The Saints offense ran the ball 27 times for 173 yards on a night running back Reggie Bush did not play due to a strained calf.
Running back Mike Bell, who started the night, took advantage of his opportunity with 10 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. The score coming in the second quarter on a 46-yard run. “I just wanted to show the team that I could come here and be a consistent running back,” Bell said. “This kind of game was great because it reminds me that I can still play running back. Just to get the carries, and to make the most of this opportunity, that was a real confidence builder.”
Pierre Thomas split the rest of the carries with Bell in the first half, also recording a touchdown, a 9-yard pass from quarterback Drew Brees in the first quarter. Thomas finished the night with four carries for 20 yards. Rookies Herb Donaldson and P.J. Hill finished the fun on the ground with each getting fourth quarter touchdowns. Donaldson with a 14-yard run and Hill got in from a yard out.
The Saints were effective in the air as well passing for 247 yards. Brees was 9 of 14 for 87 yards and a touchdown, Joey Harrington was 8 of 15 for 69 yards, and Mark Brunell was 5 of 6 for 96 yards. Harrington suffered a mild concussion in the game after receiving a blow to the head early in the fourth quarter.
Receiver Marques Colston again showed he’s poised for a special season. Colston had 6 catches for 66 yards. Robert Meachem had just two grabs for 27 yards but both he and Colston had a 17-yard catch to their credit. Second year receiver Adrian Arrington, who’s trying to make his case for a roster spot had 3 catches for 77 yards, including a 47 yarder.
It was a balanced attack for the Saints offense which picked up 28 first downs, 12 were on the ground, 13 came from the pass. “It’s a humbling game,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “You can walk out of the stadium one week and feel good about yourself, and then walk out the next week and wonder what the heck is going on. We got pushed around. We have to play better than that up front in order to be successful.”
AT’A BOYS
Saints receiver Rod Harper had a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Harper, who’s a long shot to make the team, showed good speed and has the only special teams score of the preseason so far.
Defensive end Anthony Waters had nice night. Waters had a sack, a strip of the ball and a fumble recovery.
Cornerback Jabari Greer picked off a Texans pass to set up a field goal in the second quarter.
BROWN COULD PLAY AGAINST LIONS
Starting left tackle Jammal Brown had surgery to repair a sports hernia in Philadelphia and could be back in time for the regular season opener against Detroit. Saints GM Mickey Loomis told reporters that he believes it’s possible since tight end Jeremy Shockey returned after three weeks from his hernia surgery.
BACK TO WORK
The Saints will return to work on Monday with a single practice in the afternoon.
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