Saints Report Card - Vikings

TallySaint · 09-26-2005, 02:01 PM

Monday, September 26, 2005

SAINTS REPORT CARD

By Mike Triplett Times-Picayune

OFFENSE: There were few positives in this one. The Saints trailed 17-0 before they even gained a first down. They committed penalties, failed to establish the run and didn't protect quarterback Aaron Brooks against a series of blitzes by Vikings' cornerbacks and safeties. Worse yet, the Saints seemingly took forever to adjust to those unexpected blitzes. And Brooks was especially off, not even mixing in great throws with bad ones like he did last week against New York. He completed one pass to Joe Horn, none to Donte' Stallworth, repeatedly underthrew receivers and threw two interceptions. The Saints were 2-of-12 on third downs.

Grade: F

DEFENSE: The defense barely avoided an F by keeping the Vikings out of the end zone the final 20 minutes and giving the Saints a chance to come back. Otherwise, it was an abysmal performance. The Saints' defense did not force any turnovers for the second consecutive week. It allowed Daunte Culpepper to get into his old groove early in the game. And, tailback Mewelde Moore rushed for more than 100 yards for a team that was getting desperate with its rushing attack. Early in the game, Saints coach Jim Haslett began rotating in the entire second-string linebacking corps of Ronald McKinnon, James Allen and T.J. Slaughter on rushing downs, which actually made a difference.

Grade: D-

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Saints did not respond well without injured return specialist Michael Lewis. Veteran Aaron Stecker fumbled away the opening kickoff, an unforgivable blunder after Fred McAfee did the same thing to open last week's loss. And the special teams committed another series of penalties, including a block in the back by receiver Nate Poole that negated Stallworth's punt return for a touchdown.

Grade: F

COACHING: Again, the coaches get only the slightest amount of lenience because that opening fumble put the team in a hole early. And that 17-0 lead rendered the game plan moot. But the Saints did not put enough pressure on a struggling Culpepper or a dismal Vikings' rushing attack to rattle their confidence in the first half. And the Saints took too long to adjust to the Vikings' defensive plan. One of these days, the Saints might get to show off their vaunted rushing attack, but first they need to come out ready to play.

Grade: D-

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpsport...26.html#082793

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09-26-2005, 02:01 PM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Saints Report Card - Vikings Monday, September 26, 2005 SAINTS REPORT CARD By Mike Triplett Times-Picayune OFFENSE: There were few positives in this one. The Saints trailed 17-0 before they even gained a first down. They committed penalties, failed to establish the run and didn't protect quarterback Aaron Brooks against a series of blitzes by Vikings' cornerbacks and safeties. Worse yet, the Saints seemingly took forever to adjust to those unexpected blitzes. And Brooks was especially off, not even mixing in great throws with bad ones like he did last week against New York. He completed one pass to Joe Horn, none to Donte' Stallworth, repeatedly underthrew receivers and threw two interceptions. The Saints were 2-of-12 on third downs. Grade: F DEFENSE: The defense barely avoided an F by keeping the Vikings out of the end zone the final 20 minutes and giving the Saints a chance to come back. Otherwise, it was an abysmal performance. The Saints' defense did not force any turnovers for the second consecutive week. It allowed Daunte Culpepper to get into his old groove early in the game. And, tailback Mewelde Moore rushed for more than 100 yards for a team that was getting desperate with its rushing attack. Early in the game, Saints coach Jim Haslett began rotating in the entire second-string linebacking corps of Ronald McKinnon, James Allen and T.J. Slaughter on rushing downs, which actually made a difference. Grade: D- SPECIAL TEAMS: The Saints did not respond well without injured return specialist Michael Lewis. Veteran Aaron Stecker fumbled away the opening kickoff, an unforgivable blunder after Fred McAfee did the same thing to open last week's loss. And the special teams committed another series of penalties, including a block in the back by receiver Nate Poole that negated Stallworth's punt return for a touchdown. Grade: F COACHING: Again, the coaches get only the slightest amount of lenience because that opening fumble put the team in a hole early. And that 17-0 lead rendered the game plan moot. But the Saints did not put enough pressure on a struggling Culpepper or a dismal Vikings' rushing attack to rattle their confidence in the first half. And the Saints took too long to adjust to the Vikings' defensive plan. One of these days, the Saints might get to show off their vaunted rushing attack, but first they need to come out ready to play. Grade: D- http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpsport...26.html#082793 8)
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