teke184 0 Report post Posted January 2, 2006 http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5214670 Haslett fired after trying year with Saints Story Tools: XML Print Email Blog This Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com Posted: 31 minutes ago The Turk has taken another coach. FOXSports.com has learned that the New Orleans Saints this morning fired head coach Jim Haslett. Haslett was informed of GM Mickey Loomis' decision this morning and then Loomis met with owner Tom Benson shortly after to finalize the details. Haslett will now become a hot candidate in places like Buffalo, St. Louis and possibly in New York if Herm Edwards bolts for the Chiefs. Loomis will begin interviewing candidates immediately. About a month ago the Saints job looked like a bad one but now that the team is heading back to the Big Easy, the opening has been pumped up quite a bit as next year they could end up being the feel-good story in the NFL. The Saints also come with some good personnel and now they have the No. 2 pick in the draft, which could bring USC stud Matt Leinart. The Saints are expected to announce the move later today. Haslett is considered a solid coach but this year, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the conditions were too difficult to overcome. Haslett, however, did a solid job in keeping the team together in the face of such adversity. Haslett has been quietly lobbying to either get a long-term deal or to be fired, as he didn't want to go into 2006 with an expiring contract. Looks like he got his wish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Robfather 0 Report post Posted January 2, 2006 Next up: Get rid of Brooks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teke184 0 Report post Posted January 2, 2006 Next up: Get rid of Brooks. That one has been on the table since he was benched in favor of Todd Bouman. The question is whether they'll find a taker for him (NY Jets, Oakland, Arizona, St. Louis, Miami, Buffalo, etc.) or if they'll just cut his worthless ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Leelee Report post Posted January 2, 2006 Arizona sounds like they want to keep Warner... and Buffalo definitely won't give up on Losman, yet. So, Brooks is a no for both those teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teke184 0 Report post Posted January 2, 2006 Arizona sounds like they want to keep Warner... and Buffalo definitely won't give up on Losman, yet. So, Brooks is a no for both those teams. I don't give a rat's ass where he ends up... I'm just hoping some sucker will take him off the Saints' hands, believing that his abilities will make up for the fact that his IQ test came back negative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Leelee Report post Posted January 2, 2006 Heh... can't blame you there. I don't see Brooks going anywhere as a starter, though. So, you'd probably have to cut him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly Report post Posted January 3, 2006 We should just start a OAO thread of coach firings because it looks like a lot of people are going to be brushing up on their resumes this offseason... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yankovic fan 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2006 Bad move by the Saints. Coach Haslett is a true class act and very fan friendly. He's a good represenative of the team and our record this year was no reflection of Haslett. I can see him going the route of Jake Delhomme and taking a team deep into the playoffs next season. And if the Saints cannot find a taker for Brooks, just cut him and bring in either a veteran or draft Matt Leinart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2006 Bad move by the Saints. Coach Haslett is a true class act and very fan friendly. How many games has he won recently, though? If you want to discount this year because of all the external factors, fine, but how successful have the Saints been under him? I'm sure he wanted out as much as they wanted to make a change, and I think it's a good idea for both parties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yankovic fan 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2006 Bad move by the Saints. Coach Haslett is a true class act and very fan friendly. How many games has he won recently, though? If you want to discount this year because of all the external factors, fine, but how successful have the Saints been under him? I'm sure he wanted out as much as they wanted to make a change, and I think it's a good idea for both parties. You're right. Wins have been elusive, but I feel his hands were tied talent wise. I really feel in my heart that Benson was holding something over his head to keep him from getting great players. If I were to assume he is sane, any sane person would have benched Brooks in 02 for Delhomme. He didn't and Saints did not make the playoffs. It's been suggested that he did not want to hurt Aaron's feelings. I just feel like he was given explicit instructions not to bench Brooks. I've more than once entertained the idea that Benson was behaving very similar to the Rachel Phelps character in the Major League movies. This year gave credit to that theory, Benson trying to move the team. Why did we draft a fantastic quarterback, and then sit him third string behind Bouman who's better days were in college at Division II St. Cloud State? Brooks is the only quarterback I've seen fumble in the manner he does. I've actually stood with a football and had my friends run at me as I throw it, just to see if it flys backwards out of my hand with no contact. I'm not even a quarterback, and I had the ball go forward everytime. The point of my drivel is I feel this is just another case of the Coach getting undue blame. Add on the fact that I'm VERY biased towards Jim Haslett, and that's why I feel the way I do. I got to talk to him twice at "meet and greets" and he just seemed very happy to be here. He fielded questions from some of the stupidest locals (and we're talking South Louisiana here folks, to give you an idea of what we're dealing with). He was asked the same questions multiple times, and he never once lost his cool, or got flustered. He took time to talk to each fan, sign things, and just was overall VERY receptive. Football fans, whichever team gets him, you're going to get a GREAT coach. I offer my advanced congratulations on the acquisition. I have nothing but love and respect for the man. It was a great five years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites