Standout performers from the Saints shocking season opening loss to

Tampa Bay The New Orleans Saints opened their 53rd NFL season with a thud Trey Hendrickson Jersey , falling at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-40. The Saints defensive performance was embarrassing, giving up 417 yards passing and 4 scores on just 21 completions to Tampa Bay's backup quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick.The Saints front line did not generate any pressure at all, and allowed Fitzpatrick 36 more yards and another touchdown on the ground. The New Orleans secondary was helpless against the Buccaneer receivers, giving up a combined 293 yards and three scores against Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. The defense didn't fare much better against the run, allowing what was thought to be a pedestrian Tampa rushing game over 100 yards for the game, and keeping the New Orleans defense on their heels with a play action attack. The Saints running game struggled without Pro Bowl back Mark Ingram as well, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry and netting just 48 yards rushing for the game. While it's back to the drawing board for the New Orleans defense for a week two meeting with the Cleveland Browns, there were a few shining stars in yesterday's game. Let's have a look at a couple players for the Saints that did stand out, as they look to rebound from yesterday's disappointing performance. Alvin Kamara Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsKamara was last year's offensive rookie of the year, and looks as if he's only scratched the surface of what he can do. Against a Tampa Bay defense focused on containing him, especially in the absence of Mark Ingram, Kamara had 9 receptions for 112 yards, 29 yards rushing, 3 total touchdowns and a 2-pt. conversion. We didn't get to see much of Kamara's ability as a rusher, with just eight carries on the day, but that could have been a combination of Saints pass-heavy game plan, along with the fact that New Orleans was playing from behind most of the afternoon. With both Mike Gillislee and Jonathan Williams ineffectiveness (four carries, nine yards, and a fumble), we could see Kamara utilized as a runner even more in the upcoming weeks until Ingram's return. Don't expect New Orleans do shy away from his talents as a receiver, however, but instead giving Kamara an even bigger role in the Saints offense. Michael Thomas Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsThomas broke a team record that had stood since 1978 (Tony Galbreath) by catching 16 passes against the Bucs. He also led all receivers with 180 yards and added a touchdown. Thomas did have a crucial drop that hastened the end of one New Orleans third quarter drive, and a critical fumble on the following possession that halted a Saints scoring drive. Make no mistake though, Thomas has quickly become one of the finest receivers in the NFL, and his assault on the team's record books appears to have just begun. The combination of Thomas and Kamara seems nearly impossible for any defense to contain, and gives the New Orleans offense perhaps the most dangerous 1-2 punch combination in the league. Drew Brees Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty ImagesBrees was, well Brees. While most of his team did little to support him, the 39-yr. old future Hall of Famer was magnificent Authentic Cameron Meredith Jersey Salute to Service , completing 82% of his passes for 439 yards and 3 touchdown passes. He moved his offense despite the absence of a running game (just 43 yards on 13 carries), and an abysmal defensive performance. Brees' performance leaves him now just 1,056 passing yards short of Peyton Manning's all-time yardage record, but the Saints hopes for a successful season will likely be dashed if the team cannot again become balanced around their iconic signal caller. Tom Benson Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty ImagesFor the first time since 1985, the Saints took the field without their owner. Benson, who has been the team's owner since 1985, passed away in March. He was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor on Sunday. His contributions to the franchise, and the city, will never be forgotten. Under his leadership, New Orleans won the first division championship in their history (1987), established themselves as a perennial playoff contender, first playoff win (2000), and of course a Super Bowl championships in 2009. These were just a few among the many achievements that Mr. Benson and his franchise accomplished in over three decades through the Gulf Coast region who looked at their team as part of the family. The culture that Mr. Benson put in place will continue through his wife Gayle, with his name overlooking the franchise he built that embodies an entire region. Before Drew Brees could blow kisses to the adoring Superdome crowd, before he could embrace his wife and children on the sideline, the Saints' 39-year-old quarterback had to shred one of the NFL's top pass defenses with ruthless efficiency.And so he did.Brees passed Peyton Manning to become the NFL's all-time leader in yards passing with a 62-yard touchdown to rookie Tre'Quan Smith on Monday night that sent New Orleans on its way to a lopsided 43-19 victory over the mistake-prone Washington Redskins."It's hard for me to reflect too much right now just because my career's not done. There are still goals to be accomplished. There are still challenges to be met. And so I'm still very focused on that," Brees said. "And yet, when something like this happens, there are so many people who are responsible for that, that are a part of that, that makes me happy. It makes me proud and it makes me extremely grateful — extremely grateful for the opportunity to play this game, to play it as long as I've played it, to have wound up here in New Orleans."It's just been an unbelievable journey."Brees entered the game needing 201 yards to eclipse Peyton Manning's previous mark of 71,940 yards. He had 250 yards and two touchdowns by halftime and finished 26 of 29 for 363 yards and three touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception this season. He did, however, make his eighth career reception on his own deflected pass, and pushed across the line of scrimmage to add an extra yard to his career total."He throws for 5,000 yards just like he's sleeping at night, and it's crazy to see that Limited Taysom Hill Jersey ," Redskins cornerback Josh Norman said. "He's at the top of them all right now — and he's not done yet."The Saints' Smith, a third-round draft choice last spring, caught two touchdown passes from the 18th-year pro. Brees also hit Smith for a 35-yard score down the right sideline early in the third quarter.Any hope Washington had of coming back was all but snuffed out when Justin Hardee, a special teams regular who was in the game because of Marshon Lattimore's concussion symptoms, snagged Alex Smith's underthrown pass at the Saints' 19-yard line and returned his first career interception to the Washington 4.That set up change-of-pace QB Taysom Hill's 1-yard touchdown run that put the Saints (4-1) up 40-13.Smith completed 23 of 39 passes for 275 yards for the Redskins (2-2). He ran for a short touchdown late in the first half that pulled Washington within 26-13.MAKING MEMORIESWhen Saints began one of their last first-half possessions on their own 38, Brees needed just 35 yards to break the record. On the first play of the drive, Brees launched a pass toward the right sideline to the speedy Smith, who was wide open and easily sprinted away from Nicholson's tackle attempt en route to the end zone."I knew we were within striking distance" of the record, Brees said. "I didn't know it was going to happen on the first play to Tre'Quan. But I don't think it could have happened in any better fashion than it did. To have then that moment with my teammates on the field, the offensive line, it played out even greater than I ever could have imagined."Brees' teammates ran toward their quarterback as he jogged behind the play, and a group of them formed a jumping, celebrating mass of black and gold next to the Saints' fleur-de-lis emblem on the 50-yard line.Brees then removed his helmet, saluted fans and exchanged hugs on the sideline with his wife, Brittany, their four kids and Saints coach Sean Payton. The ball was handed over to Pro Football Hall of Fame officials.With the game well in hand after the two-minute warning, Payton subbed Brees out of the game. As Teddy Bridgwater ran onto the field and Brees trotted to the sideline, Brees got one last ovation before fans began chanting: "Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints."INGRAM'S RETURNRunning back Mark Ingram, playing in his first game this season after serving a four-game suspension, scored two touchdowns on 2- and 1-yard runs in the first half.He finished with 53 yards rushing and 20 receiving."It's great to have him back," Payton said, stressing the Ingram's presence reduces the physical toll on fellow running back Alvin Kamara. "That combination — those are two real good running backs."PAINFUL PENALTIESThe Redskins came in allowing fewer than 190 yards passing per game and spoke of doing what they could to prevent Brees from making history. Instead, they helped Brees pile up first-half yards with third-down penalties that extended two touchdown drives.Norman's defensive holding penalty during Brees' incomplete pass sustained the Saints' first scoring drive, capped by Ingram's short touchdown run.In the second quarter, Montae Nicholson's unnecessary roughness penalty for leveling Ingram on Ryan Kerrigan's third-down sack extended a drive that ended with Brees' short TD pass to tight end Josh Hill.INJURIESRedskins: Chris Thompson took a heavy hit from Saints linebacker Craig Robertson and received treatment on the field before getting up and walking to the sideline holding his helmet. Redskins coach Jay Gruden said he had a rib injury. Gruden also said running back Adrian Peterson has a shoulder strain and will have an MRI. Receiver Paul Richardson Jr. stained his knee and tight end Vernon Davis had a hamstring injury.Saints: In addition to Lattimore, reserve defensive lineman Taylor Stallworth limped off the field, favoring his right leg.UP NEXTRedskins: Host Carolina on Sunday.Saints: Enter their bye week before returning to action at Baltimore on Oct. 21. Custom Washington Redskins Jerseys