Bledsoe, Nussmeier Square Off Tonight

At this time last year, Drew Bledsoe was still trying to remember the names of the Patriots’ coaches.

Now, as New England prepares to host the New Orleans Saints in an exhibition game tonight, a more seasoned Bledsoe is trying to deal with the growing expectations.

“I’m way ahead of where I was at this time last year,” said Bledsoe, the No. 1 pick out of Washington State in the 1993 draft.

Bledsoe is expected to play quarterback about a half against New Orleans, with Scott Zolak scheduled to play much of the second half.

The Saints will have a couple of new faces at quarterback. Jim Everett, traded from the Rams to New Orleans, will play the first quarter.

Wade Wilson will run the offense for the second quarter, and rookie Doug Nussmeier, a left-hander who threw 91 touchdown passes at the University of Idaho, will work the second half.

“So we’ve got two experienced quarterbacks that have played a lot, so why play them a lot?” Saints coach Jim Mora said. “You don’t have to. Doug needs all the work he can get.

“Doug’s going to make our team and he may have to play this year, so let’s get him ready.”

Nussmeier, who set Big Sky Conference records at Idaho, is doing great at camp, Mora said.

“I like him better all the time,” Mora said. “I didn’t particularly like him before we drafted him. I didn’t dislike him, but I wasn’t overly impressed with him at the Senior Bowl.”

Nussmeier will have problems tonight, Mora said, “but he will also find a way to make plays.”

Broncos: Bob Meeks, a backup offensive guard for Denver, will have surgery for a bulging disk in his neck and be lost for the season.

Chiefs: Free agent Tony Casillas has refused to report to Kansas City’s camp and has returned his $1.2 million signing bonus, the team said.

“The Kansas City Chiefs have made the decision to terminate the contract of Tony Casillas today,” team president and general manager Carl Peterson said in a statement released in Kansas City.

The Kansas City Star and Kansas City station KCTV-TV reported that Casillas was being treated for high blood pressure in the Dallas area. Casillas played for the Cowboys last year before signing with the Chiefs.

Packers: Free safety George Teague continues to recover from off-season thyroid surgery and is expected to start today for Green Bay against the Los Angeles Rams.

Raiders: Los Angeles coaches have been impressed with University of Washington graduate Kevin Gogan, the 6-foot-7, 320-pound guard who signed as a free agent from Dallas.

“(Gogan) wanted to know if we were going to work with him, to help him become a better football player,” said Raiders coach Art Shell.

Gogan immediately moved into the lineup at right guard. One of those coaching him is former starter and 16-year veteran Max Montoya.

Steelers: The agent for unsigned tight end Eric Green will negotiate face-to-face with Pittsburgh assistant controller Dan Ferens in Miami, where agent Drew Rosenhaus lives.