January 12, 2001

Dear Saints Fan,

It's been a good year for Saints fans. In fact, it's been the best to date. So much was accomplished, but the ultimate satisfaction will be achieved when the team becomes Super Bowl Champions. In the afterglow of a spectacular season, fans now look forward to better days ahead.

In the course of recording eleven victories after being picked by most prognosticators to linger near the cellar, the Saints overcame an improbable outlook for success by winning the NFC West and eliminating its label as the only franchise in the NFL never to have won a playoff game. Perhaps as importantly, the excuses, rationale and even the superstitions that have been offered to explain the Saints misfortunes in the past have been put to rest.

The 2000 season will be remembered for many reasons, the most significant being the team's first playoff victory. But that day would never have arrived had it not been for a series of events that all began when Tom Benson bit the bullet and cleaned house a year ago.

Reports last January fueled an assessment some had of Benson as being indecisive and without knowledgeable counsel when it came to hiring a new staff. When Benson first entered the league he had the guidance of then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle who directed him to Jim Finks. Benson was reportedly spearheading his own search this time. His inner circle was composed of Tom Roddy and Stanley Rosenberg, business associates from San Antonio, to assist him with the critical decisions that would set the course for the team's success or failure for years to come.

How could fans be expected to trust Benson to make the right choices, especially since his overextended loyalty to Jim Mora, misplaced promotion of Bill Kuharich and hiring of Mike Ditka reflected only additional entries into the journals of mediocrity that defined the Saints?

This time last year Tom Donahoe, Jerry Angelo, Charley Casserly, Charley Armey, Bob Ackles, Tom Modrack, Bill Tobin and Charles Bailey were the names circulating as the best front office candidates. The debate about the next head coach included front runners Gary Kubiak and Dom Capers along with Butch Davis, Art Shell and Willie Shaw. Meanwhile, the first wave of free agency was drawing closer as was the draft. Each passing day was another lost for a team that had a long way to go and no front office or coaching staff in place. The scouting department continued to make notes wondering all the while whether their information would be shared with the Saints or another employer.

When the new regime was first announced, it was doubtful that a dramatic turnaround would occur in short order. Randy Mueller's appointment as GM and Haslett's hire as head coach was not met with overwhelming approval. The franchise that Mueller and Haslett inherited was in shambles, not only in terms of talent, but with the aura of ineptness that had surrounded it practically every season of its previous thirty-three year existence.

Mueller and Haslett hit the street running. Heads were spinning among Saints fans as the signing of one free agent after the other was announced beginning with the first day the market opened. Mueller then turned his attention to the draft, depleted in numbers, but still the only means with which to find key rookie contributors.

Minicamps, more signings, training camp and the preseason still had fans wondering what to expect. While there were not many logical reasons to predict anything better than a breakeven season, there was definitely something different in the air.

The miracle began to unfold in Chicago when the 1-3 Saints began a six game win streak on the way to a Division title and the playoffs. It culminated in the first round of the playoffs with a nail-biting victory over the Rams before injuries finally took their toll in a playoff loss to the Vikings. Now that the season is over, Mueller and Haslett are at it again, preparing for next year.

As it turns out, fans can rest comfortably for a while and push second-guessing to the back burner as the beginning of something new and altogether better for the Saints has come to bear. Benson can be praised for making the key decisions that resulted in creating an organization that has instilled trust in its supporters that the job will be done correctly.

Saints' faithful remain anxious but confident as they sit back to wait and see how Mueller orchestrates another offseason to improve the squad. Then Jim Haslett and his coaching staff will take over to mold the 2001 version of the New Orleans Saints into a team that will have a chance to win it all.

Mueller and Haslett's inaugural season set the bar for higher expectations from the fans and the organization. But at long last, there are sound reasons to believe that these expectations will be met. "Wait until next year," has taken on a new sense of optimism rather than mere hope for a reversal of fortune. The Saints have begun something special and it won't end until their fans are cheering for a Super Bowl Champion.

Until Next Time,

January 3, 2001
 

Dear Saints Fan,

It's hard to explain the feeling circulating among Saints Fans these days following the teams' first ever playoff victory. "Unbelievable" was a popular refrain after the Saints shocked the Rams 31-28 Saturday night. But most of us are at a loss for words.

Being a Saints fan is akin to having a thirty-four year old son who still lives at home. You love him, but routinely squirm a bit when someone asks about him in the grocery line. That's no longer the case.

Junior finally came into his own Saturday. It might have taken longer than we had hoped, but now that it's happened, the past seems long ago.

Fans are dealing with the greatest win in team history without the benefit of a Doctor Spock "How To" book. The festive atmosphere of the Dome following the game has not subsided. But emotions still run the gamut from jubilation to disbelief. Nearly lost in the moment is the fact that the Saints' fortunes remain a week-to-week proposition as neither the team nor its fans are ready for it to be over.

In the process of erasing a franchise history of never having won a playoff game, the Saints overcame nearly every hurdle that would have had earlier versions of the team looking forward to next year. In every respect, this has been a season of destiny.

The organization was gutted from top to bottom after Tom Benson cleaned house and put Randy Mueller in charge. A first year head coach and his staff began teaching a new system to an overhauled roster of players while trying to convince them they could win. Injuries struck early and often throughout the season, making way for several backup players to fill starting positions. The Saints came out of the gate 1-3, digging an early hole as fans questioned whether the team could even turn in a breakeven season. Yet, there was an ever-present feeling that this year would be different.

Jim Haslett has instilled "something" in this team that has resulted in some of the best and most consistent efforts ever witnessed in a single season. The most telling accomplishment has been the ability of the team to lose a significant number of starters and barely miss a beat as other players on the roster moved into the front line.

The path to a division championship and the Super Bowl went through Saint Louis this year. The Saints had to face the World Champion Rams not twice, but three times in order to clinch the NFC West and get over the hump of winning their first ever playoff game. By claiming victory two out of the three meetings, the Saints are in position to move forward in the playoffs. As odd as it sounds, the team matches up well with the remaining contenders in the NFC. Could it be that the train won't stop until it reaches Tampa for the Super Bowl?

Many of us never thought the day would come when the Saints and the Super Bowl could legitimately be mentioned in the same breath. But that day is drawing nearer as the Saints move into round two of the playoffs against the Vikings.

Some fans have the mindset that what the team has accomplished thus far is enough. Jim Haslett and his squad don't see it that way. Hopefully, by the time the final gun sounds on the season the most difficult task for fans will be looking for the words to describe the feeling of having watched the Saints win the Super Bowl.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

12/5/00

Dear Saints Fan,

The debate among Saints fans following Sunday's 38-23 beating by the Broncos is whether it was simply a bad day at the office, or if a significant chink in the Saints defensive armor was exposed? The first alternative poses little cause for concern other than the hurt feelings involved. A whipping like that can be transformed into a rallying point and a renewed resolve that it won't happen again. But what if Denver truly revealed the way to beat the vaunted Saints defense?

The year was 1993. Following a 12-4 season in 1992 and 11-5 in 1991, Saints fans entertained thoughts of nothing less than another trip to the playoffs after Jim Mora's squad opened with a 5-0 start that included division wins over the Falcons, 49ers and Rams. But following a 37-14 drubbing by the Steelers in game six, the Saints limped to a 3-8 finish and have yet to post a winning season since. That was the game when Dom Capers' Steelers showed the rest of the league exactly how to stop the Saints. The losing continued, albeit for more reasons than the blueprint Pittsburgh provided the rest of the league over seven years ago.

Uncertainty suddenly replaced the confidence the team had developed over several seasons of success. Just as winning had become a habit, Mora's team began a downward spiral where the losses began to mount and losing was no longer a surprise. The frustration culminated when Mora abruptly resigned following a 19-7 loss in Carolina at midseason in 1996.

Replacing Mora was not an answer in itself. The team was stymied under Ditka and Kuharich to the point where it truly seemed that the Saints would never shed the yolk of mediocrity. Not only did the record continue to worsen, the base of loyal fan support that the team had enjoyed since its inception was seriously waning. There were only a few diehards left by the time Benson cleaned house following the 1999 season.

It wasn't until Randy Mueller and Jim Haslett took over that winning once again became an expectation after a seven year drought. But now the faith of the fans has been shaken somewhat by a loss in which the defense was completely dismantled by a rookie running back from Denver who ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns.

Fortunately, Jim Haslett and Randy Mueller have proven themselves capable of confronting adversity. Sunday's setback against Denver should be no exception. If, in fact, Denver exposed a weakness with the defense, Haslett will do whatever it takes to remedy the problem. Gone are the days when the response to a loss was to "keep sawing wood." Haslett will make whatever changes are necessary to have his team prepared to win rather than insisting that they simply work harder at something that doesn't work.

Mora's intractable stubbornness and Ditka's misguided loyalties are a thing of the past. The Saints are being directed by a coach who seems to understand the ever-changing complexities of the game and the importance of being in the forefront of innovation rather than chasing the leaders from the back of the pack.

In the unlikely event the Saints fail to win another game this season, it won't be because of lack of effort or the unwillingness of Haslett to take a calculated risk. If anything accounts for the inability of the team to scrape together a few more victories and secure a playoff berth, it will be the mounting loss of key personnel.

The Broncos played the better game on Sunday. After reviewing the game film Haslett remarked that "It was a scary movie. It was one of those horror films. It wasn't very pretty. I wasn't very good. It was scary." But you don't get the idea that Haslett will be checking under his bed at night or start sleeping with the light on.

The Saints are still a good team playing beyond the expectations of nearly everyone but the coaches and players. They still hold the keys to a post season appearance and have a legitimate chance to become Division champions for only the second time in franchise history.

Neither Haslett nor his players will concede anything that will get in the way of overcoming the odds and making the playoffs this year. Especially a single Sunday afternoon.
 

Until Next time,

The Editor

Dear Saints Fan,

Now that the Saints have made things interesting by way of a midseason 5-3 record, the tension will continue to mount with each remaining game. The battle involving teams trying to secure a wildcard to the playoffs will be hard fought and will probably last until the final game of the regular season.

In the second half of the season the Saints will face four opponents also in the playoff hunt, including Oakland, Denver and twice against the defending Super Bowl champion Rams. Scattered in between are divisional clashes with the Panthers, Falcons and two meetings with the 49ers, none of whom have been mathematically eliminated from post-season play. If the Saints can duplicate another 5-3 record in their final eight games, they are almost certain to make the playoffs for the first time since qualifying in 1992.

A playoff run includes a test of will as much as ability for the players involved. For the rest of us, the challenge will be overcoming a deeply ingrained mindset of pessimism. Preparing for failure has become of staple of surviving as a Saints fan. This is not on account of a single episode, but because of a series of disappointments that have transpired since the beginning of the franchise's existence.

For a number of reasons, most observers thought the Saints would be forced to use this year to begin a rebuilding process before evolving into contenders. Now, more are beginning to believe that the Saints can blow past the most charitable preseason predictions and make it to the playoffs. If this were to happen, it would arguably be the most dramatic turnaround in NFL history. It would also involve a near miraculous reversal of fortune for one of the most maligned franchises in the league. Despite the unlikelihood of it all, there's definitely something different about the Saints and the way they're playing this year.

Even though the Saints are presently exceeding the expectations of the preseason prognosticators, there remains a healthy sense of uncertainty going into this week's game against the 49ers. As former rulers of the NFC West, the team from Frisco probably goes into this one convinced it's "just the Saints." The Niners will also field the most explosive offense the Saints have faced this season.

The Saints and San Francisco have played home and away games against each other since 1970. New Orleans has swept the two game series only twice, in 1978 and 1979. The Saints won the single contest against the Niners in the strike shortened 1982 season. On the other hand, the 49ers have swept the season series fifteen times. It's no wonder that fans find it difficult to feel overly confident, even though the Niners are a wounded 2-7 team and head into the Dome as six point underdogs.

Sunday can't come quickly enough as fans remain anxious to see if the team can add to its current four game win streak. In order to extend that streak against San Francisco, the defense will have to play smart and as fast as it ever has to keep up with the speed and timing that defines the 49er attack and Jeff Garcia's success throwing the ball. But the true key to success will be a ball control offense that takes time off the clock while putting points on the board.

It may not seem realistic to predict the same success for the last half of the season that the Saints enjoyed in the first eight games since the competition will be stronger. But until it's proven otherwise, the Saints have the look of a team that will continue to meet the challenge with a very good chance to succeed

Some people truly believe the Saints bad luck over the years is because of black magic. But maybe it's time to proclaim that the "curse" has been lifted. Could it be that the voodoo lady thought it sufficient to punish the Saints throughout the last century rather than their entire existence? For whatever reason, the team has overcome the habit of shooting itself in the foot and has a completely different look-the look of a winner.
 

Until Next time,

The Editor

 October 2, 2000
 

The Chicago Bears outlasted the Packers 27-24 Sunday, holding onto a 24-3 third quarter lead that was nearly overcome by Brett Favre in the final seconds of the game. Chicago hosts this week's contest against the 1-3 Saints sporting a disappointing 1-4 record.

Neither team looked particularly sharp especially in the early going when the Packers first play from scrimmage resulted in a Favre interception, which was returned deep into Packer territory. That set up Chicago's first score of the game, a veer left option that Cade McNown ran in from one yard out. Inside of the opening six minutes of the game, the Packers had thrown one interception, were flagged for three penalties and suffered two injuries that further decimated a roster that already had five starters on the bench.

The Bears also scored on two long passes of sixty-eight and fifty-eight yards from McNown to Marcus Robinson. Rookie kicker Paul Edinger added field goals of nineteen and forty-seven yards to complete the Bears scoring on the day. But the game was defined more by breakdowns than outstanding play on either side.

The Saints will have to play disciplined defense against Gary Crowton's offensive scheme that favored misdirection throughout most of the game. It's a safe bet that the ball will end up away from the motion of the backs and receivers. The Bears also tended to pull their offensive line to the right, only to have McNown throw, or hand off to his running back, to the left. Crowton also favors the occasional wide receiver screen, which went for a third quarter score to Robinson Sunday. If the Saints play too aggressively and over-pursue toward the motion of the play, there will be a lot of mismatches to the weak side of the field.

McNown was sacked five times, but took several more vicious hits throughout the game. He looked slow on his delivery at times, completing eleven of twenty passes. Curtis Enis was a non-factor with only one carry for three yards. The Bears relied instead on James Allen's twenty-four carries for seventy-two yards.

Defensive coordinator Greg Blache had the Bears in a basic 4-3 throughout the game. He seldom blitzed, favoring stunts to confuse the Packer blocking schemes. Right defensive end Phillip Daniels and rookie linebacker Brian Urlacher stood out for Chicago's defense. The Bears were only able to sack Favre twice.

The Saints should match up well with the Bears and it is expected that Blake will enjoy more time in the pocket to throw the ball. The Bears defense plays straight ahead and does not have an exceptional player in the secondary. McCarthy may want to use the short passing game to soften the Bear run support from its linebackers and safeties before letting Ricky Williams begin pounding the middle.

Defensively, McNown appears easily confused and susceptible to an outside pass rush. He's mobile and will scramble for above average gains if the occasion presents. Against the Packers, McNown scrambled ten times for fifty-one yards. Even though Robinson had a big day receiving, Packer breakdowns on coverage more so than outstanding work between McNown and Robinson accounted for Chicago's success.

It was a physical game that left both teams hurting Sunday. The Saints should enter the game with fresh legs and the opportunity to beat a Chicago team that looked to be improving toward the end of last year, but has taken a step back so far this season.

Dear Saints Fan,
 

It was the end of September, but the temperature in the French Quarter was in the mid-eighties that Saturday afternoon. Amid the carefree sights and sounds of Jackson Square stood a man waiting at the entrance of Saint Louis Cathedral. He had the look of an athlete, or at least a former participant in the NFL wars. But a pensive brow shading downcast eyes defined his sullen presence.

He made his way into the amber-lit alcove and located the confessional in the rear corner of the church. It was time to begin.

"Welcome, my son."

"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned." His voice projected more conviction than remorse.

"My team is struggling at 1-3. Despite a high-priced offensive line and the addition of a new quarterback and receivers to compliment our franchise running back, my offense has already given up five interceptions and five fumbles. In the course of forty-six possessions thus far in the season, we have been forced to punt twenty-two times in addition to turning the ball over on downs another two. Opposing defenses have forced us into three and out ten times in four games. This offense has scored only five touchdowns this season, with the sole rushing score turned in by my quarterback last Sunday."

"I, too, have witnessed this my son."

"I have chosen to keep my quarterback in the game even when he struggles."

"Are you aware, my son, that Al Groh pulled Vinnie Testaverde for a series in the fourth quarter against Tampa and when he came back into the game, he led the Jets to a miraculous victory. Have you ever considered that possibility?"

"No, Father. I have to stick with my number one guy."

"It is ultimately up to you, my son, to determine what is right from wrong. Please go on."

"My franchise running back has fumbled the ball away three times in four games."

"That sounds serious, my son. What have you done to remedy the situation?"

"I have tried to make him practice harder to correct his mistakes, but I still feel so responsible."

"You cannot be held accountable for the mistakes of others, so long as you've done what is reasonable to point out the error of their ways. But you must also consider that when you elected to pick up Jerald Moore as his back up, that he too suffers this weakness. Are you certain that you have addressed this problem with a sincere desire to reform?"

"Uh, I'm still working on it Father."

"Is there more?"

"Well, this next one is difficult for me Father."

"Please confide in me, my son. I have heard it all."

"My coverage teams have allowed three touchdowns Father."

"I wondered when you'd get to that one. This is indeed very serious. I suggest you concentrate very hard on eliminating this habit, as it will not go unpunished."

"I'll do what I can."

"Very well my son, but you will be judged by the fans as well as from above. For your penance, I recommend three Hail Mary's."

"Thanks Father, that's not as bad as I thought it would be."

"Yes, my son, but you have to make certain that at least two of them are completed!"

The sun seemed brighter as he made his way back into the crowded square. He could only shake his head as the word left his mouth, "Jesuits!"

Until Next Time,

The Editor

September 18, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

In the early part of the twentieth century, Ivan Pavlov published the results of his study of "conditioned behavior" based upon his experimental work with dogs. It seemed that a dog's stomach would not get the message to start digesting without salivation. By ringing a bell every time he fed them, the dogs eventually began to salivate even though there was no food present.

In similar fashion, Saints fans have been conditioned over the course of franchise history to expect something "bad" to happen on Sunday afternoon. This feeling has been reinforced over the years by the predominance of losing records associated with the team. This is a conditioned response that Randy Mueller and Jim Haslett are working to change.

While it's doubtful the players share the same sense of doom that fans often feel, it was interesting to hear Ricky Williams express his disappointment after hearing from other players around the league last year that his team was referred to as the "Aints." It leads one to wonder whether losing can be attributed, at least in part, to the stimuli of playing for a team that has a longstanding history of coming up short. Even Willie Roaf appeared to have had his fill of disappointment last season when he indicated that he would welcome a trade so that he could play for a winner.

It's often been said that winning is as much an attitude as it is hard work. In the case of the Saints, that adage might carry greater weight.

It seems that nary a season goes by when the coaches proclaim that the team is working hard even though that work is not reflected in the win column. Perhaps the biggest challenge that Haslett will face this year is convincing his team that they are on the right track and will be successful so long as everyone focuses on the plan he and Mueller developed to build a winning organization.

In the meantime, fans respond to the stimuli of a win or a loss on much the same level as Pavlov's dogs. A single victory raises feelings of invincibility, whereas a loss sends all hope down the tubes.

Unlike Pavlov's subjects, fans have the ability to exercise "will" over "instinct" to guide their behavior. We can use our judgment when deciding to remain patient with the process of putting a contender together.

As for the Saints' history of largely lackluster football, fans can benefit from the knowledge that in the world of professional football, winning is based on the present and not occurrences of the past. On any given Sunday, as the saying goes, a team has the chance to prevail.

But it's also worth remembering that the Saints are more akin to a first year organization with all the changes that have been made in the offseason. Mueller and Haslett have both likened the Saints to an expansion franchise this year. Most observers expected only improvement this season before the Saints are in position to make a run for it all.

It's more likely than not that this season will be a roller coaster of highs and lows for fans. Already the emotions have ranged from dissolute after an opening day loss to the Lions, to euphoric after beating San Diego and back to soberness following a loss to Seattle. It will be a long ride, as it's only the beginning of the season.

As difficult as it may be at times, fans have little choice than to place their trust in the hands of Mueller, Haslett and the players to get the job done. If it doesn't happen this season, then hopefully the team will contend next year. It might also help to chart progress and performance rather than wins and losses while the Saints learn to succeed.

I believe that the Saints will continue to show progress throughout the year and will eventually turn in a record that fans can be proud of. At least, that's what my instincts tell me!

Until Next Time,

The Editor
 
 

September 12, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

The Saints recorded a road victory for the first time since September 27, 1998, by virtue of a ninety-yard drive to score the winning touchdown in the final minutes of the game. But they overcame much more than a 24-13 halftime deficit to beat the Chargers 28-27 Sunday in San Diego. The Saints confirmed that they could believe in their coaches, a new system and one another to win football games.

Ryan Leaf had done little to live up to his billing as a future star, coming into the game with the league's lowest quarterback rating following a three interception, no touchdown performance against Oakland in week one. Leaf had not thrown a touchdown pass since October 25, 1998. He looked forward to a solid performance against the underdog Saints to quiet his critics and launch a new career.

In years past, the Saints would have obliged him. It seems that whenever another team needed a boost, the Saints were always there to give them a leg up. But not this time.

The first half resembled the type of game that Saints fans have grown accustomed to watching recently. The game opened with the Saints punting on a three and out series. The Saints next series was marred by a flag on Kyle Turley, who moved before the snap, followed by a four-yard loss when Junior Seau tackled Williams in the backfield.  Blake's pass on third and sixteen was batted down at the line of scrimmage, then Gowin sent a line drive punt to the Chargers which was returned fifteen yards to the Saint forty-five yard line. On that possession, the Chargers converted a forty-two yard field goal from the infield dirt to take a 3-0 lead with 6:39 to play in the first quarter.

The Saints answered with a seventy-six yard drive that ended when Blake hit Horn for a six-yard touchdown pass giving the Saints the lead 7-3 with two minutes left in the first quarter.

San Diego came back with Leaf guiding the Chargers to the Saints' three. Robert Chancey then ran for the go ahead touchdown putting San Diego ahead 10-7 with 14:20 left in the half.

The Saints next series featured another good return for Morton, thirty-four yards to the Saints forty-two. Blake followed with a seventeen-yard completion to Joe Horn that moved the Saints to the Charger thirty-nine yard line. After two incompletions and a delay of game penalty, the Saints faced third and fifteen from the Charger forty-four. Blake threw an interception on a tipped ball, ending the drive.

The defense held the Chargers on their next series to three and out, highlighted by Darren Howard's sack of Ryan Leaf. But when the Saints took over at their own forty-nine, Blake was nearly intercepted on first down. On second down, Blake fumbled the ball over to the Chargers while scrambling and holding the ball out like the proverbial "loaf of bread."

The Chargers took over at midfield. Leaf ended the drive with a touchdown pass to Curtis Conway giving the Chargers a 17-7 lead with 7:04 left in the half. The Saints next drive was sustained by three Charger penalties, but only resulted in a field goal from the Charger two-yard line to narrow the margin to 17-10 with 1:54 to play.

It looked like the beginning of the end when Ronney Jenkins returned the kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, moving the Chargers to a 24-10 lead with 1:37 to play. The Saints managed to move into field goal range thanks to a roughing the passer call, then narrowed the score to 24-13 as time ran out in the first half.

Somehow, Jim Haslett was able to convince his troops at halftime that the game could be won. In the second half, fans may have witnessed the birth of the winning team we have all been waiting for.

The Chargers took the kickoff to open the second half and moved the ball to the Saints' forty-seven. Howard recorded his second sack of the day before Molden broke up the third down pass, stalling the Charger drive at their own forty-seven.

It was now time for Blake move the team to the end zone to recapture the momentum. The Saints moved the ball from their own twenty-five to the Charger forty-six in seven plays. But on second and seven, a slant pass intended for Andrew Glover was intercepted.

Fred Weary answered the following play with an interception of his own. The Saints were back in business on their own forty-one. Eight plays later Blake had the Saints deep in Charger territory. On second and eight from the Charger thirteen, Blake capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Ricky Williams who flattened Charger safety Reggie Rusk on his way to the end zone. The score stood 24-19 after the two-point conversion failed with 2:54 left in the third quarter.

The Saints held the Chargers to three and out on their next possession. Chad Morton's fifty-one yard punt return put the Saints in scoring position at the Charger twenty-one. The Saints could not convert third and one at the thirteen, only managing a field goal. The score was now 24-22 with 14:52 left to play.

The Chargers then began their march down the field to put the game away. Facing a fourth and inches on the Saints fifteen, the Chargers opted for a halfback option rather than the sure field goal or run for the first down. The pass fell incomplete thanks to a heads up play by Darren Perry, who stayed with the receiver running downfield.

The Saints got the ball on their own fifteen and couldn't move it. The Chargers held the Saints to a net gain of one yard in three plays. A line drive punt by Toby Gowin resulted in excellent field position for the Chargers at the Saint's thirty-five. It looked certain that the Chargers would score at least three points while eating up the clock. The Saints defense held the Chargers to four yards on three consecutive running plays. The Chargers got their field goal, putting them ahead 27-22 with 5:08 on the clock.

The Saints needed a touchdown and would have only one more chance before time ran out.

Morton bobbled the kickoff at the one-yard line and was tackled on the ten. The Saints had ninety yards to go with 4:57 on the clock.

Blake opened the drive with a twelve-yard completion to Jake Reed. The Chargers were guilty of pass interference on the next play, resulting in another nine yards and a first down. Blake then hit Terrelle Smith for nine yards before throwing incomplete on second and one. Blake completed a third and one pass to Glover and the Chargers added another fifteen yards to the reception with a personal foul that put the ball at the Charger forty.

Blake scrambled on the next play for five yards. He then hit Glover for eleven yards on second and five, moving the ball to the Charger twenty-four. Another pass was completed for three yards and then Blake hit Reed for seven, giving the Saints the ball at the Charger fifteen. Blake completed his next pass to Joe Horn for first down yardage at the Charger eight-yard line with 1:04 left to play.

On first and goal Blake found Horn in the end zone for the apparent touchdown, but three flags were thrown. The Chargers had twelve men on the field. Touchdown Saints! The two point conversion failed, but the Saints had the lead 28-27 with :47 seconds left.

Jenkins then had another big return to the Saints forty-four. It looked certain that a Charger field goal would win the game. But off-setting penalties mandated a re-kick and Jenkins could only manage to make it to the Charger twenty-six with :33 seconds left. Leaf threw incomplete on first down. Glover sacked him on second down for a loss of nine. Leaf dropped back on third down and Glover got to him again for a loss of three. On fourth and twenty-two with :15 seconds left, Leaf dropped back to pass. He threw long, only to be intercepted by Alex Molden to seal the Saints come-from-behind victory.

It was a thrilling day for the Saints who had to overcome adversity to score the winning touchdown on a ninety-yard drive. Statistically, it should have been a more lopsided victory, but breakdowns on special team coverage kept the Chargers in it to the end.

This was the sort of game that championship teams look back on when confronted with adversity. It's a victory that builds confidence among teammates and coaches. It helps a team that has been assembled in short order to believe in itself even if they find their backs against the wall.

This win meant more to the Saints than the "W" that now appears on the schedule next to the San Diego Chargers. It was an early confirmation of the work that Randy Mueller, Jim Haslett and the players have devoted to being a good team. It meant all the more because it wasn't a blowout. The Saints left the field with the understanding that they would have to play hard for sixty minutes to secure victory.

Players who were assembled from places far and wide during the offseason had become teammates. Draft picks, free agents and holdovers from the past who had only begun familiarizing themselves with one another during training camp developed confidence in the men playing alongside them.

In the end, this was exactly the sort of victory a newly assembled squad needed as a springboard to future success. Now it's up to Haslett and his troops to continue to develop into a championship team.

Until Next time,

The Editor
 
 

September 3, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

The only certainty going into the season opener against the Lions was that the National Anthem would precede the kickoff. What would transpire after that point was anyone's guess.

The excitement and anticipation of a new season was tempered by questions surrounding the new look Saints. After an offseason of whirlwind activity during which the organization underwent radical changes from the front office to the playing field, no one knew what they would see when the real bullets began to fly. By the time the final gun sounded on a 14-10 loss to the Lions, fans had a better understanding of what to expect from a team that was reassembled over the last seven months.

It was apparent that the Saints are still growing into a new system, especially on offense where penalties and miscues influenced the outcome. As frustrating as it was to watch, these are errors that can be corrected. The defense held its own and like the offense, should improve with time. But anyone willing to throw in the towel after one game is underestimating the ability of Haslett and the team Mueller put together for him. We all knew this would be a work in progress and it's more certain than not that the Saints will continue to get better.

Many of those who believed the Saints could make a run at a winning record this season are now reconsidering that prediction. But they might be pulling in the reigns a bit early if they are relying on the deficits shown in the first regular season game to forecast the future. The Saints looked like anything but a finely tuned machine losing to the Lions. But who could realistically claim that the Saints will not struggle early in the season?

It's odd that some of the same people who were heralding Randy Mueller and Jim Haslett as making the right moves to bring the Saints closer to respectability are now concluding that we should expect the "same old Saints" after the first game of the season. This is a team that cannot be fairly evaluated until at least five or six games into the schedule. Even then, it won't be until the season has concluded before hindsight will tell the tale.

The Saints showed promise of what could be an outstanding defense but also revealed a struggling offense yet to come into its own. Too many mistakes were made, but they were of the sort that can be corrected. The team will have to stay focused and work toward developing consistency. In the meantime, a loss is still a loss, and until the Saints begin to win, second guessing the coaches and players will fuel Monday morning debates about the team's prospects.

The Saints will face another stiff test Sunday at San Diego. Ryan Leaf turned in a lukewarm performance opening day against Oakland, as the Charger offense was only able to score six points on a three-yard touchdown run by running back Robert Chancey. The two-point conversion failed. Leaf was pressured throughout the game by the Raider defense. He was 17-of-39 for 180 yards, threw three interceptions and fumbled twice. On the other hand, the Charger defense held the Raiders to a single touchdown pass, the other two points being scored by a safety as the Chargers fell 9-6. San Diego looked like a mirror image of the Saints with the defense waiting for the offense to catch up.

The outcome in week two will probably be determined by whichever offense shows the most improvement from last week. After watching both teams perform, it looks like the Saints might have the best chance to make positive gains with Blake and Ricky Williams, but the Charger defense has the look of a unit that can take control of the game. The Chargers have opened as six point favorites at home.

More than any other season, Saints fans will have to be patient while Mueller and Haslett continue to mold a winning team. At the very least, they should not be measured by a single performance.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

August 29, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

Training camp 2000 has come to an end and with it, an offseason of transition that began with owner Tom Benson grappling with the question "How do I build a winning NFL franchise?"

The answer to that question remains a work in progress. A little over seven months ago Benson gutted his organization and entrusted the fate of the New Orleans Saints to Randy Mueller, who selected Jim Haslett as his first head coach. But change runs deeper than the selection of the two men who will be in the forefront of the public eye as the process unfolds.

For a team plagued by suspect personnel decisions throughout its history, perhaps the most telling additions to the organization will be those made to the department of Player Personnel. Under the direction of Rick Mueller, the scouting department now includes Rick Thompson, College Scouting Coordinator, Pat Mondock, Scouting Supervisor, Pro Scouts Mike Baugh and Bill Quinter, Area Scouts Matt Boockmeier, Cornell Gowdy, Tim Heffelfinger, Mark Sadowski and James Jefferson and Combine Scout Andy Weidl. Randy Mueller will also have a direct role in player evaluation and acquisition as will Charles Bailey under the title of Assistant General Manager of Football Operations. Bailey, Boockmeier, Gowdy, Heffelfinger and Sadowski are the only holdovers from last season's personnel department.

The grades are starting to come in on Mueller and his talent evaluators with the conclusion of the preseason and the league-mandated cuts to the roster. Mueller drew a blank on two of his three picks in the sixth round when he selected quarterback Marc Bulger and receiver Sherrod Gideon. The free agent acquisition of former pro bowl defensive end Alfred Williams also failed to pay off.

The team remains shorthanded at tight end following the loss of Cam Cleeland. Jeff Blake turned in pedestrian performances in live action at quarterback and no "go to" receiver has emerged. The defense is suspect at linebacker and in the secondary. But overall, Mueller appears to have found several prospects in free agency and a limited draft who represent improvement over the players they replaced.

The 2000 season will welcome new starters in Blake, Terrelle Smith, Joe Horn, Jake Reed, Andrew Glover, Darren Howard, Norman Hand, Darren Perry, Toby Gowin, and when he recovers from injury, Charlie Clemons. Other newcomers who will be counted on to contribute include Willie Jackson, Aaron Brooks, Brian Milne, Chad Morton, Donta Jones and Austin Wheatley. Mueller still has his eye out for any players who can improve the team, but at this juncture, the roster has already experienced a turnover of more than fifty-percent from last year.

Like a "B" grade movie, the exhibition season provided only cameo appearances by top talent, with most of the action provided by backups, journeymen and a crew of young hopefuls trying to make their mark. The script was also being developed during the summer as the coaches held back on schemes that will be employed in the regular season. While a 1-3 preseason record cannot be used as an accurate gauge of future success, fans were disappointed to witness a continuation of the shortcomings that held the team back last year.

In the course of four preseason games the Saints were unable to shut down the run or pass and did little offensively to make up the difference. The Saints rushed for a total of 372 yards and gave up 485, threw for 795 yards while the opposition totaled 958 and converted 15 of 47 third downs against 25 of 51 for the other side. All told, it had the look of losing football.

Forecasting the outcome of the 2000 season is next to impossible as the process of building a contender in New Orleans continues. It is still unknown when, or if Blake can excel in the system offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy has installed. Brief glimpses of Ricky Williams in the preseason did not reveal the dominating running attack McCarthy claims he will rely upon to wear down opposing defenses. The receivers have yet to catch the ball consistently in game action and the defense continued to give up too many yards. But there is still an aura of determination and optimism that surrounds Haslett's troops.

The Saints' fortunes this year will fall on the shoulders of the men who suit up Sunday afternoons. There is little doubt they will be better prepared than in recent years. But will they be good enough to consistently prevail against the opposition?  Probably not until the individual skills of the players who have been assembled mesh into a team that can execute a new system and a few more difference makers are acquired.

The first indication of where the Saints are headed will come Sunday in the regular season opener against Detroit, a team that matches up well with the Saints. But the true measure of the Saints success will unfold throughout this season and probably into next year as Mueller continues to build a contender.

With Mueller and Haslett at the helm, the team finally has the look of an organization on the right track. While the Saints cannot be mentioned among the elite teams in the league, they are among those who can surprise this year. And what a pleasant surprise it would be if the Saints turn in a respectable season for long suffering fans who have been waiting to cheer a winning team in New Orleans for the first time since 1992.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

July 30, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

The Saints dropped their preseason opener 17-20 against the Jets in the Meadowlands in a game heralded as Jim Haslett's coaching debut. In the end it marked the first major setback to the organization's plans for success.

Injuries to Cam Cleeland, Steve Israel and Rob Kelly overshadowed an otherwise forgettable introduction to the Saints' exhibition season. Cleeland's is the most serious of the three, a ruptured Achilles' tendon that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. Israel is lost for the year with a leg fracture and damage to his ankle. Kelly also fractured his leg and figures to be out of action four to six weeks.

The Saints effort Saturday night should be graded with the understanding that the exhibition season is akin to a series of quizzes that are designed to prepare the team for when the results begin to count. However, the effort against the Jets was all too reminiscent of the play fans witnessed at the end of last year's debacle rather than the improvement expected after a busy off-season.

The offense flashed well on occasion but could not keep the chains moving, posting 18 first downs to the Jets 25. The Saints converted only four of twelve third downs, the Jets seven of ten. New Orleans offense rushed for 76 yards while the Saints defense was hapless against the run, allowing 152 ground yards for the Jets. The Saints recorded one sack while the Jets defense got to New Orleans quarterbacks five times. Overall, the Jets tallied 454 yards of total offense to a meager 263 for the Saints. The score was close only because the Jets turned the ball over four times. Otherwise, the game would have been a blowout.

There were a number of positive aspects to the Saints performance. Rookie Chad Morton returned a punt for a touchdown and ran effectively from the halfback position. Sammy Knight had an interception return for another score. Jeff Blake threw well overall and the receivers generally caught the ball. Ricky Williams looked strong in limited action. Jake Delhomme showed the ability to be an adequate NFL backup quarterback. But the overall impression in the wake of the game was that the players have yet to come together as a team. There was effort, but it wasn't being exerted in the right places on the field. The elusive quality of team chemistry is in the process of development. Fortunately, the team still has ample time to come together before the regular season begins.

The game might be best described as a small dose of reality for fans grappling with the question of what to expect from the first year of a completely revamped organization. As for Haslett and his team, they will have to face their first major hurdle of adversity and overcome it. In either case, the preseason is not a time to second guess, but to mark progress as the Saints continue to prepare for the 2000 season.

The Saints will be challenged throughout the summer against established competition. The team will travel to Jacksonville Tuesday for two scrimmages against the Jaguars before visiting the Vikings Saturday for another preseason contest. The exhibition schedule will conclude with games against the Colts and Dolphins.

Fans will continue to ride the emotional roller coaster of the preseason and will likely experience a variety of peaks and valleys once the regular season begins. But the team is only at the beginning of a process that is geared to bring it into contention.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

July 27, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

After several years under the current collective bargaining agreement,  "parity" has replaced "dynasty" as the operative word when forecasting the chances of a team to win the Super Bowl. It is no longer unusual for a dark horse to make a move from the back of the pack with a combination of key personnel moves, solid coaching and a few lucky bounces. This was rarely possible in the days when good teams could be held together for multiple seasons by owners with the financial wherewithal to do so.

Continuity is another catchword of the past. Coaches now speak to the issue of developing chemistry among players on rosters that change dramatically from one year to the next. Rookies are expected to contribute immediately.  Some veterans become "cap casualties" while others move on for bigger money through free agency. Five-year contracts with head coaches, which were once the norm, are routinely limited to three-year deals with the expectation of success within that narrow time frame. While the game is still recognizable on the field, operating an NFL franchise has become dramatically different and far more complex than at any time in league history.

Consequently, the business of prognostication has developed into anything but an exact science. Who would have predicted that the Rams would escape the cellar of the league to win it all last season or that the Falcons could have risen to Super Bowl contention the year before?  How is it that the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars could become contenders so quickly or that the addition of Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James would be the enough to spur the Colts' to the top? Has the NFL become a league where the Super Bowl is completely up for grabs? Saints fans sure hope so.

At the conclusion of the 1999 season eleven teams posted winning records, nine were eight-eight and eleven finished the season below .500. Of the eight-eight teams, Dallas and Detroit qualified for the playoffs. Nine-seven records were sufficient for Seattle to win the AFC West and to qualify Miami for a playoff berth.  Only eight teams won ten or more games with Jacksonville posting the best regular season record of 14-2.

Just as "dynasty" has become an extinct term in NFL circles, the notion of a perennial playoff contender might also be on the endangered list. Buffalo, Miami, Washington, Dallas, Jacksonville and Minnesota were familiar franchises in the playoffs last year, but Indianapolis, Tennessee, Seattle, Tampa, Detroit and St. Louis have not seen much post season play of late. Strangely missing from last year's playoffs were San Francisco, Green Bay and Denver.

Before making any predictions about the Saints prospects this season, it might be worth comparing some of last year's regular season numbers between the 3-13 Saints and eventual Super Bowl Champion Rams.
The Rams were able to move the chains racking up 335 first downs to the Saints 288. The Rams had 6,412 total net yards on offense and the Saints, 4983. The Saints scored 27 touchdowns, giving up 55 to their opponents. That ratio for the Rams was 66 to 26. While this doesn't represent all of the statistical data available, it does demonstrate the wide gap between a 3-13 club and the team that won it all.

The Saints hope that gap has been narrowed in the offseason, but to what degree will remain a matter of conjecture until the final results are posted. It is especially difficult to predict the ultimate outcome at this point in time when the focus is on the Saints' attempts to get better while overlooking the same endeavor being made by other franchises.

The Saints success this season will more than likely be measured by improvement in the ability to compete rather than the win-loss record. As the comparison with the Rams illustrates, the Saints have a long way to go before becoming serious contenders for a Super Bowl berth. But the Saints now have the look of an organization that has a fighting chance to compete for victories rather than a high draft choice.
As the preseason begins to unfold this weekend, fans will be looking for tangible signs of improvement to justify hopes of future success. Unfortunately, what is revealed in exhibition play is seldom a reliable gauge to forecast the regular season. The purpose of exhibition games is to provide additional offseason opportunities for coaches to evaluate their roster and assemble the best personnel come opening day. Backups from both sides will see extended playing time making it impossible to accurately measure the true caliber of a team. All the same, one can be certain that arguments derived from the premise of how "our first string handled their first string" will be bandied about throughout the summer.

Significant turnarounds of a team's fortunes are no longer considered miraculous in the NFL. But for the Saints to move from the bottom to the top following the complete revamping of the entire organization, including the front office, coaching staff and roster is probably expecting too much in one season.

A breakeven record is a worthy and realistic goal for this year's squad. Anything more would be a welcome surprise. Something less would not be unexpected. But more than anything, the 2000 season will be the year that the foundation for success is put in place as fans continue to look to the future.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

June 12, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

The Saints will have a new look this year, but the difference in the win-loss column will ultimately determine if "new" is necessarily better.

In the course of a single, ongoing offseason the Saints have been revamped from top to bottom. Practically every component of the franchise has been infused with new personnel under the direction of GM Randy Mueller, Director of Administration Arnold Fielkow and Head Coach Jim Haslett. It is now up to each member of the franchise to work in concert to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming Super Bowl champions.

To that end, owner Tom Benson will have to spend wisely and remain committed to bringing a championship team to New Orleans. The marketing department must promote innovative approaches to sell out the Dome to create a true home field advantage until a winning team becomes the primary draw. The scouts will have to be on target when evaluating players and correctly predict whether the prospects they uncover can excel at the pro level. The front office must find ways to sign that talent within the constraints of free agency and the salary cap while keeping key veterans on the roster. Coaches must develop the players and put them in the best position to win on Sunday with timely schemes and game plans. Most importantly, the players must be willing to optimize their physical and mental preparation to play their best. With thirty other franchises trying to do the same thing, the outcome on Sunday afternoon is largely determined by the organization that does it better.

It would not be unprecedented should the Saints rise from the bottom of the league to the level of Super Bowl contention in short order. The Falcons and the Rams were held in no greater esteem than the present day Saints before their respective Super Bowl appearances the past two seasons. Will the Saints be the team to defy the odds this year?

At this juncture, the Saints are among those intriguing organizations that could take a major step forward. Most observers agree that the product will be improved. But with any inaugural season following a complete house cleaning and insertion of new management, coaches and players, the first year should not be expected to be the best in the course of the mythical time frame for rebuilding a team to challenge for a Super Bowl victory.

Success will be dictated by the collective efforts of all involved. But the most visible indication of the Saints' fortunes this season will be reflected by the performances of Jeff Blake and Ricky Williams.

If Blake can fill the longstanding void at quarterback and Williams becomes the franchise running back he was drafted to be, then the Saints should be vastly improved. Pro bowl caliber production from these two players will translate into a chance for the team to claim a winning season and possible playoff berth. But if either of these men fail to contribute as expected, then the Saints are not likely to end up on the high side of a break-even season.

Jeff Blake was signed within hours of the opening of free agency because the Saints had no proven starter on the roster. He is being touted as an upper echelon quarterback with multiple skills who can pick apart a defense as well as deliver an accurate long ball. Regardless of the talent level at any other position, quarterback remains the most important spot on the roster. If the man behind center cannot pose a threat, the game becomes one dimensional, as it has been in recent seasons for the Saints when the focus of the opposition was simply to shut down the running game and force the pass.

For his part, Ricky Williams must have the year expected of him his rookie season before a string of injuries hampered his production. A healthy Williams will be a threat to gain significant yards whenever he touches the ball, but only if Blake can keep the defense honest with a balanced passing attack. Since showing up for practice this spring, Williams has impressed his coaches and teammates with his conditioning and ability to learn a new offense. If he can stay healthy, Williams has the athletic ability to give the offense the spark that has been missing at running back since the late eighties.

Neither Blake nor Williams can get the job done alone, and to his credit, Randy Mueller has done everything possible to fill holes on the roster he inherited from his predecessors.

Of the forty-six new players acquired thus far, major contributions are expected from several who will see significant playing time. In addition to Jeff Blake, these include free agents Joe Horn, Jake Reed, Andrew Glover, Norman Hand, Charlie Clemons and Toby Gowin. Rookies Darren Howard and Terrelle Smith will also be called upon to make a difference as will speedster Chad Morton. The return of a healthy Ricky Williams, Joe Johnson, Cam Cleeland and Wally Williams will add to making the team stronger across the board.

The coaching staff is installing offensive and defensive schemes that are in tune with the way the game is currently played hoping to optimize the talent that has been assembled. The NFL has developed into a "pitch and catch" league and the Saints will finally enter a season attempting to take advantage of that trend. The defense should be able to field an outstanding front seven while hoping for better production from the secondary through competition at cornerback and schemes that essentially interchange responsibilities between those customarily assigned to the "strong" and "free" safety positions.

However the record turns out, the Saints appear to be an organization with a chance to compete in the league rather than being written off before the first snap of the regular season. Nonetheless, with a thirty-three year history defined primarily by ineptitude, the wins will have to begin outnumbering the losses before the mindset of the oddsmakers is changed.

Meanwhile, visions of winning football preoccupy fans during the dog days of summer. As is the case with any preseason, there are reasons for optimism. But for the first time in what seems like forever, there are more of those reasons for fans to recite than usual.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

April 16, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

Without a pick until the second round, the wait for New Orleans' first selection in the 2000 college draft literally took all day. But come it did, and that's when the public began to get an insight on Randy Mueller's first draft as head honcho of the Saints.

Without a first and third round selection, Mueller hoped to draft at least one player who would have a chance to crack the starting lineup this season. He used the thirty-third pick overall to land defensive end/pass rush specialist Darren Howard. Scouting reports from various sources indicate that Howard should at least take the field when the defense needs to rush the passer. According to Mueller and Haslett, he will push Jared Tomich for a full time starting job at left defensive end.

Mueller thought enough of Howard to attempt to trade up with Oakland to secure him with the seventeenth pick in the first round. If necessary, he was prepared to sacrifice next year's number one to do so. But Al Davis chose to retain his position in round one, making sure that the Raiders didn't miss the opportunity to draft kicker Sebastian Janikowski. Despite Mueller's ongoing exploration of trading up with other teams to draft Howard, no deal was made.

Mueller enjoyed a little luck this time, getting the player he and Haslett targeted all along without having to pay any more than the allotted pick to do so. Thank goodness. It's likely that fan reaction would have been negative in the face of the prospect of waiting until Saturday afternoon again next year before the Saints made their first choice.

Mueller also had the unexpected opportunity with the Saint's second pick in the draft, the ninety-sixth overall, to choose the first fullback among this year's college prospects. Terrelle Smith was the recipient of that honor, indicating that Mueller believes he is the best available at the position. Smith will be expected to challenge Marvin Powell and Aaron Craver for the top spot on the depth chart and become the lead blocker for Ricky Williams.

After choosing Howard and Smith, the Saints drafted players not necessarily to fill a position, but to add athletes to the roster. Drafting the best available athlete is a tired cliché, to be sure. But Mueller does not have the luxury at this point in the team's development to favor a specific need over talent. The present need is for "lots" of talent.

The most intriguing selection of the draft was quarterback Marc Bulger, who was chosen with the Saint's first pick in the sixth round. Bulger was the fifth quarterback taken overall, behind Chad Pennington, Chris Redman, Giovanni Carmazzi and Tee Martin. The Saints roster has room for a young prospect to develop. Mueller and Haslett apparently felt the need at quarterback was sufficient enough to warrant the use of a draft pick rather than waiting to sign a rookie free agent.

The remaining six players drafted, offensive lineman Tutan Reyes, tight ends Austin Wheatley and Kevin Houser, running back Chad Morton, defensive back Michael Hawthorne and wide receiver Sherrod Gideon will all be expected to run the open field on special teams. None has a realistic chance of becoming a starter this season, but it is hoped that their young legs and athleticism will help secure field position in the kicking game along with upgrading depth on the suspect roster Mueller inherited.

The Saints draft has to be evaluated in the context of the entire off-season acquisition process. So far, Mueller has signed at least six new starters in the first wave of free agency. He's also added veteran depth and leadership leading up to the draft. The rookie free agent signing period, second wave of free agency and the availability of players after the final preseason cuts is still at hand.

It will be too early to judge how Mueller scored with his assessment of the men he drafted until the bullets start to fly in training camp. But he has at least taken control of a roster that had been seriously mishandled before his arrival to restore it to a competitive level. This will take time, but when the grades are ultimately assigned to Mueller's reign as Saints GM, he will  merit an "A" for effort.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

April 12, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

The 2000 College Draft is only a few days away and fans are hoping that Randy Mueller's inaugural picks for the Saints uncover a few building blocks to construct a winning roster. Optimism is at its usual offseason high, but there is no question that Mueller must draft effectively if the team expects to be better than the opposition.

Fans are preparing for the weekend confident that Mueller will successfully conduct his first draft as the man in charge. But you can also bet his moves will be scrutinized closely as each selection is made.

This year's crop of prospects isn't chock full of big names, especially for Saints fans who, for the moment, must wait until the second round before debating Mueller's picks as an NFL general manager. Once it's over, sports talk will be focused on the quality of the Saints' draft by fans looking for reasons to predict significant improvement for their team once the season begins.

Without a first and third round pick as part of the cost of drafting Ricky Williams last year, speculation about whether Mueller will attempt to deal his way into the first round began recently. Yet it remains unlikely that he will part with future picks or players to do so. The Saints need "numbers" right now and it's more logical to assume that he will attempt to increase those numbers rather than sacrificing them to move up.

Thus far, the only rumor about a possible trade involves Cam Cleeland, but the Saints are denying any interest in moving him. By himself, it's unlikely that Cleeland would command a first round pick. The option of sacrificing additional picks from future years will only prolong the problem being faced this season. All the same, Mueller has made his mark by finding a way to manipulate his position in the draft and nothing should be ruled out, even if it ultimately means trading a player and/or future picks.

There will be a lot of new faces on the roster this season. Mueller has already won the title "Most Active GM" for the number of acquisitions he made through the first wave of free agency. The draft and rookie free agent signings will add rookie prospects to the mix.

Mueller reviewed the tapes of his new team and concluded that he needs to find a lot of players. Some of the holes to fill involve starting positions, but the biggest gaps are found at the bottom half of the roster where backups have to be replaced.
If Mueller's actions in free agency are any indication, then he found it necessary to make upgrades at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, defensive tackle, middle linebacker, the secondary and the kicking game. Jeff Blake, Joe Horn, Jake Reed, Andrew Glover, Norman Hand, Charlie Clemons, Fred Thomas and Toby Gowin are all projected starters. Now that the first mini camp is over, the organization has an even better idea of the talent on hand and the positions that still need help.

Depth is needed across the board and the receiver list in the draft is deepest this year, but with their first selection, the thirty-third overall, the Saints are projected to focus on defense to find a strong safety, cornerback or defensive end.

It's also apparent that the team lacks a blocking fullback. Presently, Aaron Craver and Marvin Powell will compete for the starting job, but neither has shown much as a lead blocker. A third round pick would come in handy for Mueller to land a player to challenge them, but that will require a deal unless the player he has targeted lasts until the fourth.

While the Saints should have a strong starting offensive line, depth is extremely short behind tackle should either Roaf or Turley have to miss time. Wally Williams neck surgery will also test depth in the interior part of the line if Fontenot goes down, forcing Ackerman to move from his projected starting position at guard.

It will also be interesting to see if Mueller takes a flyer on a late round quarterback prospect. Whether he drafts one or not, traditionally teams enter training camp with four passers. It's doubtful Mueller will be looking for merely another camp body to evaluate this summer given the fact that neither Tolliver nor Delhomme are proven backups.

The true measure of Mueller's evaluation of team needs will come after he makes his top picks and looks for prospects who can get the team better field position on special teams. Personnel for the coverage and return game appeared to be an afterthought by the previous staff. Consequently, there are too few players rounding out the roster to make an open field play. These players will also compete as backups in their respective positions, but they will have to be able to start on change of possession plays.
 

Like the players he will be drafting, Mueller remains a prospect until the results on the field are tallied. Just as front office people and coaches are with their players, fans can be equally guilty of "falling in love" with members of their organization before they have been properly acquainted. But all indications are that Mueller is not only intent, but also equipped to make the right decisions come draft day.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

March 19, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

Ricky Williams spoke through a reporter in Sports Illustrated this week, using that forum to state his feelings about his life as a professional football player in New Orleans. Opinions are circulating quickly among fans, most of whom are either outraged by his remarks or searching for reasons to excuse them.

Whether you agree with him or not, the real question is "Why?" Why does this man, who claims he doesn't favor the spotlight, do the very thing guaranteed to draw even more attention to himself and in a negative fashion to boot?

Ricky has become an enigma for Saints fans.

When he was drafted, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive in New Orleans. But then the weird stuff began to happen. For a man who wants to be understood, he continues to favor the inexplicable.

First, he signed a contract that he proudly accepted since it would be measured by performance rather than expectations. Following a season fraught with injury and abandoned game plans that made his actual earnings closer to
league minimum than reflective of the top running back in the draft, he's no longer so sure about that.

He went to training camp as the most heralded Saints rookie since Archie Manning. Then he made a habit of meeting with the press and fans wearing his helmet in after practice interviews.

Then, the wedding dress! What was that? No doubt about it, Ricky wants to do things his way. He seems to figure that no matter what he says or does that the public shouldn't worry about it. After all, it's just a joke.

And now he expects to be embraced after the article in Sports Illustrated?

Why insult his owner by claiming the team would be better off in San Antonio? Why would he publicly state that the offensive line hurt his feelings when they never once apologized for missing a block? Why would he deliver a slap to fans by letting us know that New Orleans is a great place to hang out but he wouldn't want to live there? Why does he use the media to assert that Jim Haslett doesn't care about him? Why, why, why?

Is it all about the contract? He might think so, but more money isn't going to change the problems he's talking about in Sports Illustrated. Hardly so.

Ricky Williams apparently isn't happy and now he's drawing the worst sort of scrutiny.

Either he horribly underestimates the impact of his words, or he's playing the insidious game that some professional athletes favor when they "don't feel appreciated" i.e., want to move on. Maybe in Ricky's case he wants to go that one step better. He could "shock the world" and retire from football with what he's already described as enough money to live on the rest of his life.

What choice is he giving his owner, coach, teammates and fans than to wonder if he really wants to play football in New Orleans? Is it simply enough to claim he's exercising his first amendment rights? Ricky Williams is painting himself into a corner with a lot of folks involved in his professional life and now it's up to him to find a way out of it.

Maybe we're simply hearing the immature pouting of a kid making the painful adjustment from college to the working world. Perhaps the bad luck and disappointments of his rookie season were too much for him. The contract he signed might be the source of his bitterness. But one way or the other, Ricky needs to find a way to cope with what's bugging him. Otherwise, this could turn out to be another shortchanged transaction for Saints fans who have definitely had more than their fair share of getting less than expected over thirty-three years.

Until Next Time,

The Editor
 

February 23, 2000

Dear Saints Fan

The Big Easy is a town noted for its music, food and an unhurried lifestyle that often belies its big city status. Its Jazz funerals and above-ground cemeteries are also unique, which seems appropriate in NFL circles where New Orleans has traditionally been a coach's graveyard.

In the early years from 1967-1975, Tom Fears, J.D. Roberts and John North attempted to deliver the team from its infancy into contention while accumulating a combined record of 32-89-5. In 1976 and 1977 Hank Stram promised to work his Super Bowl magic in New Orleans, only to be dismissed before he could start his third season. Then there was Dick Nolan who would transform the Saints into champions by installing the Dallas Cowboy "flex defense." Unfortunately, Nolan will best be remembered as being unable to outlast an 0-12 start to the infamous 1-15 season of 1980. Next there was Bum Phillips who had the Oilers challenging to go to the Super Bowl in Houston, but in New Orleans, peaked at 8-8.

It wasn't until Tom Benson purchased the franchise from John Mecom that the Saints posted the first winning seasons in team history under Jim Mora. But Mora was never able to get the Saints over the hump in the playoffs and abruptly resigned following a post game meltdown during his eleventh year at the helm. Most recently, Mike Ditka attempted an ill-fated comeback that culminated in a total house cleaning to restore order to the franchise and renew the hope of its fans.

Now it's Jim Haslett's job to mold a team that can challenge to win it all.

Initially, Haslett's hiring was criticized because he was a longtime "friend" of GM Randy Mueller. The team had suffered before due to misplaced loyalty. The notion that a candidate could be both competent and well known to the man hiring him did not sit well with Saints faithful. But that reaction quickly subsided once fans began to trust Mueller's description of Haslett as "an energetic, tireless worker who has passion for the game." Apparently Haslett also fits Mueller's requirements of being a person who "will not accept losing" along with being an "outward thinker." Haslett, for his part, is playing his cards close to the vest, stating only that he "hopes we can get this thing going in the right direction."

Rather than bold promises of a quick turnaround, Mueller and Haslett are promising to work tirelessly toward improvement. They will rely on a style of building a football team that is geared to keep the Saints ahead of the pack, rather than chasing the rest of the NFL. It's an approach they hope will pay dividends in matters ranging from player acquisitions to game day preparation. So far, they are putting words into action as the process unfolds.

Foregoing the most recent regime's line of being "happy with who we have," Mueller and Haslett immediately attacked the free agent market and signed ex-Bengal Jeff Blake to take over the starting quarterback position. Mueller next signed former Chief receiver Joe Horn, hoping to add both speed and toughness to the position. Jake Reed also joined the receiving corps along with his former Viking teammate, Andrew Glover, who should see extended playing time at tight end.

Mueller successfully negotiated a contract with prized free agent defensive tackle Norman Hand, who is expected to plug the middle against opposing offenses. Charlie Clemons was picked up from the Super Bowl Champion St. Louis Rams and will likely earn the starting middle linebacker job. Two new defensive backs, Fred Thomas and Chris Oldham, have been added to the roster since the free agent market opened. Each is expected to compete for a starting role with the Saints in 2000.

Mueller also managed to keep offensive guard Tom Ackerman in the fold and traded Eddie Kennison to the Bears for an extra fifth round pick in the upcoming draft. He's currently searching for a fullback to open holes for Ricky Williams along with any other player who can improve the roster. Mueller recently expressed his intent to find guys that perhaps "no one has heard of," but will either add depth or take over a starting position when the final cuts are made.

In the course of a month, the mood of Saints fans has shifted from apathy to renewed enthusiasm. Warming to the hiring of Mueller and Haslett, fans have not only forgotten the better part of a thirty-three year past, but are convinced that the future is bright for a team that was seriously maligned by the end of the Iron Era. Underlying this phenomenon is the unspoken faith fans have placed with Tom Benson.

Fans are apparently convinced that Benson has hired the right men to run his franchise as he did once before when he hired Jim Finks and Jim Mora. Whether it turns out to be the case, it's hard to find many critics of the decisions that either Benson or his top guys have made to date.

Fans have witnessed a flurry of activity since Benson introduced Randy Mueller and Jim Haslett. Nearly every day since their hiring there has been news about an addition to the coaching staff or another free agent being signed. But behind the buzz of activity that Mueller and Haslett have generated, a question still lingers. How close to .1000 will they bat their first year at the helm? The answer won't come until autumn, but for now, Saints fans are back on the bandwagon and glowingly optimistic about the team's prospects.

Until Next Time,

The Editor

January 31, 2000

Dear Saints Fan,

Mention "New Orleans Saints" in a game of NFL word-association and images of losing football routinely come to mind. After all, the Saints have had only five winning seasons out of thirty-three. The latest attempt to put the organization on track resulted in a 15-33 record over the course of three seasons with Bill Kuharich and Mike Ditka in charge. There was little to salvage from the Iron Era except a waning fan base that demanded nothing short of dramatic changes.

After watching his franchise deteriorate despite the millions of dollars he put into acquiring front office people, coaches and players, Tom Benson's only recourse was to clean house and start from scratch. On January 5, 2000, Benson dismissed Bill Kuharich, Terry O'Neil, Mike Ditka and his entire coaching staff. That was the easy part.  From there, Benson decided he next had to meet the challenge of restructuring the inner workings of his franchise before finding the men to fill its top positions.

The organization had most recently been constructed to run as a corporate-type entity under the sole direction of President/General Manager/Chief Operating Officer Bill Kuharich, with different "officers" heading up its divisions. Unfortunately, Kuharich proved unable to assemble a cast that could produce a winning team. Prior to that, there was the failed "three-headed-monster" of Kuharich, Jim Mora and Jim Miller directing the franchise. Each was assigned horizontal authority, leaving no one with the designated power to lead the organization. In Benson's initial and most successful years, before the days of salary caps and the current rules of free agency, Jim Finks had the last say from his chair as the team's General Manager.

Benson recently unveiled a new organizational structure for the Saints that reflects the latest trend in the NFL. It is the result of what he has learned from past mistakes as well as from his inquiries and observations of how successful organizations are currently being run throughout the league. It's a contemporary way of separating and delegating authority in the NFL that Benson hopes will maximize the ability of his employees to manage the variety of issues that confront his franchise on a daily basis.
 

The most conspicuous aspect of the new organizational chart is the initial separation of the football side of the operation from the administrative sector. Under Benson's model, two people will report directly to him, namely Randy Mueller, General Manager of Football Operations, and Arnold Fielkow, Director of Administration. As Benson puts it, Mueller's job will be to win every week and Fielkow's mission will be to pack the Dome.

Under Mueller, the chain of command will include the head coach and his staff, Assistant General Manager of Football Operations, Director of Scouting, Director of Player Personnel, video, equipment and trainers.  Fielkow's side of the organizational chart will include Stadium and Governmental Affairs, Chief Financial Officer and Marketing and Administration Director.  Other responsibilities within the organization will be appropriately designated and assigned under either Fielkow or Mueller, who are currently in the process of evaluating the remaining staff to determine who will stay and who will go. Mueller is also conducting his search for the team's next head coach.

Now that Benson has taken the first steps toward restructuring his franchise, fans seem to have forgotten the disconsolate mood associated with the final days of the Iron Era, and most of the remaining history of the franchise for that matter. Now the talk is about Randy Mueller and speculation about his choice of the next head coach and players who will lead the Saints to the Promised Land.

For his part, Tom Benson continues to strive to reach his stated goal of turning the Saints into a Super Bowl Champion. He's made his share of mistakes along the way, but has always enjoyed the benefit of what might be the most forgiving fan base in the history of sport. Hopefully it will work this time for Tom Benson and for Saints fans. They both deserve at long last to have a winner in New Orleans.

Until Next Time,

The Editor