TallySaint

WRs can't explain lack of passing game

Receivers can't explain lack of passing game; Horn held to one reception, Stallworth none

By Michael Rand
Contributing writer

MINNEAPOLIS - The Vikings were burned for 536 passing yards in their first two games. But according to Saints receiver Joe Horn, Minnesota's cornerback duo of Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot are world-beaters.

"They're the best DBs I've ever played against. The best in the world," Horn said tongue-in-cheek, clearly frustrated by a performance by quarterback Aaron Brooks and a game plan that contributed into him catching just one pass and teammate Donte Stallworth being shut out.
Stallworth said Minnesota didn't deserve the credit.

"I don't know what it was," Stallworth said, "but I know it wasn't us being shut down."

Penalties and incompletions put the Saints in several third-and-long situations, and the Vikings repeatedly harassed Brooks with corner and safety blitzes.

"They had a pretty good game plan," Horn said. "Their defensive coordinator game-planned us pretty good."

One bright spot at receiver was Devery Henderson, who caught three passes for 95 yards, including a 66-yarder as the Saints tried to rally in the second half.

Henderson, a second-round pick from LSU in 2004 who caught the first three passes of his career last week, appears to be making the most of his chance to play with Az-Zahir Hakim out with an injury.

"I'm just going out there and doing what I'm capable of doing," Henderson said. "I want to take advantage of every opportunity I get."

INJURIES: Cornerback Fakhir Brown missed his second consecutive game, and guard Jermane Mayberry, who injured his shoulder in practice Thursday, was also inactive. Brown was replaced by Jason Craft, and Jamar Nesbit played in Mayberry's place. . . . Strong safety Jay Bellamy left with an injured right shoulder in the third quarter. "I just have to see what the damage is and see what the results are," he said. "I feel pretty sore right now." . . . Aaron Stecker left with a sprained ankle after fumbling the opening kickoff and did not play again.

NO LOVE: Saints punter Mitch Berger and backup quarterback Todd Bouman, who played for the Vikings from 1996 to 2001, were booed by the Metrodome crowd. Fans had plenty of chances at Berger, who kicked six times for a 41.7-yard average. They got Bouman when he came out to hold on a John Carney field goal.

NO LOVE, PART II: Vikings running back Mewelde Moore played at Tulane with J.P. Losman, who now quarterbacks the Buffalo Bills. But while they both are living the NFL dream, they likely don't exchange Christmas cards. "We could have been a great team our senior year and reaped the benefits," Moore told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "But he kind of took a big turn, and he just kind of tanked. I didn't like that."

OPPOSITE ENDS: At one point Sunday, Daunte Culpepper's quarterback rating for the game was 151.4, and Aaron Brooks' was 4.9. Culpepper finished at 140, Brooks at 43.6.

ETC.: Saints coach Jim Haslett made the unusual decision to try for a two-point conversion trailing 24-6 late in the first half. Brooks' pass fell incomplete. . . . Vikings owner Zygi Wilf presented Saints owner Tom Benson with a $100,000 check for hurricane relief in a pregame ceremony.

... The Vikings came into the game at minus-nine in turnover differential. But after a plus-four performance Sunday, they are at minus-five. The Saints leapfrogged Minnesota in that category, going to minus-seven with their four giveaways and no takeaways.

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpsports/

8)

My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.

papz

Is it me or is Donte pointing fingers?

saintswhodi

Really?

We sacked Culpepper 7 times, and had corner blitzes as well. Frd Thomas anyone? We forced Culpepper out of the pocket several times, and other times he just hung in there and made the throws, unlike......

Yikes.

BoudinSandwich

If we continue in this fashion, the season is gone. I give them one more game and if Brooks plays the same way, he's out. I'd go with another quarterback, preferably A-mac. Even if he doesn't win games, it will give him time to mature in the NFL. Brooks has had his time and doesn't have much to show for it. The season is nearly down the drain anyways, lets try to find some way of making it productive.

I know what some of you are going to say. "The season is down the drain with only two losses?" Its not the fact that they lost. Its the fact that they looked horrible. The Saints' have had their butt handed to them for two weeks straight.

Oh, by the way...don't forget. The Panthers nearly came back to win that first game.

Season Ticket Holder Since 2005