CINCINNATI, OH (October 20, 2010) – Playing their most complete game of the season, the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints picked up a season-high 475 yards of total offense, including a season-best 212 yards on the ground on their way to a 31-6 victory over Tampa Bay. By doing so, the Saints offensive line has joined this year's list of contenders for the 2nd Annual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award, presented by Prilosec OTC. The award honors the NFL's best offensive line and will be presented during the week of Super Bowl XLV which will be played on February 6, 2011 in North Texas. Last year, the Saints offensive line was the first-ever winner of the award.
The Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award *recognizes the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their teams' success by providing consistent and reliable protection day in and day out, just as Prilosec OTC provides 24-hour heartburn protection when used as directed. For more information on the *Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC, visit www.MaddenProtectorsAward.com.
Undrafted rookie running back CHRIS IVORY (Tiffin) filling in for the injured REGGIE BUSH (Southern California) and PIERRE THOMAS (Illinois) rushed for a season best 158 yards. Quarterback DREW BREES (Purdue) threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, while completing passes to 10 different targets. The 158 rushing yards represented the most yards by a New Orleans running back since DEUCE McALLISTER(Mississippi) ran for 165 yards on November 30, 2003 at Washington.
Providing the powerful protection up front for the Saints this season are tackles JERMON BUSHROD (Towson) and JON STINCHCOMB (Georgia), guards JAHRI EVANS (Bloomsburg) and CARL NICKS (Nebraska) provide the interior blocking while JONATHAN GOODWIN (Michigan) handles the center position. Nineteen-year coaching veteran AARON KROMER is now in his third season as the Saints' offensive line coach and has helped develop the skills of several Pro Bowl blockers during his time in New Orleans, including three Pro Bowlers in 2010 (Evans, Goodwin and Stinchcomb).
The New Orleans O-line was dominant from the start as the Saints scored points on their first three possessions and led 17-0 at the half. Brees, who was not sacked the entire game, reaped the benefits of a strong running game and methodically picked apart the Tampa Bay secondary completing 21 of his 32 passes, while converting nine of 12 third-down attempts.
"The Saints offensive line performance Sunday reminded me of how well that group played together last season leading the team to the Super Bowl," said Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach JOHN MADDEN. "Yesterday, New Orleans protection up front was exceptional, leading the way for a punishing ground game and not allowing a sack."
Other offensive lines from around the league delivering powerful protection during Week 6 of the season included theMIAMI DOLPHINS (381 total net yards including 150 yards rushing and 231 net yards passing), PITTSBURGH STEELERS (257 yards passing and 121 yards on the ground), and the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (353 total net yards including 242 yards passing while not allowing a sack).
NFL fans who want powerful 24-hour protection against frequent heartburn, or heartburn that occurs two or more days a week, can take a 14-day course of Prilosec OTC to maximize game day fun.
All player participation will be facilitated by NFL PLAYERS, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association.
#
About PRILOSEC OTC
PRILOSEC OTC® is the #1 physician recommended OTC acid reducer in the U.S. for the period of April 2009 through March 2010, the #1 Pharmacist recommended OTC Heartburn medicine‡ and the first of a class of OTC heartburn medicines that treats frequent heartburn with just one pill a day, unlike most over the counter heartburn medication. Prilosec OTC® is a leading heartburn medicine that can work for 24 hours with one pill a day by directly shutting down many acid pumps in your stomach when used as directed for 14 days for treating frequent heartburn. PRILOSEC OTC® is the #1 selling OTC heartburn medicine† on the market. For more information about PRILOSEC OTC®, visit www.prilosecotc.com. PRILOSEC OTC® is available over-the-counter through an alliance between P&G and AstraZeneca.
About Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)
Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
About NFL PLAYERS
Formed in 1994, NFL PLAYERS is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing more than 1,800 active and many memorable former NFL players, NFL PLAYERS "takes the helmets off" the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. Through an exclusive sponsorship agreement between the organization and the NFL, players are integrated into NFL sponsor activation programs. In addition, NFLPLAYERS.COM, the company's official Web site, is part of the NFL Internet Network. Each year, NFL PLAYERS negotiates and facilitates extensive player marketing opportunities for players. NFL PLAYERS activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships and promotions, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and Internet. For more information, please visit NFLPLAYERS.COM.
