Frustrated McNown Can’t Seem to Shift Out of Jeer

The New Orleans Saints made it look easy.

Jeff Blake ran freely out of the pocket, passed when possible, or just handed off to Ricky Williams, who ran for more than 100 yards for the third consecutive game.

The Saints’ top-rated defense came up big too.

Led by La’Roi Glover, the Saints sacked frustrated Cade McNown five times and intercepted three of his passes, beating the Chicago Bears, 31-10, Sunday in boo-filled Soldier Field.

“Whatever we did, it worked,” said Glover, who had three sacks. “I think we can keep this steam rolling and open some eyes.”

New Orleans (2-3) had the ball nearly 17 minutes longer than the Bears (1-5). While the offense kept the ball, the defense made things miserable for McNown.

With his favorite receiver Marcus Robinson sidelined because of a sprained ankle, McNown struggled.

He threw an apparent touchdown pass to Dez White in the fourth quarter but that was overruled because the quarterback crossed the line of scrimmage.

Minutes later, after McNown’s pass was intercepted by Darrin Smith, TV replays showed the quarterback stopping just short of slapping the Saints’ Joe Johnson in the helmet. Johnson had attempted to block McNown after the interception.

“He caught himself,” Johnson said. “I knew he was frustrated. Anybody in that situation would be when you get pressure on you all day, when you get hit almost every play and you can’t mount a steady drive.”

The fans booed throughout and called for backup Jim Miller to replace McNown. It didn’t happen, even though the Bears couldn’t muster an offensive touchdown.

“We have to get in the end zone and then we’ll give them something to cheer about,” said McNown, who completed 18 of 37 passes for 202 yards, with three interceptions.

Blake, meanwhile, used his quickness to run out of the pocket and elude defenders, rushing for 66 yards and throwing touchdown passes on plays of four and 47 yards to Joe Horn and 29 yards to Andrew Glover.

Williams got stronger as the game progressed, finishing with 128 yards in 30 carries. He capped a 76-yard drive late in the third quarter with his first rushing touchdown of the season on a two-yard dive.