Smackdown: Vikings 29 -- Saints 19 and bountty gate continues to rule

The Saints started off the regular season again with a loss.  It was the fourth straight season of doing so and the fall out from bounty gate continues.  The Vikings looked like a team who wanted to win, while the Saints looked like the same old Saints of the last several years.

Brees and the offense had a problem getting the football in the end zone when they reached the red zone and had to settle for four field goals, until late in the game when they scored their only touchdown.  Bradford, the Vikings quarterback played at a higher level than Brees and kept his offense moving.

The Saints defense that many bragged about during the preseason did not live up to their expectations and gave up a lot of big plays and lots of yardage.  This writer previously raised the caution flag concerning Saints defensive co-ordinator Dennis Allen who does not have a past record of being a successful defense co-ordinator.  And Sean Payton does not have a record of hiring successful defensive co-ordinators.  One game does not make a season but playing poorly too often has become a Saint habit.

The bounty gate fiasco is still playing a negative role on the Saint's team both with the players and coaching staff.  The Saints ownership, general manager and head coach have offered nothing new to the teams downward spiral but all three continue to take home huge pay checks.  So does Brees even though the Saints have 4 losing seasons in their last five. Some things never change until its too late.

And the New Orleans sports writers offer nothing new in their evaluation of the team.  They still do not know the difference between a preseason game and a regular season game.  What a shame.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio