blacksaint

Saturday, August 18, 2007
Joe Kay / Associated Press Sports Writer

CINCINNATI -- Drew Brees needed only six on-target passes to show that he's ready -- and the Cincinnati Bengals' defense isn't.

Brees led New Orleans to a touchdown in his only series Saturday night, completing every throw he made and giving the Bengals a half-dozen more reasons to worry in the Saints' 27-19 preseason victory.

The NFL's leading passer last season, Brees had his way with the league's worst pass defense, one that Cincinnati put a lot of moves and money into trying to upgrade in the offseason. The early returns aren't good.

The Saints (1-2) scored on their first three drives against Cincinnati's starting unit. Brees was 6-for-6 for 55 yards on their opening drive, which culminated in Deuce McAllister's 8-yard run and the first round of boos from fans who had seen this so many times.

The Saints were only getting started on a night that left them feeling good.

New Orleans returns most of the team that lost to Chicago in the NFC championship game. There are a few things that need to be settled -- a No. 3 receiver, role-sharing at a few spots on defense. All those things can get decided in the next two weeks before the opener.

The Bengals (0-2) have a lot of work to do.

They let safety Kevin Kaesviharn leave as a free agent and released linebacker Brian Simmons in the offseason as part of their defensive overhaul. Both signed with the Saints and played in backup roles on Saturday.

Cincinnati's new-look defense looked a lot like the old one, giving up two touchdowns and a field goal on the Saints' first three possessions. Reggie Bush had a 6-yard touchdown run.

"It was a poor half of execution on our part," coach Marvin Lewis said. "It started with the first series on each side."

The only thing that slowed the Saints was the turnover -- four fumbles in the first half, including a pair by backup quarterback Jamie Martin. The Saints' only scare came when Martin was sacked and fumbled, landed hard on his passing hand and got up flexing it.

Martin played catch on the sideline and returned the next time New Orleans got the ball.

Shayne Graham kicked four field goals in the first half -- another bad sign for Cincinnati, which couldn't even get into the end zone after recovering a fumble at New Orleans' 3.

Carson Palmer played four series and was a pedestrian 5-for-10 for 41 yards with a sack and fumble that set up the Saints' second touchdown.

The most glaring problem was the lack of a No. 3 receiver. The Bengals were reminded how much they miss Chris Henry, who is suspended for the first eight games for violating the NFL's conduct policy.

The Bengals tried to get the ball to Tab Perry, who is first in line to take Henry's spot. Palmer overthrew him three times -- once when he got open at the goal line -- and backup quarterback Doug Johnson had trouble connecting with him, too.

Perry was the intended receiver on eight passes in the first half, but had only one catch for seven yards. He also had a false start on the opening drive of the second half. Perry finished with two catches for 19 yards.

Notes:@ Saints WR David Patten played despite a sore toe and had three catches for 26 yards. ... In his last two games, Brees is 18-for-20 for 173 yards. ... Bengals LB Landon Johnson strained his back and DE Robert Geathers strained his ribcage in the first quarter. Neither returned. ... Bengals RT Willie Anderson walked the sideline without the protective boot he wore on his right foot two days earlier. Anderson has a foot injury that threatens to keep him out of the season opener.

Saints offense looks sharp in win over Bengals | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Saints | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | wwltv.com

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