blacksaint

by Dave Lawrence, NewOrleansSaints.com
Friday, August 10, 2007 - 10:15 PM


3 Quarters for #3: Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Palko got a chance Friday night to state his case to the coaching staff for a spot on the roster as one of the backups to Drew Brees.

The undrafted southpaw from the University of Pittsburgh was under center for the Saints for the final three quarters of the game, taking the opportunity to make a number of plays. Palko completed 14-of-24 throws for 170 yards on the night, hitting fellow rookie Robert Meachem on a perfectly-executed fade pass for a two-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Palko, though, as he was picked off twice by Buffalo cornerback Jabari Greer as his aggressive style bit the passer perhaps forcing some throws he would have liked to have back.

Palko showed athleticism and playmaking ability with his legs as well, leading the team with 47 yards rushing on four carries and picking up a number of first downs on the ground.

Defensive starters see extended time: While the Saints’ first-string offense was largely off the field after the first quarter, Head Coach Sean Payton kept his starting defense in action for much of the first half.

After struggling last Sunday against Pittsburgh, the Black & Gold “D” proved to be much stouter in the home opener against the Bills. Allowing just three points over the first 30 minutes, the Saints held the Buffalo offense to 104 total yards and just 36 on the ground.

Saints’ defenders played the pass well also in the opening half, with Jason David, Antwan Lake, Jason Craft and Scott Shanle all getting their hands on throws to create incompletions.

Where there’s a Will…: One of those starting defenders who made the most of his time on the field once again was Pro Bowl defensive end Will Smith.

Despite missing much of the week’s training camp practice as he traveled to attend a family funeral, the fourth-year bookend defender registered his second sack in as many preseason games when he felled Buffalo QB Craig Nall for a six-yard loss in the second quarter.

O, Canada!: The Saints-Bills contest was actually the second game held on the turf at the Superdome Friday. Prior to kickoff, the Steeltown Steelers of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada were crowned champions of the NFL Flag Football World Championships, defeating Los Diablitos of Mexico City 27-14 in the final.

A 10-team tournament featuring squads from countries all around the globe was held at the Saints’ training complex in Metairie over Thursday and Friday with the finalists emerging from round robin action.

The Canadian representatives avenged a 21-19 loss to the Mexican team from early in the tournament with Lucas Mancini catching four touchdown passes and Alexandra Petermann leading the charge with three sacks in the championship round.

All 10 teams were on the field lining the Saints’ entryway to the gridiron as the Black and Gold took to the field for the night’s main attraction. The youth players, ranging in age from 12 to 14-years old put on an exhibition as the halftime entertainment for the night.

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