Why the Saints Should Get Back to Fundamentals on Penalties
The New Orleans Saints entered Week One with plenty of reasons for optimism. A fresh coaching staff, new pieces on offense, and a clean slate offered hope for a rebound season. However, their 20-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals revealed that some of the same old problems remain, especially when it comes to discipline. The Saints committed double-digit penalties, and almost every one was a pre-snap mistake that stalled drives, extended Arizona’s possessions, and handed the Cardinals favorable field position. While it’s normal for teams to have hiccups in Week One, these self-inflicted wounds have been a recurring theme for the Saints in recent years, and they continue to cost them winnable games.
The frustrating part for both players and fans is that this issue isn’t about talent or scheme; it’s about execution and focus. It’s hard for Spencer Rattler to have success when he is constantly in second and third and longs against a good defense. Pre-snap penalties are the most avoidable mistakes in football, yet they repeatedly haunted the Saints on both sides of the ball. Whether it was a false start that killed momentum on offense or a neutral zone infraction that gave Arizona an easy first down, the Saints consistently sabotaged themselves. Coach Moore and Coach Staley must emphasize fundamentals in practice this week, drilling discipline into every snap and ensuring players understand the consequences of mental lapses. With a new staff, growing pains are expected, but failing to correct these preventable mistakes will only dig the team into an early-season hole.
Looking ahead, the Saints don’t need to reinvent themselves to get back on track; they need to sharpen their attention to detail. Limiting penalties and playing cleaner football could have been the difference between a loss and a win against Arizona. In fact, it’s hard not to believe that without those self-inflicted wounds, the Saints walk away 1-0. The coaching staff must prioritize discipline if they want to put their players in the best position to succeed, because no amount of talent can overcome constant setbacks caused by mental errors. The margin for victory in the NFL is often razor-thin, and the Saints simply cannot afford to beat themselves. If Moore and Staley can get their team locked in on fundamentals, the Saints still have the pieces to turn this season around before it slips away.
