The Saints first team offense, took the field Thursday night without starters Deuce McAllister, Marques Colston, and Jeremy Shockey. You would not have thought that because Drew Brees and company drove down the field, capping the fist drive with a Drew Brees sweet touch pass to David Patten. Coach Payton?s first play call of the night was a end around reverse, but after that he kept the play calling simple. The Saints managed to take almost seven minutes off the clock. Brees was 6 of 7 for 40 yards and a touchdown and was pulled after the first series. You could tell Coach Payton had seen enough of the pro bowl QB, and did not want to risk an injury. Mark Brunell took over duties with the rest of the first team, but failed to keep things going. Brunell finished the night 10 of 12 for 119 yards, but at times seemed lost, and took a big sack down in the red zone. Brunell?s best throw was to second year man, Robert Meachem in what seemed to be a slightly over thrown ball, Meachem dove arms stretched out pulling in the pass. Tyler Palko did not look comfortable under center. He went 6 for 11 for 144 yards and one touchdown, but he fumbled the snap 3 times, and was just not in sync with the plays being called. He did cap off the night with a 60 yard touchdown pass to Meachem. Reggie Bush, held his own, and had a nice run around the left end, but it was negated by a holding penalty. He finished the night with 7 carries for 22 yards. Pierre Thomas returned a kick off for 58 yards before being pushed out of bounds, but he failed to make any big plays while at the running back position. To his defense the offensive line was not doing a great job of blocking, and was allowing defenders to slip through making contact as soon as the hand off was taken. Aaron Stecker showed he still has a little punch left also; he finished the night with seven carries for 39 yards, and a touchdown. The New Orleans defense was not great, but not bad either. They did give up a big play on third and long, with newly acquired CB Randall Gay getting caught out of position. The defensive line was able to get some pressure, but overall the defense still showed signs of weakness, and you could tell that there was no unit cohesion. It?s still early so there is still time to work on it. The player of the game would have to go to Robert Meachem, he came into last nights game with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, having been the only first round pick of last years draft to not see any action the entire 2007 season. He had 4 catches for 129 yards and 1 touchdown. His mentor, David Patten was surely pleased with Meachem?s performance, and the battle for the number to wideout position is sure to last to the end of preseason. Either way, both Patten and Meachem looked great and the Saints offense should be even better than it was last year. Penalties were also abundant, so you can be sure Coach Payton will address that in the coming days practice. Gary Gibbs still has some fine tuning to do on the Saints new look defense as well. Overall the Saints first team offense got an A minus, with the Saints first team defense only making a C plus.