NFL Notes: QB Bledsoe leads Cowboys to win

SHREVEPORT, La. — Drew Bledsoe lobbed two passes into the end zone and saw his receivers make terrific catches on both in his exhibition-season debut for the Dallas Cowboys.

But neither play was made by the receiver everyone is waiting to see Bledsoe throw to — Terrell Owens.

Terry Glenn reached around his defender's head and made a one-handed touchdown catch on Bledsoe's first lob, and Sam Hurd fought off his defender for another touchdown, getting the Cowboys rolling to a 30-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

Bledsoe, a former Washington State standout, went 12 of 16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to scores on three of four drives. Backup Tony Romo went 6 of 8 for 138 yards and also put up points on three of four drives. His best play was waiting out a blitz and throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin.

Bledsoe didn't play in the exhibition opener so Romo could get more work, prompting speculation of a growing controversy. Bledsoe said he feels secure that he is the starter, although he acknowledged that having to wait to get on the field "pushes you a little bit."

"It gets you going," he said. "But I can't tell you I would have done anything different in camp had I been the only quarterback."

The Cowboys also saw their first-team defense shut out the Saints' starters. New Orleans didn't get a first down on its first three series, leaving Dallas coach Bill Parcells grumbling that his unit didn't get enough work and Saints coach Sean Payton saying his team was "not as improved as I thought."

Payton added, "We struggled across the board."

Saints running back Deuce McAllister gained 8 yards on two carries in his first game since a knee injury early last season.

"The knee felt fine ... no apprehension about anything," McAllister said. "There are a few mental hurdles I have to get over, but I'm ready to work."

Rookie Reggie Bush of USC spiced things up for the Saints with a 9-yard run and an 11-yard gain on a third-and-two screen, both on the final drive of the first half. The 2005 Heisman Trophy winner finished with a net of 7 yards on four carries, 14 yards on two receptions — and disappointment that the starters didn't do better.

"This isn't the old Saints anymore," he said. "We need to take three-and-outs personal. We need to change our way of thinking. We need to keep our defense off the field. We didn't do our job as an offense."

Notes

• The draining effects of three weeks of training, combined with boring television and comfortable couches, were enough to lull Al Wilson and Champ Bailey to sleep, the Denver players said. Neither set an alarm clock at their residences, both overslept and both missed an 11:15 p.m. curfew to be at the team hotel on Friday night.

As a result, Bailey and Wilson were held out of Saturday's exhibition game against Tennessee. Because they had no prior offenses, coach Mike Shanahan accepted their stories.

• Receiver Peerless Price was fined by the Buffalo Bills for missing Sunday's practice. Price said he mistakenly misread the team's schedule.

"It'll cost him a good deal of money," coach Dick Jauron said after Price rejoined the Bills for their two practices Monday.

• Cleveland running back Reuben Droughns pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor harassment and assault charges that stemmed from an alleged May 12 altercation with his wife, Kellie.

A trial was set for Feb. 5 in Arapahoe County (Colo.) Court for Droughns, who missed practice in Ohio to attend the pretrial conference. He is expected to practice with the Browns today.

• Quarterback Jim Sorgi's shoulder injury might force the Indianapolis Colts to bring in a new backup for Peyton Manning. Coach Tony Dungy said the team was awaiting results from Sorgi's MRI exam before deciding whether to sign another backup.

Sorgi was hurt during Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Seahawks. If Sorgi can't play, Shaun King likely would become the backup.

• Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward practiced with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being out since Aug. 4 with a sore left hamstring, though he felt a twinge and missed the last 15 minutes of Monday's two-hour session. The receiver has missed both exhibition games, although the Steelers' skill-position starters played little in either one.

• The Green Bay Packers released punter B.J. Sander.