MICHAEL KIRAL

New Orleans found a way to success in 2000-01

The slogan for the 1997 New Orleans Saints under Mike Ditka was “find a way or make a way.” Those Saints went 6-10, the start of a Ditka regime that went 15-33 in three years. Ditka did the talking but in the end all it got was his walking papers along with his coaching staff, general manager Bill Kuharich and most of the front office. Ironically, that slogan back in 1997 fit perfectly for the 2000 version of the Saints. While Ditka talked the talk, Jim Haslett and his team put those words in actions. The Saints of 2000-01 both found a way and made a way to 11 victories. Who would have thought that when the Saints played Minnesota in the Metrodome in the second preseason game back in August that four months later they would return to play in the NFC Divisional playoffs? After all, they had just lost two starters – tight end Cam Cleeland and defensive back Steve Israel – in the first playoff game and would lose starting linebacker Charlie Cleamons in pregame warmups against the Vikings. That would be the start of a trend that would eventually see eight starters miss time with injuries, including running back Ricky Williams and quarterback Jeff Blake. But the Saints refused to make excuses. They didn’t make them after starting 1-3 when special teams breakdowns cost them at least one game. Instead they went out and got players like Fred McAfee to shore up that area. They didn’t make them when they lost Williams in the second Carolina game. Instead, Chad Morton, Terry Allen and Jerald Moore stepped up. The Saints didn’t make them when Blake went down the following week against Oakland. Instead Aaron Brooks moved up and became of the biggest surprises of the season. And they didn’t make them following the loss at Minnesota Saturday, instead acknowledging that the better team probably won. Now that the 2000-01 season is over, it’s time for the organization to begin preparations for 2001-02. It says a lot about the character of a team when the players are already talking about next year and beginning workouts. There are still a few holes to fill on the team. The Vikings exposed a number of weaknesses, including a lack of team speed. The team could use help in the secondary and receiving corps and more depth at nearly every position. Randy Mueller and Haslett will try to fill those holes through the draft and free agency. If they have a year like they did in 2000 when nearly every move paid off successfully, the future of the franchise is definitely in good shape. Repeating the success of 2000 will not be easy. The Saints will not be sneaking up on anybody. And the schedule will be tougher with eight teams with winning records this year on it. But that doesn’t stop Saints fans from already clamoring for more. They mention the fact that next year’s Super Bowl is in New Orleans and wouldn’t it be nice if the home team would be playing in it. Yes, the Saints have opened a Pandora’s box and all the troubles and expectations that come with it. But if you remember the legend, there was one good thing that also came out of that box, the only thing that we should ever ask for from our teams. Hope.