GumboBC

Q. How does your coach Jim Haslett go from being on the hot seat midway through the season to keeping his job?

A. We won four games in a row. It was too late in the season, but we ended on a good note. I'm glad they gave Has a two-year extension. It's not the head coach. The head coach can't run routes, run the football. It's his personnel. You gather the guys together to believe in your system, you'll win football games and that's what the Saints did the last five games of the season. Unfortunately, it was too late.

Q. What went through your mind after you defeated Carolina in the season finale, but missed the playoffs when the Rams beat the Jets?

A. I didn't watch it, I was sick. But we dug that hole, that's why when the game was over in Carolina, I went and took a shower. I didn't watch the TV. If we got to the playoffs great, but we dug that hole so hopefully the guys can remember that in mini-camp, the offseason program and training camp. We win our games, we get in and we don't have to worry about someone missing a field goal.

Q. So what are the Saints' biggest weaknesses?

A. Right now, I can't say that we have too many because the last four games we dominated everybody we played. They have to test the free-agent market and the draft to see what they can fill in.

Q. If it was your decision, where would the Saints call home? New Orleans, Los Angeles or somewhere else?
A. Wherever fans in a city accept us. If the New Orleans fans keep begging and crying about the tickets, crying about us winning, they don't want to support us and keep us there, then let's move on to a city that will. I would love to win a Super Bowl in New Orleans, but if they don't want to do what it takes to keep us there, then let's ride out.

Q. Best touchdown celebration you saw this year?
A. [Pittsburgh's Antwaan] Randle El. He caught a touchdown and started shouting like he was in church.


Q. What impresses you most about this current run by the Patriots?
A. Team camaraderie. Bill Belichick keeping that team together. Keep them believing in his system. In the NFL, you're going to have great athletes. Bill Belichick has a knack for bringing an athlete in and making him a star. Making him jell with the system he has. And he has the [assistant] coaches to back that up.


Q. What Super Bowl performance impressed you more? Terrell Owens' comeback from surgery or Deion Branch picking apart Philly's defense?
A. T.O. That shocked me the most because he shook the world up. No one thought after his surgery that he would come out and perform like that. I told him today, in his face, 'I don't like to pull on other receivers' jock strap, but as a man, you shook up the world.' He has much respect from me.


Q. So what's the best part about making the Pro Bowl?
A. For me, letting other people in my life have the chance to enjoy themselves. I thank God for blessing me with the money and the fame, but I love ... when I can fly other family members in. My mom, my cousins, my friends, who would never probably get the chance to enjoy a beautiful island like this, that's what I love about it.



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[Edited on 12/2/2005 by GumboBC]