The Saints had a full two weeks to prepare for this game, so their lackluster performance is mind-boggling. The ineptitude of the Saints was high-lighted by Aaron Brooks backward pass to offensive tackle Wayne Gandy in the first quarter that has been the butt of SportsCenter jokes and ultimately led to a loss of 23 yards. San Diego went up 14-0 on the next possession and never looked back.
The Saints were able to keep an eighty percent healthy Ladainian Tomlinson in check, but the Chargers still totaled 152 yards rushing, due largely to a forty-eight yard end around for wide receiver Tim Dwight. The star of the day though was Antonio Gates, who scored touchdowns against Saints cornerbacks Mike Mckenzie and Fakhir Brown, and also added another against backup safety Mel Mitchell for three on the day. Brees ended the day with a total of four touchdown passes against the horrible Saints defense.
It comes as a surprise to some that a coach like Dave Wannstedt was forced out in Miami after four straight years of ten wins, and after having his team suffer one of the worst off-seasons in NFL history, yet Jim Haslett still had a job Monday morning. Players are beginning to question the game plans devised by the coaching staff, and with high-powered offenses in Kansas City and Denver next on the schedule, we could see the worst stretch of games in Saints history.
It’s apparent to most the players have given up on this coaching staff, and one has to wonder how much longer it will be before Saints owner Tom Benson falls in line.
