METAIRIE, La. –For much of the opening five weeks, New Orleans controlled games, thieving the ball from opponents while not giving it back.
But in the past four weeks, there has been a turnover epidemic rivaling the greatest giveaway thinkable.
The Saints have 13 turnovers the past month and though they have won those games, the giveaways have had a direct correlation the closeness of the games.
After winning by an average of 19.8 points in the opening five games, the margin of victory slimmed to 8.8 pints per game.
Additionally, while injuries to key defensive players haven’t helped, giving the opponent extra possessions give teams more opportunities to score.
Prior to the Miami game, when the spate of turnovers began, the Saints were giving up only 301 yards per game, good for ninth-best in the NFL. Now, opponents are eating up 343 yards per game, making New Orleans No. 21 in the league.
“If you don’t turn the ball over, it doesn’t guarantee you a win, but it at least gives you a chance,” Saints running back Reggie Bush said. “When you turn the ball over as much as we have the past few games, for the most part, you end up losing those games. Fortunately, we’ve been able to make plays when needed.”
Despite the turnovers, New Orleans is 9-0 heading into Sunday’s noon game at NFC South rival Tampa Bay (1-8).
And the most shocking aspect of the turnover outbreak is that it’s coming from quarterback Drew Brees.
The Pro Bowl quarterback has 10 of New Orleans’ 13 turnovers – seven interceptions and three fumbles.
But before all of that gets pinned on Brees, there’s more to an interception than just his throw, be it a quickly closing pocket or a receiver running a poor route.
Lest one thinks Sean Payton is going to become more conservative in his play-calling with Brees, the head coach says otherwise.
“He’s smart enough to where when we put the tape on, some of those are out of his control,” Payton said. “I think that Drew is very conscientious of understanding what wins football games and there’s a big reason why we’re 9-0 and it starts with Drew Brees.”
The other three turnovers have been fumbles by Marques Colston (against the Rams), Pierre Thomas (against Atlanta) and Mike Bell (against Atlanta).
According to right tackle Jon Stinchcomb, it all begins with the line.
“I think we really play a big factor in the turnovers,” Stinchcomb said. “That starts in the passing game keeping Drew in a good pocket. If the quarterback feels rush or pressured, he’s going to have to force some things. The more we can do for him to be completely comfortable in the pocket, that’s how we influence the passing game turnovers.
“In the run game, the longer we stay on our blocks, the more we can finish, keep cleaner holes for these running backs, that’s the way we influence turnovers in the run game.”
Acknowledging it is one thing, though. Doing something about it is another. Brees said the team is actively searching for ways to find a solution.
“Ball security drills. It’s the way you practice too, just making an emphasis of the defense trying to take it away from our guys offensively,” Brees said. “We’re making sure it’s tucked away and know that guys are coming to get it just like they would in a game.
“Definitely just (being) conscious when you’re talking about fundamentals, how you’re carrying the football, how I’m holding the football in the pocket and just being good with it when I’m getting pressure. All those things. All those little things.”
Payton said he’d even entertain adding an extra period to practice to cut the turnovers down. And for a person who is married to schedules, changing it up would prove to a point.
Regardless, everyone involved said the problem needs to be solved and fast.
“We just need to continue to make an emphasis on taking care of the football, because it is without a doubt the biggest statistic in football,” Brees said. “If we keep going at the pace we’re going then it will get us beat at some point, not once, but again and again. We need to fix the problem.”
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