saintz08

Coach knows time may be up


TAMPA, FLA. -- To the end they fought, even when there was nothing left to fight for, even when there was nothing left to gain by fighting.

Not always wisely or effectively or consistently, but the Saints kept putting up their gloves and exchanging blows all the way to the conclusion, a 27-13 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. And as trite and meaningless as that might sound, it undoubtedly is a fact that they can inscribe onto the headstone for the 2005 season, one of the few things for which they can be proud.

But that, alone, isn't enough.

Not in the NFL, where the bottom line counts for most, if not all. And not for Coach Jim Haslett, who sounded like a man who knew he'd led the Saints out for the final time.

"I'm ready for whatever happens," he said. "Whatever happens, I'm fine with."

That kind of inner peace should serve him well because, indeed, it's time for the Saints to make the hard decision, to sever ties a year early with the only head coach in franchise history with a playoff victory on his rÃÃâ€*’©sumÃÃâ€*’©.

It's not a simple, easy deal, because for all the things that can be said of Haslett, the belief here still is that whatever his shortcomings may be, he's an effective coach. No NFL coach ever has been asked to preside over a season like the one Haslett finished Sunday.

None ever has been handed such a script -- relocating on the eve of the season, playing more road games than home games, not having a solid home base even in the city where home was supposed to be based -- and edited it into an award winner.

But that doesn't mean he should get another crack at it in New Orleans, and not just because the finale against Tampa Bay gave the Saints a 3-13 record, their worst in his six seasons.

Because, too, it's the fifth consecutive non-playoff season, and that's a streak that can't be allowed to slide to six without some obvious attempt to grasp it. Because eventually, there has to be an accountability beyond accepting blame and saying, and maybe even believing, the team is brushing cheeks with a playoff berth when, to the untrained eye, there appears to be enough clearance to park a fleet of space shuttles, nose to tail, between the two.

Because there has to be more control exercised over peripheral things, like the childish whining of players over the lack of a visit from the commissioner and over the quality of life upon their return to a city that few, if any, of them actually reside in.

"I don't know," was Haslett's answer to the question of what he thought would happen. "I really don't know. One thing you learn, the only thing that's for certain in life is you're gonna die and you're gonna go to hell or heaven."

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\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo

MordorIV

TIMES UP COACH.

spkb25

sad to see you go jim but happy to see you go jim

MordorIV

AHAHAHHAHAHA

LordOfEntropy

Coach isn't the only issue.

Did anyone else notice the Fins finished 9-7 this year? Nice turn-around, eh? Anyone have any ideas as to why?

MordorIV

Well they wanted to go somewhere the Saints sorry to say don't really give a hoot. now they will when benson fires Jim gets a new coach and then picks Leinart or Reggie and then trades Brooks and Deuce for Collins or a vet QB and get some WR in the Draft to throw to. The fins well they have a coach that does what he is suppose to yell at the players when they suck and then they turn around the game at half.

spkb25

loe we have a shi* load of issues. we do need a new coach though.
on miami i hear their coach was performing favors for some of the owners of the teams they played. to put it lightly his knees are bruised from the season

MordorIV

HAHAHAHA thats right SP

saintz08

The Dolphins got Bushwacked in Cleveland and the players got their act together .

Team started to play together and kept the games close , they had a late in the season game surge and that might be that the system Saban installed kicked in .....

MordorIV

Good post DO.