touted matchup of two NFC contenders, the game was one big anticlimax. The Cowboys destroyed the Saints from the getgo, winning the showdown by a final score of 30-7.

The game was the Saints' second preseason affair of 2006, and few of their starters truly looked good. It's nothing to be alarmed about for rookie head coach Sean Payton, but his team clearly has plenty of work left to do before its regular-season opener on Sept. 10.

Back to Bush. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, who was the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, beamed back down to earth in his second game. Last week he rushed for 59 yards on just six carries against the Tennessee Titans, exciting the Saints' fans. In Shreveport last night, however, he managed just seven yards on four carries and 14 yards on two receptions. Some of Bush's juke moves were outstanding, but the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder from USC was, for the most part, snuffed out by the Cowboys' high-echelon defensive unit.

One positive sign on the starting unit was fellow halfback Deuce McAllister, who only had three touches, but he looked good in returning from last season's severe knee injury. The 27-year-old should eventually get back to his old form, but it will take time.

Quarterback Drew Brees was also average in the losing effort, completing 7-of-12 passes for 67 yards. While those numbers may seem solid on paper, the former San Diego Charger had a couple throws that were puzzling, like his near interception early in the contest. Much like McAllister, Brees will need some more time to regain his old style from a 2005 injury. For Brees it isn't his knee, but the rotator cuff on his throwing shoulder.

Defensively, the Saints' starters seemed completely lost against Cowboys No. 1 quarterback Drew Bledsoe. The veteran, who is supposedly in jeopardy of losing his job, hit on 12-of-16 passes for 146 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. He and starting receiver Terry Glenn toyed with the New Orleans' secondary to the tune of four connections for 71 yards and a score.

The Saints won't have much time off between last night's humiliating defeat and their next contest, as they'll stay home and wait for arguably the NFL's top team, the Indianapolis Colts, to show up in Louisiana. Though preseason outcomes are mostly meaningless, don't think Payton won't be looking for better play from his starters on both sides of the ball.

Saints news and notes:

-If you're trying to find a Saint that was absolutely tremendous on Monday night, don't look past rookie defensive end Rob Ninkovich. The 6-2, 252-pounder from Purdue was a complete menace, racking up eight tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. Certainly not bad for a fifth-rounder.

-Reserve running back Jamal Branch also looked excellent, piling up 40 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and catching two balls for 46 yards.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Get more on the New Orleans Saints at Realfootball365.com.
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