December 3
December 3, 2007Storme’ Mestas
December 5, 2007
A fully-padded Reggie Bush sat in the locker room cradling his head in his hands long after Sunday’s 27-23 loss to Tampa Bay.
The 2006 first-round draft pick botched a trick play that led to a late turnover and Tampa Bay’s go-ahead touchdown, and the devastation was palpable.
The Saints were outplayed most of the game but rallied behind big plays – including a fourth-quarter safety from defensive end Will Smith – to jump ahead 23-20 with 3:44 left in regulation.
On New Orleans’ ensuing possession, however, Devery Henderson fumbled an awkward toss from Bush on a reverse.
This set the stage for backup quarterback Luke McCown, who drove the Bucs downfield before lobbing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jerramy Stevens for the win and a strong foothold on the top position in the NFC South division at 8-4.
The Saints, meanwhile, fell to 5-7 and face an arduous climb to clinch a potential Wild Card.
“It was one of those things where if we’re able to handle that exchange (between Bush and Henderson), it’s probably a big play,” said Saints quarterback Drew Brees. “It gets us a first down and all we need is one more first down to seal the game. It’s tough to lose on a play like that.”
Fans greeted New Orleans coach Sean Payton with a shower of obscenities and jeers as he jogged off the field.
Their beef: a shoddy play-call that ruined a perfectly winnable game.
“It’s a disappointing loss and probably the worst job I’ve done as a head coach since I’ve been here,” Payton said. “To have the opportunity we had in getting that safety late. Obviously I regret the call. It resulted in a fumble and it cost us the game. Obviously it’s disappointing for our players and staff when we had every opportunity to win it.”
The Saints face must-win situations throughout the remainder of their four-game schedule, which begins Monday night in Atlanta.
But first, they’ll try to bury the past.
“We played so hard and everyone was so emotionally into this game,” said Saints receiver Lance Moore. “To lose like that, it stings.”
€ Joey Galloway finished with four receptions for 130 yards Š in the first quarter.
New Orleans had trouble slowing the Bucs veteran wideout, who finished the contest with seven catches for 159 yards.
Galloway has collected 30 receptions for 632 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games against the Saints.
€ Marques Colston ended the game with only two receptions for 39 yards, but is only one catch short of matching the total he collected as a rookie for New Orleans.
€ Mike McKenzie’s third-quarter interception return for a touchdown was his second this season with the Saints.
€ New Orleans owns a 19-13 all-time series advantage over Tampa Bay.
The Saints lost 31-14 in their Week 2 matchup, but swept the series in 2006.
€ Saints inactives included Robert Meachum (wide receiver), Pierre Thomas (running back), Andy Alleman (guard), Jermon Bushrod (tackle), Fred Thomas (linebacker), Matt McCoy (linebacker), McKinley Boykin (defensive tackle) and Josh Cooper (defensive end).
Jeff Garcia (quarterback), Michael Spurlock (wide receiver), Keith Heinrich (tight end), Lionel Gates (running back), Dan Buenning (guard), Jeremiah Trotter (linebacker), Greg Spires (defensive end) and Greg Peterson (defensive tackle) were inactive for Tampa Bay.
New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees (9) throws a pass during the second quarter of the Saints’ 31-6 win over the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Garry Eller)
