Culpepper tosses Five touchdown Passes in Vikings Triumph over Weary Saints

Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper ran his offense to perfection chalking up 605 yards of total offense, leading the Vikings to a 38-31 victory over the Saints before a sellout crowd in the Superdome and a national television audience. The spectacular ariel show featured the one and only Randy Moss, who dazzled the viewing audience with a 45 yard reception to get things started. Of course Culpepper was the ring master who conducted and controlled the Saints defense, using his huge offensive line to brace off would be defenders.

Lets not forget the baby rookie Viking, former Tulane record setting running back Mewelde Moore, who darted and dashed through the Saints secondary as if he were running against college players. Moore, who made his second NFL start against his home town team, rushed for 109 yards, while hauling in seven catches for 78 yards. "It felt good to come back home and play well, said Moore. It was just like any other game for me, I just wanted to play and play well."

For the Saints, they just didn't play well enough to keep up with the high power Minnesota offense, which marched up and down the new Superdome turf as if it were their own. The Vikes averaged 10.4 yards per play, racking up 365 yards in the first half alone. "We have play makers all over the place, said victorious Viking head coach Mike Tice. It seems like everybody is trying to out do the other guy."

While the score indicated the Saints played close, as a team, the players were helpless trying to stop Minnesota's attack. Moss suffered a thigh injury that sideline him for the remainder of the game, but that game delay did little to defuse this well oiled machine. Culpepper ( 26 of 37) didn't discriminate with his tossing of the pigskin, as seven Viking players caught passes. "We play them man to man, jamming at the line of scrimmage and still get beat, I'm kind of loss for words, they are probably the best offensive team in the league, said Saints coach Jim Hasslett, who's team has lost three games in a row."

The Saints were victims of their own trangressions on many occasions, as starting wide receiver Donte' Stallworth dropped at least two catch able Aaron Brooks passes, and Brooks tossed a pick in the red zone to kill drives and potential scores. Saints running back Deuce McAlister rushed for 78 yards and two scores, but it was hardly enough to keep pace with the Vikings.
Upcoming Saints opponents like the Raiders and Kansas City appear to be games the team should win against. But it was the same thought we all had when they faced winless Arizona and Tampa Bay. What's wrong with the Saints? Only the players know. Can this ship right itself before sinking? Only the players know. What I do know, if this ship continues on the downward path, its destine to sink, taking the coaches, players and some administrators to the unemployment line. Stay tuned!

Tidbits

Saints Notes: Special team pro bowler Fred McAfee was re-signed by the team last week just before he was about to sign a free-agent contract with another NFL team. McAfee made a great debut, gathering a fake punt sprinting some 53 yards up field. Corner back Ashley Ambrose and defensive end Darren Howard are expected to miss the game in Oakland. Ambrose, who is tied in the league with three picks on the year, suffered a slight tear of the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee, while Howard had loose cartilage removed.

NFL Notes: The Raiders sent future Hall of Fame wide out Jerry Rice to Seattle for a future 7th round selection, while Tampa traded disgruntled WR Kennan McCardell. Former Saint and Miami running back Rick Williams has asked the league for reinstatement. Williams, who retired in July could face a penalty for testing three times for drug use.

College Hoops: Former LSU player Rick Blanton resigned as head coach at Nicholls State after three season at the helm.

Big Easy Classic

The Southern Jags blasted Jackson State 45-7 improving its record to 4-2 over-all and 3-0 in SWAC play. Thomas Ricks tossed three scoring connecting on 32 of 45 passes for 353 yards in the victo~. Ahmad Trueado, a Warren Easton grad, had an interception in the victory. He leads the division with four on the season. Elsewhere, Grambling was a 41-22 looser to ArkansasPine Bluff.

Did you Know? There are eight African American women serving as athletic directors at Black Colleges. They are Dr. Helen Caldwell of Johnson C. Smith University, Peggy Davis of Virginia State, Brenda Edmond at Clark Atlantic, Charlene Johnson at South Carolina State, Teresa Lawrence Phillips of Tennessee State, Gwendolyn Reeves of Fort Valley State, Sondra Norrell Thomas at Howard, and Dr. E.D.Wikens of LeMoyne Owens College.