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THURSDAY'S GAME 8/18/05
New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Aaron Brooks (1st-3rd Qs), Todd Bouman (4th Q), Kliff Kingsbury, rookie Adrian McPherson (see below).
New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett said his starters will see extensive playing time Thursday against the Patriots. He expects them to play about three quarters. Haslett said, "We played them a quarter and a half last week, and we are going to go three this week."
Receivers thin with Az-Zahir Hakim (hamstring), TE Ernie Conwell (groin) and TE end Shad Meier (knee) ailing.
Offensive line thin: The Saints are thin at tackle with backups Jon Stinchcomb and Spencer Folau injured, so guard/center Jamar Nesbit was asked to give right tackle a shot when the team returned to practice this week.
Jim Haslett wasn't clearly unhappy with the performance of his team against Seattle, he is satisfied with the way the players have responded in practice. Haslett hasn't had to say anything to this bunch. They know they played poorly on both sides of the ball.
HC Jim Haslett called the defense's fourth-quarter performance "horrendous" in Friday's loss.
New England Patriots - QB Rotation: Tom Brady (1st Q+), Doug Flutie (will follow), Rohan Davey, rookie Matt Cassel (see below).
Bill Belichick said that Brady, who sat out the exhibition opener in Cincinnati last Friday, will play against the Saints Thursday. Belichick hinted Flutie would see significant playing time. Brady and Flutie have been taking the lion's share of snaps in practice, with Rohan Davey and Matt Cassel seeing less time. Flutie will follow Tom Brady onto the field in the second or third quarter. Cassel took the third-team reps ahead of Rohan Davey, which was an indication he will follow Flutie. If Saints coach Jim Haslett is to be believed, Brady may even play past halftime. Haslett told New Orleans media that he and Bill Belichick have agreed to play their starters into the third quarter.
17 players didn't practice Monday morning: LB Mike Vrabel, who left the field Friday night with an apparent lower leg injury, TE Jed Weaver, CB Duane Starks. LB Ryan Claridge is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. They replaced him with Ifo Pili, a 340-pound defensive lineman.
Linebackers in transition: It will be easier for the Pats to replace retired LB Ted Johnson than Tedy Bruschi. Both played inside linebacker. Bruschi's replacement at weakside inside linebacker could be free-agent pickup Monte Beisel. But in training camp Beisel is sharing reps with new LB Chad Brown, and outside LB Mike Vrabel is also being tried inside.
New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Aaron Brooks (1st-3rd Qs), Todd Bouman (4th Q), Kliff Kingsbury, rookie Adrian McPherson (see below).
New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett said his starters will see extensive playing time Thursday against the Patriots. He expects them to play about three quarters. Haslett said, "We played them a quarter and a half last week, and we are going to go three this week."
Receivers thin with Az-Zahir Hakim (hamstring), TE Ernie Conwell (groin) and TE end Shad Meier (knee) ailing.
Offensive line thin: The Saints are thin at tackle with backups Jon Stinchcomb and Spencer Folau injured, so guard/center Jamar Nesbit was asked to give right tackle a shot when the team returned to practice this week.
Jim Haslett wasn't clearly unhappy with the performance of his team against Seattle, he is satisfied with the way the players have responded in practice. Haslett hasn't had to say anything to this bunch. They know they played poorly on both sides of the ball.
HC Jim Haslett called the defense's fourth-quarter performance "horrendous" in Friday's loss.
New England Patriots - QB Rotation: Tom Brady (1st Q+), Doug Flutie (will follow), Rohan Davey, rookie Matt Cassel (see below).
Bill Belichick said that Brady, who sat out the exhibition opener in Cincinnati last Friday, will play against the Saints Thursday. Belichick hinted Flutie would see significant playing time. Brady and Flutie have been taking the lion's share of snaps in practice, with Rohan Davey and Matt Cassel seeing less time. Flutie will follow Tom Brady onto the field in the second or third quarter. Cassel took the third-team reps ahead of Rohan Davey, which was an indication he will follow Flutie. If Saints coach Jim Haslett is to be believed, Brady may even play past halftime. Haslett told New Orleans media that he and Bill Belichick have agreed to play their starters into the third quarter.
17 players didn't practice Monday morning: LB Mike Vrabel, who left the field Friday night with an apparent lower leg injury, TE Jed Weaver, CB Duane Starks. LB Ryan Claridge is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. They replaced him with Ifo Pili, a 340-pound defensive lineman.
Linebackers in transition: It will be easier for the Pats to replace retired LB Ted Johnson than Tedy Bruschi. Both played inside linebacker. Bruschi's replacement at weakside inside linebacker could be free-agent pickup Monte Beisel. But in training camp Beisel is sharing reps with new LB Chad Brown, and outside LB Mike Vrabel is also being tried inside.
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