METAIRIE ― Sean Payton slowly walked into the media room Tuesday at the Saints’ training facility on Airline Drive and began talking, his voice withdrawn and empty of life.

Yep, Monday night’s 30-27 home loss to Minnesota was still disappointing, no doubt about that.

Barely 12 hours following the debacle in the Dome, Payton likely had watched the film several times already– once on DVD and several times in his mind.

Photo by Brian Lawdermilk / The Associated Press

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton argues with official Mark Hittner during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in New Orleans, Monday, Oct. 6, 2008.

And the same problems kept coming up.

Penalties.

Turnovers.

And more penalties.

“Just looking at the tape, a bunch of those penalties were ones that we hurt ourselves,” Payton said. “We’re hurting ourselves and we’re not looking for excuses or looking to make excuses. Between the turnovers and the penalties, there were enough for three games let alone for one game.”

In all, New Orleans (2-3) had 11 penalties for 102 yards. Three first-half turnovers that led to 10 Minnesota points came before Drew Brees heaved a desperation toss with 12 seconds to play that ultimately was intercepted.

It all overshadowed a breakout night by Reggie Bush and a Saints defense that played above and beyond anything it had this year for most of the game.

Bush returned two punts for touchdowns – one 71 yards, the other 64 yards – tying an NFL player for two returns in a game and setting a franchise record with 176 return yards.

The defense, meanwhile, shut down one of the NFL’s top running backs, holding Adrian Peterson to 32 yards on 21 carries, more than 70 yards below his season average per game.

“I thought defensively we played with great energy and great effort,” Payton said. “I thought we did a great job. There were a couple of plays in there, but overall, I was real encouraged with our fits, our effort and how we tackled.

“Probably one of our best games to date if not our best game to date defensively.”

But all of that is overshadowed by yellow pieces of cloth and a tendency to give the ball away.

“The disappointing thing was the turnovers and penalties, which I alluded to (Sunday),” Payton said. “They ended up hurting us in this game. We had opportunities to go ahead. We had opportunities a number of different times.”

Missed opportunities came early.

Setting their sights on a double-digit first-quarter lead, the Saints were driving. On third-and-one, Bush ran around right end for 18 yards, ending up out of bounds at the Vikings 1.

But Mike Karney was called for holding, negating the play and putting the Saints in third-and-10. On that play, receiver Robert Meachem dropped a pass that would have gone for a first down.

A play later, Martin Gramatica’s field goal attempt was blocked and returned for a touchdown.

Missed opportunities came late.

New Orleans took over with 7:06 to play, the game tied at 27. After eating nearly five minutes off the clock, the drive stalled when Brees threw two incompletions at the Minnesota 28.

Gramatica missed a 46-yard lead-taking field goal attempt wide left.

And there was still one more opportunity missed.

The Saints put the Vikings in a third-and-three situation with 1:18 on the clock and the ball at Minnesota’s 44. But on an incompletion intended for Bernard Berrian from Gus Frerotte, Saints’ safety Kevin Kaesviharn was called for a 42-yard pass interference penalty.

Ryan Longwell converted the 30-yard game-winning field goal shortly thereafter.

“It (the pass interference) wasn’t one you scream and shout about,” Payton said. “There’s tough calls in the game. But in the end, there’s a number of things that were in our control that we didn’t do a good enough job with.”

Etc.

Payton is about tired of senseless pre-snap penalties. Following Monday night’s loss, he said they were going to be taken care of one way or another. He reiterated that thought Tuesday.

“I think that we’re not talking about first-year players,” Payton said. “We’re talking about a home game. And not being able to go on the right snap count bothers me.”

…….

Despite missing more than his fair share of kicks this year, including two that would have put New Orleans ahead in the waning minutes of a game, Martin Gramatica likely will be a Saint for at least a little while longer.

“I don’t think we’re in a position where we’re going to bring in kickers for tryouts,” Payton said. “We’ve got a pretty good idea who else is available. I’m not sure Martin is 100 percent healthy right now let alone whether he’s my guy.”

In case you were wondering, former Saints draft pick Taylor Mehlhaff is available, Payton said.