While Brady has been taking the clear majority of first-team practice snaps, it remains unclear if he’ll play when the regular season starts. “You don’t want to make a mistake in that type of situation”.
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“I was pleased early on emotionally”, Payton said.
As slow as New England started they weren’t helped by a prolific showing from Drew Brees.
Brady only completed two of his five passes for 15 yards.
Andrew Luck was 5 of 9 for 71 yards and scored on a 5-yard run.
“I thought he was sharp”.
“He’s made a ton of strides…we’re seeing his growth, like, right now”, Payton said. Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON – New Orleans wide receiver Brandin Cooks, celebrates with fullback Austin Johnson after scoring on a 45-yard touchdown pass against the New England Patriots on Saturday night in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brees’ first touchdown of the night was a 10-yard pass to TE Benjamin Watson. Afterward, Brees was more candid than he’s ever been about the oblique muscle injury last preseason that, coupled with an other injury he didn’t specify during the season, called into question whether his legendary passing skills were waning.
His only two incompletions were apparent drops by Rob Gronkowski, although the tight end also had half a dozen receptions from Brady, including a pair in the end zone. Garoppolo completed 28 of 33 passes for 269 yards, with one touchdown & one interception, to steer the Pats to a come-from-behind 26-24 victory. “Any time you go against Brady, he’s one of the best”, veteran Saints defensive end Parys Haralson said. But Robinson had three catches, 37 yards, and one touchdown.
“He’s in a great offense”, Moss said, via Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. All three series led by Brees produced points, starting with Dustin Hopkins’ 27-yard field goal. The Saints defense made his time on the field miserable, forcing 3-and-outs every time Tom Brady lined up.
Ryan Griffin came in to replace McCown as quarterback for the Saints in the third quarter. His opening drive lasted to the second quarter, after hitting LeGarrette Blount on a nicely designed play-action roll-out on a 3rd and 1 finally gave the Patriots a first down. New England’s James Morris forced the fumble. He had an excellent second quarter blitz pick-up, and was very involved in the receiving game. The Patriots don’t have an easy schedule through those first four games.
Not bad for someone who doesn’t turn 22 until next month.
Eli Manning and the Giants struggled for the second straight week, with Manning finishing 4 of 14 for 46 yards.
The defending champion Patriots lost their starting cornerbacks to free agency, with Darrelle Revis going back to the New York Jets and Brandon Browner signing with New Orleans.
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Mark Ingram led the Saints rushing attack with 6 carrier for only 18 yards, but he did most of his damage through the air pulling in three passes for 45 yards. He caught eight of his nine targets for 68 yards on the night. But the Saints, with rookie quarterback Garrett Grayson in the game, settled for a short field goal and a 24-21 lead.
