Week 1 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 19, Cleveland Browns 14

What you need to know

New Orleans Saints

The debut of Reggie Bush gave the fans of New Orleans renewed hope as he combined for 141 total yards on 25 touches via running, receiving and returning. Bush gained 61 yards on the ground with fourteen carries, 58 through the air on eight catches and 22 on special teams with three returns, offering a great one-two punch in the backfield to Deuce McAllister. McAllister was used exclusively on third downs and in short yardage early in the game, but carried the load in the second half as the Saints were trying to protect the lead. McAllister finished with 90 yards on twenty two carries.

Drew Brees took advantage of what the Browns’ defense was giving him throughout the day, and while he did not make any big plays, limited the number of mistakes for which Saints fans may ordinarily be accustomed, throwing just one interception. Brees finished the day with 17 completions on 31 attempts for 176 yards and a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Marques Colston from Hofstra.

Colston had the best day amongst receivers with four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown, and was also the most targeted wide receiver. Joe Horn was well covered most of the afternoon, and was limited to two catches for 25 yards. Making the most of his opportunities, Devery Henderson added three catches for 44 yards.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns looked best when Charlie Frye was able to roll out of the pocket and find the open wide receiver, however, this unfortunately provided more time for the offensive line to get called for holding, ending drives and limiting scoring opportunities. The opening offensive play of the game was a 74 yard touchdown pass from Frye to Braylon Edwards, nullified by a holding penalty, setting the tone for the day. Frye finished with 132 yards while completing 16 of 27 passes, but threw two interceptions and just one touchdown. The touchdown went to Kellen Winslow Jr., who as the game went on, was clearly the focal point of the offense. In addition to the touchdown, Winslow finished with 63 yards on eight catches, showing that he was finally healthy and ready to contribute. After the called back touchdown to open the game, Braylon Edwards virtually disappeared until the fourth quarter, finishing with two catches for 23 yards, and a tipped ball which led to an interception. Joe Jurevicius made a nice twenty yard catch on a fourth down and one, however this catch was likewise negated due to penalty. Jurevicius left the game in the first half with a rib injury. His departure opened up more playing time for Dennis Northcutt, who caught four balls for 37 yards.

The rushing game never got going for the Browns, and this likewise made it more difficult to pass at the same time. Reuben Droughns finished with just 27 yards on eleven carries, and found himself stuck in the backfield blocking the Saints’ pass rush most of the afternoon as he was never even targeted by Frye on a passing play. Though reported that Jason Wright would be the backup, he was inactive, and Jerome Harrison served as the backup, finishing with fourteen yards on two carries. Cleveland tried using rookie fullback Lawrence Vickers in short yardage twice, however failed in both opportunities. Charlie Frye actually led the team in rushing with 44 yards on six official carries.

What you ought to know

QB Drew Brees, Pass: 17 - 31 - 176 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - -2 - 0

The debut of Brees with New Orleans was a positive one, despite just a 68.8 passer rating and 5.7 yard average per passing attempt. Brees spread the ball around well, and appeared to be in sync with rookie running back Reggie Bush on checkdowns and passes out into the flat. His touchdown pass to Marques Colston was a crisply thrown slant, though he made a poor decision on his interception as the safety was sitting on the outside pass. It was noted at one point late in the game that the significant majority of his passes were being thrown to the right side of the field, traditionally where Colston lined up, and to where Bush came out of the backfield.

RB Deuce McAllister, Rush: 22 - 90 - 0 (1 targets)

McAllister was used heavily in the second half, and despite a disputed fumble, found his niche in this game as the north-south power runner, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, though this average was closer to five yards per carry prior to the final drive where the Saints were merely running out the clock while the Browns were out of timeouts.

RB Reggie Bush, Rush: 14 - 61 - 0, Rec: 8 - 58 - 0 (10 targets)

Bush had an impressive debut, even though his longest play from scrimmage was just eighteen yards and he did not find the end zone. The Saints found many different ways to get him involved in the game early, as ten of his fourteen carries came in the first half. Bush showed good footwork in hitting the holes, but also showed good aptitude to turn the ball up the field at just the right time. Bush averaged 4.4 yards per carry, 7.3 yards per reception and 7.3 yards per punt return. On his longest run of the day, he broke through the center of the defense and spun his way out of would be tacklers en route to eighteen yards. The presence of Bush caused the Browns’ defense to drop an extra linebacker into coverage, limiting their pass rush and giving Bush more time to get open. Utilizing Bush in play action fakes provided multiple other openings in the passing game, and something the Saints will likely continue to utilize in the future. It will be interesting to see how other teams adapt to his presence and if they try to shadow him more closely than the Browns did. While adding a unique dynamic in returning punts, Bush struggled a bit in week one, having the first punt fly over his head, though he picked it up on one bounce and turned it into positive yardage.

WR Marques Colston, Rec: 4 - 49 - 1 (8 targets)

Colston’s presence in the Saints’ lineup helped to make Donte’ Stallworth expendable, and he showed exactly why in the first game of the season, showing great hands on a big body with quick feet and solid fundamentals. Colston’s touchdown catch came on a slant across the middle where he made reached out for the ball with his hand and used his body to block out the defender, which he done so effectively earlier in the game coming back to the first down marker to make the play.

WR Devery Henderson, Rec: 3 - 44 - 0 (4 targets)

Henderson was utilized primarily as the deep threat, and finished the game averaging 14.7 yards per reception.

WR Joe Horn, Rec: 2 - 25 - 0 (7 targets)

Horn was tightly guarded by Leigh Bodden most of the day, and limited to just two catches. Brees showed a definite preference to throw to the right side of the field against the Browns, and it is unclear whether this was part of the game plan or whether it will be a trend in the future, for which the Saints may or may not adapt their approach related specifically to Horn.

TE Ernie Conwell

No Saints’ tight end was targeted in this game, as most of the short passes went directly to Reggie Bush.

PK John Carney 4 - 4 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 13 points

Carney had a big day, connecting on field goals of 20, 21, 25 and 43 yards, and converted his only extra point. His 43 yard attempt went directly through the center.

NO Rush Defense

The Saints’ rush defense limited Reuben Droughns to just 27 yards, and saw most of the official rushing yards come from the feet of Charlie Frye while scrambling on passing plays. Officially the unit gave up 85 yards on the day.

NO Pass Defense

The pass rush recorded five sacks and one fumble recovery, while the secondary came up with two interceptions while limiting the Browns to just 132 yards through the air. The Browns had approximately 100 yards through the air called back due to holding penalties, such that this output could have been quite different.

QB Charlie Frye, Pass: 16 - 27 - 132 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 6 - 44 - 1

Frye looked quite effective when rolling out of the pocket, and certainly benefited from the return of a healthy Kellen Winslow and healthy Braylon Edwards. He was however responsible on his first interception, where he failed to recognize the strong side linebacker who dropped back in coverage against Dennis Northcutt. The second interception could be attributed to Edwards, when the ball bounced off his hands. Frye was also charged with one fumble, on a botched handoff to Jerome Harrison on a delayed draw play. Frye finished with just a 53.3 passer rating and average of 4.9 yards per passing attempt on the day. Frye did make some good things happen when he scrambled, including the one yard touchdown run following a play action fake.

RB Reuben Droughns, Rush: 11 - 27 - 0

Droughns averaged just 2.5 yards per carry and was not a part of the passing attack at all in this game. Droughns spent much of his afternoon trying to slow down the Saints’ pass rush and buy his quarterback more time.

RB Jerome Harrison, Rush: 2 - 14 - 0

Harrison provided relief for Reuben Droughns and carried the ball twice for 14 yards.

WR Dennis Northcutt, Rec: 4 - 37 - 0 (7 targets)

Northcutt made the most of his opportunities, and will see increased playing time with Jurevicius’ rib injury. He will likely continue to be utilized over the middle, and as a punt returner where his skills are well suited.

WR Braylon Edwards, Rec: 2 - 23 - 0 (7 targets)

Edwards flashed his potential on the first play from scrimmage, however his 74 yard touchdown reception where he got wide open was called back. He was not targeted again in the first half, and did not see much attention until late in the game, when he let a ball bounce off his hands en route to a Saints’ interception.

WR Joe Jurevicius (1 targets)

Jurevicius left the game with a rib injury in the first half and did not return. This was later confirmed to be broken ribs, which is expected to sideline him for four to six weeks.

TE Kellen Winslow Jr, Rec: 8 - 63 - 1 (10 targets)

Winslow asserted him as the focal point of the Browns’ offense during the second half, and finally healthy, appears poised to provide the team with a viable option over the middle of the field aimed at stretching the defense. Winslow averaged just under eight yards per reception and accounted for the Browns’ only touchdown through the air.

PK Phil Dawson 0 - 0 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points

Dawson connected on two extra points, however did not attempt a field goal due to turnovers and penalties limiting the Browns’ scoring opportunities versus the Saints.

CLE Rush Defense

The Browns were unable to slow down the one-two punch of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister, as the Saints compiled 150 yards on forty attempts. The Browns had trouble slowing down the quick feet of Bush in the first half, and were worn down by the power of McAllister in the second half.

CLE Pass Defense

Limiting Joe Horn to just two catches and the team to 176 passing yards with just a 54.8% completion rate with an interception sounds like an effective day, but the Browns were unable to generate an effective pass rush and prevent Drew Brees from finding the open receiver.