As Losses Mount, Coaches Hear It From All Sides
 

After a trip to the playoffs in 2000, Haslett's first season in New Orleans, the Saints missed out for three straight seasons while compiling records of 7-9, 9-7 and 8-8.

After Benson compared the Saints to a high school team, the scrutiny of Haslett has grown. At his news conference on Monday, Haslett said Benson had a right to say whatever he wanted because he is the owner.

When a reporter Haslett had never seen before asked how much blame he accepted for the Saints' 21-point loss to Denver at home, Haslett sounded tense.

"Who are you?" he said.

The reporter identified himself as Paul Murphy, a local television news reporter.

Haslett said: "Head coach takes the blame for everything in the N.F.L. I don't know if you know that, I don't know if you know sports, but the coach takes the blame for everything that goes on in the N.F.L."

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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/26/sp...&partner=TOPIX