TheOriginalSwampdog

Henderson sees little reason for optimism for '03 Saints
06:48 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 30, 2003

WWLTV.com


WWL-TV Sports Director and Saints play-by-play man Jim Henderson had the same look of resignation that the team’s fans have when asked what has gone wrong at the start of the 2003 season for the home team.


While it would be easy to blast the coaching staff, or maybe certain players, Henderson says it’s a number of things that have all aligned to spell disaster so far.


“Everybody wants to think there’s one thing wrong with this team, that one thing can fix the problems,� he said. “But it’s a number of things. Mostly it’s that the players aren’t playing well, but it’s also an unprecedented number of injuries on defense and you have the fact that there hasn’t been much of an impact from any of the team’s offseason acquisitions.�


Henderson cited the draft, where he said no one has made a significant contribution. Top pick Johnathan Sullivan is injured, as is third-round choice Cie Grant. While second-round pick Jon Stinchcomb hasn’t gotten on the field.


He also cited free agent acquisitions and players picked up in trades who haven’t helped – like Tebucky Jones, Ashley Ambrose and Orlando Ruff.


“Ruff couldn’t get on the field in San Diego as a backup, and he can’t get on the field here,� he said. “Ambrose has lost a step or two and Jones can’t seem to wrap anyone up. The one guy who has upgraded the position – Ernie Conwell at tight end – has had his problems as well.�


Henderson said the personnel failings have possibly pointed to a lack of direction in that area, one that could have its roots in the firing of Randy Mueller.


When asked about the predictions of several local experts, including himself, who had thought the Saints would compete for a division crown, he said they were based on a couple of things that haven’t proven true.


“You had all of the top skill players returning from what was a potent offense for most of ’02 and you had the prospect of a more mature Aaron Brooks, so that area looked solid,� he said. “You had several changes on defense, so you expected them to be better. And, you expected what was perhaps the league’s elite special teams in ’02 to produce, and so far it hasn’t.�


Henderson said it was unfair at this time to say the Saints of ’03 aren’t as good as the Saints of ’00, a team which overcame injuries and played its way to the franchise’s first-ever playoff win, because: “That team started off 1-3 as well,� he said. “Of course, it doesn’t look like this team will turn it around and finish 10-6. While they’ve lost to three teams that are a combined 10-1, the discouraging thing is those losses weren’t close and the team showed no fire or passion in them.�


Henderson added that what’s also disheartening to the fans is that there’s 12 weeks to go, the team still has to face red-hot Carolina, Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay and a Michael Vick-led Falcons team – twice each, and there’s been no reason for optimism

lumm0x

Yep, he knows all just like you.

[Edited on 1/10/2003 by lumm0x]