MANHANDLED

The numbers single tell so much of the story.

The novel Orleans Saints were thoroughly dominated in Monday night's NFL exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboy They managed 59 yards rushing. Their defense was miserable and gave up 23 first downs and 403 yards. They had the ball for just 22 minutes and change.

Little awe then, that the Cowboys buried the Saints 30-7 before a boisterous Independence Stadium multitude of 45,162. It was the first NFL exhibition game held in Shreveport since 1970 when Louisiana Tech's Terry Bradshaw was a hotshot quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steeler

"Our first-team offense struggl Our first-team defense struggled" said a none-too-pleased Sean Payton, the Saints' first-year coach.

Drew Bree the Saints' fresh quarterback, struggled with his touch and timing and complet 7 of 12 passes for 67 yards. Backup Todd Bouman was more effective,