New Orleans Saints fans may have been riding high after demolishing the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, but they came plummeting back to Earth after getting demolished by the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
“We went from the penthouse to the outhouse right quick,” Bobby Hebert quipped. “That was embarrassing to say the least. How we embarrassed the Cheeseheads – the Green Bay Packers – Sir Purr and the Carolina Panthers embarrassed the Saints.”
The Saints scored 38 against the Packers; they scored just 7 against the Panthers. New Orleans allowed only 3 points against Green Bay; they allowed 26 against Carolina. They outgained the Packers 322-229; they were outgained by the Panthers 383-128.
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“You cannot sugarcoat it,” Hebert said. “Like Sean Payton said, dealing with COVID and the coaches and all the players out with injuries, nobody cares. It's the National Football League; it's just the way it is.”
It was tough going for New Orleans from the beginning, particularly for the offense. The Saints recorded six first downs, three in each half; and the 128 yards was the lowest output under head coach Sean Payton. Hebert was stunned.
“Don't you have to get first downs to score,” Hebert asked. “Six first downs. I don't think I've ever been on a team that had [only] six first downs in my life!
“This is embarrassing for a Sean Payton offense,” Hebert continued. “128 yards? We've seen 128 yards in a quarter.”
The Cajun Cannon pointed to a variety of factors for the lack of production. New Orleans felt the absence of center Erik McCoy keenly.
“Cesar Ruiz, I mean, we need to put him back at guard,” Hebert said. “We can't get McCoy back soon enough. His responsibilities of playing center – having to make the calls, set protections. You're not playing with Drew Brees. And just in his overall angles and blocking, he was whiffing.”
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The offensive line couldn't protect Winston and couldn't open lanes for the running game. Winston was sacked four times and hit 11 times while the rushing attack managed a mere 48 yards on 17 carries (2.8 yards/carry). Winston actually led the team in rushing with 19 yards, and Taysom Hill was second with 16 yards. Neither Alvin Kamara (5 yards) nor Tony Jones Jr. (7 yards) hit double digits.
Winston was harried for much of the afternoon, but Hebert still thought the quarterback had a couple “brain fart” throws that could hurt the Saints in a close game in the future.
Hebert just kept coming back to one thing again and again.
“It was embarrassing.”
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