The New Orleans Saints lost their preseason matchup with the Rams. Well, to put it more accurately, they were demolished in every meaningful way.
The 34-0 shutout highlighted a host of issues with the team, particularly when it came to attention to detail. The Saints were penalized 12 times for 96 yards, and even if the game didn't include the starters, as the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert explained in his postgame rant, players have to be held accountable.
“We’re so undisciplined," Hebert said, "and I think penalties … that’s always a reflection of the coach. I don’t know if he needs to be more of a hardass, or whatever it takes. You cannot have those penalties.”
Brought to you by TRANESOUTH: It's hard to stop a Tranewww.audacy.comHear the full postgame rant from the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Things were rough from the get-go on offense. Zach Wilson drew the start after a strong performance in the preseason opener. Leading a group of largely second-stringers, the Wilson-led offense managed just four first downs in the opening two quarters. Things were undone by mistakes, which included a personal foul by rookie Jeremiah Wright and an interception that derailed what looked to be promising drives.
Things got moving in the second half, but mistakes continued to be the theme. Spencer Rattler, who took over to start the third quarter, immediately drove the Saints down to the 6-yard line before a poor throw decision led to a 100-yard pick six. Later in the quarter the Saints were down inside the 10 again, but that drive ended with a Ty Chandler fumble. The final drive of the game bogged down at the 20-yard line after a Ronnie Bell drop, which was followed by a Tanner Brown miss from 38 yards out.
“That was embarrassing," Hebert continued. "I don’t care if it’s preseason. That was an embarrassing representation of the Who Dat Nation and New Orleans Saints. It just wasn’t good.”
Moore did appear agitated as he took the podium after the game. The result came at the tail-end of a week-long trip to California that included a pair of joint practices, one of which was against the Rams. The first was on Tuesday against the Dallas Cowboys and featured a host of brawls that prompted $500K fines for both squads.
The Saints now have a short week before a trip out for a preseason matchup with the Cowboys. It's unclear whether the Saints will opt to get starters on the field for that game, but the pressure is now on for an improved showing prior to the start of the regular season against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 13.
“With Kellen Moore, I don’t know what kind of tough love he’s gonna do," Hebert Does Kellen Moore ever really get mad, I don’t know. He seems so nice. I don’t know if he’s ever mad. … But no, the coaches, they need to be tough love on these guys trying to make the team, because they’re still on the team right now until they get cut. ... Sometimes I see it’s all about kumbaya and we’re all supporting one another. But the bottom line is you’ve got to win."
