NEW ORLEANS -- Jimmy Graham didnt hesitate to punctuate a pair of touchdown catches with the goal post-rattling, basketball-style dunks that led the NFL to
ban such celebrations coming into this season.
Delon Wright Jersey . Both times, Graham drew penalty flags for unsportsmanlike conduct. With relatively little at stake in
preseason game No. 2 on Friday night, the crowd roared its approval, and the
Saints went on to beat the Tennessee Titans, 31-24. Saints coach Sean Payton,
however, wasnt amused after Grahams second dunk, barking at the star tight end
as he came to the sideline. Following the game, Graham fled the locker room
without speaking to reporters. Payton, meanwhile, said he was "particularly"
upset with Grahams penalties, but also with much of the team after the Saints
(2-0) drew 22 flags for 184 yards. "Obviously, that was painful to watch,"
Payton said. "Its the first sign of a team that has no discipline, and thats the
first sign of poor coaching. ... Im very upset." After holding out the entire
off-season for his four-year, $40 million contract, Graham appeared to be in
fine form with five catches for 48 yards in limited action, including his TDs of
6 and 19 yards from Luke McCown. While Payton lost patience with Grahams
insistence upon continuing his post-TD dunks, Grahams teammates appeared
conflicted, considering it was a preseason game. "I understand Jimmys
frustration with that rule change," veteran right tackle Zach Strief said. "I
dont think Jimmy is a selfish player. ... Its selfish in a real game. I dont
think Jimmy is like that. I think that was his one opportunity to make it his
statement on it." Last year, one such dunk bent a goal post out of place,
delaying a regular-season game. "Look, one time in 40 years a goal post gets
tilted and all of a sudden we have to change the rules?" Strief said. "People
love Jimmy because he gets excited and they love him because he celebrates. The
fans love that stuff. And Jimmy is frustrated because theyre taking something
away that ... adds entertainment to the game." The penalties after both
celebrations were enforced on the kickoff, resulting in returns to the Tennessee
38 and 36 by the Titans Marc Mariani. Tennessee (1-1) scored touchdowns on both
drives. There were some developments which pleased Payton. The Saints defence
had five turnovers and four sacks. Offensively, New Orleans produced several
long gains, including completions of 52 and 44 yards from Ryan Griffin to Joe
Morgan, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. "It was encouraging
that (Morgan) got behind the defence and was able to make a few plays that weve
seen him make prior to his injury," Payton said. The Titans were competitive
early when both teams starters were on the field. Starting quarterback
Jake Locker was 8 of 11 for 75 yards and a touchdown on a 4-yard touch pass
along the sideline to Justin Hunter, who made a leaping grab over cornerback
Corey White. "It was great to see the way we came out and started," Locker said.
"It was something we can definitely build off of." Hunter also was on the
receiving end of Zach Mettenbergers first touchdown pass as a pro. Mettenberger
entered the game earlier than expected after second-string QB Charlie Whitehurst
was shaken up on a sack by Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro. The crowd cheered the
former LSU quarterback when he took the field. "That was a pleasant surprise,"
Mettenberger said. Mettenberger completed his first series by rifling a pass
over the middle to Hunter, who raced off for a 64-yard score. Mettenberger
finished 20 of 25 for 269 yards, but was also intercepted once and fumbled once.
Hunter had four catches for 111 yards. "We played OK, but we just turned the
ball over way too much and ultimately that led to a loss," Mettenberger said.
"Offensively we did a lot of good things but weve got a lot to clean up."
Undrafted rookie kicker Travis Coons made a 50-yard field goal for Tennessee.
One of Tennessees fumbles may have cost more than a turnover. Running back
Shonn Greene, who has had right knee surgery twice, appeared to favour his right
leg after being stripped by Vaccaro. McCown started for Brees, who missed his
second exhibition game while resting his sore abdomen, and was 12 of 20 for 117
yards. Griffin finished 13 of 19 for 179 yards with touchdown passes of 23 yards
to Mark Ingram and 3 yards to Seantavious Jones.
Terrence Ross Raptors Jersey . Returning to Davis Cup tennis, Federer cruised past Ilija Bozoljac, winning 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in
less than two hours. Federer faced little challenge from Bozoljac, who served
well but still was no match for his Swiss opponent.
Bruno Caboclo Jersey . Pierre last November, only to watch St. Pierre leave the UFC octagon with his welterweight title belt
and a split-decision victory.Mike Moustakas took Fernando Salas over the
right-field wall to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 extra-innings win over the
Los Angeles Angeles in Game 1 of their American League Divisional Series. This
was the Royals second-straight extra-innings playoff game after a 29-year
absence from the postseason. Chris IIannetta and David Freese homered in a
losing effort.
Vince Carter Jersey. Danny Duffy pitched two scoreless innings for the victory. Game 2 goes Friday at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt.
Yordano Ventura (14-10, 3.20) goes for the Royals. The Angels counter with Matt
Shoemaker (16-4, 3.04). More to come.
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