Haslett: "The Offense Self-Destructed"
 

Haslett: "The Offense Self-Destructed'

By Mike Triplett
Staff writer Times Picayune

SAN ANTONIO – Saints coach Jim Haslett said he wasn’t surprised to learn that Sunday’s 52-3 loss at Green Bay was the most lopsided of his coaching career.

“Oh, yeah. I felt helpless, probably like everybody else,� the coach said Monday.

The film review wasn’t much prettier, but for better or worse, he couldn’t pinpoint one area of the team that was a major concern. Everyone played their part in this mess.

“If you look at each player individually, out of 55 plays, two were bad. But everyone had two bad plays,� Haslett said, pointing out some missed coverages by safeties, cornerbacks and linebackers, missed tackles across the board, penalties along the offensive line, dropped passes by the receivers and poor throws by the quarterback, among other mishaps.

“The offense self-destructed,� Haslett said. “On top of that, Brett Favre was on top of his game, and Green Bay played extremely well.�

The Saints continued to struggle with mental errors and lack of focus – 11 more penalties and five more turnovers for a team that ranks worst in the NFL with a minus-10 turnover differential this year.

But Haslett refused to use the team’s harrowing experience over the past two months as an excuse. If anything, the coach said, the team had settled into a comfort zone over the past couple of weeks, and he saw no indication that such a performance was coming in practice.

When told that some national broadcasters shrugged off the loss by saying the Saints were bound to have days like this, Haslett said, “I hope not. That was enough for a lifetime.�

“I don’t think this has anything to do with the situation we’re in,� he said. “We didn’t play well.�

Haslett insisted that the problems, though abundant, are correctable. He said he did not see the players give up in the second half. And the effort was there early on, even if the performance and accuracy weren’t.

The coach didn’t promise any major personnel or scheme changes. The major need is for a better mental focus from everyone across the board.

It should help that the Saints are facing the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in San Antonio on Saturday, with a chance to even their record at 3-3 and, more important, raise their division record to 2-0.

“If you’re a grown man and you like winning, it’s all about your pride,� defensive end Charles Grant said. “When you’re out on the field, you represent not only you, but the organization, your family, friends, the people who care about you. You have to pull yourself together.�



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8)

Funny thing is Haz did not point one finger at COACHING or preparation! Sad, so very sad.

You gotta be kidding me Haz. Brooks gave up after the first int. You could see it in his eyes..He wasn't beating anybody with his eyes last Sunday. This further lets me know that Haz must go.