Preseason games can be such a lie.
However, this is the truth. The Saints do not look like a good running team. In the first quarter, the Saints were given the ball at the Cincinnati 6, but couldn't score. Reggie Bush was stopped cold on a first down run to the Bengals 5 yard line. The Saints ran the ball 30 times, and gained only 86 yards. Not good. Again, you ask, do the Saints have the power ball that is so vital in the red zone? It appears not.
The Saints lacked pass rush early in the game when the starters played for both teams. Not good.
However, the Saints appeared to finally have a quality free safety. Darren Sharper was terrific. He forced Cedric Benson to fumble on the game's first series. And, later Sharper sent wide receiver Laverneus Coles to the sideline with a vicious hit.
Saints quarterback Mark Brunell continued his sterling preseason. Brunell has looked sharp in practice and followed it up with a 9 for 13 night, including a long TD strike to Robert Meachem.
After tonight's unever performance and dull game, wouldn't it be great if the NFL shortened the preseason to two games?
Wishful thinking.