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Establishing the run Saints need to get ground game going against Vikings
Updated: Wednesday January 03, 2001 11:40 AM
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Ricky Williams will be watching, Terrell Smith could also be an observer. So, where's the New Orleans Saints' ground game when they really need it? Ready and waiting for the Minnesota Vikings. "We're going to continue to run the football," head coach Jim Haslett said. "That is what we do and that is one of our big parts, and we are going to try to continue to do it." But if the Vikings (11-5) do as opponents have over the last three weeks, the running game might remain a negligible factor in the Saints' offense. The Saints (11-6) have faced a series of seven- and eight-man fronts. "We've been seeing a lot of eight-man fronts," said running backs coach Dave Atkins. "When that happens, sometimes it's difficult to get to that eighth man in the box and get our guys open." Williams, the Saints' first 1,000-yard rusher since 1989, broke a bone in his ankle Nov. 12. Since then, the only player to gain 100 yards rushing is quarterback Aaron Brooks, who scrambled for 108 yard on 11 carries against the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 10. Brooks has made it clear he doesn't want to be a regular ball carrier, saying he gets paid to throw the ball. But he also knows the Saints need someone to grind out some yards and use up some clock. "You're always going to need the running game," Brooks said. "It's what our offense is based on. Unfortunately, we've been put in a situation lately where we have to pass. But we still lean on the run." When Williams initially went out, there was hope he would be healthy by the playoffs. But so far, tendinitis and pain have limited him to some work with the scout team and little prospect of playing. Smith, the rookie fullback known as a fierce blocker, has missed the past three games with a back injury. He was expected to return to practice this week, and Haslett hoped he might be ready for Saturday's game at Minnesota. "He's a big part of our running game," Haslett said. "He's a heck of a blocking fullback. He brings an added dimension." When Williams was injured there was speculation that the Saints' season was doomed. But Haslett turned to "running by committee," using rookie Chad Morton for the pass catching Williams had contributed, and journeyman Jerald Moore for the power running. Although neither had the big numbers of Williams, the combination kept the Saints' running game on the same level. Since then, Morton has sustained a dislocated shoulder and Moore has nerve damage in his neck and shoulder. Terry Allen, signed by the Saints in November, was the leading ball carrier against the Rams in last Saturday's wild-card victory. Allen had 16 carries but gained only 21 yards, an average of 1.3. The Saints have run for 92 yards or less in four of the last five games, with 77 carries for 215 yards -- a 2.8 yard average -- in the last three. That does not mean New Orleans will abandon its ground game against Minnesota. "We've got to keep running the ball to keep them honest," said Saints receiver Jake Reed. "We've got to try to have a balanced attack, but we've also got to take what a team gives us. That's also our plan, to take what they give us and run with it."
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