This is my impression of the first half of the Saints-Jacksonville Game.

Quarter 1 — yeah!!! ….. No!!!

Quarter 2 — Yeah!!! …..No!!! …. Yeah!!! … No!!!!

Two missed field goals by Orlindo Mare and yet another deep ball burn by DB Colt David will hopefully be enough to get these two newcomers back on the bus from whence they came.

How about Drew Brees’ steady leadership to respond  methodically to everything Jacksonville could mount, complemented by Reggie Bush’s determined running between the tackles and linebackers to keep the clock rolling? Or Mike MacKenzie’s explosive interception TD that gave the adrenaline this team needed?

The Saints showed the poise, and toughness to stand toe to toe with a dangerous AFC opponent. Bush was darting and lunging for first downs like he had something to prove. Hmmm. Heisman winner possessed to overcome specter of Heisman disappointments?

But how about Mike MacKenzie? His play to step up in the third quarter when Jacksonville was driving and gaining momentum just sucked the air right out of their sails. He made something happen on Defense. That’s what the Saints needed. Hopefully that will send a message to his teammates how important a stiff defensive backfield is to becoming a champion.

This team is 4-0 in the second quarter of the season and they go into half time with momentum and the pride we saw all year…. They’re fighting with tenacity we were not seeing earlier in the season. I say we give them a pass.