Trufant helped defense earn some respect
The Saints didn’t show the Falcons’ defense much respect on their third possession of the game in the first quarter when they tried to go for it on fourth down-and-7 from the Falcons’ 39.
They first sent the field goal team out before calling a timeout. After pondering the issue, the Saints sent the offense out on the field. Even after lineman Bryce Harris was called for a false start, the Saints still elected to go for it instead of pinning the Falcons back with a punt.
Cornerback Desmond Trufant stepped in front of pass intended for Marques Colston and came up with an interception.
“I just owe that to film study,” Trufant said. “I’m at the point now where I’m seeing things before they happen just from so much film that I’ve been watching. I just made a play.”
In addition to William Moore (shoulder) leaving the game, safety Dwight Lowery (shoulder) and nickel back Josh Wilson (hamstring) were injured in the game. Javier Arenas was pressed into duty and veteran Charles Godfrey will be available if Moore can’t play against the Panthers.
Godfrey was inactive for the Saints game.
“We had to keep fighting,” Trufant said. “We knew that by any means necessary we had to get the win. We had some guys go down. We had some guys step up and make plays. That shows the character of the group.”
The secondary loved having a pass-rush and were rooting on the defensive linemen and linebackers, who put Brees under so much duress.
“That was big,” Trufant said. “They were battling and winning their one-on-ones. We were tight in overage. It all works hand in hand, and if we can do that consistently, we can get turnovers. That showed up (against the Saints.)”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
