Tim Fletcher: Three Saints Injured

New Orleans opened their preseason against the Ravens in Baltimore with a 30-27 loss. Drew Brees and several mainstays remained on the sidelines---for the offense.  The bulk of the Saints starters on defense were carved up by Baltimore on the opening series of the game to the tune of 16 plays, 80 yards and six points.  Two other numbers numbed the excitement of actual football.

Three--as in the number of starters on defense who suffered injuries---Brandon Browner, Dannell Ellerbe and Delvin Breaux; and 16---the number of penalties incurred by New Orleans for 143 yards.

There were some bright spots.  Brandin Cooks, Terron Armstead and all three quarterbacks who played showed signs of life.  As poorly as the game started for New Orleans, they had the lead until the final play of the game, a one-yard touchdown from Ravens quarterback Bryn Renner.

-Tim Fletcher