2002 New Orleans Saints season

NFL team season

2002 New Orleans Saints season
General manager	Mickey Loomis
Head coach	Jim Haslett
Home field	Louisiana Superdome
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	3rd NFC South
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	Deuce McAllister (RB) Joe Horn (WR) Michael Lewis (KR) Fred McAfee (ST)
All-Pros	Deuce McAllister (1st team) Michael Lewis (ST) Fred McAfee (ST)
← 2001 Saints seasons 2003 →

The 2002 season was the New Orleans Saints' 36th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 27th playing home games at the Louisiana Superdome. They improved upon their previous season's performance of 7–9, winning nine games. Despite the winning season, and ranking third in total offense in 2002, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. As of 2022, this remains the only season in which the Saints have worn their gold jerseys.

A bright moment during the season for the Saints was sweeping the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those two wins were almost guaranteed to make New Orleans a playoff team; however, three consecutive losses, all to losing teams, including one to the 1–13 Cincinnati Bengals, knocked New Orleans out of playoff contention.

Offseason

Additions	Subtractions
WR Jerome Pathon (Colts)	RB Ricky Williams (Dolphins)
TE David Sloan (Lions)	T Willie Roaf (Chiefs)
CB Ken Irvin (Bills)	DT La'Roi Glover (Cowboys)
WR Jake Reed (Vikings)	CB Fred Weary (Falcons)
T Victor Riley (Chiefs)	DE Joe Johnson (Packers)
CB Dale Carter (Vikings)	T Daryl Terrell (Jaguars)

NFL Draft

Main article: 2002 NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
2002 New Orleans Saints draft
1	13	Donté Stallworth	Wide receiver	Tennessee
1	25	Charles Grant	Defensive end	Georgia
2	44	LeCharles Bentley *	Guard	Ohio State
3	82	James Allen	Linebacker	Oregon State
4	125	Keyuo Craver	Defensive back	Nebraska
5	150	Mel Mitchell	Defensive back	Western Kentucky
6	186	J. T. O'Sullivan	Quarterback	UC Davis
6	196	John Gilmore	Tight end	Penn State
7	224	Derrius Monroe	Defensive end	Virginia Tech
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

2002 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player	Position	College
Jeff Reed	Placekicker	North Carolina

Personnel

Staff

**2002 New Orleans Saints staff**
	Front office Owner – Tom Benson Executive vice president/general manager – Mickey Loomis Senior football administrator – Russ Ball Director of player personnel – Rick Mueller College scouting coordinator – Rick Thompson Head coaches Head coach – Jim Haslett Assistant head coach/secondary – Mike Riley Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Mike McCarthy Quarterbacks – Mike Sheppard Running backs – Dave Atkins Wide receivers – Hubbard Alexander Assistant wide receivers – Jim Hostler Tight ends – Bob Palcic Offensive line – Jack Henry Offensive assistant/quality control – Danny Langsdorf			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Rick Venturi Defensive line – Sam Clancy Linebackers – Winston Moss Assistant secondary – Joe Baker Defensive assistant/quality control – Greg Brown Special teams coaches Special teams – Al Everest Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Rock Gullickson Assistant strength and conditioning – Evan Marcus

Roster

**2002 New Orleans Saints roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 2 Aaron Brooks 12 Jake Delhomme 14 J. T. O'Sullivan Running backs (RB) 48 James Fenderson 28 Curtis Keaton 25 Fred McAfee 26 Deuce McAllister 44 Terrelle Smith FB Wide receivers (WR) 87 Joe Horn 89 Derrick Lewis 84 Michael Lewis 80 Jerome Pathon 86 Jake Reed 83 Donté Stallworth Tight ends (TE) 81 Lamont Hall 88 David Sloan 82 Boo Williams		Offensive linemen (OL) 65 LeCharles Bentley G 71 Spencer Folau G/T 62 Jerry Fontenot C 64 Kendyl Jacox G 67 Bubba Miller C/G 66 Victor Riley T 74 Scott Sanderson T 68 Kyle Turley T 63 Wally Williams G Defensive linemen (DL) 92 Martin Chase DT 94 Charles Grant DE 99 Norman Hand DT 93 Darren Howard DE 91 Grady Jackson DT 90 Kenny Smith DT 98 Willie Whitehead DE		Linebackers (LB) 50 James Allen OLB 55 Travis Carroll OLB 56 Charlie Clemons MLB 51 Bryan Cox MLB 52 Sedrick Hodge OLB 59 J. J. Jones OLB 53 Roger Knight OLB 54 Darrin Smith OLB Defensive backs (DB) 20 Jay Bellamy FS 35 Fakhir Brown CB 21 Dale Carter CB 43 Keyuo Craver CB 37 Steve Gleason SS 27 Ken Irvin CB 29 Sammy Knight SS 40 Mel Mitchell FS 22 Fred Thomas CB Special teams 3 John Carney K 4 Toby Gowin P 47 Kevin Houser LS		Practice squad 78 P. J. Alexander G 30 Corey Hall S 77 Abdul-Salaam Noah DT 34 Demetrius Smith FB Reserve 36 Michael Hawthorne CB (IR) 57 Curtis Holden LB (IR) Rookies in italics 53 active, 2 reserve, 4 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Under the NFL's new scheduling formula, the Saints' non-divisional conference opponents in 2002 were primarily from the NFC North, although they also played former divisional rival the San Francisco 49ers from the NFC West, and the Washington Redskins from the NFC East. Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC North.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Attendance
1	September 8	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 26–20 (OT)	1–0	65,554
2	September 15	Green Bay Packers	W 35–20	2–0	67,958
3	September 22	at Chicago Bears	W 29–23	3–0	63,216
4	September 29	at Detroit Lions	L 21–26	3–1	60,023
5	October 6	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 32–29	4–1	67,734
6	October 13	at Washington Redskins	W 43–27	5–1	80,768
7	October 20	San Francisco 49ers	W 35–27	6–1	67,903
8	October 27	Atlanta Falcons	L 35–37	6–2	67,883
9	Bye
10	November 10	at Carolina Panthers	W 34–24	7–2	72,566
11	November 17	at Atlanta Falcons	L 17–24	7–3	70,382
12	November 24	Cleveland Browns	L 15–24	7–4	68,295
13	December 1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 23–20	8–4	68,226
14	December 8	at Baltimore Ravens	W 37–25	9–4	69,334
15	December 15	Minnesota Vikings	L 31–32	9–5	67,851
16	December 22	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 13–20	9–6	43,544
17	December 29	Carolina Panthers	L 6–10	9–7	66,946

Game summaries

Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 2: Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	10	7	3	20
Saints	7	14	7	7	35

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Date: September 15, 2002
Game time: 1:00 pm
Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 88 °F (31 °C)
Game attendance: 67,958
Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
TV: FOX
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

NO – Deuce McAllister 4-yard run (John Carney kick), 9:19. Saints 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:41.

Second quarter

GB – Ryan Longwell 27-yard field goal, 10:23. Saints 7–3. Drive: 15 plays, 71 yards, 7:31.
NO – Jerome Pathon 5-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 5:12. Saints 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 2:53.
NO – Donte Stallworth 34-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 2:03. Saints 21–3. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:16.
GB – Terry Glenn 14-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:40. Saints 21–10. Drive: 1 play, 14 yards, 0:08.

Third quarter

NO – Keyuo Craver 28-yard fumble return (John Carney kick), 13:53. Saints 28–10.
GB – Donald Driver 26-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:31. Saints 28–17. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:31.

Fourth quarter

GB – Ryan Longwell 36-yard field goal, 4:31. Saints 28–20. Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 6:03.
NO – Deuce McAllister 2-yard run (John Carney kick), 2:00. Saints 35–20. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 2:31.

Top passers

GB – Brett Favre – 29/44, 270 yards, 2 TD, INT
NO – Aaron Brooks – 16/28, 217 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

GB – Ahman Green – 17 rushes, 81 yards
NO – Deuce McAllister – 21 rushes, 123 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

GB – Terry Glenn – 9 receptions, 81 yards, TD
NO – Joe Horn – 6 receptions, 120 yards

Week 3: at Chicago Bears

Week 3: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	14	7	8	29
Bears	10	10	0	3	23

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

Date: September 22, 2002
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 68 °F (20 °C)
Game attendance: 63,216
Referee: Ron Blum (7)
TV: FOX
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

CHI – Paul Edinger 31-yard field goal, 7:36. Bears 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 4:01.
CHI – Dez White 10-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 2:47. Bears 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:10.

Second quarter

CHI – Marty Booker 22-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 13:35. Bears 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:05.
CHI – Paul Edinger 25-yard field goal, 11:47. Bears 20–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:30.
NO – Jerome Pathon 16-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 7:21. Bears 20–7. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:26.
NO – Aaron Brooks 7-yard run (John Carney kick), 6:23. Bears 20–14. Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:58.

Third quarter

NO – Joe Horn 5-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 8:15. Saints 21–20. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:45.

Fourth quarter

CHI – Paul Edinger 25-yard field goal, 8:43. Bears 23–21. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:59.
NO – Donte Stallworth 29-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Aaron Brooks run), 1:11. Saints 29–23. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:01.

Top passers

NO – Aaron Brooks – 22/34, 233 yards, 3 TD, INT
CHI – Jim Miller – 26/40, 236 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

NO – Deuce McAllister – 17 rushes, 45 yards
CHI – Anthony Thomas – 27 rushes, 111 yards

Top receivers

NO – Jerome Pathon – 5 receptions, 71 yards, TD
CHI – Marty Booker – 8 receptions, 97 yards, TD

Week 4: at Detroit Lions

Week 4: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	7	8	6	21
Lions	13	7	3	3	26

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Date: September 29, 2002
Game time: 1:03 pm
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 60,023
Referee: Ron Winter (14)
TV: Fox
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

DET – Jason Hanson 23-yard field goal, 12:03. Lions 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:57.
DET – James Hall 22-yard fumble return (Jason Hanson kick), 10:31. Lions 10–0.
DET – Jason Hanson 34-yard field goal, 5:41. Lions 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:42.

Second quarter

DET – Bill Schroeder 38-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick), 4:53. Lions 20–0. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:30.
NO – Donte Stallworth 4-yard pass from Ahmad Brooks (John Carney kick), 1:25. Lions 20–7. Drive: 12 plays, 91 yards, 3:28.

Third quarter

DET – Jason Hanson 23-yard field goal, 7:24. Lions 23–7. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 2:27.
NO – Deuce McAllister 12-yard run (Ahmad Brooks run), 3:41. Lions 23–15. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:43.

Fourth quarter

DET – Jason Hanson 38-yard field goal, 11:47. Lions 26–15. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 2:58.
NO – Jerome Pathon 6-yard pass from Ahmad Brooks (Run Failed), 3:41. Lions 26–21. Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 2:22.

Top passers

NO – Ahmad Brooks – 27/48, 269 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
DET – Joey Harrington – 20/35, 267 yards, TD

Top rushers

NO – Deuce McAllister – 12 rushes, 61 yards, TD
DET – James Stewart – 18 rushes, 65 yards

Top receivers

NO – Joe Horn – 6 receptions, 87 yards
DET – Az-Zahir Hakim – 3 receptions, 98 yards

Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	14	10	0	8	32
Saints	10	10	3	8	31

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Date: December 15, 2002
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 67,851
Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
TV: FOX
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

NO – John Carney 40-yard field goal, 11:50. Saints 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 3:10.
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 8:21. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 3:29.
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 6-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 1:01. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 5:42.
NO – Michael Lewis 97-yard kickoff return (John Carney kick), 0:48. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.

Second quarter

MIN – Gary Anderson 41-yard field goal, 11:59. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:49.
NO – John Carney 34-yard field goal, 5:25. Vikings 17–13. Drive: 12 plays, 44 yards, 6:34.
NO – Jake Reed 35-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick), 0:53. Saints 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 1:28.
MIN – Randy Moss 33-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 0:12. Vikings 24–20. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 0:41.

Third quarter

NO – John Carney 27-yard field goal, 0:55. Vikings 24–23. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 8:06.

Fourth quarter

NO – Deuce McAllister 17-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Aaron Brooks–Joe Horn pass), 5:21. Saints 31–24. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:35.
MIN – Randy Moss 13-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Daunte Culpepper run), 0:05. Vikings 32–31. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 5:16.

Top passers

MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 26/36, 312 yards, 2 TD
NO – Aaron Brooks – 21/33, 255 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 7 rushes, 73 yards, 2 TD
NO – Deuce McAllister – 18 rushes, 69 yards

Top receivers

MIN – Randy Moss – 11 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD
NO – Joe Horn – 5 receptions, 60 yards

Standings

Division

NFC South
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	12	4	0	.750	4–2	9–3	346	196	W1
Atlanta Falcons	9	6	1	.594	4–2	7–5	402	314	L1
New Orleans Saints	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	432	388	L3
Carolina Panthers	7	9	0	.438	1–5	4–8	258	302	W2

Conference

NFC v t e
#	Team	Division	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	SOS	SOV
Division leaders
1	Philadelphia Eagles	East	12	4	0	.750	5–1	11–1	.469	.432
2	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	South	12	4	0	.750	4–2	9–3	.482	.432
3	Green Bay Packers	North	12	4	0	.750	5–1	9–3	.451	.414
4	San Francisco 49ers	West	10	6	0	.625	5–1	8–4	.504	.450
Wild Cards
5	New York Giants	East	10	6	0	.625	5–1	8–4	.482	.450
6	Atlanta Falcons	South	9	6	1	.594	4–2	7–5	.494	.429
Did not qualify for the postseason
7	New Orleans Saints	South	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	.498	.566
8	St. Louis Rams	West	7	9	0	.438	4–2	5–7	.508	.446
9	Seattle Seahawks	West	7	9	0	.438	2–4	5–7	.506	.433
10	Washington Redskins	East	7	9	0	.438	1–5	4–8	.527	.438
11	Carolina Panthers	South	7	9	0	.438	1–5	4–8	.486	.357
12	Minnesota Vikings	North	6	10	0	.375	4–2	5–7	.498	.417
13	Arizona Cardinals	West	5	11	0	.313	1–5	5–7	.500	.400
14	Dallas Cowboys	East	5	11	0	.313	1–5	3–9	.500	.475
15	Chicago Bears	North	4	12	0	.250	2–4	3–9	.521	.430
16	Detroit Lions	North	3	13	0	.188	1–5	3–9	.494	.375
Tiebreakers
^ Philadelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3). ^ Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory. ^ St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4). ^ Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4) ^ Arizona finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

References

2002 New Orleans Saints
"2002 New Orleans Saints Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.

External links

2002 New Orleans Saints on Pro-Football-Reference.com

v t e New Orleans Saints
Founded in 1967 Based in New Orleans, Louisiana Headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana
Franchise	Franchise Seasons History All-time roster Coaches Expansion draft First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks Broadcasters
Stadiums	Tulane Stadium Caesars Superdome Temporary home venues in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina: Alamodome Giants Stadium Tiger Stadium
Culture	Gumbo Sir Saint Saints Cheer Krewe Who Dat? Tom Benson Effect of Hurricane Katrina Buddy D "When the Saints Go Marching In" Home Team Number One A Saintly Switch
Lore	"Aints" (1–15) Dempsey's 63-yard field goal Dome Patrol Ricky Williams trade River City Relay Steve Gleason's blocked punt Beast Quake Bountygate Minneapolis Miracle NOLA No-Call
Rivalries	Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Los Angeles Rams Minnesota Vikings Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wild card berths (5)	1987 1990 1992 2010 2013
Division championships (9)	1991 2000 2006 2009 2011 2017 2018 2019 2020
Conference championships (1)	2009
League championships (1)	2009 (XLIV)
Retired numbers	31 81
Ring of Honor	Andersen Benson Jackson Manning Mills Roaf Smith
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: National Football Conference Division: South Division

v t e New Orleans Saints seasons
1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Bold indicates Super Bowl victory

2002 NFL season

East	North	South	West	East	North	South	West
Buffalo	Baltimore	Houston	Denver	Dallas	Chicago	Atlanta	Arizona
Miami	Cincinnati	Indianapolis	Kansas City	NY Giants	Detroit	Carolina	St. Louis
New England	Cleveland	Jacksonville	Oakland	Philadelphia	Green Bay	New Orleans	San Francisco
NY Jets	Pittsburgh	Tennessee	San Diego	Washington	Minnesota	Tampa Bay	Seattle

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