With so many highlights from last night's Saints trouncing of the Chiefs, it's hard to know where to start. Could it be Drew Brees completing 17 of 19 passes? How about Pierre Thomas rushing for 90 yards on 11 carries and scoring 2 TDs? Perhaps the fact that the game was a shutout up until the final two minutes? Oh boys in Black and Gold, how you move us so!
Earn It:
With each game, the Saints seem to be taking their new mantra more seriously. Since the Hall of Fame debacle that kicked off preseason, Payton's offense has begun showing that same spunk and talent that made them top rated in '06. With each game comes more points, more big plays, and more signs that they're out to earn more than respect, but a shiny ring and matching trophy.
Love it:
The Saints offense racked up 479 yards. (That's in one game baby!) Wide Receiver David Patten had all of us asking "Hollywood Who?" But what really got us giggly was that mighty "D." Will Smith and company taught the Chief's O-line what the Hard Knock life is really all about. (We hope your cameras were rolling for this one HBO.)
Croyle Spill:
The Chief's Rookie QB Brodie Croyle is learning it ain't always easy playing with the big boys. He's now 16 for 36 in 3 preseason games. Last night he completed only 5-of-17 passes for 45 yards, not to mention his interception.
So it's only a preseason game, it doesn't count, and come September 6th, it won't matter. But if the Saints can keep this momentum going into opening week, they just might make Manning and Company look like Rex Grossman leading a pee-wee football team in a game of street ball.
Next stop: A date with the Dolphins in the Dome. Hey Chef Who Dat...these Chicks are suddenly in the mood for tuna!
Hey "Show Me" State, we'll show you alright...
Chief Concerns
Preseason is like a bad date with a bimbo: it goes on forever and you can only get so excited if you score.
Tonight’s fourth preseason game against the Chiefs only serves to remind us that the real deal, the season opener versus the Colts, won’t be here for another two weeks. Alas, preseason football is better than no football…or arena football for that matter. So, the Chicks forge ahead and breakdown game 3 of another game that doesn't count.
Knocked Up – The Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp is currently featured on the HBO series, Hard Knocks. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have lost both preseason games. Are the coaches and players too focused on their close ups or were they missing their star running back, Larry Johnson? Johnson just signed a 6-year extension and started practicing with the team again. But the Chiefs may be missing Johnson for a while longer because he announced that it will probably take him more than the two and a half weeks until their first regular season game to be 100% ready for a full workload.
Special Sauced – The Saints’ special teams squad looked less than special in the first 3 games, committing 10 penalties. Two penalties were actually committed during one play on Saturday night. The block in the back penalty was declined by Cincinnati, but the holding call counted. It ended up negating the run back for a touchdown by Tramain Hall. Sean Payton focused on the special teams workout during the morning practice on Tuesday and he is reportedly demanding a lot more crispness and precision from this group in the final two preseason games.
City of Troy – Outside Linebacker Troy Evans spent 5 seasons with the Houston Texans before joining the Saints. His name popped up often as a standout at camp and he has played well in the first three preseason games. Evans is known for his quick movement to the ball and was solid on special teams during his time in Houston. Evans is hoping to be the new spark on special teams in place of Steve Gleason. Gleason, the Saints 2006 Special Teams Player of the Year, is on injured reserve for all of this season due to a knee injury. Evans has big shoes to fill but if he turns out to be the Saints new Special Man..."Let him have it!"
