METAIRIE, La. -- It seems like forever ago now, with the Carolina Panthers rolling and the New Orleans Saints reeling.
But 10 weeks ago, the Saints (4-7) had a golden opportunity to knock off the Panthers (11-0) in Carolina -- with backup Luke McCown, no less -- when they made a fatal mistake.
The Saints decided to challenge Carolina cornerback Josh Norman, who has emerged this year as perhaps the best defensive player in the NFL (though the guy who tormented the Saints last week, J.