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Saints News


Haslett predicted Panthers' victory

Saints coach reasoned Carolina could run, avoid mistakes


Tuesday January 20, 2004


By Ted Lewis
Staff writer

MOBILE, ALA. -- If Saints coach Jim Haslett was a betting man, he'd have a heftier wallet today.

Haslett was telling people last week he thought the Carolina Panthers would defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game, and that prediction came true Sunday when the Panthers won 14-3.


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"They don't have a lot of weaknesses," Haslett, here for the Senior Bowl, said of the Panthers, who beat the Saints in both of their meetings this season. "I knew they could run the ball well on the Eagles, because we did.

"Then they don't turn the ball over very much, and just about every time, the team that doesn't make mistakes is going to win."

Haslett also praised the play of ex-Saints quarterback Jake Delhomme. "Jake is doing exactly what they want him to do," Haslett said. "He didn't turn the ball over, and he made the plays they needed. That's doing what you've got to do to win."

The Saints face a division next season that includes Tampa Bay, last year's Super Bowl champion, Carolina, and an Atlanta Falcons team that figures to be much improved with a new coaching staff and a healthy Michael Vick at quarterback.

"Everybody keeps saying this isn't a good division," Haslett said. "This will probably change their minds."

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