blacksaint

Posted: August 18, 2007


CINCINNATI (AP) -- 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.

"Obviously, I'm not happy with how we performed, how we played tonight," glum coach Marvin Lewis said.

The Saints (1-2) scored on their first three drives against Cincinnati's starting unit. Brees was 6-for-6 for 55 yards on the 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 most encouraging thing is the way Brees is playing. A year ago, he was coming off a shoulder injury that limited him during training camp and left the Saints unsure what to expect.

"He's been practicing real well," coach Sean Payton said. "He's worked hard on all the little things in his game, and he's playing with a lot of confidence. I'm encouraged about where he's at compared to where he was last year at this time. He has a good feel for what we're doing."

In the last two games, Brees has gone 18-for-20 for 173 yards.

"I'm getting excited about the beginning of the season," Brees said. "Preseason does serve a purpose. The last two times, we've looked good."

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.

On the Saints' first drive, they didn't even face a third down.

"Again, I go back to that first series," Lewis said. "We want to get off the football field. We had an opportunity to set the tempo."

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.

"It wasn't what we expected or want to do," Palmer said.

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.

"I'm new at this deal," Perry said. "T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) and Chad (Johnson) and Carson have good timing. They're on the same page, and I'm trying to get there."

Notes: Saints WR David Patten played despite a sore toe and had three catches for 26 yards. ... The Saints had no serious injuries. "Everyone's fine," Payton said. "Everyone's in good shape." ... 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.

SportingNews.com - NFL - Brees, Saints roll to victory over Bengals

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