JOESAM2002

Haslett says Saints played "bad football" in loss to Carolina

04:53 PM CST on Sunday, December 5, 2004


WWLTV.com



Saints head coach Jim Haslett called it “bad football� and that it was.




Associated Press

Mushin Muhammad catches a long pass from Jake Delhomme against the Saints.

In a microcosm of the entire season, the Saints fell behind big early, made a very mild comeback that was thwarted by mistakes and fell 32-21 to a team that record-wise was no better than the Saints coming in.


How bad was it? The Saints went three and out on four of their first five series, with the lone exception being when Deuce McAllister fumbled the ball away to Carolina.


The team’s first, first down came after 27 minutes and 26 seconds of the first half had expired and the team was already behind 23-0.


The Saints offensive woes continued with this being the 11th game of 12 where they didn’t score in the first quarter, the seventh straight game they’ve gone “three and out� on the first possession and the 12th game out of 12 where they’ve fallen behind first.


“Bad football,� said head coach Jim Haslett after the game, the team’s fourth loss in five games. “The first half was ugly football, as bad as I’ve been around. Everyone has to look themselves in the mirror.�


Aaron Brooks had another uneven game. He went 20 of 40 passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions, several batted down passes and a fumble that he recovered after mishandling a center snap.


Haslett said there was talk of benching Brooks at the break.


“We did,� he said. “We talked about it and decided to stay (with him) and see what happens.�


Deuce McAllister had a season-low 22 yards on seven carries and he fumbled once, leading to a Carolina score. McAllister also dropped two passes, though both were dump passes that offered little hope of developing.


Meanwhile, ex-Saint Jake Delhomme had a solid game, hitting on 22 of 29 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown. The Saints defense held the Panthers to five field goal attempts, preventing the outcome from being much worse.


With the score 20-0, the Saints made their first scoring drive right before the half. Brooks hit Joe Horn to make it 23-7.


An unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on Steve Gleason, who was ejected, gave the Panthers a chance to add a fourth field goal right before halftime to make it 26-7 at the break.


A Brooks’ interception on a pass thrown slightly behind Jerome Pathon and bounced off his hands, thwarted a promising drive to begin the second half.


A fired-up defense, led by back to back sacks by Darren Howard, held Carolina.


The Saints scored on their second drive in the third quarter, Brooks hitting Horn, who finished with 8 catches for 160 yards and two scores, to make it 26-14.


Carolina added two more field goals and the Saints added a late touchdown from Brooks to Donte Stallworth to make the final 32-21.


WELL DUHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!