Season-in-review team reports — NFC
West
As published in print Feb. 6, 2002
2001 record: 7-9 |
| Overview |
| The Saints definitely overestimated themselves and ended up having a very
disappointing season after making the playoffs and looking like such an up-and-comer last
season. At no point did they have more than two wins in a row. They led the league in
inconsistency and finished the campaign with a whimper, falling apart down the stretch and
losing their final four games. The offense had its moments, but inconsistent
decision-making by QB Aaron Brooks and costly penalties overshadowed those moments more
often than not. |
| Turning point |
| The defining moment was when ORT Kyle Turley went ballistic at the end of
the Sunday-night loss at home to the Jets in Week Eight. The Saints had 1st-and-goal at
the Jets’ four with a chance to get back in the game. Following Turley’s
personal-foul penalty, it was 1st-and-20, and the Saints did not score. After that series,
the season pretty much went downhill, with the Saints winning only three of their final
nine games. |
| Offensive MVP |
| RB Ricky Williams was very versatile and had respectable numbers until
the last month of the season, when the Saints typically fell behind and then had to depend
more on their passing game than the ground game. Williams also suffered from the loss of
OLT William Roaf to a knee injury, but he did improve as a receiver, though he was far
from sure-handed. Williams was the first back in Saints history to post back-to-back
1,000-yard rushing seasons. After the season, though, there were rumors that Williams was
on the trade block. |
| Defensive MVP |
| SS Sammy Knight received a well-deserved Pro Bowl invitation. He led the
team in fumble recoveries and interceptions and was among the league leaders in total
takeaways. Knight was always near the action and was a playmaker who made a difference. |
| Biggest surprise |
| WR Willie Jackson stepped forward and became the complement to Joe Horn
the Saints had hoped free-agent signee Albert Connell would become. Jackson and Horn
became the first two Saints receivers to each gain over 1,000 yards receiving in the same
season. Horn led the team with 83 receptions and nine touchdown catches, but Jackson was
not far behind, recording 81 catches and five scores. Jackson, an unrestricted free agent,
probably did well enough to be considered a priority in the offseason, though the Saints
still consider him a No. 3 receiver. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| The defense, across the board, didn’t come close to being as good as
in the previous year, especially against the run. At the end of the season, it was a
liability instead of a strength, averaging 40 points allowed over the last four games.
Following a 2000 season in which the defense led the league with 66 sacks, the LB corps in
particular regressed, with the exception of LB Charlie Clemons, who had a career season
with 13½ sacks. |
| Rookie recap |
| Top pick Deuce McAllister, the No. 23 overall selection in the first
round, gets a C-plus. He was respectable but hardly spectacular. The Saints would have
liked to have involved him more in the offense, but McAllister really didn’t play an
active role except for the win over Atlanta in Week 13, when he showed he could be a
multidimensional force with a 54-yard touchdown run and a TD pass. He also caught a TD
pass vs. Washington in Week 16. Third-round pick LB Sedrick Hodge showed promise and could
start at one of the outside spots next season. RB Moran Norris could be a factor if
Terrelle Smith’s back continues to be a problem. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| FS Jay Bellamy turned out to be a solid starter for the most part.
However, Connell, the other major acquisition, was a bust who turned into an embarrassment
for GM Randy Mueller and coach Jim Haslett. Connell was suspended toward the end of the
season. Connell won’t be back in New Orleans next season despite signing a big
contract last summer. |
| Team leaders |
Rushing — Ricky Williams, 1,245 yards on 313 carries. 4.0 avg., 6
TDs.
Passing — Aaron Brooks, 312-558 attempts for 3,832 yards, 26 TDs, 22 interceptions,
76.4 rating.
Receiving — Joe Horn, 83 receptions for 1,265 yards, 15.2 avg., 9 TDs.
Scoring — John Carney, 113 points on 32 PAT’s and 27 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Deuce McAllister, 45 for 1,091 yards, 24.2 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Wane McGarity, 19 for 183 yards, 9.6 avg., 0 TDs.
Punting — Toby Gowin, 76 for 41.8 avg., 35.8 net, 7 TB, 24 inside 20, 0 blk., 62L.
Interceptions — Sammy Knight, 6 for 114 yards, 19.0 avg., 0 TDs.
Sacks — Charlie Clemons, 13½. |
| Results |
Pointspread Shown Refers to New Orleans.
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 9 |
At Buffalo |
(-3) |
24-6 |
| Sept. 23 |
BYE |
|
|
| Sept. 30 |
At New York Giants |
(+3) |
13-21 |
| Oct. 7 |
Minnesota |
(-4) |
28-15 |
| Oct. 14 |
At Carolina |
(-6) |
27-25 |
| Oct. 21 |
Atlanta |
(-7) |
13-20 |
| Oct. 28 |
At St. Louis |
(+10.5) |
34-31 |
| Nov. 4 |
New York Jets |
(-6.5) |
9-16 |
| Nov. 11 |
At San Francisco |
(+3) |
27-28 |
| Nov. 18 |
Indianapolis |
(-6) |
34-20 |
| Nov. 25 |
At New England |
(0) |
17-34 |
| Dec. 2 |
Carolina |
(-10.5) |
27-23 |
| Dec. 9 |
At Atlanta |
(-3) |
28-10 |
| Dec. 17 |
St. Louis |
(+6) |
21-34 |
| Dec. 23 |
At Tampa Bay |
(+2.5) |
21-48 |
| Dec. 30 |
Washington |
(-5) |
10-40 |
| Jan. 6 |
San Francisco |
(+2) |
0-38 |
|
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