Saints do some house cleaning on D-line

By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Nov. 4, 2003
METAIRIE, La. Looking at the quality depth the New Orleans Saints have along the defensive line led the team to finally decide that enough was enough in terms of the troubled Grady Jackson.
The defense is a little lighter now, as the defensive tackle who hails from Greensboro, Ala. and currently resides in Madison, was cut by the team Monday afternoon, one day after the Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 17-14.
If he does not, the team will have to bear the burden of his salary through the remainder of the season. Jackson's weight problems combined with his inability to play with minor injuries and a negative influence on younger teammates all contributed to his release. He was suspended for the Tampa game for failing to show up to the team hotel the night before the Carolina game.
Haslett conceded that Jackson, who had ballooned to nearly 370, was not surprised to learn of his being waived.
The defensive line was the biggest source of news coming out of the win, as Whitehead, who played all but four snaps against Tampa in 90 degree heat, had to stay behind because of severe cramps.
He was hospitalized Sunday evening and arrived back in New Orleans Monday afternoon via Tom Benson's plane.
Another former Wildcat, Smith, did not have his best game Sunday. Credited with only two tackles, Smith jumped offsides on the key fourth and 10 from the Saints 30, in which Tampa took advantage of the free play and scored on a TD pass to tie the game at 14 in the closing minutes.
So in that vein, no one was more relieved than he when John Carney booted the 47-yard game winner.
Those types of mental errors were what Haslett focused on as what the team needed to eliminate in order to continue their overall improvement.
But overall the coach was very pleased with the grit and determination his team displayed in the war of attrition, what many are calling the biggest regular season victory in Haslett's regime. The key to that was the smart play on the final offensive possession in which Aaron Brooks led the team down the field to the game-winning kick. It was Brooks' ninth game-winning drive in his career.
What it all means is the Saints are 4-5 and poised to be back in the thick of things after they take the bye week off and return healthier for the home game with Atlanta on the new turf.