blacksaint

Friday, October 12, 2007
By Mike Triplett

The Saints have dropped the ball this season.

Literally.

According to Stats LLC., the Saints lead the NFL with 16 dropped passes in four games. The Giants and 49ers are tied for second with 14 drops, and both of those teams have played five games.

Much-maligned receiver Devery Henderson has gotten a lot of attention for his league-high seven dropped passes. But the problem has been contagious. Tailback Reggie Bush has three drops and tight end Eric Johnson has two. Four others have one each.

Meanwhile, the Saints are tied for last in the NFL with just one receiving touchdown.

"We just haven't gotten everyone on the same page for a whole game. Last week against Carolina, the receivers didn't play well. That was evident," said receiver Marques Colston, who has been especially hard on himself, though he hasn't been credited with any drops.

He did have a chance at a touchdown in the first quarter last week against Carolina, but he couldn't hang on to a difficult catch in the back of the end zone. And he beat himself up for it.

The way Colston figures it, the Saints need their playmakers to turn this thing around.

"That's why I'm in the game," said Colston, who leads the Saints with 216 receiving yards on 22 catches and has the team's only receiving touchdown. "It's one I expect myself to make. And on top of that, it (would have been) a touchdown, and it's a big play in the game. It's one I think we definitely needed to get going.

"I just haven't been very consistent. You know, I had the drop in the end zone, and I haven't really run the best of routes and things of that nature. So I just have to put together a good game this weekend and get on a roll personally to help this team."

At times, the Saints' receivers have played very well.

Colston has made about a dozen difficult catches in the first month of this season, and backups Lance Moore and David Patten have been effective off the bench. Moore probably will get his first chance to start Sunday at Seattle.

But each miscue is magnified because the offense has been so easily derailed -- whether it's a dropped pass or an errant throw by quarterback Drew Brees, or a turnover or a failed third-down conversion or a missed field-goal attempt.

"It's hard to be effective at quarterback when you have inconsistency around you," said Coach Sean Payton, who admitted that Brees has been pressed at times to make things happen. "I say this all the time, the other 10 guys need to make our quarterback's job easier."

Receivers coach Curtis Johnson said his group has been grading out "just average" this season.

Really, he said, that's about the same as last season. But this season there have been a few more drops and fewer big plays to make up for them.

"You can't drop the ball. You're a wide receiver, not a wide dropper. So we'd better start catching the ball," said Johnson, who has faith that his guys will turn it around. "What I like about them is they've got a good attitude, they come to work every day and work hard. You see them after practice every day. They're doing all they can."

Henderson, for one, vows to keep a positive attitude and work ethic, despite his struggles.

The fourth-year pro out of LSU has struggled with drops throughout his time with the Saints, but last week was particularly painful. He bobbled a deep ball late in the fourth quarter, with the score tied 13-13, which Carolina safety Chris Harris then intercepted.

"I just tell all the guys, 'I messed up, but I haven't lost confidence in myself,' and I ask the other guys around me not to lose confidence in me," said Henderson, who is still a dangerous deep threat that will probably continue to play in three-receiver sets. "The guys we've got, I know they're not going to get down on anybody. I just want to let them know I'm not going to get down on myself. And they understand that."

Moore, a breakout player during training camp, has 12 receptions for 132 yards with one dropped pass. He is a small target at 5 feet 9, 177 pounds. But he can play all three receiver positions, has terrific hands and he's quick and elusive.

Payton did not officially name Moore as a starter, but said he plans to get him more involved.

"I'm excited," Moore said. "But I've got to keep the same mindset. I've got to keep working and keep getting better every day."

Moore said he thinks the Saints just need a few good plays in the passing game and a few good drives to get rolling again.

"I definitely think we can be just as good, if not better, than last year," he said. "I wouldn't really say that we're 'waiting' to break through. But we're working hard so that we can get that breakthrough.

"And everybody will know when it comes, and hopefully it will be this weekend."

NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

saint4life
(504)

mighty12

I am tired of MAYBE! GET IT DONE! FOR SURE THIS TIME!

dasaints26

Seven drops that sure doesnt help keep an offense on the field. Especially since we only throw to wr on 3rd down (and 4th & 1). Combine 7 drop passes with the amount of turnovers and I dont think we have much else to blame for being 0-4. I'm sure we've helped solve one of these problems with a change in personnel and I have alot of confidence in Brees being able to turn it around and step up his game. I think he will be more comfortable in the pocket knowing if he takes a hit throwing the ball at least the wr will catch it. It must be a little frustrating making a good throw staying in the pocket and having your pass bounce off the wr shoulder pads.

hagan714

LOL I said it with Stallworth and now I am repeating it with Henderson. Hands Hands Hands. To much money for drops.

FireVenturi

where's boo williams when you need him. He would fit in perfect. we might be able to break the season drops record.

QBREES9

Earn It !!!!! Lets go play some football