SAINTS 101

Hall of Fame Game Summary

The first game of the 2012 preseason is in the books as the New Orleans Saints defeat the Arizona Cardinals 17-10. The game started with a bang as Drew Brees led the Saints to a touchdown on their first possession. Mark Ingram scored on a one yard touchdown run to cap a 10 play 71 yard drive. The Cardinals responded in the second quarter as running back Alfonso Smith scored on a four yard touchdown run to tie the game 7-7. The Saints would add a field goal on their next drive to make the score 10-7. Following a Cardinal’s punt, the Saints scored a touchdown as Saint’s backup quarterback Chase Daniels threw a touchdown pass to Travaris Cadet, 17-7 Saints. A Jay Feely field goal in the third quarter would be the final points of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Saint’s linebacker Lawrence Wilson iced the game with an inception off Cardinal’s backup quarterback Ryan Lindley at the one yard line.

New Look Saints

Despite all the offseason distractions, the offense was clicking for the Saints on the opening drive. Brees looked sharp on his only drive going 4/5 for 41 yards. Backup quarterback Chase Daniels replaced Brees and played well, completing 15 of 20 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Daniels’ best drive came at the end of the half in the two minute drill. Daniels went 6/6 as he led the Saints on a seven play 94 yard touchdown drive before the end of the half. Backup running back Travaris Cadet had a solid game catching eight passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Ben Grubbs had a nice block on the opening drive and looked good in his first game as a Saint. On defense, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins intercepted Cardinal’s quarterback Kevin Kolb on his very first pass. Linebacker Curtis Lofton finished the game with three tackles in his Saints debut.

Cardinals Quarterback Competition

Kevin Kolb had a game to forget going 1/4 for just 4 yards and an interception before being knocked out of the game with an injury. Kolb’s injuries have been a problem throughout his short career. In Philadelphia he was injured in his first start after the team traded Donovan McNabb, which opened the door for Michael Vick to take his job. Last season Kolb missed seven games due to injury and backup John Skelton shined in his absence. Skelton took over for Kolb and led the Cardinals on a touchdown drive in the second quarter. Skelton finished his night going 4/6 for 32 yards. Although this competition will not be won after just one game, Skelton certainly should have the advantage going into the second game of the preseason.

Replacement Officials

Aside from a few technical issues, the replacement referees had a solid game. However, in the first quarter it appeared that Cardinals left tackle Levi Brown was guilty of holding in the end zone. The penalty would have resulted in a safety, but there was no flag on play.

Chase Daniels is Saints101’s player of the game.

Tags: Alfonso Smith, Arizona Cardinals, Chase Daniels, Drew Brees, Football, Hall of Fame Game, Kevin Kolb, Lawrence Wilson, Mark Ingram, New Orleans, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Travaris Cadet

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