Cue the 2nd line music; Preseason is officially over for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints ended things on a high note, beating the Miami Dolphins 7-0 in front of a hometown crowd. Marques Colston and Devery Henderson were among the few starters who took the field in the fourth and final preseason game.
While it was nice to see the Defense force a shut out, the real story is rookie Pierre Thomas, who showed all the signs of a triple threat. Thomas rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown, racked up 47 receiving yards and even made a big play on special teams. The trick will be finding a way to fit Thomas into the Saints already crowded corps of running backs.
As for Miami, well they can pride themselves in the fact that they didn't get manhandled like Mississippi State against LSU. As we predicted, the spankin' in Starkville got ugly long before the second half.
Final Score: Tigers 45 Bulldogs: Zilch
Next up for the Saints, the Big Kahuna aka the regular season opener against the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. It's (Sean) Payton vs Peyton (Manning) in a battle of wits. Set your Tivos people. You just might be in for a preview of Super Bowl XLII.
Fin-ished!
Hey "Show Me" State, we'll show you alright...
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!
