The New Orleans Saints are now focusing their attention on their
archival and Week 1 opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, after Thursdays 24-21
preseason finale loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Punter
Thomas Morstead's outfit for the plane ride home to New Orleans from
Miami said it all.
He tweeted out this picture of
himself, sporting a t-shirt of a Saints fist choking a falcon:
Hard fought game tonight.... All I have to say is #BeatTheFalcons
— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) August 30, 2013
#WhoDat
#Saints pic.twitter.com/EAxyC5mySG
The Saints
coaching staff has some homework to do first though, diagnosing the 11
penalties that cost the Black and Gold 80 yards, as well as whittling
the roster down to 53 by Saturday.
"We did some good
things tonight. Overall, though, the penalties and the turnovers really
hurt us," coach Sean Payton said. "Penalties in the first half, we had
10. And the three fumbles, those are big plays where we've just got to
be better with the football. I thought a lot of guys gave some good
effort. This will be an interesting tape to watch."
Twenty-two
hopefuls will get pink slips by Saturday afternoon.
The situation for those competing for a backup
running back role became more complicated. Travaris Cadet did not make
the trip to Miami, but Payton isn't revealing the reason. Cadet's
absence opened a gaping window of opportunity for Khiry Robinson, which
he vaulted through, seemingly bolstering his case for a job in New
Orleans.
The rookie out of West Texas A&M
personally put up 115 rushing yards during 22 attempts against the
Dolphins. For good measure, he added 50 yards receiving, proving his
hands can be as much of a weapon as Cadet's.
However,
Robinson's two fumbles will count against him: one midfield and a more
painful episode on the goal line.
Two players left
the game after being injured: wide receiver Nick Toon hurt his
chest and defensive end Glenn Foster tweaked an ankle after a stellar
preseason. Payton says both injuries are minor and the two young players
should be fine.
