Wayback machine: 2002 Wk 13 vs. the Bucs (McCarthy’s O vs. Gruden’s D) (1 Viewer)

[St.Dan]

Didn’t think I’d be in the spirit for doing an offseason wayback post at this point. But with McCarthy’s and to a lesser extent Gruden’s name in the coach search, my mind went back to the period when McCarthy and Gruden played parts in Saints history.

The home game late in the 2002 season against the Bucs provided some of the last times the fans get any playoff vibes from the Haslett regime. McCarthy was the OC. Deuce was the soul of the offense. Brooks, while gifted physically, was hot and cold trying to be a system QB in McCarthy’s system.

The game between the 7-4 Saints and the 9-3 Bucs began either as a defensive struggle or a total nightmare for both offenses, depending on one’s perspective. A few turnovers on special teams and D by both sides kept it tight before Deuce (playing injured; Brooks wasn’t the only hobbling Saint in late ‘02) broke off a few tough runs, including a TD run early, and Brooks found Joe Horn in the end zone following a Bucs turnover.

Up 23-12 late, the “heavy lunch bunch” on D broke on fourth down and allowed a Bucs TD and 2-pt. conversion. 23-20, Saints.

An injured Brooks, right arm going pretty much visibly limp, is pulled with 2:35 to go. In comes Jake Delhomme and so began the most controversial QB situation in team history (arguably still stands as such today). On 3rd-and-8, Delhomme completed a slant to Horn to ice the game.

What should’ve occurred over the next month, especially after Delhomme started and beat the Ravens the following week, probably isn’t a debate. But you know it will be until the end of time. And we know which of these two teams ended up making the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl that year. Sadly, it wasn’t us. One telling shot near the end of the game is a shot of Brooks hugging Haslett to celebrate the win — using only his left, non-throwing arm.

ESPN’s Sunday night crew of the early 2000s — Mike Patrick, Paul McGuire and Joe Theismann — has the call. Enjoy McCarthy’s offense vs. Gruden’s and Monte Kiffin’s defense in a late season game that had what passer at that time for a playoff atmosphere. As always, simply click the “watch on YouTube” link to easily watch it despite the dark screen there:

 

[Mr.Blonde]

One of my favorite games of all time. I loved watching Deuce piledrive the bucs. Both times the Bucs won the Bowl, we swept them.

 

[Saint KayBee]

Great post, but Jake Delhomme didn’t start the Ravens game. Aaron Brooks was sacked twice on a drive while up 20-7 and he was pulled after that. I remember the Saints D/ST blocking punts and forcing a ton of fumbles, and the offense relying on Deuce heavily in that game. Brooks actually had a decent game in the dome vs. the Vikings the following week but the case against Mike McCarthy being this (or any) team’s head coach could well have been made in the very next game, as he called for a pass-heavy gameplan in the swirling winds of December Cincinnati. I would have bet my boots that nobody would ever hire him as an HC after that disaster of a game.

 

[Saintman2884]

Didn’t think I’d be in the spirit for doing an offseason wayback post at this point. But with McCarthy’s and to a lesser extent Gruden’s name in the coach search, my mind went back to the period when McCarthy and Gruden played parts in Saints history.

The home game late in the 2002 season against the Bucs provided some of the last times the fans get any playoff vibes from the Haslett regime. McCarthy was the OC. Deuce was the soul of the offense. Brooks, while gifted physically, was hot and cold trying to be a system QB in McCarthy’s system.

The game between the 7-4 Saints and the 9-3 Bucs began either as a defensive struggle or a total nightmare for both offenses, depending on one’s perspective. A few turnovers on special teams and D by both sides kept it tight before Deuce (playing injured; Brooks wasn’t the only hobbling Saint in late ‘02) broke off a few tough runs, including a TD run early, and Brooks found Joe Horn in the end zone following a Bucs turnover.

Up 23-12 late, the “heavy lunch bunch” on D broke on fourth down and allowed a Bucs TD and 2-pt. conversion. 23-20, Saints.

An injured Brooks, right arm going pretty much visibly limp, is pulled with 2:35 to go. In comes Jake Delhomme and so began the most controversial QB situation in team history (arguably still stands as such today). On 3rd-and-8, Delhomme completed a slant to Horn to ice the game.

What should’ve occurred over the next month, especially after Delhomme started and beat the Ravens the following week, probably isn’t a debate. But you know it will be until the end of time. And we know which of these two teams ended up making the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl that year. Sadly, it wasn’t us. One telling shot near the end of the game is a shot of Brooks hugging Haslett to celebrate the win — using only his left, non-throwing arm.

ESPN’s Sunday night crew of the early 2000s — Mike Patrick, Paul McGuire and Joe Theismann — has the call. Enjoy McCarthy’s offense vs. Gruden’s and Monte Kiffin’s defense in a late season game that had what passer at that time for a playoff atmosphere. As always, simply click the “watch on YouTube” link to easily watch it despite the dark screen there:

Even if Haslett had done what he later admitted he was too stubborn, bull-headed and scared to do at the time in replacing an injured QB for a backup that he likely knew was more then capable and might win over the starting QB job, Haslett was trying to avoid another QB controversy that he'd been dealing with since 2001 with Brooks/Jeff Blake and Brooks had just been signed to a long-term contract early in the 2002 pre-season. I still think even if Haslett does choose Delhomme, maybe we have a few winning seasons here and there, but signing Drew Brees' as a FA pickup never happens and us winning Super Bowl 44 doesn't occur, either.

Brees' career accomplishments, long and winding road here along with all the record-breaking statistical bonanza he brought with those offenses sort of make Aaron Brooks and Jake Delhomme forgettable, moot points. I think any 2002 Saints QB controversy debate, from an historical perspective, has to include Drew Brees, because if wed sided with Delhomme in late 2002 season and he nails for the next 5-6 years, #9 never plays a down here in New Orleans and that's a more disturbing, worrisome scenario that thank God, we'll never have to worry about.

 

[St.Dan]

Even if Haslett had done what he later admitted he was too stubborn, bull-headed and scared to do at the time in replacing an injured QB for a backup that he likely knew was more then capable and might win over the starting QB job, Haslett was trying to avoid another QB controversy that he'd been dealing with since 2001 with Brooks/Jeff Blake and Brooks had just been signed to a long-term contract early in the 2002 pre-season. I still think even if Haslett does choose Delhomme, maybe we have a few winning seasons here and there, but signing Drew Brees' as a FA pickup never happens and us winning Super Bowl 44 doesn't occur, either.

Brees' career accomplishments, long and winding road here along with all the record-breaking statistical bonanza he brought with those offenses sort of make Aaron Brooks and Jake Delhomme forgettable, moot points. I think any 2002 Saints QB controversy debate, from an historical perspective, has to include Drew Brees, because if wed sided with Delhomme in late 2002 season and he nails for the next 5-6 years, #9 never plays a down here in New Orleans and that's a more disturbing, worrisome scenario that thank God, we'll never have to worry about.

Excellent final point.

The phoenix that rose from the ashes of Katrina indeed was wearing a 9 jersey