NFL Preseason Preview - Dallas (1-0) at New Orleans (1-0)
By TONY MOSS, SPORTS NETWORK
First-year Saints head coach Sean Payton will line up across from former boss Bill Parcells on Monday night, when New Orleans plays host to the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason matchup from Independence Stadium in Shreveport, LA. Payton served as assistant head coach and had primary responsibilities with the offense for three years under Parcells in Dallas (2003-05), prior to his defection to New Orleans in the preseason. In his debut on the Saints' sideline last Saturday, Payton guided his new club to a 19-16 victory at Tennessee. The Cowboys also opened the preseason with a road win, coming away with a 13-3 triumph at Seattle.
The big story in the Saints' win over the Titans was the eye-opening play of rookie running back and No. 2 overall pick Reggie Bush, who carried six times for 59 yards, including an electrifying 44-yard-run, in his debut in a New Orleans uniform. Bush started in place of incumbent starter Deuce McAllister, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery but is expected to make his return on Monday night. Elsewhere on offense, quarterback Drew Brees should see a bit more time in his second game as a Saint, after the former Chargers Pro Bowler completed 5-of-9 passes for 60 yards last week. Jamie Martin (13- of-22 passing, 143 yards, 2 INT) figures to follow Brees in the lineup on Monday. On the injury front, quarterback Adrian McPherson (knee), running back Aaron Stecker (ankle), linebacker Tommy Polley (shoulder), and guard Jermane Mayberry (ankle) are among the notable New Orleans players considered questionable against the Cowboys.
Dallas was able to score a victory in Seattle despite the absence of quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was held out in the interests of evaluating second-stringer Tony Romo. Romo was impressive, completing 19-of-25 passes for 235 yards including a nine-yard first-quarter touchdown strike to wideout Patrick Crayton. Crayton will see more time this week if receiver Terrell Owens (hamstring), who recently returned to practice after missing the initial stages of the training camp and preseason, does not suit up. Owens is considered questionable for Monday, as is fellow wideout Terry Glenn (blisters on feet), while Bledsoe will play. Elsewhere on offense, running backs Julius Jones (7 rushes, 14 yards) and Marion Barber III (7 rushes, 20 yards) will each be trying to get into a better rhythm than they did in last week's triumph over Seattle. Projected starting defensive end Marcus Spears, who is nursing a cartilage tear in his right knee, could make his preseason debut against the Saints.
The all-time preseason series between the Cowboys and Saints is deadlocked, 3-3, with New Orleans evening the series by virtue of a 16-10 triumph in the last such meeting, prior to the 2001 season. Dallas holds a 14-7 edge in the regular season series, though New Orleans prevailed by a 27-13 count on the road when the clubs last met, in 2004. The Cowboys and Saints will renew their regular season rivalry on Dec. 10th at Texas Stadium. Monday's game will be played at Independence Stadium, the home of college football's annual Independence Bowl. The Saints, who are conducting training camp more than 200 miles away in Jackson, MS, are playing their preseason home games away from New Orleans and the Hurricane Katrina-damaged Superdome, which is being prepared for the team's home regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25th. The Saints' second and final preseason home game will come against the Colts at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson next Saturday.
First-year Saints head coach Sean Payton will line up across from former boss Bill Parcells on Monday night, when New Orleans plays host to the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason matchup from Independence Stadium in Shreveport, LA. Payton served as assistant head coach and had primary responsibilities with the offense for three years under Parcells in Dallas (2003-05), prior to his defection to New Orleans in the preseason. In his debut on the Saints' sideline last Saturday, Payton guided his new club to a 19-16 victory at Tennessee. The Cowboys also opened the preseason with a road win, coming away with a 13-3 triumph at Seattle.
The big story in the Saints' win over the Titans was the eye-opening play of rookie running back and No. 2 overall pick Reggie Bush, who carried six times for 59 yards, including an electrifying 44-yard-run, in his debut in a New Orleans uniform. Bush started in place of incumbent starter Deuce McAllister, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery but is expected to make his return on Monday night. Elsewhere on offense, quarterback Drew Brees should see a bit more time in his second game as a Saint, after the former Chargers Pro Bowler completed 5-of-9 passes for 60 yards last week. Jamie Martin (13- of-22 passing, 143 yards, 2 INT) figures to follow Brees in the lineup on Monday. On the injury front, quarterback Adrian McPherson (knee), running back Aaron Stecker (ankle), linebacker Tommy Polley (shoulder), and guard Jermane Mayberry (ankle) are among the notable New Orleans players considered questionable against the Cowboys.
Dallas was able to score a victory in Seattle despite the absence of quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was held out in the interests of evaluating second-stringer Tony Romo. Romo was impressive, completing 19-of-25 passes for 235 yards including a nine-yard first-quarter touchdown strike to wideout Patrick Crayton. Crayton will see more time this week if receiver Terrell Owens (hamstring), who recently returned to practice after missing the initial stages of the training camp and preseason, does not suit up. Owens is considered questionable for Monday, as is fellow wideout Terry Glenn (blisters on feet), while Bledsoe will play. Elsewhere on offense, running backs Julius Jones (7 rushes, 14 yards) and Marion Barber III (7 rushes, 20 yards) will each be trying to get into a better rhythm than they did in last week's triumph over Seattle. Projected starting defensive end Marcus Spears, who is nursing a cartilage tear in his right knee, could make his preseason debut against the Saints.
The all-time preseason series between the Cowboys and Saints is deadlocked, 3-3, with New Orleans evening the series by virtue of a 16-10 triumph in the last such meeting, prior to the 2001 season. Dallas holds a 14-7 edge in the regular season series, though New Orleans prevailed by a 27-13 count on the road when the clubs last met, in 2004. The Cowboys and Saints will renew their regular season rivalry on Dec. 10th at Texas Stadium. Monday's game will be played at Independence Stadium, the home of college football's annual Independence Bowl. The Saints, who are conducting training camp more than 200 miles away in Jackson, MS, are playing their preseason home games away from New Orleans and the Hurricane Katrina-damaged Superdome, which is being prepared for the team's home regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25th. The Saints' second and final preseason home game will come against the Colts at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson next Saturday.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:18 AM
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