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Saints top Dolphins as starters sit for both clubs

Aug 31, 2007 - 3:13 AM NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- The Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints sat their starters on Thursday night - and it showed.

In a sloppy contest dominated by reserves, Pierre Thomas scored the lone touchdown of the game on a three-yard run as the Saints posted a 7-0 victory over the Dolphins at the SuperDome.

Backup quarterback Jamie Martin was sharp for the Saints (3-2), who won their third straight preseason contest. The veteran was 11-for-15 for 136 yards without a touchdown or interception.

New Orleans will take on the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts in the NFL's season opener next Thursday.

But with both clubs trying to protect their stars in the final exhibition game, starting signal-callers Drew Brees of the Saints and Trent Green of the Dolphins did not take a snap.

New Orleans star running backs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister both watched from the sidelines. And Miami backs Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman, who had been battling over the starting job, did not see the field.

The Dolphins also sat first-round pick Ted Ginn Jr.

With the big names not participating, both offenses sputtered throughout. The teams combined for six turnovers, including four interceptions by Dolphins quarterback John Beck.

Thomas capped an eight-play, 67-yeard drive with 3:59 left in the first quarter for the Saints, who fumbled the ball four times but lost possession just once.

Beck and third-string quarterback Gibran Hamdan combined to go 11-for-22 for 94 yards for Miami (2-2), which will begin its regular-season slate at Washington on September 9.