2005 New Orleans Saints season

The 2005 season was the New Orleans Saints' 39th in the National Football League (NFL) and the sixth and final under head coach Jim Haslett.

2005 New Orleans Saints season
General manager	Mickey Loomis
Head coach	Jim Haslett
Home stadium	Louisiana Superdome (Preseason) Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas[a] Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey[a] Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana[a]
Results
Record	3–13
Division place	4th NFC South
Playoffs	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	C LeCharles Bentley
← 2004 Saints seasons 2006 →

The season began with the team trying to improve from their 8–8 record from 2004. The Saints played two preseason games in the Louisiana Superdome before being forced to evacuate New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. They were forced to play the rest of the season on the road, splitting their games between their temporary headquarters at San Antonio’s Alamodome, and LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, and even playing their first home game at Giants Stadium.

The season ended with a 3–13 record, their equal-worst record alongside 1996 and 1999 since their 1–15 1980 season, and the firing of Jim Haslett. He was replaced by Sean Payton the following season.

This was also Aaron Brooks' last quarterback season as he was released during the offseason, thus being replaced by Drew Brees in the same season Sean Payton was hired.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 2005 NFL draft

2005 New Orleans Saints draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	13	Jammal Brown *	Offensive tackle	Oklahoma
2	40	Josh Bullocks	Free Safety	Nebraska
3	82	Alfred Fincher	Linebacker	Connecticut
4	118	Chase Lyman	Wide receiver	California
5	152	Adrian McPherson	Quarterback	Florida State
6	193	Jason Jefferson	Defensive tackle	Wisconsin
7	232	Jimmy Verdon	Defensive end	Arizona State
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

^[1]

Personnel

Staff

2005 New Orleans Saints staff

Front office Owner – Tom Benson Executive vice president/general manager – Mickey Loomis Senior football administrator – Russ Ball Director of player personnel – Rick Mueller Director of college scouting – Rick Reiprish College scouting coordinator – Rick Thompson Head coaches Head coach – Jim Haslett Associate head coach/running game coordinator – Jack Henry Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Mike Sheppard Quarterbacks – Turk Schonert Running backs – Johnny Roland Wide receivers – Jimmy Robinson Tight ends – Bob Palcic Assistant offensive line – Jim Pyne Offensive assistant/quality control – Chip Beake

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Rick Venturi Defensive line – John Pease Linebackers – Winston Moss Senior defensive assistant/secondary – Willy Robinson Defensive assistant/cornerbacks – Greg Brown Defensive assistant/quality control – Ty Knott Defensive assistant/special projects – Joe Alley Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Al Everest Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Rock Gullickson Assistant strength and conditioning – Adam Bailey

Roster

2005 New Orleans Saints roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  4 Todd Bouman  2 Aaron Brooks  5 Adrian McPherson Running backs (RB) 44 Mike Karney FB 25 Fred McAfee 32 Antowain Smith 27 Aaron Stecker 28 Anthony Thomas Wide receivers (WR) 81 Az-Zahir Hakim 19 Devery Henderson 87 Joe Horn 83 Donté Stallworth Tight ends (TE) 89 Lamont Hall 86 Zach Hilton 82 Nate Lawrie 80 Shad Meier

Offensive linemen (OL) 60 Ben Archibald T 70 Jammal Brown T 72 Wayne Gandy T 61 Montrae Holland G 64 Kendyl Jacox C 75 Jermane Mayberry G 67 Jamar Nesbit G 63 Chad Setterstrom G Defensive linemen (DL) 92 Tony Bryant DE 94 Charles Grant DE 93 Darren Howard DE 77 Rodney Leisle DT 91 Will Smith DE 97 Johnathan Sullivan DT 79 Jimmy Verdon DE 98 Willie Whitehead DT 95 Cedric Woodard DT 66 Brian Young DT

Linebackers (LB) 57 Colby Bockwoldt OLB 56 Alfred Fincher MLB 52 Sedrick Hodge OLB 59 Ronald McKinnon MLB 51 Terrence Melton OLB 53 T. J. Slaughter OLB Defensive backs (DB) 23 Fred Booker CB 35 Fakhir Brown CB 29 Josh Bullocks FS 21 Jason Craft CB 37 Steve Gleason SS 34 Mike McKenzie CB 40 Mel Mitchell SS 24 Dwight Smith SS 22 Fred Thomas CB 33 Joey Thomas CB Special teams (ST) 17 Mitch Berger P  3 John Carney K 47 Kevin Houser LS

Practice squad 13 Josh Davis WR 74 Augie Hoffmann G 45 Keith Joseph RB 16 Lance Moore WR 76 Russell Rabe LB 46 Nate Schurman FB 14 Levon Thomas WR Reserve 50 James Allen LB (IR) 20 Jay Bellamy S (IR) 65 LeCharles Bentley C (IR) 85 Ernie Conwell TE (IR) 84 Michael Lewis WR (IR) 15 Chase Lyman WR (IR) 26 Deuce McAllister RB (IR) 88 Nate Poole WR (IR) 78 Jon Stinchcomb T (IR) 55 Courtney Watson LB (IR) -- Boo Williams TE (IR) Rookies in italics 53 active, 11 reserve, 7 practice squad

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	Recap
1	August 12	Seattle Seahawks	L 15–34	0–1	Louisiana Superdome	Recap
2	August 18	at New England Patriots	W 37–27	1–1	Gillette Stadium	Recap
3	August 26	Baltimore Ravens	L 6–21	1–2	Louisiana Superdome	Recap
4	September 1	at Oakland Raiders	L 6–13	1–3	McAfee Coliseum	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Louisiana State's Tiger Stadium during one of the Saints' home games in 2005

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	Recap
1	September 11	at Carolina Panthers	W 23–20	1–0	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
2	September 19	New York Giants	L 10–27	1–1	Giants Stadium	Recap
3	September 25	at Minnesota Vikings	L 16–33	1–2	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	Recap
4	October 2	Buffalo Bills	W 19–7	2–2	Alamodome	Recap
5	October 9	at Green Bay Packers	L 3–52	2–3	Lambeau Field	Recap
6	October 16	Atlanta Falcons	L 31–34	2–4	Alamodome	Recap
7	October 23	at St. Louis Rams	L 17–28	2–5	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
8	October 30	Miami Dolphins	L 6–21	2–6	Tiger Stadium	Recap
9	November 6	Chicago Bears	L 17–20	2–7	Tiger Stadium	Recap
10	Bye
11	November 20	at New England Patriots	L 17–24	2–8	Gillette Stadium	Recap
12	November 27	at New York Jets	W 21–19	3–8	Giants Stadium	Recap
13	December 4	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 3–10	3–9	Tiger Stadium	Recap
14	December 12	at Atlanta Falcons	L 17–36	3–10	Georgia Dome	Recap
15	December 18	Carolina Panthers	L 10–27	3–11	Tiger Stadium	Recap
16	December 24	Detroit Lions	L 12–13	3–12	Alamodome	Recap
17	January 1	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 13–27	3–13	Raymond James Stadium	Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Carolina Panthers

Week 1: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	7	7	3	6	23
Panthers	7	0	7	6	20

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: September 11
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 79 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,920
• Referee: Tom White
• TV announcers (FOX): Ron Pitts, Tim Ryan, Pam Oliver
• Recap

Game information

First quarter NO – Deuce McAllister 4-yard run (John Carney kick), 5:23. Saints 7–0. Drive: 17 plays, 80 yards, 9:37. CAR – Steve Smith Sr. 33-yard pass from Jake Delhomme (John Kasay kick), 0:37. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 4:46. Second quarter NO – Deuce McAllister 2-yard run (John Carney kick), 4:37. Saints 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 5:46. Third quarter NO – John Carney 29-yard field goal, 4:31. Saints 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 3:26. CAR – Stephen Davis 1-yard run (John Kasay kick), 0:21. Saints 17–14. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 4:10. Fourth quarter NO – John Carney 48-yard field goal, 11:56. Saints 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 3:25. CAR – John Kasay 39-yard field goal, 6:17. Saints 20–17. Drive: 14 plays, 73 yards, 5:39. CAR – John Kasay 46-yard field goal, 1:04. Tied 20–20. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 1:55. NO – John Carney 47-yard field goal, 0:03. Saints 23–20. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 1:01. Top passers NO – Aaron Brooks – 18/24, 192 yards CAR – Jake Delhomme – 19/31, 212 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers NO – Deuce McAllister – 26 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD CAR – Stephen Davis – 13 rushes, 81 yards, TD Top receivers NO – Ernie Conwell – 6 receptions, 71 yards CAR – Steve Smith Sr. – 8 receptions, 138 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. New York Giants

Week 2: New York Giants at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	14	7	3	3	27
Saints	0	10	0	0	10

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: September 19
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 77 °F (25 °C)
• Game attendance: 68,031
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers (ABC): Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, Joe Theismann, Suzy Kolber
• Recap

Game information

First quarter NYG – Brandon Jacobs 1-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 13:25. Giants 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 10 yards, 1:28. NYG – Tiki Barber 6-yard pass from Eli Manning (Jay Feely kick), 4:13. Giants 14–0. Drive: 13 plays, 86 yards, 5:55. Second quarter NO – Joe Horn 21-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 14:11. Giants 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 5:02. NYG – Tiki Barber 12-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 1:54. Giants 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 1:33. NO – John Carney 21-yard field goal, 0:05. Giants 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 24 yards, 1:10. Third quarter NYG – Jay Feely 39-yard field goal, 7:48. Giants 24–10. Drive: 6 plays, 15 yards, 2:36. Fourth quarter NYG – Jay Feely 30-yard field goal, 6:37. Giants 27–10. Drive: 16 plays, 74 yards, 6:47. Top passers NYG – Eli Manning – 13/24, 165 yards, TD NO – Aaron Brooks – 27/45, 375 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers NYG – Tiki Barber – 22 rushes, 83 yards, TD NO – Deuce McAllister – 15 rushes, 47 yards Top receivers NYG – Plaxico Burress – 5 receptions, 64 yards NO – Joe Horn – 9 receptions, 143 yards, TD

Despite being played at Giants Stadium, this was officially a home game for the Saints as the Louisiana Superdome was being used as an emergency shelter in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.^[2]

The Saints out gained the Giants, finishing the game with 422 yards of total offense compared to New York's 257. However, the Saints' offense also committed six turnovers that resulted in 17 points for the Giants.

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 3: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	6	3	7	16
Vikings	17	7	0	9	33

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: September 25
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 63,952
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts and Tim Ryan

Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 4: Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	7	0	0	0	7
Saints	0	13	0	6	19

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

• Date: October 2
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 58,688
• Referee: Bill Vinovich
• TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui, Rich Gannon

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers

Week 5: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	3	0	0	0	3
Packers	14	21	10	7	52

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Date: October 9
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 52 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 70,580
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Brian Baldinger, and Drew Smith

Week 6: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 6: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	3	14	0	17	34
Saints	7	3	7	14	31

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

• Date: October 16
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 65,562
• Referee: Bill Carollo

Week 7: at St. Louis Rams

Week 7: New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	14	0	0	3	17
Rams	0	7	0	21	28

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: October 23
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 64,586
• Referee: Mike Carey

Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 8: Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	3	6	2	10	21
Saints	3	0	3	0	6

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Date: October 30
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Mostly sunny, 76 °F (24 °C)
• Game attendance: 61,643
• Referee: Tom White
• TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker

Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 9: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	3	7	3	20
Saints	3	7	0	7	17

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Date: November 6
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C)
• Game attendance: 32,637
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert and Brian Baldinger

Quarterback Aaron Brooks against the Chicago Bears

Week 11: at New England Patriots

Week 11: New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	7	0	10	17
Patriots	7	7	7	3	24

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Date: November 20
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny, 51 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Gerry Austin
• TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Tim Ryan, and Butch Stearns

Week 12: at New York Jets

Week 12: New Orleans Saints at New York Jets – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	14	0	7	21
Jets	3	6	7	3	19

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: November 27
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST/8:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
• Game attendance: 77,152
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, and Suzy Kolber

Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	0	7	0	3	10
Saints	0	3	0	0	3

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Date: December 4
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 74 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 34,411
• Referee: Pete Morelli

Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 14: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	3	14	0	0	17
Falcons	7	14	9	6	36

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

• Date: December 12
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST/9:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 70,083
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden, Michele Tafoya, and Sam Ryan

Week 15: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 15: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	10	7	3	27
Saints	7	0	0	3	10

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Date: December 18
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
• Game attendance: 32,551
• Referee: Tony Corrente

Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 16: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	7	0	6	13
Saints	0	3	6	3	12

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

• Date: December 24
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 63,747
• Referee: Larry Nemmers

Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 17: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	10	0	3	13
Buccaneers	7	10	0	10	27

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida

• Date: January 1, 2006
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 74 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 65,379
• Referee: Jeff Triplette

Standings

NFC South
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
(3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers	11	5	0	.688	5–1	9–3	300	274	W2
(5) Carolina Panthers	11	5	0	.688	4–2	8–4	391	259	W1
Atlanta Falcons	8	8	0	.500	2–4	5–7	351	341	L3
New Orleans Saints	3	13	0	.188	1–5	1–11	235	398	L5

See also

• Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Saints

Notes

1. Due to Hurricane Katrina striking New Orleans, causing the Louisiana Superdome to be damaged, the Saints had to play their home games for the rest of this season in these stadiums.