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New Orleans3-3 (Away: 2-1)
Atlanta2-5 (Home: 1-2)
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Sun., Oct. 29 @Arizona 4:05 PM ET

A passing whim
 Ricky Williams
Williams chose the right position.
Quarterback Jeff Blake doesn't have to worry about running back Ricky Williams taking his job. Even though Williams completed his only pass of the Carolina game, a 34-yard lob to wide receiver Keith Poole on an option, Williams admitted he didn't enjoy his new role. "I really didn't want to throw the pass, but I knew it was going to be open," said Williams, who is averaging 102.6 rushing yards per game. "I didn't want to mess up."
  • ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings

    Leading the winning way
    In his turbulent rookie season, Ricky Williams ran 253 times for 884 yards and two touchdowns in the 12 games he played. A turf toe and a sprained ankle cost him time and limited his effectiveness, and his uneven behavior was criticized as much as the incentive-laced contract that brought him little more than the NFL minimum salary. This season, Williams has been sensational. No longer a misunderstood loner, Williams has done the most to change the Saints' losing culture on the field, writes ESPN.com's Greg Garber.

    Blake finds home in N'Awlins
    Jeff Blake
    Blake
    This offseason, critics wondered if signing quarterback Jeff Blake, who had his ups and downs for the struggling Bengals, would be a good move for New Orleans. So far, it has been. Blake connected with emerging star Ricky Williams and fellow newcomer Joe Horn for fourth-quarter scores as the Saints reached .500 with a 24-6 win over Carolina. "I thought Jeff, when it was time to step up to the plate, stepped up," head coach Jim Haslett told The Times-Picayune.

    Prime Time Players
    Running back Ricky Williams continues to run wild for the Saints, registering his fourth consecutive 100-yard performance. Williams is one of six players nominated for the ESPN Week 7 Prime Time Player.
  • Vote for the ESPN Prime Time Player for Week 7
  • Complete TJ's take

    The week according to TJ
    After Sunday's games, ESPN.com's Tom Jackson gave his take on the best teams and players in the NFL. Here's what he said: "Store it away: Saints running back Ricky Williams will lead the NFC (maybe the NFL) in rushing by season's end."
  • Complete TJ's Take.


    • Donahoe: Saints ready for Rams?
    Tuesday, October 17
    The Saints currently have the No. 1 defense in the league. They are only allowing 220 yards a game and have registered 27 sacks on the season. New Orleans does not play the Rams until after Thanksgiving and it will be interesting to see if the Saints defense continues to improve. How will they match up at that time against the Rams? With Ricky Williams and their running game, they may be able to keep the Rams offense off the field and have a chance.
    Tom Donahoe is ESPN.com's NFL analyst.

    FEATURES
    Tuesday Morning Quarterback
    You have to wonder if Mike Riley takes roll call. That's one of the things we pondered in Week 7.


    2000 NFC WEST STANDINGS
    TEAM W L HOME ROAD PF PA
    St. Louis 6 0 4-0 2-0 262 174
    New Orleans 3 3 1-2 2-1 110 98
    Carolina 2 4 1-2 1-2 110 100
    San Francisco 2 5 1-2 1-3 198 224
    Atlanta 2 5 1-2 1-3 130 217
    Complete Standings

    SCHEDULE/RESULTS
    Date Opponent Time/Results
    Sep. 03 Detroit Loss 14-10
    Sep. 10 @San Diego Win 28-27
    Sep. 17 @Seattle Loss 20-10
    Sep. 24 Philadelphia Loss 21-7
    BYE WEEK
    Oct. 08 @Chicago Win 31-10
    Oct. 15 Carolina Win 24-6
    Oct. 22 @Atlanta 1:00 PM  ET
    Oct. 29 @Arizona 4:05 PM  ET
    Nov. 05 San Francisco 1:00 PM  ET
    Nov. 12 @Carolina 1:00 PM  ET
    Nov. 19 Oakland 1:00 PM  ET
    Nov. 26 @St. Louis 1:00 PM  ET
    Dec. 03 Denver 1:00 PM  ET
    Dec. 10 @San Francisco 4:15 PM  ET
    Dec. 17 Atlanta 1:00 PM  ET
    Dec. 24 St. Louis 1:00 PM  ET

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    "They were getting tired. We knew that and we just kept pounding them. It was great. It was fun."
    -- RB Ricky Williams after the Saints' 24-6 win over Carolina

    TEAM LEADERS
    PASSINGATTCOMPYDSTD
    Blake19011211438
    RUSHINGCARYDSAVGTD
    Williams1556164.03
    Blake331584.81
    RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTD
    Horn3644612.45
    Williams272358.71
    Complete Team statistics | Roster

    TRANSACTIONS
    Oct. 11
    Signed wide receiver Charlie Jones to a one-year contract; waived cornerback Todd Franz.
    Oct. 02
    Placed linebacker Charlie Clemons on injured reserve; signed fullback Fred McAfee.
    Sep. 19
    Named Jeff Jacobs assistant video director.
    Sep. 15
    Signed tight end Dave Stachelski from the practice squad; waived defensive end Marques Douglas.
    Aug. 30
    Assigned tackle Jay Hagood, wide receiver Mareno Philyaw, defensive end Bobby Setzer, tight end Dave Stachelski and tackle Philip Ward to the practice squad.

    DID YOU KNOW?
    WR Joe Horn needed only six games to surpass his career high for receptions in a season. Horn, whose previous high was 35 with Kansas City last season, caught five Sunday and has 36 for the season.

    from the SAINTS MESSAGE BOARD
    "Defensive battle? You have to have a defense for there to be a battle. The Saints are ranked #1, and Atlanta's defense is ranked 30th in the league. How is that a defensive battle? Now we can turn the ball over and make your defense look good, but that's about the only defense Atlanta will have."
    – SoCalSaint
    Post a message | Message list

    RB Ricky Williams has four consecutive 100-yard rushing games, a new team record.
    ..................................
     NEWS AND NOTES
  • The Saints and Panthers really lived up the old football cliché of giving 110 percent. Too eager to wait for the regulation game time, the hits started during warmups with players being separated when the trash-talking and taunting became too intense. WR Jake Reed and Carolina CB Doug Evans went at it on the first play from scrimmage, one of several post-whistle skirmishes.
  • Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein complained after Sunday's game that Saints DBs did a lot of holding and made illegal contact with Panthers WRs on several plays. Saints secondary coach Rick Venturi said nothing was going on but plain old-fashioned football. "We played with a passion, we played aggressive; get after you, claw you," Venturi said. "It was really good to see."

    • Pro
    The Way We Hear It
    Get the inside scoop on the Saints and the rest of the NFL from Pro Football Weekly.
    Whispers from around the NFL
    Find out what Pro Football Weekly has been hearing around the league.
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