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At least the first quarter of preseason is valuable for a fan because that's when the first team plays. As Richard Hill of Pats Pulpit points out, the Patriots should feel good because their first team defense had a solid day, if not quick day against the Saints in their 27-24 victory.
From the get-go, the intensity was high and the defense came out and held the Saints to a quick three and out. The first play, Jerod Mayo stuffed Pierre Thomas for a three yard gain. Play two, a blitz that was led by a charging Gerard Warren and Marques Murrell, causing Drew Brees to essentially throw the ball into the ground. The final play of the series: a beautiful rush off the edge by Marques Murrell who sacked Drew Brees, with help coming from Tully Banta-Cain coming up the middle.The first team defense applied constant pressure, and played a few solid series, before handing the reigns over to the 2nd team.
Pats Pulpit has picked the stars of the game and the first one's no surprise: Julian Edelman.
What can be said? This second year receiver was the monster of the game. He was a YAC machine, he caught everything and he showed why people might not have to worry about Wes Welker sitting out a couple games.
His final numbers: six catches for 90 yards.
Other players with solid games include Brandon Spikes, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Laurence Maroney and Chris Taylor as the players of the game, among many others. Check out their detailed explanations of the MVPs of the Patriots/Saints game.
Head on over to Pats Pulpit for more on the Patriots victory over the Saints.
Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Tom Brady completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards and the New England Patriots used a 28-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski in the final minute of regulation to defeat the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, 27-24, in the preseason opener for both teams at Gillette Stadium.
Laurence Maroney had 30 rushing yards and two TDs for New England, which captured the AFC East title last season but was bounced from the playoffs by the Ravens. Randy Moss saw action, catching two passes, including one for 23 yards.
Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees finished 9-for-13 for 55 yards through the air for New Orleans and Pierre Thomas gained 27 yards on eight carries to go along with 26 receiving yards. Reggie Bush added a rushing TD while tight end Jeremy Shockey posted 23 yards on three receptions.
Less than five minutes into the third quarter, Maroney crossed the goal line from the one-yard line, but Larry Beavers returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and brought the Saints within 24-14.
On the next New Orleans possession, Chris Ivory ran into the end zone from two yards out with 7:15 to play in the third quarter before a 23-yard Garrett Hartley chip shot with 2:40 to go in the fourth knotted the contest.
The Pats then marched down the field in the waning minutes and set up Gostkowski's game-winning field goal with 53 seconds to play.
NFL Preseason: Saints Fans Not Worried Yet About Loss To Patriots
Saints fans are coming off a Super Bowl victory so they're not going to let a meaningless preseason game get them down.
SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles says it's important to keep the big picture in mind when analyzing their 27-24 loss to the Patriots.
Stars of the game from the Saints side: Jonathan Casillas, Adrian Arrington, Junior Galette and Chris Ivory to name a few.
Arrington led all Saints receivers with 87 yards, including a 51-yard catch, and Casillas was the game leader in tackles and had one sack.
Canal Street Chronicles has a full, detailed recap of the Saints loss to the Patriots.
Aug 13 7:48a by Joel Thorman - 0 comments