NFC West

New Orleans

4-4: 3rd

It's time to give Collins a chance at quarterback

BURNING ISSUE: Kerry Collins is in his fourth week with the team, and the time has come to insert him into the lineup. How else will team officials learn whether Collins can stop the quarterback carousel that dates to Mike Ditka's first season? Billy Joe Tolliver is the third different starter this season and seventh in 24 games under Ditka. Tolliver is 1-2 as a starter since replacing Danny Wuerffel, who was 2-2 after replacing the injured Billy Joe Hobert. Tolliver has provided some stability, but the team has lost four of its last five after a 3-0 start. Without a legitimate running game, the offense continues to sputter. Despite the problems that led to his demise in Carolina, Collins still is considered a "franchise" quarterback. There's only one way to find out if he can make a difference.

MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE: Rookie Cam Cleeland entered last Sunday's loss to Carolina with the most receptions of any NFC tight end. Cleeland added three catches for 62 yards and a touchdown to increase his season totals to 28 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. He leads the team in all three categories.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Progress was expected from the offensive line with three No. 1 draft picks starting (Willie Roaf, Chris Naeole, Kyle Turley). But injuries have taken a heavy toll. All-Pro LT Real missed his first game against Carolina following arthroscopic surgery to repair tom cartilage in his left knee. Roaf is likely to miss two more games, forcing Turley to continue playing left tackle. C Jerry Fontenot was lost for the season with torn knee ligaments in the fourth game, thrusting untested Tom Ackerman into the lineup.

DRAFT ANALYSIS: Turley (seventh overall selection) and Cleeland (No.40) have exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. Like Cleeland, Turley has started all eight games. Turley has started at three positions--six at left guard and one each at left and right tackle--and provides a physical presence as a run and pass blocker. CB Fred Weary began playing in nickel and dime coverage in the last three games. LB Chris Bordano's contributions have been limited to special teams.

WHAT TO EXPECT: It's hard to be optimistic looking at the brutal schedule ahead. Only one of the team's remaining opponents--the Rams--owns a losing record. First up are the Vikings on Sunday in Minnesota. The knockout could come in consecutive road games at the 49ers and Dolphins to finish November. -- Mike Strom

GRADING OUT vs. Carolina

OFFENSE D

This unit again was betrayed by the lack of a running game.

DEFENSE C+

Fourteen of the Panther's points were the result of turnovers.

SPECIAL TEAMS D

The Saints lost the battle of field position, and it cost them dearly.

STRATEGY D

New Orleans was beaten badly by a team that had lost nine straight games.

SAINTS

PASSING        Att.   Comp.     Pct.    Yds.   Long
Tolliver       118      64     54.2     881     82t
Wuerffel       119      62     52.1     695     64t

PASSING         TD     Int.    Rate   Sacks
Tolliver         4       3     79.1       6
Wuerffel         5       5     66.3      23

RUSHING        Att.    Yds.     Avg.     TD
L. Smith        91     338      3.7       1
Zellars         37     114      3.1       1
T. Davis        35     105      3.0       0

RECEIVING       No.    Yds.     Avg.     TD
Cleeland        28     400     14.3       3
Dawkins         23     386     16.8       1
Hastings        18     196     10.9       2

SCORING        XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.
Brien           13    13    11    11    46

PUNTING         No.    Yds.     Avg.    Blk.
Royals          51    2347     46.0       0

KO RETURNS      No.    Yds.     Avg.    Blk.
Ismail          28     590     21.1       0

PUNT RETURNS    No.    Yds.     Avg.    Blk.
Hastings        13     190     14.6       0

SACKS: Glover 5.0, J. Johnson 4.0,
Fields 3.0, Tomich 3.0

INTERCEPTIONS: Drakeford 3, Cota 3,
Knight 3