Chiefs-Saints Postgame Quotes
Complete Box Score
Photos

By Patrick Herb

The Chiefs third preseason game of the season was supposed to be a chance for the starters to play into the second half and an opportunity to take a step forward. Instead, a 30-7 home loss at the hands of the New Orleans Saints left Kansas City searching for answers.

“I told the football team I did a bad job of preparing [them] to play this game,” head coach Herm Edwards said after the contest. “It was evident the way we played. We didn’t tackle very well. Offensively, we’re not very good, not very good running the ball, throwing the ball. We’re not very good at all. We haven’t been very consistent the last three weeks and we have to come to some kind of conclusion what we’re going to be as a football team.”

After Kansas City’s first drive stalled around midfield QB Drew Brees had New Orleans on the move. The Pro Bowl QB completed his first five passes for 62 yards, marching the Saints down to the Kansas City five-yard line. From there, New Orleans took its chances on the ground, pounding it up the middle on four straight runs, including fourth-and-goal from the one. On each occasion, the Chiefs defensive line stood tall, stuffing RB Deuce McAllister and RB Reggie Bush two times each, keeping the game scoreless.

The Saints would crack the scoreboard first with a 28-yard field from K Olindo Mare early in the second quarter. Brees’ passes accounted for 38 of the 50 yards on the drive as New Orleans chipped away on the Kansas City defense with short underneath routes.

The Chiefs could only muster one first down – a 21-yard completion to rookie WR Dwayne Bowe – before punting the ball back to New Orleans. Kansas City’s bend-but-don’t-break defense came up big again minutes later. After a 24-yard run by RB Reggie Bush and a 37-yard completion from Brees to WR Lance Moore, the Saints were in the Red Zone again. Just like their first two trips though, the Chiefs defense refused to let them in the end zone as LB Kendrell Bell sacked Brees on third down from the eight-yard line. Mare would chip in his second field goal of the night, giving the Saints a 6-0 lead.

The Chiefs had held their opponents out the end zone on nine of 10 trips inside the Red Zone, but the dam finally broke late in the second half. Brees completed five straight passes on the ensuing drive, capping it off with a play-action touchdown pass to WR David Patten from four yards out. The game’s first TD gave the Saints a 13-0 lead with 2:27 left in the first half.

Things appeared to get worse as Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle was picked off at his own 23-yard line two plays later. Kansas City’s defense would hold firm turning the Saints away and stopping Antonio Pittman on fourth-and-one from the three-yard line to keep the score at 13-0 at the half.

Kansas City looked to have a spark after halftime when DE Jared Allen picked off Saints QB Jamie Martin and returned it to midfield. However, in what was a frustrating trend, the Chiefs failed to get a first down and put the ball back in New Orleans’ possession.

With the reserves in for both teams, the Saints began to pull away as rookie RB Pierre Thomas scored consecutive rushing touchdowns extending the lead to 30-0 with under 5:00 left in the game.

The Chiefs offense finally showed life late when rookie QB Jeff Terrell – seeing his first preseason action – engineered the longest drive of the night. Terrell went five-for-five on the drive for 54 yards, highlighted by a 19-yard pass to TE Keith Willis and a 13-yard connection to WR Brent Little. Then, rookie RB Marcus O’Keith surged across the goal line for a two-yard touchdown and Kansas City’s only score of the night, bringing the final count to 30-7.

“I think we embarrassed ourselves in front of our home crowd,” Allen admitted. “Preseason or not we have to figure out who we want to be and be that team every snap, every time we go on the field. We’ve got to clean things up.”

Kansas City will get their next chance to clean things up Thursday, August 30th at St. Louis. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Edward Jones Dome.

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CHIEFS VS SAINTS GLOG

Pre-game, 5:39 PM
Welcome to Arrowhead Chiefs fans. I’m Josh Looney, your glogger for tonight’s preseason contest against New Orleans. I’m sure you’re as excited as I’m am to see how the Chiefs defense fares against one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.

Pre-game, 5:41 PM
Here’s a stat straight from Brad Kuhbander, official stat guru of the Chiefs: “The Kansas City defense has allowed its two preseason opponents to score one offensive TD in the Chiefs first two games. That total is tied with Baltimore for the second-fewest offensive TDs allowed in the NFL during the 2007 preseason. Only Washington has yet to allow an offensive touchdown in the preseason.“

Major reason for this: LB Donnie Edwards.

Pre-game, 6:10 PM
The scratches for tonight’s game have come in…

KC – QB Damon Huard, WR Maurice Price, RB Priest Holmes, CB Tyron Brackenridge, FB Greg Hanoian, LB David Hicks, T George Batiste, G Chris Bober and T Damion McIntosh..
Notes on the KC starting lineup: Croyle will start at QB, Turley will start at RT and Bennett will start at RB.

NO – WR Marques Colston, WR Devery Henderson, CB Jason David, LB Mark Simoneau, G Brian Young, T Jammal Brown, WR Jamal Jones and DE Rob Ninkovich.

Both of New Orleans’ starting receivers are inactive.

Pre-game, 6:30 PM
Players for both teams have taken the field for pre-game warm-ups. For the second-straight week, I’ve got to give some props out to Tony DiPardo and the TD Pack Band…these guys will jam rain or shine, day or night, preseason or regular season.

Pre-game, 6:31 PM
The New Orleans ball boy has just headed back into the locker room after it appeared he jammed his finger pretty badly catching punts. The way he was jumping around, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s placed on the IR for the remainder of the season.

Pre-game, 6:42 PM
Has anyone else noticed that KC Wolf looks like he’s gained some weight?

Pre-game, 6:49 PM
RB Larry Johnson is dressed in full-uniform, but will not play tonight. I heard him trying to scheme special teams coach Mike Priefer into sneaking him on the field for a kickoff return. Don’t think Herm will go for that one.

Pre-game, 7:01 PM
As for the game: Look for KC’s starters to play the entire first half of tonight’s game…maybe longer for some. With Huard scratched, tonight is a huge opportunity for Croyle to make believers out of Chiefs coaches and fans. His performance tonight could be a critical factor in determining a starting quarterback for the opener at Houston…so could Huard’s injury.

Pre-game, 7:23 PM
High school football players and coaches from tornado stricken Greensburg, KS are on-hand tonight for VIP treatment at Arrowhead. They were just awarded a check for over $50,000 from the Chiefs to help them rebuild their football program. These kids were in awe watching pre-game warm-ups from the sidelines. They will also get to meet Chiefs players after the game.

Pre-game, 7:25 PM
The Saints have just taken the field to a steady stream of booing. Arrowhead is rocking and ready to begin the final preseason home game of 2007.

1st Q, 15:00, KC 0 NO 0
Kansas City wins the toss, and elects to receive. A touchback give them the ball on their own 20.

Weather:
Temperature: 90
Wind: South 16 MPH, gusts to 25 MPH
Humidity: 47%
Heat Index: 95

1st Q, 12:55, KC 0 NO 0
A steady dose of RB Michael Bennett and two defensive penalties have pushed the Chiefs to mid-field. The run blocking is pretty solid this first drive, but the pass blocking is leaving Croyle to scramble on too many attempts.

1st Q, 12:00, KC 0 NO 0
Facing a third-and-one from the Saints 47-yard line, the Chiefs elect to punt. Chiefs fans are not happy, but P Dustin Colquitt should have a good chance to pin New Orleans deep.

1st Q, 11:36, KC 0 NO 0
Way too long…touchback.

1st Q, 11:36, KC 0 NO 0
Even though it’s the preseason, the Arrowhead crowd is on its feet for the first defensive play.

1st Q, 9:00, KC 0 NO 0
You’ve got to get the ball to your playmakers in space. As a result, New Orleans has lined up RB Reggie Bush as a slot receiver a number of times this first drive. The Saints are picking the Chiefs defense apart small gains at a time with dump off routes and rushing plays.

1st Q, 8:00, KC 0 NO 0
QB Drew Brees is on the money. He fired a pass on the money for 33-yards to WR David Patten to push the ball inside the Chiefs 10-yard line. Time for the Chiefs D to make another Red Zone stand.

1st Q, 5:45, KC 0 NO 0
After Brees goes 4-for-4 on the drive, the Chiefs stop three straight runs plays cold. Fourth-and-one from the Chiefs one-yard line.

1st Q, 5:36, KC 0 NO 0
Brees wants to go for the TD, Saints coach Sean Payton wants to think about it. Timeout New Orleans.

1st Q, 5:30, KC 0 NO 0
RB Duece Mcallister goes to the air and gets absolutely stuffed by a wall of Chiefs. DE Tamba Hali led the charge. This defense has made a living on making big plays in the Red Zone this preseason…chalk another one up.

1st Q, 3:30, KC 0 NO 0
FB Kris Wilson gets a rare carry and gives the Chiefs a gain of five for a first down. Wilson didn’t log a carry at all in 2006, but he looked pretty good rumbling for that first down.

1st Q, 2:42, KC 0 NO 0
Struggles with pass blocking continue, forcing the Chiefs to punt again. The return is muffed, but falls underneath WR Lance Moore at the Saints 40.

1st Q, 1:57, KC 0 NO 0
Saints take their second timeout on third-and-three from their own 47. DE Tamba Hali has been all over the place making plays in the backfield and chasing wide receivers down in space.

1st Q, 0:45, KC 0 NO 0
Brees continues to move the chains to the Chiefs 30. The Chiefs are getting killed on routes over the middle just behind the linebackers, but in front of the safeties.

1st Q, 0:00, KC 0 NO 0
Another mid-level pass closed out the first quarter and pushes the Saints to the Chiefs 16-yard line. The KC “D” has another opportunity to step up in the Red Zone.

2nd Q, 13:02, KC 0 NO 3
Another Red Zone stand fueled by a DE Jared Allen sack keeps the Saints out of the end zone. K Olindo Mare connects on the 28-yard field goal attempt.

11 plays, 50 yards, 4:40

2nd Q, 13:02, KC 0 NO 3
The intensity the Chiefs defense shows in the Red Zone is unmatched by any Chiefs defense in recent memory. This unit could be something special this season.

By the way, LB Donnie Edwards had seven 1st quarter tackles. He’s on pace for 28!

2nd Q, 10:55, KC 0 NO 3
WR Dwayne Bowe logs his first catch as a Chief, carrying three defenders on his back for a 21-yard gain to the 50.

2nd Q, 10:02, KC 0 NO 3
The Chiefs stall out and have to punt. T Will Svitek is really having some trouble with DE Will Smith tonight. Croyle is really taking some licks tonight, getting hit on nearly every single throw.

2nd Q, 8:54, KC 0 NO 3
More short passes and a 24-yard run by Bush push the football to mid-field. The Chiefs are closing in on receivers just fine; Brees is just delivering the ball on the spot at the right time.

2nd Q, 8:00, KC 0 NO 3
LB Kendrell Bell gets turned around and looks absolutely lost manning up on WR Lance Moore. Moore’s reception goes 37-yards to the Chiefs 19.

2nd Q, 6:50, KC 0 NO 6
Another third down Red Zone stop, but this one was unbelievable. LB Derrick Johnson blizes and goes airborn, but is chop-blocked by Mcallister. Johnson flips in the air, but gets a piece of Brees, allowing Bell to sack Brees and force a 31-yard field goal. Mare puts it down the pipe.

8 plays, 74 yards, 3:25

2nd Q, 5:30, KC 0 NO 6
Several drops force the Chiefs to punt yet again. Four possessions, four punts. The bright side of that is it’s only the first three-and-out this game. A personal foul facemask penalty on CB Michael Bragg give New Orleans the ball on the KC 45.

2nd Q, 3:31, KC 0 NO 6
It’s the same thing over and over. The Chiefs punt and the Saints drive using a mix of run plays and short passing routes to get into the Red Zone. Hopefully the Chiefs will continue their Red Zone dominance. Saints ball on the KC 8.


2nd Q, 3:31, KC 0 NO 13
Brees is killing the Chiefs. He pulls defenders forward with a perfectly orchestrated boot to find WR David Patten wide open in the back of the end zone.

6 plays, 45 yards, 3:03

2nd Q, 2:14, KC 0 NO 13
It gets uglier Chiefs fans. Croyle’s out route is picked by CB Jason Craft. The ball wasn’t thrown particularly hard and all Craft had to do was step in front of the out route and trot out of bounds. Saints ball on the KC 23.

2nd Q, 2:00, KC 0 NO 13
QB Jamie Martin is now in at quarterback for New Orleans.

2nd Q, 0:32, KC 0 NO 13
New Orleans takes their final timeout to draw up a play on fourth-and-one from the KC three.

2nd Q, 0:26, KC 0 NO 13
RB Antonio Pittman is stoned at the line of scrimmage by Hali and LB Napoleon Harris. The Chiefs defense has done it again in the Red Zone!

2nd Q, 0:00, KC 0 NO 13
A kneel down will send the Chiefs to the locker room with lots of work to do offensively.

Halftime Thoughts:
Offense: Downright ugly. 68 total yards. Positive plays were few and far between. Croyle did little to distance himself in the QB race, but then again he really didn’t have much of a chance with the constant pressure he was under.

Defense: The definition of bend, but don’t break. You’d like to see them make some stops in the middle of the field, but when you’re on the field for the majority of the half you’ll take the stellar Red Zone play.

Total Plays: KC 25, NO 39

Time of Possession: KC 10:58, NO 19:02

Brees’ line: 17-19, 182, 1 TD (one of the incomplete passes was a drop)

3rd Q, 15:00, KC 0 NO 13
A fumbled kickoff return leaves New Orleans with the ball on their own 14. Maybe the Chiefs can grab some momentum with a three-and-out.

3rd Q, 12:14, KC 0 NO 13
Edwards kept his first-team defense on the field and it paid off. DE Jared Allen dropped back in coverage as S Bernard Pollard came in on a zone blitz and deflected Martin’s pass at the line scrimmage. The ball fluttered right into Allen’s hands for an interception. Chiefs ball on their own 49. 

An offensive TD on this drive could get the Chiefs right back in the game.

3rd Q, 10:19, KC 0 NO 13
Edwards trots his first-team offense on the field for the second half and Croyle hits, WR Jeff Webb for a big gain inside the 30. Nevermind, it’s coming back…holding.

3rd Q, 10:13, KC 0 NO 13
Miscommunication between Webb and Croyle results in another punt. The crowds boos grown louder.

3rd Q, 9:50, KC 0 NO 13
KC has put their second-team defense on the field.


3rd Q, 6:31, KC 0 NO 13
The second defense holds their own, forcing a New Orleans punt. The first offense will once again take the field at their own 14. I can’t help but wonder if this was the original game plan or if Edwards is trotting his first offense out there until they can get it right.

3rd Q, 4:42, KC 0 NO 13
Another three-and-out, but the fans are cheering this time. Fan-favorite FB Boomer Grigsby made a nice catch in the flats on third down. This is Grigsby’s first game action this preseason.

3rd Q, 1:59, KC 0 NO 13
A little pass in the flat to RB Aaron Stecker turns into a 19-yard gain into Chiefs territory. There looked to be some confusion in the linebacking core on the play.

3rd Q, 1:59, KC 0 NO 13
A little pass in the flat to RB Aaron Stecker turns into a 19-yard gain into Chiefs territory. There looked to be some confusion in the linebacking core on the play.

3rd Q, 0:00, KC 0 NO 13
DT James Reed’s shoe-string tackle of Pittman saves a touchdown, bringing up a third-and-five from the Chiefs 20. 

After three quarters of play the Chiefs have 78 total offensive yards.

4th Q, 14:26, KC 0 NO 16
DT Tank Tyler gets off the ball in a hurry and is in Martin’s face for a sack before he can even get into a five-step drop. The sack forces a 44-yard Mare field goal.

10 plays, 39 yards, 4:55

4th Q, 14:20, KC 0 NO 16
QB Casey Printers is now in at quarterback. He draws a sparse applause from the Chiefs faithful still in attendance.

4th Q, 13:24, KC 0 NO 16
The pride of Canada has no luck and the Chiefs go another three-and-out. The Saints will start on their own 26. That last drive seems to have driven the majority of the fans to the exits.

4th Q, 11:48, KC 0 NO 16
Palko has entered the game at quarterback for the Saints. He’s successfully tripped over his own feet on the first two plays, but somehow the Saints still gain 15 yards on a pass and handoff to RB Pierre Thomas.

4th Q, 9:40, KC 0 NO 16
There’s not much to say about this drive. The Saints get positive yards on nearly every play and Thomas finishes off the drive with a few hard runs to get into the end zone.

7 plays, 73 yards, 3:44

4th Q, 8:40, KC 0 NO 23
The pass blocking is still breaking down, but Printers is moving the chains with his feet. An elusive run out of the pocket and down the right sideline takes KC past midfield.

4th Q, 5:12, KC 0 NO 23
At this point I’m considering shutting the glog down for the night.

4th Q, 4:51, KC 0 NO 30
Thomas somehow breaks out of a pile of tacklers and runs for a touchdown a play after busting a 32-yard run up the middle untouched.

3 plays, 50 yards, 1:28

4th Q, 4:39, KC 0 NO 30
CB Justin Phinisee returned the ball out of his own end zone for 43 yards. The sideline-to-sideline run drew a standing ovation from the crowd. QB Jeff Terrell is now in at quarterback for the Chiefs.

4th Q, 1:56, KC 0 NO 23
The quarterback from Princeton has led the Chiefs to the Saints one-yard line on five-of-five passing. He’s reading his coverage and hitting the routes the Saints are giving him. He looks really poised back there.

4th Q, 1:53, KC 7 NO 30
Touchdown Kansas City! RB Marcus O’Keith eliminates the goose egg on a one-yard plunge up the middle.

7 plays, 62 yards, 2:58

4th Q, 1:51, KC 7 NO 30
An attempted onside kick is nullified by an off-sides call on the Chiefs. Saints start with the ball on the Chiefs 40.

4th Q, 0:00, KC 7 NO 30
That was one ugly game. Just be thankful that it doesn’t count.

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