So much for that. This year started almost exactly the same as last, with the Saints losing to the Seahawks because of dropped passes, turnovers, and drive-ending penalties. Six dropped passes last year, five this year. Four turnovers last year, three this year.
After the Saints failed to capitalize on an early fumble and interception by the Seahawks in the first quarter, that strange feeling of deja vu crept over me. The immaturity crept up in the visage of veteran cornerback Fred Thomas, getting a 15-yard taunting penalty after an Ashley Ambrose interception, moving the ball from the Seahawks 44 back into Saints territory. Predictably the drive ended after a sack and the Saints punted, ending the 1st quarter 0-0.
The Saints ventured into Seahawks territory several times during the game only to have their drives stalled by penalties, fumbles (most notably by Deuce McAllister and Boo Williams), and dropped passes(Jerome Pathon and Boo Williams). No one in the league knows how to give away a game better than the Saints.
The game was sealed after an Aaron Brooks pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage, deep in Saints territory, and intercepted by Michael Boulware of the Seahawks. Seattle scored on their red zone possession, pushing the score to 21-7 and the Saints could not recover.
Overshadowed in the loss is how well the Saints defense actually played. They held Seattle scoreless in the first period and had it not been for the ineptitude of the offense, probably would have posted decent statistics. And this was without franchise player Darren Howard(neck) and starting cornerback Jason Craft(ankle).
Giving up only 21 points, in the situations they were put into by the offense, to a team as explosive as Seattle seems like a step in the right direction. But if the offensive ineptitude continues it will be a long year in what will soon become the Big Uneasy for head coach Jim Haslett.
