New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots Pregame Notes
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The New Orleans Saints will open their 2010 season tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts against the New England Patriots at 6:30 p.m. Enclosed are some notes about the upcoming matchup
SERIES HISTORY:The Saints and the Patriots have met eight times during the preseason with the series currently tied at 4-4. This will be the first exhibition meeting between the Saints and the Patriots since New Orleans defeated New England 37-27 in their first-ever trip to Gillette Stadium on August 18, 2005.
During the regular season, New England holds an overall 8-4 advantage over New Orleans after 12 meetings. After losing three straight contests, the Saints defeated the Patriots for the first time since 1995 on Monday, November 30, 2009, when QB Drew Breesposted a perfect 158.3 passer rating in a 38-17 win.
CONNECTIONS:There are a lot of connections that New Orleans has with New England. CB Randall Gay, FB Heath Evansand TE David Thomaseach started their careers in New England. LB Jo-Lonn Dunbarand C Matthew Tennantboth played for Boston College. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr.is a native of Medway Mass., about 15 minutes from Gillette Stadium. Carmichael played baseball for the Eagles before embarking on his coaching career. Tight ends coach Terry Malone played collegiately at Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
Patriots DE/LB Rob Ninkovichplayed for New Orleans in 2006 and 2008. The Patriots also have several Louisiana ties. RB Benjarvus Green-Ellisprepped at St. Augustine High School and starred at Mississippi. RB Kevin Faulk is a native of Caranco and starred at LSU. LB Eric Alexanderalso played for the Tigers, where he was a college teammate of Gay and WR Devery Henderson.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:The preseason opening contest will be regionally televised on CST with Tim Brandohandling play-by-play, Solomon Wilcotsserving as color analyst and Mike Naborspatrolling the Saints sidelines...It can also be seen on FOX 8 in New Orleans...The game can be heard regionally on the New Orleans Saints Radio Network (870 AM and 105.3 FM serve as the flagship stations locally in the New Orleans area) with Jim Hendersonhandling play-by-play duties, Hokie Gajanserving as color analyst and Kristian Garicreporting from the Saints sidelines...A Spanish language radio broadcast to the New Orleans area can also be heard on WFNO-830 AM with Marco Garciahandling play-by-play and Emilio Peraltaserving as color analyst.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Saints will return to action on Saturday at the practice fields at the club's practice facility in Metairie. The 8:50 a.m. practice will be held outdoors and be open to the public. The 4:20 workout will take place indoors and will be closed to the public.
