NEW ORLEANS -- Preston Parker had a pair of touchdown catches in his bid to fill one of New Orleans' open receiver spots, and the Saints defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 17-13 in the preseason opener for both teams Friday.
New Chiefs coach Andy Reid saw all he needed of new starting quarterback Alex Smith in the opening drive, which went 80 yards on 14 plays, capped by Jamaal Charles' TD run. Smith was 7 of 8 for 68 yards.
With Saints coach Sean Payton on the sideline for the first time since his bounty ban ended, Drew Brees was 7 of 10 for 65 yards in two series, which produced one field goal.
His longest completion went for 22 yards to rookie Kenny Stills, who like Parker is a candidate to replace injured deep threat Joe Morgan as the Saints' No. 3 receiver behind Marques Colston and Lance Moore.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press
