Things looked to be going well for the New Orleans Saints before halftime on Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals. They were tied up 14-14 on the road, with a couple of minutes until the half and several timeouts to work with. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton was under center ready to lead the two-minute offense with (as Amazon broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit weirdly insisted throughout the game) his calming presence.
Then Dalton threw a pass to wide receiver Marquez Callaway, which slipped through his hands and was interceped. The Cardinals defense returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. That’s painful, but not impossible to overcome. Reset and reload and try again — and then Dalton threw another pick-six, this one traveling back 56 yards for another defensive touchdown. It took 102 seconds of game time for the Saints to fall behind by multiple scores, their defense never even hitting the field.
It was his third interception in a first-half meltdown. Amazon sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung caught up with Saints head coach Dennis Allen as led his team out of the tunnel after halftime, and asked what advice he shared with his quarterback after a horrendous series. And he said maybe the worst possible thing he could have thought of in the moment.
“Nothing, just keep doing what’s he doing, you know?” Allen responded after watching his quarterback throw three interceptions in a single half of football. He thought for a moment, then added to his message: “Compete. Come out here and fight and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Okay, the coach speak at the end isn’t that bad. But what on Earth compelled him to double down (triple down? quadruple down?) on seeing such bad football? Why say that? At best it suggests he’s not getting caught up with the negative plays, choosing to trust the process and let his players play. At worst it says he’s really not concerned about it and dodging accountability in a big spot. It’s a terrible look either way.
But it’s not like the Saints have better options. Dalton is starting in place of the injured Jameis Winston, who also threw three interceptions the last time he conducted New Orleans’ offense. Neither of them are good options, and we know Taysom Hill isn’t going to hold down the full-time quarterback job, either. The Saints are in a really difficult spot, and Allen’s lackadaisical approach to times of crisis like this is beginning to define his tenure as head coach. Hopefully he’ll think of something better to say next time.
