Saints @ Texans: Gameday Fleur-De-Links

by Hans Petersen on Aug 20, 2011 1:31 PM CDT

Tonight the New Orleans Saints take on the Houston Texans in Reliant Stadium in Week 2 of the 2011 NFL preseason.

I'm excited because this is the first game of the season that I will get to watch live on television (I had to watch last week's game on the rebroadcast). Today, I'll create my annual preseason depth chart to help me learn the players uniform numbers and watch for specific players during the game. After consuming a delicious filet and green salad, and maybe having a pre-game phone call with my Mom and Dad, I'll settle in on the couch with the Mrs. Hans and tune in to the game. Nice.

Watching a Saints preseason game live is just a another sign that we're getting closer to the start of real games. Life is pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good right now.

Make the jump for all your gameday links, tweets, and video. Oh, and don't forget to vote in the poll, too!

Twitter

LHolderCBS So many ripping new KO rule. Sean Payton isn't one of them. He'll take offenses starting at the 20 . He's seemingly in minority.

LHolderCBS Can't blame Payton considering the Saints offense is typically the best one on the field.

drewbrees Here is a pic of the 2011 Saints QBs at the Kickoff Luncheon today taps.la/oorswN

AlbertBreer Was standing pretty close to where West caught that ball. Beautiful toss by Flynn. Every time I see 10, become more convinced he can start.

LHolderCBS @AlbertBreer Amazing how Flynn couldn't beat out Russell at LSU. Russell goes No. 1, Flynn wins BCS title and Flynn is the one still in NFL

JohnnyPatrick32 What's up twitter long time no talk....

ConanOBrien There are only three basic stories to tell: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Society, and Webster.

jeffduncantp Just had a fabulous meal at Reef in Houston. Highly, highly recommended.

HeathEvans Sorry I've been M.I.A.! Beth & I have been crazy busy house hunting! Can't tell u where yet but our new city doesn't have a FB team! #hint

JohnnyPatrick32 #WHODAT are y'all ready for tomorrow....

JasonLaCanfora Todd Haley and Thomas Jones would not address the fight between him and Jon Baldwin, but did not deny it either. Jones said he's only ...

JasonLaCanfora Taking "football" questions. Haley admitted Baldwin was injury but would not address the nature of the injury when asked repeatedly about...

JasonLaCanfora The fight. Jones was polite and never denied anything took place. But that was extend of what they would say.

j_bushrod7475 Just want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes today... It meant alot #Leo

hakimdropsball "@JonVilma51: "...and i need you today ohhh quagmire!" (in my best barry manilow voice) lol #luvfamilyguy" +1 Giggity!

From the Saints Sideline

New Orleans Saints offense wants to fire on all cylinders after first-game flop | NOLA.com
Mike Triplett - Starters will play up to 25 snaps.

Strief tries to make adjustments | The Advocate
Sheldon Mickles - Shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday, when the New Orleans Saints break the huddle for the first offensive snap of their preseason game with the Houston Texans, one of the longest weeks of Zach Strief’s life will finally end.

Saints prepare for Texans formations; starters to play more | The Advocate
Sheldon Mickles - After getting between 14 and 16 plays in their exhibition opener last week, the New Orleans Saints’ starting offense and defense may get as many as 25 snaps Saturday night against the Houston Texans.

Saints place Barron on IR; Porter out for Saturday's game | wwltv.com
Bradley Handwerger - The Saints placed backup tackle Alex Barron on injured reserve Thursday nearly a week after the lineman had surgery to repair his left meniscus.

Galette working to secure roster spot | The Advocate
Sheldon Mickles - After beating some awfully long odds to earn a roster spot with the New Orleans Saints last summer, defensive end Junior Galette knew he would probably have to work harder this year to keep it.

Saints-Texans Broadcast Information | neworleanssaints.com
Staff report - The New Orleans Saints will face the Houston Texans in week two of the preseason on Saturday Aug. 19, at 7 pm CT in Reliant Stadium.

Texans Toast

Texans notes: LB Ryans' status unclear for Saturday - Houston Chronicle
John McClain and Jeffrey Martin

Texans' Adibi finding his place in 3-4 defense | Houston Chronicle
Craig Malveaux (Mulva?) - Coming into the Texans preseason opener against the New York Jets last Saturday night, all eyes were on several defensive players making their debut in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme.

Texans rookie Jean fighting for time to shine | Houston Chronicle
Jeffrey Martin - The underdog - which is what Lestar Jean insists he has always been - said he wakes up every day wondering if his time here is up, if this is when the Texans call him in and tell him it's all over.

This is a perfect preseason test for the Texans, or something like that - SportsJustice | a Chron.com blog
Richard Justice - In some ways, this is a perfect preseason test for the Texans. Incidentally, that’s my analysis, not Gary Kubiak’s. And certainly not Matt Schaub’s. More on him later.

Roof report: Texans vs. Saints | houstontexans.com
Staff Report - Seriously, this is a report about the status of the roof for the Texans-Saints game. I thought Roof was one of their staff writers and this would be a preview column for the game, but boy, was I wrong.

Lagniappe

Reviewing film of NFC South chat - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - Carolina rookie quarterback Cam Newton (and his competition with Jimmy Clausen for the starting job) was the hottest topic in Friday’s NFC South chat.

New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Recap | ESPN.com
Final statistics from the New England vs. Tampa Bay game played on August 18, 2011. Includes play-by-play, drive charts, photos, and highlights.

Carolina Panthers vs. Miami Dolphins - Recap | ESPN.com
Final statistics from the Carolina vs. Miami game played on August 19, 2011. Includes play-by-play, drive charts, photos, and highlights.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Recap | ESPN.com
Final statistics from the Atlanta vs. Jacksonville game played on August 19, 2011. Includes play-by-play, drive charts, photos, and highlights.

Fox: Broncos' QB rotation vs. Bills will be 'game-time decision' | nfl.com
Associated Press - If Brady Quinn has leapfrogged Tim Tebow on the Denver Broncos' depth chart, coach John Fox isn't saying.

Poll

What facet of the game will you be most interested in focusing on tonight?

Special teams

3 votes

First-team offense

70 votes

Defensive line

12 votes

Linebackers

21 votes

Offensive line

38 votes

Cheerleaders

11 votes

The status of the roof

2 votes

Other

2 votes

159 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Sorry this is so late

I had it scheduled for noon, but when I checked in on the site a minute ago, it hadn’t posted – not sure what went wrong…

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Aug 20, 2011 1:33 PM CDT reply actions

apparently, there was an overriding program executing

I want freedom for the full expression of my personality. -Mahatma Gandhi

by stujo4 on Aug 20, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

can someone work the bugs out of Hal's system, please?

I’m getting more than a little creeped out…Stu? M-E? Dan? are you there?

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Aug 20, 2011 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m sorry, Hans. I’m afraid I can’t do that.

I want freedom for the full expression of my personality. -Mahatma Gandhi

by stujo4 on Aug 20, 2011 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions

oh, crap

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Aug 21, 2011 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions

when I opened this page

the rather large picture of Hal slowly opened up,

line by line in a slow down-scroll

that was REALLY CREEPY

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Aug 20, 2011 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Any news

On us working Terrelle Pryor out? Not that I expect anything, but couldn’t hurt to take a look at a guy with some potential.

"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.

by Agaliarept on Aug 20, 2011 1:36 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Not sure if he would add anything at all

and he’d take up a roster spot for 5 useless weeks. Chase Daniel is the much better QB, both in college and in the pros.

Devery Henderson, making absurd grabs for my teams since 2001.

by Andrew Tessier on Aug 20, 2011 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I maintain the attitude

Of wait and see before we decide how he’ll be as a pro, but he’s expected to be decent, no? We need to start grooming Brees’ successor at some point (no, not touching the slow-decline thing now), and not saying that Pryor is the guy, but maybe worth a shot to find someone sooner rather than later.

"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.

by Agaliarept on Aug 20, 2011 1:51 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

My feelings on spending a draft pick on him are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31g0YE61PLQ

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug" Rick James

by DrWhoDat on Aug 20, 2011 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

you know he's being scouted

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
by miketripletttp

Steelrs, Skins, Saints, Bucs, Boys, Chargrs, Browns, Lions, Colts, Eagls, Raidrs, Phins, Bengls, Bills, Chiefs, 49ers, Pats @ Pryor workout

Here’s an update, heavy on the sarcasm:
FO_MTanier Michael Tanier

Breaking news: Terrelle Pryor very fast, able to complete passes to uncovered receivers with no pass rush.

I want freedom for the full expression of my personality. -Mahatma Gandhi

by stujo4 on Aug 20, 2011 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

We could use a 4th TE, right?

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Aug 22, 2011 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

When you are suspended, you do not take up a roster spot.

by FriarBob on Aug 20, 2011 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I voted for "First-team Offense"

but I specifically want to see our running game against the starters. I didn’t see much to get excited about against SF.

I also want to see if the defense plays as well early as they did last week.

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!!!!!

CHOOT 'EM LIZ-BETH, CHOOT 'EM!

by Cajun in CA on Aug 20, 2011 2:24 PM CDT reply actions

Guess they're pretty much one and the same

I voted O-Line. Curious how the new group will gel together. Yeah this isn’t exactly a new group except for Charles, if he can stay/get healthy, but it will be a new dynamic. Please amaze me. Protect Drew and open up dem run lanes.

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Aug 20, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep

Couldn’t agree more

by jhenn2004 on Aug 20, 2011 3:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Going fix My first Game day Gumbo of the season!!!

Catch y’all on the pregame thread. Hurry up fall!

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Aug 20, 2011 3:03 PM CDT reply actions

Cooter Brown's anyone?

I’ll be there around 6ish. The place gets packed.

You can toga party, but you can't toga fish.

by coldpizza on Aug 20, 2011 3:06 PM CDT reply actions

If I were there I’d go with…have an Abita for me. smooch.

by snowboard_kat on Aug 20, 2011 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

me too.

no smooch though. ;)

CHOOT 'EM LIZ-BETH, CHOOT 'EM!

by Cajun in CA on Aug 20, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Holy hell.

I had no idea Olin Kreutz was from Hawaii (like me). Went to one of my rival high schools, before my time, of course, but I had no idea.

He’s got some crazyyy stories from back in the islands, my dad just told me some insane things. What kind of reputation did he have in the NFL?

"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.

by Agaliarept on Aug 20, 2011 3:32 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I need a new gameday ritual

2 years ago it was potato skins
Last year it was math homework. Idk what the tradition will be this year..

"I'm in the Courtroom screaming Who Dat on the double, serving gumbo with a shovel, dog i'm on another level" -Jay Electonica

by triplea20x on Aug 20, 2011 3:42 PM CDT reply actions

what about writing out the math homework on potato skins?

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Aug 20, 2011 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Two years ago we won the Superbowl

I’d go back to the tater skins! Just saying!!!

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Aug 20, 2011 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

If that's a Vilma jersey?

You can send him a check for every QB hit as a new game day ritual.

by Big D. on Aug 20, 2011 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

Wow, many game day rituals going on. This is a great way to help the other people figure out what’s going on who may be rookies in the scoring department. Never hurts to keep a good tally though on things.

Halloween World

by brittneyyork97 on Aug 20, 2011 9:25 PM CDT reply actions