Saints force key turnovers to spark first win

papz · 10-08-2012, 08:17 AM

NEW ORLEANS — With a chance to get the “much-maligned” tag off its back — at least for one night — the Saints defense did.

After being ripped for 288 yards in the first half and then allowing an embarrassingly easy touchdown early in the third quarter, the league’s bottom-ranked unit shut out the San Diego Chargers the rest of way holding on at the end to secure a 31-24 victory.

“It feels good to get the monkey off our backs,” Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “It just a collective effort, going from the front four getting pressure to the secondary locking down their man and playing together as a defense.”

The key play — Roman Harper’s interception and 41-yard return of a Phillip Rivers pass which was tipped by Malcolm Jenkins with 5:45 left, brought a response from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome crowd that was louder than Drew Brees’ record-setting touchdown pass to Devery Henderson in the first quarter.

It was Harper’s first interception since 2010 and only his second since 2008.

“I got there clean, got my arm in there, and he (Harper) was able to get the interception,” Jenkins said. “It couldn’t have happened to a better person.”

Continue

10-08-2012, 08:17 AM	#1
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,768	Saints force key turnovers to spark first win NEW ORLEANS — With a chance to get the “much-maligned” tag off its back — at least for one night — the Saints defense did. After being ripped for 288 yards in the first half and then allowing an embarrassingly easy touchdown early in the third quarter, the league’s bottom-ranked unit shut out the San Diego Chargers the rest of way holding on at the end to secure a 31-24 victory. “It feels good to get the monkey off our backs,” Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “It just a collective effort, going from the front four getting pressure to the secondary locking down their man and playing together as a defense.” The key play — Roman Harper’s interception and 41-yard return of a Phillip Rivers pass which was tipped by Malcolm Jenkins with 5:45 left, brought a response from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome crowd that was louder than Drew Brees’ record-setting touchdown pass to Devery Henderson in the first quarter. It was Harper’s first interception since 2010 and only his second since 2008. “I got there clean, got my arm in there, and he (Harper) was able to get the interception,” Jenkins said. “It couldn’t have happened to a better person.” Continue Attached Thumbnails
	Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege. All little common sense goes a long way.