Saints Report # 6 - October 21, 2012

I guess you can sum up the New Orleans Saints defense this way.  Their biggest play of the year will probably be on a 94 yard gain that could have gone 95.  When Malcolm Jenkins, who was too slow to play cornerback for the Saints, inexplicably ran down Vincent Jackson from behind on what looked like a sure touchdown, it may have saved the Saints season.  The Saints pulled off a goal line stand, then reversed the field with a long drive to put the game away.  Or so we thought.

I can’t say it better than Hokie Gajan, who said something like this.  “With the Saints offense, no lead is safe.  With the Saints defense, no lead is safe.” 

The Saints beat Tampa 35 – 28 when an apparent touchdown catch on the last play of the game was nullified with a penalty.  Some days you’re the windshield.  Some days you’re the bug.  On this day the Saints got the breaks they haven’t been getting all year, and it helped.  But it was actually a relatively good game from a Saints defense that seems to be improving that kept the Saints close, until the offense could get going.   New Orleans  was admittedly helped by Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman, who seemed to be high and outside much of the day. 

Meanwhile, Drew Brees had a phenomenal first half and a solid second half to hang up the 35 that Saints fans have become used to.   Jonathan Vilma returned for this game, and Interim Head Coach Joe Vitt returns for the next, as the Saints continue to try to forget September.  Long way to go to get that accomplished though.  Especially with the first of two Mannings up next.