“First of all tough place to play. Second of all I think they’re team is playing really well right now, you know they very well could be 2-0,” said Saints quarterback Drew Brees after practice on Wednesday. “I think anytime you play the Bills, you know it’s going to be a tough physical test. You see that in every opponent they play. It just looks like by the time the game is over, they’ve just beaten them up physically.”
While many fans or NFL analysts aren’t giving Buffalo much respect, the Saints have been quick to point out that this week will not be a cakewalk. On defense, the Saints will be facing a no-huddle offense.
“They up-tempo the game. They don’t change a lot of personnel groupings but they go a lot at the line of scrimmage which is different for us than the first two weeks,” said Payton of the Bills offense. “They got receiver speed with both Owens (Terrell) and Lee Evans and guys that are confident making plays for Trent Edwards. The running back has played well for them, Fred Jackson. They’ve done a good job of operating in that no huddle and being pretty efficient.”
Payton also says that communication will also be key in attempting to stop and offense that moved the ball against New England and scored over 30 points against Tampa Bay last week. “Puts more pressure on the linebacker, Vilma (Jonathan) particularly to get the defense called and just handling that is just different than your normal pace of the game.”
The Saints offense won’t be facing as dynamic a blitzing team as Philadelphia’s defense, but the Bills will come after the quarterback and patience will be key come Sunday. “They’re good at what they play. They make it one of these games where, hey we’re going to make you earn everything you get. We’re not going to give you the opportunity for many big plays. We’re going to make you throw it underneath. We’re going to make you run the football effectively. We’re going to come up and hit ya, and then see if you can stand it. You got to understand the battle you’re getting into with these guys.”
BUMPS AND BRUISES
LT Jammal Brown (hip) and TE Darnell Jenkins (foot) did not practice and are already listed as being out for Sunday’s game.
RB Mike Bell (knee), WR Lance Moore (right hamstring), DE Bobby McCray (right hamstring), and DT Kendrick Clancy (right knee) all did not practice.
LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (left hamstring), and DE Charles Grant (left hamstring) were listed as having a limited practice.
QB Drew Brees (left shoulder), LT Jermon Bushrod (right knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (left ankle), S Roman Harper (right hamstring), and RB Pierre Thomas (right knee) all were full go at practice.
Brees says his left shoulder is nothing serious just dinged up following an early hit in the game at Philadelphia. “No big deal,” was how Brees addressed the issue with the media on Wednesday. “
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