Steady Peete Helps Eagles Soar Over Saints, 15-10

Rodney Peete didn’t do anything great in his first start for Philadelphia. He didn’t do anything really bad either and that was good enough as the Eagles defeated the New Orleans Saints, 15-10, Sunday for their second victory of the season.

“We’ve got to score more touchdowns,” said Peete, a former USC standout. “That’s what we’ve got to work on, but I think the number one thing is that we come away with a win. That was our main objective, any way we could get it.”

Peete, who replaced Randall Cunningham twice this season, started Sunday and moved Philadelphia (2-3) into range for five field goals by Gary Anderson.

“Obviously we would like to have scored more than field goals when we got down there,” Peete said. “It’s something we definitely have to work on. We’ve not going to be able to win many games when you’re kicking five field goals.”

Anderson, who established himself as one of the most accurate kickers in the league during his 13-year career at Pittsburgh, made field goals of 20, 43, 36, 37 and 42 yards.

The Saints (0-5) are off to their worst start since 1980 when they lost their first 14 games in a 1-15 season.

A crowd of 43,938 watched the latest loss, the smallest turnout for a Saint game in the Superdome since 29,745 watched the first strike game in 1987. Many people put paper bags over their heads when it became apparent the Saints would lose again.

New Orleans quarterback Jim Everett was sacked three times, including Mike Mamula’s hit in the third quarter that sidelined him because of a sprained ankle. Everett, who completed 10 of 24 passes for 102 yards, returned with seven minutes left but threw an interception on the Saints’ final drive.

Peete completed 18 of 29 passes for 173 yards and one interception, and was sacked four times. He rushed for 28 yards in three carries.

Cunningham offered advice every time he left the field, Peete said.

“He’s been very supportive,” Peete said. “I’m sure it’s a situation where he’s upset, but he wants to win.”

Eagle Coach Ray Rhodes said Peete will start again next week against Washington.