NFL Football: New Orleans Saints Lose Again – “Hey Coach Payton, Need a Dime?”

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By Debbie Edwards

The Saints and the Browns, both seething over last week’s 3 point losses, seemed eager to take the field. The Saints dropped the season opener to their arch rival, the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns lost a close one to the Pittsburgh Steelers. One team would redeem themselves. Unfortunately, for Saints fans, redemption would have to wait another week as the Saints’ defense couldn’t answer the final call, losing in the final seconds by way of a field goal. Final score… Browns 26. Saints 24.

The Browns defense set the tone of the game early, dominating the Saints and holding them to several series of three and outs. The Browns amassed 10 unanswered points on a lethargic Saints defense. The Saints offense, spurred by Mark Ingram’s 26 yard run, came alive in the second quarter. Clutch catches by Brandin Cooks and Jimmy Graham pulled the Saints to within 6 points, as the Saints went into half-time trailing the Browns 16-10.

The second half of the game saw a resurgence in the Saints’ offense, fueled by solid running of Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas. Jimmy Graham gave the Browns defense fits, catching and converting the ball at will. The Saints offense finally got back on track, taking the lead on the shoulders of their big tight end, Jimmy Graham.

The Saints seemed to be in the driver’s seat late in the fourth quarter. With the back and forth scoring, the Saints clung to a 1 point lead late in the 4th quarter. However, victory was as elusive as consistency on defense, as the Browns marched down the field and hit a field goal with three seconds left.

New Orleans defensive woes continue. Mental errors, such as a neutral zone infraction that negated a missed field goal in the second quarter, and a woefully blown coverage late in the fourth quarter that lead to the game winning field goal continue to plague the Saints. It seems to me that the Saints don’t have NFL caliber personnel, particularly in the corner back position, to consistently thwart off a decent passing attack.

Champ Bailey did not make the final roster. Corey Webster is also another solid free agent in the cornerback position. Hey coach…. Need a dime?

What is the key to the Saints turning around their season?

Shore up the corner back position
Change their defensive scheme
No changes needed, the Saints will rebound