New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson has publicly declared her teams 1-4 start not acceptable, saying she will not accept the current level of performance as the clubs standard. Speaking at the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club on Tuesday (US time), Benson said she was committed to making the decisions needed to improve the team.
The comments, described by ESPN as a rare public criticism of her team, follow a three-game losing streak that has left the Saints 1-4 for the second year in a row.
“That is not acceptable to me, and it falls short of what our fans truly deserve,†Benson said, per CBS Sports.
“As an owner, the responsibility does start with me. I will not make excuses, and I will not accept this level of performance as our standard,†she said. “I am committed to making the decisions necessary to improve this team.â€
Moore and Loomis named
Benson did not elaborate on what decisions or changes might follow, NFL.com reported, but she named second-year head coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis, who has been in the job since 2002.
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“Kellen Moore and his coaches are responsible for preparing our players to perform,†she said. “Mickey Loomis and our football staff are responsible for building a roster capable of sustained success. Our players are responsible for their preparation and execution. I am responsible for holding this organization accountable.â€
She also had a message for the coaches in the room. “To the coaches here today, you all know what leadership requires when your team struggles,†Benson said, per CBS Sports. “You confront the problems, make corrections and hold yourself to the same standard you demand of others. That is what I expect throughout our organization.â€
How the season has unravelled
New Orleans opened with a 31-30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions after fighting back from 21-0 down, then beat the Baltimore Ravens on the road before a narrow loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Week 4 Monday night game stung most. On the day the club marked 20 years since the Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina, the Saints were beaten 45-24 by NFC South rival the Atlanta Falcons. A 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings followed on Sunday (US time), with the Saints held to nine first downs, per NFL.com, and quarterback Tyler Shough passing for a season-low 96 yards, according to CBS Sports.
“Losing this year’s anniversary game to Atlanta, truly disappointing,†Benson said.
What’s next for the Saints
The Saints were also 1-4 at this stage of Moore’s first season before finishing 6-11, NFL.com noted. Next up is a road trip to the New York Giants (3-1-1), with kick-off at 1pm ET on Sunday, which is 4am AEDT on Monday 19 October.
“There’s a great deal of football ahead of us, but our response must show up on the field,†Benson said.
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