WhoDat!656

In an afternoon press conference today, New Orleans Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt said that the team would need to be better with their penalties.

The Saints will also need to be a bit smarter with their penalties as well. While a false start or offsides can be common mistakes, the Saints had two yesterday that are quite uncommon for them.

The first came off an intercepted pass that safety Roman Harper reeled in for a touchback. The Saints would have started on their 20-yard line but Harper and fellow safety Malcolm Jenkins did a dance together in the endzone that resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for 10 yards.

This backed the Saints up to their own 10-yard line and the drive stalled seven plays later. While it is a freak occurrence that Harper does get the ball, wait until you get to the sideline.

The second was during a 27 yard touchdown run by running back Mark Ingram. As Ingram was about to cross the goal line, he turned and pointed, shaking his finger at Raiders safety Matt Giordano who was in pursuit.

Ingram was flagged for taunting and the Saints were assessed a 15 yard penalty with luckily the score being allowed to stand. Of course Ingram was likely ecstatic it being his first score of the season for him and also because of his dismal output until three weeks ago.

However, these are excuses that can’t and shouldn’t be tolerated by the coaching staff. In fact Vitt was seen given the cold shoulder to Ingram as he tried to explain after the penalty with Vitt saying few words in return and giving his trademark glare.

While the response by Saints fans yesterday was roaring approval to these penalties, the big picture still remains. The offenses need to be cleaned up or it could become worse and cost the Saints when it counts.

The Saints have always been an disciplined team and I really couldn’t remember them ever getting a celebration/taunting penalty much less two in the same game.

With the resurgence of the Saints that we’re used to seeing, emotions are high for fans and players. But to go further down the road, the Saints will need to play perfect football to even have a shot at the postseason.

These unnecessary penalties should become a a necessary point of emphasis as the Saints will face two upcoming opponents back-to-back that are playoff contenders and can’t afford to give yardage to, the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.

http://whodatdish.com/2012/11/19/sai...pcoming-games/

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

QBREES9

Any word on Strief. Will he be playing

Crusader

25yds in completely unneccesary penalties might be the difference between winning and losing in a tight game.

MatthewT

The Saints don't put up with stupid penalties, I am certain this issue will be cleaned up when they play the 49ers.

I seriously wish the Saints would put a lid on all the celebrations. I get that guys are happy, but that happiness can be done on the sidelines after the play is over.

subguy

Yes, I was happy to see the fire and the swag, but they need to be keep it in check moving down this stretch. I have a feeling the next 3 games could be close and penalties will make a difference.

dizzle88

Vitt will address it, he was not pleased with Ingram at all when he came off

As far as the celebrations go (especially Jenkins and harpers one) I think they were just happy our team was producing in all areas and one side not letting us down

Won't be a problem vs 49ers, vitt has sorted it

subguy

I concur

Marlboro Man

That's what I was saying Sunday nite. We don't do those kinds of silly things that hurt the team. When you start at your 10 instead of your 20, you have to call different plays to get you out from the shadow of your goal post. The week before that our players were telling the Failcon players to act like they'd been there before. Well, we HAVE been there before and acting like that is just unacceptable. We cannot have ANY unnecessary penalties if we want to go where we want to go and that has to stop.

AlaskaSaints

And we've got Jimmy slam-dunking on a bum ankle? Not very well thought out. I think now he feels like he HAS to do that...?

On a different note; I hope the CROWD shows up Sunday and stays in the game.

Alaska

Rugby Saint II

RT has me worried. Harris could easily be called for a couple of false starts.