• Recap
• Bleachers

Brees sharp as Saints topple Bengals

Aug 19, 2007 - 2:35 AM By Gary Schatz PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints' offense are rounding into form.

Brees marched his offense straight down the field against a leaky Cincinnati Bengals defense on the first drive to spark the Saints to a 27-19 preseason victory Saturday night.

Brees completed all six of his passes for 55 yards before turning the offense over to 13-year veteran Jamie Martin.

Reggie Bush had four carries for 13 yards, including a 6-yard sprint following a fumble by Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, to stake the Saints to a 17-12 halftime lead.

Palmer played until the Bengals' first possession of the second half. He completed 5-of-11 passes for 41 yards. Rudi Johnson rushed for 15 yards on six carries.

The Bengals (0-2) were held to a three-and-out possession off the opening kickoff.

Brees then led the Saints (1-2) 69 yards in 10 plays. Veteran Deuce McAllister scored on an 8-yard run to cap the drive. He finished with three carries for 15 yards and had a 10-yard reception.

The Bengals could not take full advantage of four New Orleans fumbles - two by Martin after sacks - as they could manage just field goals of 51, 33,25 and 32 yards by Shayne Graham.

Leon Hall, Cincinnati's first-round pick out of Michigan, started at one corner and made a tackle for a loss on the Saints' first drive.

New Orleans' first-round selection, Robert Meacham from Tennessee, had just one reception for six yards.

Martin led the Saints on a 62-yard drive that ate up the last 4:30 of the third quarter. Martin completed four passes to 5-9 free agent Lance Moore out of Toledo. Moore had six catches for 70 yards.

Former Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman, the Saints' fourth-round pick, finished the drive with a 1-yard run.

The Bengals are in desperate need of a backup for Rudi Johnson. Chris Perry has a history of injuries and second-round pick Kenny Irons from Auburn is out for the season due to knee surgery.

One of the candidates to fill the role, Quincy Wilson, suffered a bruised chest in the third quarter and did not return.