The Saints rank dead last in the NFL in total defense, and this is after playing teams such as San Francisco, Arizona, and Tampa Bay who each have just one win apiece. So it is no wonder the Minnesota Vikings were able to move the ball at will against the Saints defense. What is surprising is the totals they amassed. Five touchdowns for quarterback Daunte Culpepper, almost 200 total yards for fourth-string running back Mewelde Moore, and 605 yards of total offense, the worst defensive performance in Saints team history. The most egregious defensive errors were committed by free safety Tebucky Jones, a personal foul on a helmet to helmet hit on Culpepper on a drive that would have ended in a field goal in the fourth quarter, and a blown coverage on wide receiver Nate Burleson on third-and-four with the Saints clinging to any hopes of tying the game.
The offense was not without its share of mistakes also. Quarterback Aaron Brooks was intercepted in the red zone on a drive that would have allowed the Saints to keep pace with the Vikings offense in the first half. Just as frustrating was offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy inexplicably going away from star running back Deuce McAllister to start the second half after he had rushed for sixty-three yards and a touchdown in the first half, averaging over 5 yards per carry. McCarthy called three-straight passes to start the second half, which led to a three-and-out and barely any time off the clock. Minnesota’s offense promptly drove for a score and a two-touchdown lead. They never looked back.
There is a lot of finger pointing going on at Saints headquarters as the owner is breathing down the neck of GM Mickey Loomis, who in turn is deflecting blame to Haslett. Haslett fired back during his press conference when asked why the Saints didn’t use more of its $11 million in cap room to attract better players on defense. His response, “I don’t handle the cap and personnel situation. You would have to ask the person who does.” Well coach, you may not handle that side of the team, but you do coach the players who are there, and poorly. The Saints have a tough stretch upcoming with four games against the AFC West and a bye sandwiched between. This is a make or break stretch for the Saints and will determine whether this season is salvageable, or an audition for a new head coach and GM.
