Even though they have had some sloppy play, this Saints team is finishing games by pulling away and scoring consistently. Only the third quarter has been a problem for them. The most impressive change is the ability to adapt. They are starting to get into some habits now so they need to change it up a bit, but the team at least looks as though it can change, it can adapt, and it can gut out victories. Getting the odd score (or this year, the consistent score) from the defense always helps. But I’m really happy that we can pick up those critical 3rd down conversions late in games. That has made a huge difference.

Although the defense has come through, I’m often pretty scared about how long it takes them to slow the other team down. There have been a lot of red zone picks. Those are just so critical. I nevertheless wish that the opposing team was not in the red zone in the first place.

The 1992 Saints are still the best, imo. The defense was far more dominating than this year’s team and the offense was good enough to win 12 games against stiff competition. Both teams outrushed and outpassed their opponents, it’s mainly just the strength of the ‘92 defense that tips the scales. That being said, if the current team is able to total 12 wins or more and win one playoff game or more, I’ll have to consider them the best. The 2000 and 2006 teams were about the same, imo. Mediocrity on both sides of the ball. Both won 10 games and managed to advance a game in the postseason. The fact that one gained a first round bye with an identical record means nothing to me, other than that they played in a relatively weaker conference. All in all, I’d rather dominate on at least one side of the ball and, given my druthers, would prefer it be on defense.

It’s probably the best team I can recall through my memory.

I think it’s unfair to compare this team to other Saints teams, because those other teams were given more opportunities to diminish their greatness. For example, take the 1991 team. No one knew seven games into that season that they’d wind up losing five; six if you count the playoff loss to Atlanta. If you want to base your answer strictly on their performance through the first seven games, then yes, this is probably the best team ever. On the whole, though, I don’t think that’s a comparison that should be made. It’s the same thing with all-time great players. Is Peyton Manning the greatest QB of all-time? If you think his body of work through today exceeds that of Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Brett Favre, etc., then you should be able to answer that with an unequivocable yes. That’s the crux, though. It could all end TODAY. Peyton Manning could die in a car crash and not play another down. The same thing applies to the 2009 Saints. I’m not suggesting that the team will go down in a plane crash, but it COULD happen. They could also lose Brees for the season, which would drastically change the outcome of this season. They could also go into a complete funk and lose seven straight. Not likely, but entirely possible. Withholding judgment until the end of the season is not an entirely pessimistic ideology. Let’s say you think the 1991 team was better, because they won a division featuring two other 10 win teams. Well, what if Atlanta and Carolina wind up winning 10 games this season? What if Buffalo or Miami bounce back and make the playoffs? What if the Eagles continue to play well and wind up going on a postseason tear? What we perceive to be weak or mediocre teams now, could wind up being some of the best 2009 had to offer, which will, in turn, make the current Saints team look even more impressive in hindsight for having defeated them.

We really can’t say that the 2006 team was the best ever. I mean they did make it to the NFC championship game for the first time in team history, but they only won one play-off game to get there. And their record that year was 10-6 (even though it could have easily been 11-5 if they had played their starters throughout he whole game in that last game). The Saints need to win more than one play-off game in my opinion to crown that team the best team ever. History shows that one seems to be the limit. Getting over that hump will be big.

by far in my opinion, and that’s a a big factor. I also think this is the best coaching staff that the Saints have ever coupled with a talented team. Carl Smith was a wek link IMO for some erlier teams and Haslett couldn’t compare to Payton, even though I likd him early on. He was nowhere near as smart. Obviously, GW is on several levels higher than GG.

In regards to depth, just a couple of examples- Gay is clearly the best non-starting CB we have ever had and Arrington could play/start on many past Saints teams. Hamilton could be the 2nd back on many Saints teams in the past. Meachem is the best non-starting receiver we have ever had. Then there is Hargrove/McCray and Charleston- best
non-starting DLs we have ever had. Again, just my opinion, but I think this team is the best overall team in Saints history and definitely best offense. I think maybe the 2nd best defense, but by the end of the year they might just come in tie for first. In my opinion, 1991 team just was not explosive enough on offense and and receivers were not quite elite receivers in the league at that time. Also, I think the Offensive coordinator was Carl Smith, if it was he was really bad.

I don’t know how you can watch the 2009 Saints and NOT believe they’re the best team we’ve ever had. We’re dominating previously good opponents and winning games that we usually lose (4 turnovers? 21-point-deficit? come on!). WTF is the point of saying that there’s still a lot of football to play? no duh. are you saying we don’t pass judgment on a team’s ability until after the season is over?

of course it’s POSSIBLE that we have some horrible thing happen like all of our players get put on IR or we lose the next 9 games or the NFL players stage a strike and there’s no more football for the rest of the season. but that argument is completely pointless, and would only be made just to avoid actual discussion about the season thus far. it also blatantly overlooks the unprecidented success that we’ve had so far. if you really think it’s unfair to make such comparasions, then fine—go away, come back at the end of the season, and then say whatever you like. in the meantime, i’ll continue to marvel at our awesomeness thus far. hopefully by season’s end we’ll be saying that this was not only the best saints team of all time, but the best NFL team ever.

in conclusion, who dat.

Hard to say at this point, because so many factors come into play. I think that this will prove to be the greatest Saints team. I will say that I agree that this is certainly the deepest Saints team that I have seen in my 40+ years following them. That will be an important piece as the year progresses!

IMO, this team is more talented than the 92 team and it might not be all that close

The 92 defense was obviously better than the current model. They bludgeoned teams into submission. The obvious strength was the LB core though the DL was strong as well. The DBs were servicable, but I think the current group of DBs is better without question.

Moving to offense, this is where the 09 team is dominant. They are better at almost every unit than the 92 team, and in some cases by a WIDE margin. QB? not close. WR/TEs? not close. RBs? I think 09 is better due to depth. OL? This one is debatable, but 02 is probably better, especially with the injuries we’ve had there.

A lot of the season remains, but that 92 team faded, at least partially because the offense put so much pressure on their own defense to stop teams. We shouldn’t have that problem. If the defense continues to play solidly and opportunistically, then the sky is the limit.

we will see the last day of our season, whenever that may be…

what this team is, or was…

i just hope that whatever happens this year will be replicated next and next season will be even better!

team building is nice

Well, here goes:

Our memory of the past is always clouded by the promise of the future!

Do you actually think any active Saints Coach or Player really gives a shit about, “Are we the best Saints team ever?” right now? Our boys are battered and bruised and sore in places we don’t even know exist. And they have a short week to get ready for the Panthers, a division team, who would love nothing more than to be able to say, “We missed the playoffs but took the Saints down!”

The best Saints team ever is always the one currently taking the field. They get my undying support and respect for going out there week after week so I can say, “Man, we sure are good!”

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves in our joy. I don’t think Payton or Brees is.