Saints Get Even With 7 Interceptions Off Packers

You can overdo a good thing, even against the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints’ defense faced 59 passes Sunday and intercepted a team record of seven, turning one into a touchdown and defeating the Green Bay Packers, 24-10.

Cornerback Dave Waymer led a Saint defense which made five interceptions off starter Randy Wright and two off backup Vince Ferragamo, helping New Orleans even its record at 1-1 and push the Packers to 0-2.

“I’m really proud of our defensive linemen,” Waymer said. “They were the biggest part of our being able to get the interceptions, but the secondary did a hell of a job, too.”

Waymer said a 17-0 lead in the first quarter enabled the Saints to take chances and look for the interceptions. The most decisive ones came in second quarter when linebacker James Haynes picked off Ferragamo’s throw and returned the ball 17 yards for a touchdown.

Wright completed 18 of 44 for 195 yards, and Ferragamo hit 10 of 15 for 100 yards.

New Orleans quarterback Bobby Hebert completed 9 passes in 14 attempts for 200 yards and had 2 passes intercepted. Eric Martin caught 3 of Hebert’s passes for 164 yards.

Green Bay Coach Forrest Gregg said his team’s worst mistake came in the first quarter when Packer defensive back Mark Lee fell, springing Martin free on a 72-yard touchdown pass play from Hebert two minutes after the opening kickoff.

“Both teams needed to make a big play to get their feet on the ground and get some confidence,” Gregg said. “They made the big play when Mark Lee fell and they got the score.”

Martin said there was nothing complex about Lee’s fall. “I saw the guy (Lee) fall down, I knew I had the touchdown. Bobby (Hebert) saw him too. He just flat fell.”

Hebert also connected with Martin for an 84-yard play that led to a 20-yard field goal by Morten Andersen.

Green Bay scored on a 51-yard field goal in the second quarter by Al Del Greco, and a 7-yard scoring toss from Wright to James Lofton in the third period.