2012 New Orleans Saints season
OwnerTom Benson
General managerMickey Loomis (suspended for first 8 games)
Head coachJoe Vitt (Interim, games 7–16)
Aaron Kromer (Interim, games 1–6)
Home fieldMercedes-Benz Superdome
Results
Record7–9
Division place3rd NFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersQB Drew Brees
OT Jermon Bushrod
G Jahri Evans
P Thomas Morstead
AP All-ProsJahri Evans (1st team)
Thomas Morstead
Uniform

The 2012 season was the New Orleans Saints' 46th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 37th playing home games at the Superdome. It would have been their seventh season under head coach Sean Payton, but he was suspended by the NFL for the entire season as part of the punishment for the team's bounty scandal. On April 12, 2012, linebackers coach Joe Vitt was named interim head coach to replace Payton while he was suspended.[1] On August 22, 2012, it was announced that Aaron Kromer would take over while Vitt himself served a six-game suspension to start the regular season.[2] The Saints attempted to make history as the first host team to play the Super Bowl on their own home field, but they were eliminated from post-season contention for the first time since 2008 in Week 16. The Saints set an NFL record for most yards given up by a defense, 7,042 yards, surpassing the 1981 Baltimore Colts record of 6,793 yards.

Personnel changes

After his contract expired, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was hired by the St. Louis Rams to the same position on January 16, 2012. Former Rams' head coach Steve Spagnuolo replaced Williams. Williams was later handed an indefinite suspension from the NFL for his role in the bounty scandal.

Roster changes

Signings

All signings were to active roster, except where otherwise noted.
Pos.PlayerDate
[3][4]
Notes
WR Andy Tanner January 18, 2012
CB Kamaal McIlwain January 18, 2012 Released August 27, 2012.
OT Phil Trautwein January 18, 2012 Released May 15, 2012
OG Nick Howell January 18, 2012 Released May 15, 2012.
QB Sean Canfield January 18, 2012
CB Josh Victorian January 18, 2012 Released May 15, 2012
CB Cord Parks January 18, 2012 Released July 31, 2012. Re-signed August 2, 2012. Released August 27, 2012.
OT Fenuki Tupou January 18, 2012 Placed on injured reserve August 20, 2012.
RB Chris Taylor January 18, 2012 Released June 8, 2012
DT Mitch King January 18, 2012
DT Swanson Miller January 19, 2012 Released August 27, 2012.
OG Ben Grubbs March 15, 2012 From the Baltimore Ravens
DT Brodrick Bunkley March 21, 2012 From the Denver Broncos
LB Chris Chamberlain March 23, 2012 From the St. Louis Rams. Placed on injured reserve August 20, 2012.
LB Curtis Lofton March 24, 2012 From the Atlanta Falcons
LB David Hawthorne April 3, 2012 From the Seattle Seahawks
WR Courtney Roby April 16, 2012 Re-signed
CB Jabari Greer April 20, 2012 Re-signed
LB Jonathan Casillas April 24, 2012 Re-signed
K John Kasay April 26, 2012 Re-signed
DT Remi Ayodele May 7, 2012 Released August 27, 2012.
CB Marquis Johnson May 11, 2012 From the St. Louis Rams
OT Hutch Eckerson May 14, 2012 Released August 27, 2012.
LB Lawrence Wilson May 15, 2012
CB Elbert Mack June 5, 2012 From the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB Luke McCown June 7, 2012 From the Jacksonville Jaguars. Released August 27, 2012.
QB Drew Brees July 13, 2012 Re-signed
TE Derek Schouman July 24, 2012
DE Alex Daniels July 31, 2012
LB Ramon Humber August 6, 2012 Re-signed
OG Paul Fenaroli August 11, 2012 Released August 27, 2012.
TE Daniel Graham August 11, 2012
WR Greg Camarillo August 20, 2012
LB Barrett Ruud August 20, 2012 From the Seattle Seahawks

Draft

The Saints did not have a first- or second-round selection.[a][b]

2012 New Orleans Saints draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
3 89 Akiem Hicks *  DT Regina
4 122 Nick Toon  WR Wisconsin
5 162 Corey White  S Samford
6 179 Andrew Tiller  OG Syracuse Pick from MIA[c]
7 234 Marcel Jones  OT Nebraska
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
NOTES
^[a] The team traded its 2012 first-round selection and a 2011 second-round selection to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Patriots' 2011 first-round selection.
^[b] The team forfeited their second-round selections in 2012 and 2013 as part of the punishment for the team's bounty scandal.
^[c] The team swapped picks in the sixth round with the Miami Dolphins as part of the Reggie Bush trade.

Undrafted free agents

All undrafted free agents were signed just after the 2012 NFL Draft concluded on April 28.[5]

PositionPlayerCollegeNotes
LBKadarron AndersonFurmanAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp
WRMalcolm BeyahMiddle Tennessee StateAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released June 13, 2012.
DEBraylon BroughtonTCUAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp
TEJake ByrneWisconsinAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012.
RBTravaris CadetAppalachian StateAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp
DBA.J. DavisJacksonville StateAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Placed on injured reserve August 11, 2012. Released August 18, 2012.
CBrian FolkertsWashburnAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012.
WRChris GivensMiami (OH)Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Placed on injured reserve August 2, 2012.
SJose GumbsMonmouthAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp
WRKevin HardyThe CitadelAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released July 24, 2012. Re-signed August 6, 2012. Released August 27, 2012.
OTDan HochMissouriAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released May 15, 2012.
LBStephen JohnsonTempleAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released May 15, 2012.
SJerico NelsonArkansasAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp
RSLaron ScottGeorgia SouthernAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Releases August 6, 2012.
OTAderious SimmonsArizona StateAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp
LBAaron TevisBoise StateAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012.
SJohnny ThomasOklahoma StateAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012.
DE/DTTyrunn WalkerTulsaAdded to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp
OGDeOn'tae PannellPenn StateAdded to the team roster on May 15 after participating in rookie mini-camp
DBNick HixsonHillsdaleAdded to the team roster on May 15 after participating in rookie mini-camp. Released June 8, 2012. Re-signed August 11, 2012.
OGScott WinnewisserCalifornia (PA)Signed May 29, 2012. Placed on injured reserve August 6, 2012.
RBJoe BanyardUTEPSigned June 7, 2012.
WRDerek MoyePenn StateClaimed off waivers from the Miami Dolphins on June 13, 2012. Released August 27, 2012.
LBDonavan RobinsonJackson StateSigned June 22, 2012. Released August 27, 2012.
WRMarques ClarkHenderson StateSigned July 24, 2012. Released August 27, 2012.

Staff

2012 New Orleans Saints staff

Front office

  • Owner/president – Tom Benson
  • Owner/executive vice president – Rita Benson LeBlanc
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Mickey Loomis
  • Director of football administration – Khai Harley
  • Director of pro scouting – Ryan Pace
  • Director of college scouting – Rick Reiprish
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Brian Adams

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Sean Payton†
  • Interim head coach (games 7-16)/assistant head coach/linebackers – Joe Vitt
  • Interim head coach (games 1-6)/offensive line/running game – Aaron Kromer

Offensive coaches


† – suspended for the entire 2012 season
(see New Orleans Saints bounty scandal)

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Dan Dalrymple
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Charles Byrd
  • Weight room assistant – Robert Wenning

Final roster

2012 New Orleans Saints final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 12 inactive, 7 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
HOF August 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals W 17–10 1–0 Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio) Recap
1 August 9 at New England Patriots L 6–7 1–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 August 17 Jacksonville Jaguars L 24–27 1–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
3 August 25 Houston Texans W 34–27 2–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
4 August 30 at Tennessee Titans L 6–10 2–3 LP Field Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 9 Washington Redskins L 32–40 0–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
2 September 16 at Carolina Panthers L 27–35 0–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 September 23 Kansas City Chiefs L 24–27 (OT) 0–3 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
4 September 30 at Green Bay Packers L 27–28 0–4 Lambeau Field Recap
5 October 7 San Diego Chargers W 31–24 1–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
6 Bye
7 October 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 35–28 2–4 Raymond James Stadium Recap
8 October 28 at Denver Broncos L 14–34 2–5 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
9 November 5 Philadelphia Eagles W 28–13 3–5 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
10 November 11 Atlanta Falcons W 31–27 4–5 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
11 November 18 at Oakland Raiders W 38–17 5–5 O.co Coliseum Recap
12 November 25 San Francisco 49ers L 21–31 5–6 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
13 November 29 at Atlanta Falcons L 13–23 5–7 Georgia Dome Recap
14 December 9 at New York Giants L 27–52 5–8 MetLife Stadium Recap
15 December 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 41–0 6–8 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
16 December 23 at Dallas Cowboys W 34–31 (OT) 7–8 Cowboys Stadium Recap
17 December 30 Carolina Panthers L 38–44 7–9 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins

Week One: Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 10 10 101040
Saints 7 7 31532

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

With the loss, the Saints started their season 0–1.

Week 2: at Carolina Panthers

Week Two: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 10 3 01427
Panthers 7 14 7735

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 72,879
  • Referee: Gerald Wright
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the loss, the Saints fell to 0–2.

Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Three: Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Chiefs 3 3 711327
Saints 7 3 140024

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 72,226
  • Referee: Don King
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information

With the close loss, the Saints fell to 0–3.

Week 4: at Green Bay Packers

Week Four: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 7 10327
Packers 7 14 0728

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

With the loss, the Saints faced their first 0–4 start since 2007.

Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week Five: San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 10 7024
Saints 7 7 71031

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas' record of consecutive games with a touchdown in the first quarter. The record touchdown was witnessed by Unitas' son Joe. With the surprising win, the Saints go into their bye week at 1–4.

Week 7: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Seven: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 21 0735
Buccaneers 14 7 0728

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

With the win, the Saints improved to 2–4. Also, QB Drew Brees increased his number of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 49.

Week 8: at Denver Broncos

Week Seven: New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 7 0714
Broncos 7 10 71034

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CDT/6:20 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 76,832
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Game information

With the loss, the Saints fell to 2–5. However, despite the loss, QB Drew Brees increased his record of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 50.

Week 9: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Nine: Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 3 10013
Saints 7 14 7028

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

With the win, the Saints improved to 3–5. Also, QB Drew Brees increased his streak of games with at least one passing touchdown to 51.

Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Ten: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 10 7 01027
Saints 7 14 7331

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,126
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

After their huge win over the Eagles, the Saints stayed home for a game against their heated rival Falcons. Sitting at 3–5, the Falcons came into this game at 8–0. The Saints surprisingly won their 4th-straight game against the Falcons and improved their record to 4–5 while the Falcons dropped to 8–1. Drew Brees brought his total of games with a passing touchdown to 52.

Week 11: at Oakland Raiders

Week Eleven: New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 14 7 14338
Raiders 0 7 3717

at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 56,880
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information

After 2 straight dominant home wins, the Saints traveled to Oakland to take on the Raiders. The Saints again dominated this game after the Raiders took the first points of the game. The Saints would win and improve to 5–5 on the season keeping their playoff hopes alive. Also Drew Brees brought his streak of at least 1 passing touchdown in a single game to 53.

Week 12: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Twelve: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 7 14331
Saints 7 7 7021

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,147
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Game information

The loss dropped the team to 5–6, but Brees's record of games with at least 1 passing touchdown stood at 54. This loss was brought up by the ejection of nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley.

Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Thirteen: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 7 6013
Falcons 7 10 0623

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

After the tough home loss to the Niners, the Saints traveled to take on the Falcons in a TNF matchup. The Saints' 4-game winning streak against the Falcons would be snapped as the team dropped to 5–7. Also, QB Drew Brees's streak of consecutive games with at least 1 passing touchdown would come to an end as he threw a career-high 5 interceptions in one game on the night. Regardless, his total passing touchdowns at this point was 31 bringing him his 5th straight season with 30+ passing touchdowns.

Week 14: at New York Giants

Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 6 14027
Giants 14 7 141752

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C), rain
  • Game attendance: 81,437
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Game information

The Saints were dominated by the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. They fell to 5-8 with the loss.

Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Fifteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 0 000
Saints 7 17 71041

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,096
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, and Laura Okmin
Game information

With the win, the Saints improved to 6–8 and swept the Buccaneers for the first time since 2006 and posted their first shutout win since 1995 to the New York Jets 12–0. The Saints did not post another shutout until 2021, when they beat the Buccaneers 9-0. This is also the Saints' largest margin of victory over the Buccaneers in franchise history.

Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys

Week Sixteen: New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Saints 7 10 77334
Cowboys 0 14 314031

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 92,570
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

With the win, the Saints improved to 7–8. However, the Saints were eliminated from postseason contention, thus rendering them unable to play Super Bowl XLVII on their own home turf.

Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 10 141744
Saints 0 17 71438

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,124
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda
Game information

With the loss, the Saints finished with their first losing season since 2007 at 7–9. Also, the team was swept by the Panthers for the first time since 2008.

Standings

NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Atlanta Falcons 13 3 0 .813 3–3 9–3 419 299 L1
Carolina Panthers 7 9 0 .438 3–3 5–7 357 363 W4
New Orleans Saints 7 9 0 .438 3–3 5–7 461 454 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7 9 0 .438 3–3 4–8 389 394 W1

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Vitt took over as Saints coach on Monday". NFL.com.
  2. ↑ "Aaron Kromer will take over head coaching duties for New Orleans Saints during Joe Vitt's suspension".
  3. ↑ "NFL Transactions Report – New Orleans Saints". National Football League. 2012 NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  4. ↑ "New Orleans Saints – Transactions". Neworleanssaints.com. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Saints Announce 2012 Rookie Free Agent Class". NewOrleansSaints.com. April 30, 2012. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
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