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New Orleans linebacker Scott Shanle answered a wide range of questions in an interview this week, reflecting on Garrett Hartley’s crushing missed field goal, the success tight ends have enjoyed against the Saints and whether the team needed to be humbled, among other topics.

How do you think Garrett Hartley will bounce back from missing that chip shot?

“Garrett is a confident kid. No way will we blame him for this loss. When I look back on the game, there are about three or four or five plays I wish I could have had back that could have changed a scoring possession and maybe Garrett wouldn’t have been in that position. When everybody looks at themselves and what they could have done better in the game, I don’t think they’ll put any blame on Garrett. It’s just one of those things we have to overcome.”

Tight ends are having success against you. What can you put your finger on?

“(Anthony Gonzalez) is a phenomenal player. You know they are going to try to get him the ball, and there’s a reason he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame some day. He made some plays that only he can make. At the same time, there were some things we did defensively that we had called to take some of those things away and we just didn’t execute to take him out of the game.”

Do you see this team needing to be humbled?

“I consider this team a very humble team. We never take anybody lightly. Everybody talks about we’re going to have an X on our chest every week. For us, we’re trying to X everyone else. We’re always looking to play the perfect game. We have a lot of character guys on this team who will bounce back from this loss. “

It’s obviously still early, but you had a chance to force Atlanta to chase you all year long. How frustrating is it to miss that opportunity?

“That’s probably the most frustrating part. We could have gone to 3-0 and put them at 1-2, and that would have been some nice separation early in the season. But we’ve only played three weeks, and there’s a lot of football left to be played. There’s not going to be any panic, but it’s hard because this one got away from us.”

Is Gonzalez as tough a matchup as there is in the NFL?

“Yeah, he runs well, but the thing about Tony after playing against him for a couple years, even when you think about having him covered, he’s such a big target, he runs routes so precise. It’s just one of those things where him and Matt Ryan are on the same page as far as hey, I’m coming out of my cut right now, put the ball right there. He’s a big target.”

Did the defense do a good job of bouncing back from all the third-down conversions Atlanta made?

“I’m proud of the way we fought all the way until the end. With that being said, it’s been an issue for three weeks of the season not getting off the field on third downs. If we don’t want to play 12 and 20 play drives, we’ve got to start getting off the field. We can all do better on third down.”

Do you feel like you’re getting everybody’s best game every week as defending Super Bowl champions?

“It’s the NFL. Every team has exceptional players. A lot of people say we’re going to get everybody’s best game, but we’re trying to play our best game no matter who it is. We just haven’t done that so far. We have to get back to doing the things that we did well last year. I don’t want to speak about the special teams or the offense, but the defense, you haven’t seen us get off the field on third down and create turnovers like we did last year. Those are the things we need to get back to doing.”

Lance Moore had his best game in two years. How good was it to see him have that game after his injury-plagued 2009 season?

“Yeah, he’s a tough matchup. He’s quick. He’s an outstanding player in the slot. You saw what he did in the punt return game today. Lance Moore has been here the entire time I’ve been here. He’s been the epitome of what you look for in a New Orleans Saint and a teammate. He comes to work every day, and it’s good to see it pay off for him on game day.”

How hard was it mentally to have to go back on the field when you thought the game would be over on Garrett Hartley’s chip shot?

“Defensively, we never get psyched out by having to go back on the field. One thing (defensive coordinator Gregg (Williams) has done well since he’s been here is we relish those situations. It’s our opportunity to try to go out there and try to win the game. There’s never anybody running out there with their heads down like, aw, we have to go back out here. It’s a situation for us to make plays.”

Danno

Weak link.

SapperSaint

I have a question for Mr Shanle!

Why can't you tackle and perform in pass coverage, Sir?

Rugby Saint II

Who was it that said we wouldn't miss Fujita?

Danno

He's no better than Shanle.

D_it_up

Exactly.

Danno

Do you honestly think he'd be any better than Shanle? He wasn't when he was here, so whats changed?

darstep

Fujita was quick to the ball...like Vilma. I'm not going to put it all on Shanle, I watched Vilma get dragged for 4 yards against the Vikes and the 49ers. I chalked it up to him being in recovery mode from the groin injury. This season everyone on the defense seems to be late to the ball. Perception or reality, it doesn't look good either way. I like Shanle's heart, but he's like a shot putter in the 100 yard dash. We've got to get quicker to the ball in the middle, and get some penetration up front, on the run and the pass. I'm hoping the defense gets some help and relief from us putting up 35-40 points most weeks.

**SaintSince67**

Danno

I do. Fujita is basically the SLB version of Fujita. Both are mediocre players with good work ethic and leadership qualities.

Both are simply average role players.

I miss Fujita about as much as I miss Charles Grant, Bobby McCray and Mark Simoneau.