Silver and Black Report

New Orleans, LA – The Oakland Raiders started quickly once again this afternoon, shutting down the New Orleans Saints on their initial possession with a stout three and out and then getting on the board on their opening drive.

Gibril Wilson made key stops on all three of the Saints first plays, one tackle in the open field on a misdirection on 3^rd and 8 that gain 6-yards.

Johnnie Lee Higgins continued his solid start to the season on special teams returning the game’s first punt 35-yards and setting up Oakland’s offense at the New Orleans 39-yard line.

Nine plays later, Oakland had a 3-0 lead on a 24-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski. During the drive, JaMarcus Russell hit Ronald Curry on a 2^nd and 8 for 13 yards and then again on a 3^rd and 7 for 11 yards.

On the Saints ensuing possession, Drew Brees connected with Reggie Bush on a 21-yard pass and then with tight end Mark Campbell for 29 yards to set up a scoring opportunity deep in Oakland territory. But Jammal Brown’s two holding penalties thwarted the Saints drive and put them in a daunting 3^rd and 22. On 4^th down, Taylor Mehlhaff’s 31 yard field goal attempt was no good, as costly penalties and mistakes kept the Saints from scoring in the first quarter.

Oakland ended the quarter with the ball and in the midst of a drive that ended in Saints territory. Russell again connected with his targets, hitting Javon Walker on a 3^rd and 5 for 7 yards and again with Curry on a 3^rd and 2 for 8 yards.

Saints missed out on a opportunity to pick off Russell for the second time in the quarter when Randall Gay dropped a near interception on a ball thrown behind Ashley Lelie.

Score at the end of the 1^st quarter: Oakland 3 – New Orleans 0

NOTES:

• Brees ended the 1^st quarter 6/6 for 88 yards
• Curry had 3 grabs for 32 yards