The New Orleans Saints are staring at an ugly 1-4 start, and the message from the top has made it clear that nobody inside the building can feel comfortable about it.
After an offseason that had plenty of people talking about a possible climb from worst to first in the NFC South, the Saints have opened the year in the opposite direction. The poor start has put Kellen Moore, the players and the front office under a brighter light than anyone wanted this early.
Owner Gayle Benson didn’t soften the situation. Her comments have driven the conversation in New Orleans over the last couple of days, and the tone was as direct as it gets.
“I will not make excuses, and I will not accept this level of performance as our standard. I am committed to making the decisions necessary to improve this team.
Everyone in this organization understands the urgency. We must prepare better, execute consistently and correct the mistakes that are costing us the games.
Everyone in this organization understands the urgency. We must prepare better, execute consistently and correct the mistakes that are costing us the games.
Words will not restore our fans’ confidence. Our performance must do better.
Kellen Moore and his coaches are responsible for preparing our players to perform. Mickey Loomis and our football staff are responsible for building a roster capable of sustained success.
Our players are responsible for their preparation and execution. I am responsible for holding this organization accountable.”
That’s a clear warning shot. Benson’s words leave no room for anyone in the organization to assume the rough start will be brushed aside or explained away.
The Saints have had some bad breaks, sure. The ball hasn’t always bounced their way. But the larger issue is how often those bad bounces have been created by New Orleans itself.
That showed up in the 23-13 loss to the Vikings, where the Saints gave away points by failing to protect the football and by missing an extra point on special teams. Those kinds of mistakes are the ones that linger, and the players know it.
What happens next is the immediate question. New Orleans gets another chance to stop the slide against the New York Giants, and the hope is that the Saints can finally put together a cleaner showing and pick up that second win of the season.
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Saints Suddenly Face A Crisis Bigger Than Just One Bad Loss
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Gayle Benson made clear after the Falcons loss that this is not the standard New Orleans is supposed to meet, and the frustration has only deepened as the problems have piled up. Even in the Minnesota game, there were stretches where the Saints needed defensive help just to stay in it, which only underscored how fragile things have become as the season has moved along. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Face A Giants Twist That Could Change Sundays Matchup
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The wrinkle New Orleans will be watching most closely is on the Giants side of the ball, where J.J. McCarthys role has become part of the conversation and the injury report could matter just as much as the game plan. Valentine also flagged the status of key Giants pieces who would affect how the matchup is played, leaving the Saints with a clearer sense of the threat level but not yet a final answer on how much of it will be available when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Penix Jr Just Sent Falcons Fans An Encouraging Signal
Michael Penix Jr. gave Falcons fans a much-needed update this week by getting back on the practice field after a ribs injury and saying he feels ready to play in Week 6. For a division rival like New Orleans, that matters because the Saints are already trying to steady themselves in a shaky NFC South, and any sign that Atlanta might have its quarterback available changes the feel of the matchup immediately.
Around the division, the pressure keeps building in other places too, including in New Orleans, where owner Gayle Benson publicly said she was disappointed with the teams 1-4 start. She pointed to the need for better preparation, execution and accountability, a pointed message that reflects just how quickly a slow opening has put the Saints on edge as they try to reset their season. [Read more 🡒]