The Saints defeated the Cardinals 17-10 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio Sunday night to open the NFL preseason.

The Saints will travel to Foxboro, Mass. where they will practice against the New England Patriots this week before facing them in the Saints second preseason game on Thursday at 6:30 pm CT (FOX 8/CST).

"We still have a lot of work to do," said Saints Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Joe Vitt after the game. "I thought our first unit performed pretty well. We have some younger guys that have to grow in our scheme, technically and physically. We have a big week ahead of us against a good football team in the Patriots."

QB Chase Daniel led the Saints through the air, completing 15-of-20 passes for 203 yards with one touchdown while also rushing for 17 yards. QB Drew Brees completed 4-of-5 for 41 yards in the team's opening series.

RB Joe Banyard was the leader on the ground for the Saints, carrying the ball five times for 18 yards. RB Mark Ingram carried the ball four times for 14 yards and scored the first touchdown of the NFL preseason on a one-yard run in the first quarter.

RB Travaris Cadet led the team in receptions, catching eight passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. WR Andy Tanner also contributed four catches for 75 yards (18.8 avg.)

DT Tyrunn Walker led the defense with five solo tackles and registered one sack for a loss of eight yards. LB Martez Wilson got to the quarterback for 1.5 sacks. S Malcolm Jenkins recorded one interception as did LB Lawrence Wilson who returned the ball 46 yards.

The Saints outgained the Cardinals through the air 293-189. The Saints had three kickoff returns for 124 yards including a 67-yard return by CB Laron Scott.

"It was a good start to the season for the defense but we still have a lot to work on," said Jenkins after the game. "Tonight was a good foundation for us."

The Cardinals won the coin toss and chose to defer the ball until the second half. Canton native WR Joe Morgan returned the opening kickoff for the Saints and brought it to the 22-yard line.

Brees took the field to lead the offense in the opening drive. After a short completion on first down, Brees connected on a screen pass with RB Pierre Thomas for the second consecutive play for a 20-yard gain that brought the Saints to their own 44-yard line.

Brees connected on a pass to RB Darren Sproles for an eight-yard gain.

Thomas rushed for twelve yards to the left side for another Saints first down.

On first-and-ten, Sproles carried the ball 11 yards to the Arizona 25-yard line. Brees connected with Morgan on second-and-ten for a 12-yard gain to the Arizona 13.

Brees handed the ball to Ingram on first down and Ingram battled for a ten-yard gain on the left side.

On the next play, Ingram was stopped just short of the goal line but got another chance on second down and bulldozed his way for the score. Hartley made the extra point and the Saints took the lead 7-0 with 10:52 remaining in the first quarter. The Saints drove 77 yards for a touchdown on ten plays in 4:08.

Three Saints running backs had carries of ten yards or more on the opening drive and Brees went four-for-five for 41 yards in his only drive on the night.

Punter Thomas Morstead kicked off to the Cardinals for a touchback. QB Kevin Kolb started the game for Arizona at their 20-yard line. On their opening play, RB LaRod Stephens-Howling rushed for 15 yards.

On Arizona's second play, Kolb was intercepted by Jenkins to give the ball back to the Saints on the Arizona 42-yard line.

Daniel entered the game for the Saints second possession. On first-and-ten, Daniel scrambled for six yards to the Arizona 36-yard line. Daniel was taken down for a seven-yard loss on third-and-three to bring on Morstead for a punt. The ball was downed by the Saints at the Arizona nine-yard line.

The Cardinals started their second series deep in their own territory. After an incomplete pass from Kolb, Stephens-Howling was taken down for a two-yard loss to bring up third-and-twelve. Kolb threw the ball away after being pressured by DE Junior Galette and the Cardinals punted the ball away. Morgan received the punt and returned the ball to the New Orleans 49-yard line.

RB Chris Ivory got his first carry of the game on first-and-ten and moved the ball into Arizona territory. Daniel had his next two throws deflected and Morstead came on to punt for the Saints on fourth-and-seven. The ball rolled out of bounds and the Cardinals took over on their own 12-yard line.

On first down and under pressure from DT Sedrick Ellis, Kolb completed a pass on first down for a four-yard gain. Kolb avoided a safety on the play but was injured and left the game. Kolb walked off the field and was replaced by QB John Skelton.

On second down, Stephens-Howling was able to rush for four yards to bring up third-and-two for the Cardinals from their own 20-yard line.

Skelton's pass was incomplete on third down and P Dave Zastudil was brought in to punt once more for the Cardinals. S Laron Scott was back to return the ball for the Saints but the ball was sent over his head and was downed by the Cardinals at the Saints half-yard line. Zastudil was credited with a 79-yard punt.

Daniel took over from inside his own one-yard line and handed off to Ivory on first down. Daniel completed a pass to WR Courtney Roby for nine-yards and a Saints first down. Ivory rushed to the left side for a four-yard gain on first down.

On second down, Daniel connected with Roby again for 15 yards on a play action pass for another Saints first down at the New Orleans 33-yard line. After an incomplete on first down, Daniel scrambled for 11 yards and ran out of bounds to move the chains again for New Orleans.

Daniel completed a four-yard pass to TE Michael Higgins on second down to bring up third-and-four. Daniel was sacked on third down by LB Stewart Bradley for a ten-yard loss and Morstead came on to punt the ball away. Morstead punted the ball 53-yards and WR Andre Roberts returned the ball three yards to the Arizona ten-yard line.

After an incomplete on first down by Skelton, Stephens-Howling rushed to the left side for an eight-yard gain to bring up third-and-two. Skelton completed a pass to Roberts on third down and picked up a Cardinals first down on their own 21-yard line.

To end the first quarter, Skelton completed a pass on first down to WR Larry Fitzgerald for 10 yards on his first catch of the night. After a rush for no gain, Skelton dropped back and completed a pass for 11-yards to Roberts. RB Alfonso Smith rushed for a nine-yard gain to bring the Cardinals to the Saints 49-yard line.

On the next play, Smith rushed again for 22 yards and was brought down by Jenkins. Smith rushed for his third time in a row and went down after a five-yard gain to bring the Cardinals to the Saints 22-yard line. Skelton completed a pass to RB William Powell for eight yards on second down.

Powell then rushed to the right for a five-yard gain to the nine-yard line. Smith rushed for 3 yards on second down and again on third-and-two for one yard and picked up the first down on the New Orleans four-yard line.

On first-and-goal, Smith rushed for four yards into the end zone for a Cardinals touchdown. K Jay Feely converted on the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 9:02 left in the second quarter. The Cardinals drove 90 yards on 14 plays over 7:27.

Feely kicked off for the Cardinals and Scott returned the kickoff 67 yards for the Saints to set up a New Orleans first down on the Arizona 40-yard line.

Daniel scrambled for a short gain on first down and then handed off to Ivory for a short-loss on second down to bring up third-and-ten. On third down, Daniel completed a 21-yard pass to Roby who was brought down on the Arizona 19-yard line. On first-and-ten, Daniel completed another pass to Roby for an eight-yard gain to bring up second-and-two.

On second down from the 11-yard line, Ivory was brought down by NT David Carter for a four-yard loss. On third-and-six, Daniel completed a pass for a seven-yard gain to RB Travaris Cadet to bring up first-and-goal. After a short gain by Ivory on first down, Daniel scrambled down to the Arizona four-yard line after avoiding a sack in the backfield. On third-and-goal from the four yard line, Daniel's pass was knocked away by LB Stewart Bradley. K John Kasay lined up for a 22-yard field goal and sent the ball through the uprights to give New Orleans a 10-7 lead. The drive for the Saints was ten plays for 36 yards and lasted 4:21.

Morstead kicked off for the Saints and the ball cleared the back of the end zone for a touchback. The Cardinals took over at their own 20-yard line and QB Richard Bartel entered the game for Arizona.

After a small gain by Smith on first-and-fifteen, Bartel dropped back and completed a pass to WR Michael Floyd for a 15-yard gain. On first down, Bartel completed a pass to TE Rob Housler for a 32-yard gain to bring up first down on the New Orleans 37. Powell was brought down on a first down rush for a loss of four yards. After an incomplete pass, Bartel dropped back on third-and-14 and was sacked for a 9-yard loss by LB Martez Wilson and DT Tom Johnson to bring up fourth down for the Cardinals on the 50-yard line at the two-minute warning. Zastudil punted the ball away for the Cardinals and the ball bounced out of bounds at the New Orleans six-yard line.

Ivory rushed for a three-yard gain on first-and-ten to bring New Orleans further away from their own end zone to the 9-yard line. On second down, Daniel completed a pass to Cadet for an 18-yard gain to give the Saints a first down on their own 27-yard line. Daniel completed another pass to Cadet for seven yards to bring up second-and-three at the New Orleans 34. Daniel lined up in the shotgun on second down and completed another pass to Cadet for a 24-yard gain to move the ball into Arizona territory. On first down from the Arizona 42, Daniel completed a pass to WR Andy Tanner for a 17-yard gain to the Arizona 25 with 42 seconds remaining. Daniel completed another pass to Tanner on first down for a gain of 21 yards. On first-and-goal from the four yard line, Daniel completed a pass to Cadet for a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Hartley converted on the PAT and gave the Saints a 17-7 lead. The Saints drove 94 yards in 1:21 on just seven plays. Daniel was 6/6 for 91 yards with a touchdown on the drive. Morstead kicked off for the Saints for another touchback.

On first down from their own 20-yard line, Bartel handed the ball off to Powell for a 1-yard gain and Arizona let the clock expire to end the first half.

Morstead kicked off for the Saints to start the second half and the ball was returned to the Arizona 19-yard line. After an incomplete pass by Bartel on first down, Powell rushed and was taken down for a one-yard loss to bring up third-and-eleven. On third down, Bartel was taken down for a nine-yard loss by Wilson for his second sack of the night. P Ricky Schmitt punted the ball 49 yards for the Cardinals on fourth-and-20 and the ball was returned 15 yards by Morgan to the Arizona 43-yard line.

Daniel returned at quarterback for the Saints to start the second half. On first down, Daniel connected on a shuffle pass to Ivory who bounced off a tackler and picked up 15 yards and a first down. On first down from the Arizona 28-yard line, Daniel was sacked by S James Sanders for a three-yard loss. On second-and-twelve, Daniel completed a pass to Higgins for 21 yards and brought the ball down to the Arizona nine-yard line. On first-and-goal, Ivory rushed for two yards.

After a penalty, the Saints took over on second-and-goal from the three-yard line. Daniel was intercepted by S Blake Gideon in the end zone and ball was downed for a touchback.

The Cardinals took over on their own 20-yard line. On first down, Powell rushed to left for a three-yard gain. On second down, Bartel connected with Housler for a 14-yard completion to give the Cardinals a first down from their own 37-yard line. Powell rushed again for two yards to bring up second down with eight yards to go. After incomplete passes on the next two plays, Schmitt was brought on to punt the ball away. Scott returned for the Saints and was taken down right away on the New Orleans seven-yard line.

QB Sean Canfield entered the game for the Saints after the return. Canfield's first pass fell incomplete and RB Joe Banyard rushed on second-and-ten for no gain. On third down from the New Orleans seven-yard line, Canfield completed a screen pass to Banyard for a three-yard loss and Morstead was brought on to punt from his own end zone. Morstead punted the ball 57 yards and the punt was returned five yards to the Arizona 44-yard line.

QB Ryan Lindley then entered the game for the Cardinals. He completed a five-yard pass to Housler on first down and then Powell rushed for 1-yard to midfield on second down to bring up third-and-four. Lindley completed a pass to WR Jaymar Johnson for a gain of six yards to pick up a first down. Lindley threw an incomplete pass on first down from the New Orleans 44-yard line.

On second down, Powell ran to the right side for a gain of five yards. Lindley lined up in the shotgun on third down and completed a pass to WR LaRon Byrd for a gain of 11 yards. Powell then rushed for 15 yards on first down and went out of bounds at the New Orleans 13-yard line. Powell rushed again for a four-yard pickup to bring up second-and-six from the Saints nine-yard line. Lindsey threw an incomplete pass under pressure on second down to bring up third-and-six. Lindsey's third down pass was dropped by Johnson and Feely came on to attempt a 27-yard field goal. Feely connected on the kick with 2:21 remaining and reduced the Saints lead to 17-10. Arizona drove the ball 47 yards on 11 plays in 4:33. Feely kicked off for the Cardinals and Cadet returned the ball 28 yards to the Saints 22-yard line.

On first down, Cadet was taken down for a three-yard loss. On second-and-thirteen, Canfield connected on a pass to Morgan who was brought down after a gain of eight yards to bring up third-and-five from the New Orleans 27-yard line. Canfield was incomplete under pressure on third down and Morstead came on to punt. The ball went 53 yards and the ball was returned again by Johnson who gained three yards. Arizona took over on their 23-yard line.

Lindley threw the ball away under heavy pressure on first-and-ten. RB Thomas Clayton entered the game and rushed for one yard on first down to bring up third-and-nine. Lindley was incomplete on third down to end the third quarter. Schmitt came in to punt the ball away again for the Cardinals to start the fourth.

Cadet returned the ball and the Saints took over on their own 31-yard line. Sean Canfield fumbled on first down and the ball was recovered by Banyard after a loss of 13 yards. After an incomplete pass, the Saints faced third-and-23 from their own 18-yard line. On third down, Canfield completed a pass to Cadet for a five-yard gain which brought in Morstead to punt for the Saints. Morstead punted the ball 57 yards and Arizona took over on their own 20-yard line.

On first down, Lindley handed the ball off to Clayton who was brought down for no gain by Wilson. On second down, Lindley completed a pass to TE Steve Skelton for a gain of 11 yards to pick up a first down. Lindley threw an incomplete pass on first-and-ten before handing the ball to Clayton who rushed for a 3-yard gain on second down. On third down, Lindley was sacked for a loss of eight yards by DT Tyrunn Walker. Schmitt punted the ball 28 yards and the ball went out of bounds at the New Orleans 46-yard line.

Canfield handed off to Cadet on first down for a one-yard gain before throwing an incomplete pass on second down. On third down, Canfield's pass was caught by Morgan for a 15-yard gain and a first down for New Orleans at the Arizona 38 yard line. On first-and-ten, Cadet was brought down by LB Quentin Groves for a two-yard loss. Canfield threw an incomplete pass on second down to bring up third-and-twelve.

Canfield connected on a short pass to Cadet for a gain of four yards and Kasay came on to attempt a 54-yard field goal. Kasay's kick was deflected by S Justin Bethel and the Cardinals took over on their own 44-yard line.

Clayton rushed for a seven-yard gain on first down and moved the ball inside New Orleans territory to the 49. Clayton rushed again on second down for a gain of two yards to bring up third-and-one. On third down, Clayton rushed for the third consecutive time but he was brought down for a loss of three yards by DT Swanson Miller. Schmitt came on and punted the ball 35 yards. Scott was back to return for the Saints and called fair catch. The Saints took over on their own 15-yard line.

Canfield was incomplete on first down. Banyard carried on second down and picked up seven yards on the ground. On third-and-three, Canfield completed a pass to Tanner for a gain of 14 yards and picked up a first down. Banyard carried on first down from the Saints 36-yard line and picked up eight yards to bring up second-and-two. Canfield handed to Banyard again on second down and he gained seven yards and moved the ball into Arizona territory to the 49-yard line. Banyard carried again on first down but was brought down for a loss of four yards to bring up second-and-14. Canfield completed a 21-yard pass to Tanner but Tanner fumbled on the play and the ball was recovered by Cardinals CB James Nixon. The fumble was forced by S Eddie Elder. Arizona took over on their own 26-yard line.

Lindley completed a 19-yard pass to Davis on first down. Lindley then threw an incomplete pass and connected with Byrd for a 20-yard pass on second down to move the Cardinals to the New Orleans 35-yard line. Lindley completed passes to Byrd for 4-yards and then to Skelton for 24-yards to bring the Cardinals to the Saints seven-yard line at the two-minute warning. Lindley threw incomplete passes on first and second down to bring up third-and-goal from the seven-yard line. Lindley was intercepted by LB Lawrence Wilson at the New Orleans one-yard line. L. Wilson returned the ball 46-yards to the New Orleans 47-yard line ending any chance of a Cardinals comeback.