New Orleans beat Arizona 17-10 Sunday night at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Here’s a numerical look at the highlights:
0: The number of interceptions the Saints’ starting safeties -- Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins -- had in the 2011 regular season. On Arizona’s first pass of the Hall of Fame Game, Jenkins read QB Kevin Kolb’s eyes and stepped in front of a sideline pass for a pick. Maybe this year will be different under new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has Jenkins playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
1: The number of series QB Drew Brees played before exiting. He went 4-of-5 for 41 yards on a 10-play, 77-yard opening touchdown drive as the Saints, minus suspended coach Sean Payton, picked up where they left off last year, when they set an NFL record for yards.
3: The number of sacks for Saints defensive linemen. Yes, it was a just a preseason opener, but New Orleans’ front four seldom generated that type of pressure a year ago, when it accounted for a measly 16.5 sacks in 16 games. Converted LB Martez Wilson, who had 1.5 sacks on Sunday, is a player to watch.
4: The number of proven, quality NFL running backs on the Saints roster. On the opening drive alone, Pierre Thomas had gains of 20 and 12 yards, Darren Sproles picked up 11 yards and Mark Ingram ran for 10 yards before powering into the end zone from a yard out. Chris Ivory, who led the team in rushing in 2010, is the fourth. Not many people realize New Orleans finished sixth in the NFL in rushing last season.
9: The number of passes backup QB Chase Daniel completed in a row at one point. He looked confident and comfortable, completing 15 of 19 for 203 yards until one mistake marred his evening. On his last play, he tossed a horrible interception, throwing right to Arizona’s Blake Gideon as he tried to hit receiver Andy Tanner in the middle of the end zone.
54: The number of receiving yards for special teams ace Courtney Roby in the first half, on four catches. Roby, a gunner on kick coverage who is not guaranteed a roster spot this time, has not made a regular-season reception since 2009.
67: The number of yards undrafted rookie free agent Laron Scott picked up on a kickoff return in the second quarter, turning in the play of the game. After fielding the ball seven yards deep in the end zone, he made a nifty spin move to get out of traffic in the middle of the field, turned the corner and then cut back inside before being tackled at the Arizona 40. To have any chance to make the team, he needed to do something positive after misjudging a punt, letting it sail over his head and turn into a Hall of Fame Game-record 79-yarder.
96: The number of seconds that ran off the clock after a New Orleans incomplete pass in the fourth quarter before the replacement referees noticed as they debated whether to call intentional grounding. The refs were sloppier than the players, repeatedly taking a long time to make simple decisions.
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO.
By the numbers: Saints beat Cardinals in preseason opener
New Orleans beat Arizona 17-10 on Sunday night at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Here*s a numerical look at the highlights.
By
Guerry Smith
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2 min read