TallySaint

Scouting Report: Saints vs. Bills

BUFFALO BILLS (1-2) vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-2) at San Antonio (Alamodome)
By Pierce W. Huff Times-Picayune

The Saints play their first game in the Alamodome on Sunday against a Buffalo Bills team that, in a lot of ways, is a mirror image, minus hurricane displacement. Both the Saints and the Bills have lost two games since impressive season-opening victories. The Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers then lost to the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. The Bills beat the Houston Texans then fell to Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Both the Saints and the lost key defensive players in losses on Sunday. Saints safety Jay Bellamy is out for the season after injuring his right rotator cuff. Coach Jim Haslett said the team will start rookie second-round draft pick Josh Bullocks. Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes, the team’s top defensive player, is out for the season with a torn right Achilles’ tendon. Both teams have played games filled with mistakes that have played key roles in their losses.

The Saints are tied with the Oakland Raiders for the most penalties in the National Football League (36) and have had 27 penalties in the last two games.

The Bills, who ranked 29th in the NFL in touchdowns in the redzone last year, have two touchdowns in nine redzone possessions this season. “It’s frustrating,� Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, who played at Tulane, told the Buffalo News. Bills coach Mike Mularkey watched a tape of the Buffalo’s 24-16 loss to Atlanta on Sunday and told the Buffalo News: “We just didn’t take advantage of the (redzone) chances.�

LAST MEETING: Saints won at Buffalo 24-6 on Sept. 9, 2001.

BILLS ON OFFENSE: Losman hasn’t conjured up any memories of Jim Kelly, or Drew Bledsoe for that matter. Losman has completed 38 of 79 passes (48.1 percent) for 358 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Running back Willis McGahee is the team’s top runner, and is showing some of the fast, reckless form that characterized his early days at the University of Miami. McGahee has rushed for 291 yards and one touchdown on 62 carries and averages 4.7 yards per carry. The top receivers are former LSU receiver Josh Reed, who has nine catches for 101 yards, and veteran standout Eric Moulds, who has eight catches for 66 yards.

BILLS ON DEFENSE: This is a formidable unit with plenty of big name players, despite the absence of Spikes. London Fletcher is a tough middle linebacker who knocks down everything in reach and leads the team with 26 tackles, including 12 assists, and has one fumble recovery. Safety Lawyer Milloy is a big hitter with good range, who has 20 tackles, including seven assists, one sack and one fumble recovery. Cornerback Troy Vincent is a solid cover guy, who leads the team with two interceptions.

BILLS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Placekicker Rian Lindell has been the team’s most consistent offensive threat, nailing six of six field goals. Lindell has made three of three field goals between 40 and 49 yards. Punter Brian Moorman averages 43.3 yards per punt with a net average of 33.3 yards. Former Northwestern State player Terrence McGee averages 29.3 yards per kickoff.

BILLS BY THE NUMBERS: 60 – Losman’s quarterback rating; 19 – the number of points scored by the Bills in their last two games; 17 – the number of tackles this season by Spikes; 2 – the number of consecutive losses the Bills have this season against teams in the NFC South; 0 – the number of touchdown receptions for Reed and Moulds.
INJURY REPORT: Bills -- Spikes (Achilles) is out; Coy Wire (thigh) is listed as day to day; Saints --Bellamy (shoulder); Aaron Stecker (ankle) is out; and Joe Horn is listed as day-to-day with a hamstring injury.


http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpsports/


8)

My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.

saintz08

Euphoria

DEFENSE?!?!? DIDDLE POOH