blacksaint

Thomas stuns Chiefs by gaining 90 yards on 11 carries

Friday, August 24, 2007
By Mike Triplett


KANSAS CITY, MO. -- Receiver David Patten and cornerback Jason Craft probably solidified their roster spots in the Saints' 30-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in an exhibition game Thursday night.

The two veterans might even be in the running for starting jobs if they continue to show this kind of play-making ability.

Patten caught six passes for 75 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Craft made the Saints' first interception of the preseason in the second quarter, stepping in front of a Brodie Croyle pass intended for receiver Eddie Kennison.

Patten got a chance to start because of injuries to Marques Colston and Devery Henderson, and Craft because Jason David is in New Orleans for the birth of his first child.

Patten, an 11-year veteran who won two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, disappeared for the past two years with the Washington Redskins. However, he has been one of the stars of the Saints' offseason after signing in free agency.

Patten's only drawback is that he doesn't play on special teams, like backups Terrance Copper and Lance Moore. However, he is proving that his receiving skills alone are worthy of a roster spot.

Even more impressive than his touchdown reception against the Chiefs was the catch that came two plays earlier, when he kept both feet inbounds on a 16-yard sideline route.

"Drew's going to put the ball in the right spot for you," said Patten, who didn't overvalue his performance or the team's performance as a whole. "It's a meaningless preseason game. Even though we played well, all our records will be the same in a few weeks. We have to stay humble and work hard."

Craft also was on the bubble heading into his ninth NFL season because the Saints added David in free agency and drafted Usama Young in the third round. However, Craft has been a consistent producer throughout the summer, and he brings a lot to the table in base defense, in nickel defense and on special teams.

It appeared that David would battle veteran Fred Thomas for the starting right cornerback job, but Craft seems to have moved ahead of Thomas in that race, especially after Thursday night. Craft also made a nice play in run support in the first quarter.

THOMAS' BIG NIGHT: You can't stop Saints tailback Pierre Thomas . . . especially if you're the Chiefs' third-string defense.

Thomas, an undrafted tailback out of Illinois, took over in the fourth quarter, carrying 11 times for 90 yards with two touchdown runs. He showed a good combination of speed, elusiveness and power.

"He's made a real good impression on us, not just in tonight's game," Saints Coach Sean Payton said.

Unfortunately for Thomas, he's still a long shot to make the roster with at least four tailbacks in front of him. He's probably battling Jamaal Branch for a spot on the practice squad -- but then again, maybe the Saints won't be able to sneak him past waivers.

CATCHING UP WITH BOWE: Former LSU receiver Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs' first-round draft pick at No. 23 overall, had a 21-yard catch-and-run in the left flat -- his first catch in the league -- in the second quarter.

"It was a nice catch. I need to go out there and make some more to pull this team together," said Bowe, who did not start but is expected eventually to crack the starting lineup. "It was good for a second. Now it is time to go out here and get more. It feels good to go out there and know your assignment, to go out there and run around to help the offense."

Bowe started slowly in the preseason because he was one of the last rookies to sign a contract.

His counterpart on the Saints, Robert Meachem, hasn't started much faster. Meachem, who was drafted 27th overall out of Tennessee, did catch a touchdown pass in the Saints' second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. But he didn't do much against Kansas City. He didn't catch a pass, and he bobbled a kickoff return to start the second half.

QUICK HITS: Moore continued to be the Saints' biggest revelation of the summer, catching six more passes for 88 yards. He did fumble one of his four punt returns, but he recovered it before any damage was done. . . . The best part about the Saints' convincing win against the Chiefs: No significant injuries. . . . Linebacker Scott Fujita and center Jeff Faine both returned from injury after missing the past two games. Faine played one drive. Fujita played the entire first half. . . . Fujita must have left an impression on the fans here when he began his career with the Chiefs from 2002-2004. At least one person was wearing his old Kansas City jersey in the stands. . . . The Chiefs have two New Orleans kids on their roster -- cornerback Patrick Surtain, who broke up a deep pass by Drew Brees in the first quarter, and offensive tackle George Batiste, who was inactive. Bowe is one of three former Tigers, along with Kennison and offensive lineman Rudy Niswanger.

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saint4life
(504)

Tobias-Reiper

Patten did disappear while playing with the Redskins, but who doesn't???

Last night, he was in his old Patriot form, likely the result of having Drew Brees throwing to him and running patterns drwan by a real offense-football mind.

blacksaint

Patten will be the third WR.

saintsrule

Nice to hear all of this.