1.      *The 1's perform:* One of the great mysteries of preseason is who will suit up, put the pads on and play in the first game. In this case, you saw a bunch of regulars out there on both sides of the ball. In fact, the only starters to NOT play Friday, Aug. 9 were quarterback Drew Brees and left guard Andrus Peat and defensive end Cam Jordan. We'll see the work load increase incrementally the next couple of weeks before the customary shutdown of starters for the final preseason game against Miami in New Orleans on Aug. 29.

2.      *Yes, he can catch:* We have discussed since Day One of training camp that if running back Latavius Murray was going to fit in with this offense, he was going to have to catch the football despite the reputation of not being much of a receiver in Minnesota. The veteran is doing his best to dispel those perceived notions. Murray caught three passes from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for 22 yards including a nifty 17-yarder on the first drive to Move Dem Chains. Knowing that Murray can be an option in the passing game only helps this offense moving forward.

3.      *Turf monster:* If you noticed a lot of slipping on the field turf Friday by both teams, you weren't imagining it. At times it seemed players were going down almost every play. Remember, before each football season a new surface is laid down in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and usually it takes a couple of games to settle into midseason form. In fact, Tulane's football team will conduct its annual "break the turf in" practice Saturday morning.