Fearing the 2010 Saints Season
by Dave Cariello on Jul 29, 2010 6:00 AM CDT
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PrintExcited about next season?
Yeah, so am I. Sort of, I guess.
Truth is, I'm kinda nervous. More nervous than usual this time of year. Normally I'm anxious and excited, ready to get the season started. I suppose part of it is because I don't want to stop celebrating; every Who Dat and their mother shares that same feeling with me. Part of it is because I know it's never going to be as good as it was last season. But it's mostly because I'm concerned we're being set up for a mother flippin' let down of epic proportions that only a team like the Saints could pull off. Something most people seem to be ignoring. While Ralph, Wang and others are creaming in their pants, I'm crapping in mine.
I suppose I've suppressed these feelings and kept my mouth shut the entire off-season although I've probably felt this way since, oh I don't know, February 8th, 2010, the day after the Saints won the Super Bowl. Then I watched the video (below) in this FanPost the other day of the Meacharound* and was reminded of the entire Miracle in Maryland. Then, all of those feelings finally came bubbling to the surface.
It's a sweet play so how could watching it cause such ill feelings? First of all, other than the actual strip and score by Meachem the play is nothing special. The five guys on the line couldn't stop the Skins four-man rush from getting in Drew's face and it doesn't seem like Brees has any business throwing the ball off-balance from his back foot into coverage over the middle, hence the interception. Forget all of that, though, because that's not what bothers me.
It's the simple fact that every time I watch this play and reminisce about that game in Washington, I think about how the Saints needed just a little bit of luck to help keep their undefeated streak alive that afternoon; good fortune was their friend throughout the season. I remember the sheer magic of not only that game but the entire championship run. So what could I possible have to gripe about? Well, for most people it might end there and that's just great. But I've always got one eye on the future so my mind can't help wonder and worry: Will that good fortune really continue through 2010? My heart says Yes but my head tells me No.
I'm not trying to go overboard here. I'm not predicting a complete and utter collapse. That seems highly unlikely. But I do have serious doubts about - gasp! - another Super Bowl championship despite the team remaining relatively in tact. There, I said it. Lock me up and send me to Atlanta. Let's face it: To win back-to-back championships in today's NFL is a rare occurrence. Hell, it's difficult for Super Bowl-winning teams to even make the playoffs the following year.
Let's be honest, any championship season requires a dash of luck and a pinch of kismet. Talent and good coaching are necessary, of course, but definitely some good mojo helps. The Saints had that last year. You could feel it. It's not something anyone can quantify; you won't find it on any stat sheet. We can argue about it's existence for days and never get anywhere. But over the the course of any given season there is an overall aura of success or failure surrounding every team in the NFL and it's palpable. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
I could be wrong, of course. Maybe teams make their own luck; maybe it's just something else that can almost be coached. Perhaps "luck" isn't luck at all, just an ability to be in the right place at the right time on a regular occurence. After all, is it really just coincidence that the Saints "luck" changed the same time that Gregg Williams arrived on the scene? We know many of those game-changing turnovers, including and especially the Meacharound*, were the result of constant emphasis and practice. To equate the difference between a championship season and a losing one purely on luck alone would just be naive of me.
In reality it's probably a little bit of both logical circumstance and luck. Meachem knew what to do in the moment because he was well-coached but was fortunate for that moment to even present itself in the first place. Am I making sense anymore? An opponents missed field goal, a questionable yet helpful call from a referee or even an advantageous bounce - there may very well be tangible, legitimate reasons why these events happen. But the sequence and perfect timing of it all is what makes me think there are sometimes forces beyond anyone's control that guide the course of football events. I am not referring to any deity.
Either way, last year it felt as if the Saints could do no wrong. I don't like to use the word destiny so I'll call it predetermination. Even when they did something wrong, like throw an interception, they somehow managed to turn into six points. The season is long and that's exactly the kind of stuff that happens to all championship teams. Can lightning really strike twice?
The Saints were able to do something differently last season that they couldn't somehow manage to pull off in the forty-three years prior. Whatever it was, I'm worried it's already run out, evaporated or washed away, never to return for a while. Call me crazy. I call it cautiously optimistic.
*Copyright, moosedenied
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The difficulty of the Super Bowl repeat is a myth
…what’s difficult is winning the Super Bowl at all. It doesn’t get harder the second year—it’s always hard. It requires, as you pointed out, a healthy dose of luck along with talent and drive, and luck can’t be controlled. But it does seem to respond best for those teams that have talent and drive. Re-read this, which disappeared from the home page all too soon. It’s a good article, and it will give you back your hope and open your pores and dry out your sinuses and everything else that’s needful. We’re in good shape. Chill.
The Saints have the right formula to repeat, and they also have a team which has not suffered from its own success. But it also takes some good fortune to repeat, from not suffering key injuries to the ball bouncing the right way on a few fumbles. With that said, I like the Saints’ chances again this year.
Also, consider: the Saints actually had quite a large injury list last year. They managed to fight their way through it, when previous Saints teams would have succumbed and wound up missing the playoffs, another year of “woulda, could, shoulda.” Next season, their luck might turn and actually be better than during their Super Bowl run. You never know.
It was worth the wait.
by MtnExile on Jul 29, 2010 6:14 AM CDT reply actions 13 recs
Agree
While anything can happen I do believe in life one generally makes his own luck. We got Drew, Sean and G-dub – and that’s a good starting point as it can be. Will we repeat? I wish I knew… Will be around in January? Yeah baby
You are my people, you are my crowd, this is our music, we love it loud...
It may be a cliche'......
but I’ve always loved the old VInce Lombardi quote: “Luck” is when opportunity meets preparation.
The Saints were lucky when Washington missed a chip shot field goal that would have iced the game. But that luck wouldn’t have amounted to anything if they had not been prepared to go down the field and score the tying touchdown near the end of regulation.
Luck can only take a team so far but preparation can overcome a lot of bad luck. I think the Saints are prepared. Like flipping a coin, luck usually balances out over the course of a season but bettter teams always appear to be luckier.
BOOM rec'd it
what’s difficult is winning the Super Bowl at all. It doesn’t get harder the second year—it’s always hard.
True. But that doesn’t sound good when the experts say it. Viewers listen when they babble “No team has ever repeated when they’ve gone 43 years between Super Bowl wins” or whatever. Hate it.
From one worrier to another, M-E is right, Mr. Dave.
And from the linked article:
Feelings of frustration even when the team performs successfullyCount your blessings, boys and girls.
Good times are comin',
but they sure comin' slow.
The first sentence of the original post above is really the gist.
Winning the Super Bowl requires a tremendous amount of good fortune, even if you are considered hands down the best team in the league (2007 Pats anyone?). You can’t go into any NFL season excited or scared by the proposition of good or bad luck. Yes, you can definitely get burned or get helped out, but that’s going to be what it’s going to be. What you can be excited or worried about is the absolute ability on the team and on the coaching staff, the stuff that the organization can control. In this case, it would appear that we’re in the top 5 of the NFL this season, which is about as much as you could hope for. Nothing is promised, but we’ve got as good a shot as anyone. As MtnExile points out, repeating is hard for the same reason hitting two conseuctive numbers in roulette is hard – to do it even once is an exercise in overcoming the odds. While we can debate the relative quality of last year’s fortune (presonally, I think it was definitely good overall, but we did suffer more injuries than almost any other team in the league, including some really big ones at LT, FB, and CB) and the likelihood of it being better or worse this year, I hope we’d all agree that this team is in as good a position to weather/excel in whatever circumstances come our way as any team in Saints history, including last year’s incredible squad.
Another rec
I’m truly not worried, and that’s not because I think our guys are a shoo-in to repeat. The thrill of finally seeing my favorite NFL team have such a great season capped off by winning the SB is something I’ve waited a long time for and will cherish for an equal amount of time. Win or lose this year, I will still be cherishing last season. I’m not ready to move on yet. We’ve waited so long for this moment, I think we’d be cheating ourselves if we did. This SB win was like getting served a big, juicy steak after not eating for a week. Sure, we could just gobble it down right away and move on, but I choose to savor each bite and moment of it. Maybe this is why the MSM rankings bother me a little. When I see someone ranking us at no. 7, it’s kinda like them forcing me to eat salad when I’ve still got a beautiful steak on my plate. I’ve since learned that I don’t have to eat the salad, so I push it out of the way and keep enjoying the steak.
As for this year, I simply believe we’ve got as good a chance as any team. Sure, it’ll be tough being “the Hunted,” but all indications are that Payton is preparing well for it. I think he learned a lot from that terrible beginning to the 2007 season. Plus, we still have Brees and Williams. I expect the defense to surprise many by how much better they’ll be in year two of G-dub’s tenure. I’m not saying they’ll be one of the best, but I think they will be better than last year. Combine that with an offensive system that no one has really been able to stop the last four years (ranked no.1 three of the four) and a special teams with an excellent kick-off specialist/punter in Morstead and a pretty reliable place kicker in Hartley and our outlook looks pretty damn good.
Plus, no other team around the league looks like a shoo-in either. They all have questions of some sort heading into camp. If luck helped us last year, then luck will have to help another team this year. I see no reason why that team can’t be the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jul 29, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Also, consider: the Saints actually had quite a large injury list last year. They managed to fight their way through it, when previous Saints teams would have succumbed and wound up missing the playoffs
Totally agree with you here. The Saints weren’t all that lucky in hindsight. We had rampant injuries to our starters in the secondary (didn’t we bring back Mike McKenzie!?!? Or was that a dream?) not to mention Shockey’s seemingly season-long injury issues. If you want to say the Saints were lucky, I’d say the certainly manufactured a good bit of that on their own due to players stepping up for injured guys, and playing big.
"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken
A
bit more on the whole luck thing: If you want to make the argument that the Saints had a lot of luck last year, I wouldn’t necessarily point to any flukey plays to support that notion. You could certainly say the Saints were lucky in regards to their competition being pretty much horrible in NFC South. That absolutely helped the Saints. But, I just don’t see that happening again this year (sans Tampa). Although going through murderer’s row in the playoffs (three future hall of fame QB’s) more than makes up for that “luck.”
"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken
The stars alligned last year.
We had our fair share of fortune but it goes both ways. I recall times we`ve missed
field goals ( @ Denver) to lose games and been the victim of “fluke” plays (Winfield
taking a blocked field goal to the house on a monday night game vs the Vikes) and
I`m sure your longer suffering contributors can name many more examples. Every
championship team needs a slice of lady luck along the way .
What sits uncomfortably with me is that every season I hope for a good showing
and maybe a spot in the playoffs, however this year , and I hate saying this , I
almost expect it. I know we`ve got great players and coaches etc but so do our
opponents so I`m not taking anything for granted.
Aints no more
I agree with MtnExile.
I would love to win another Super Bowl to keep us from being a 1 hit wonder. I think some of it has to do is our lack of trust in the Saints. We tend to think the Saints are going to fall apart at any moment. They almost proved us right last year with losing the last three games of the season, but then the magic really started and we won the big one.
Yes, I’m nervous and I’m scared about the season. Especially about the Vikings game and the Cowboys game. I just want the Saints to beat those guys, so bad. I think we will do fine. To some Saints fans and others it seems like we will have to win another SuperBowl to justify our first one. I’m fine with the one we won, all the others will be Lagniappe.
Can they do it twice?
I think that question is answered by the fact that it has been done twice in a row previously. Not that it would be easy, but any season has its share of luck, both good, and bad. Some would say Hartley’s suspension at the beginning of last season was “bad luck” but it worked out. At this point, in both coaching and talent, I personally believe the Saints fall well into the upper tiers of the NFL. The difference between the upper and lower tiers is not great, as evidenced by the Raiders beating the Eagles last season, and that’s why they play the game, not just award the trophy. No need to fear, just sit back and enjoy the ride wherever it takes us.
by theprogrammerman on Jul 29, 2010 7:22 AM CDT reply actions
Dave, I understand your anxiety. I really do. You see, we are Fans of the New Orleans Saints.
It’s in our DNA. If you look up the word anxiety in the dictionary you may well see a picture of a local yocal with his face painted half black, half gold, with Mardi Gras beads tickling the top of his Drew Brees jersey, sweating like he’s been sweeping sand in the Sahara. We have been conditioned to be anxious. Remember the “good old days” when we could be ahead by 15 points with 3 minutes to go and after our boys go 4 and out we think, “Well, we’re screwed now.” Many people may laugh at this concept but for me, and I’m quite sure a lot of other Saints Fans, it was a reality. Relax, bro. I’ve had the same feelings about the upcoming season and, y’know what? I don’t really give a ratzazz about those feelings. Been there. Done that. This is my current state of mind:
I want the Saints to win Super Bowl XLV. Badly. In fact, I want us to go undefeated. Yep. Ninteen and Zip.
I want perfection in all the Saints do, realizing at the same time that this is just an insane pipe dream.
I want the opponents locker rooms to look like a well used M.A.S.H. tent.
I want all the other 31 head coaches in the NFL to just say, “Screw it. This is impossible. I quit.”
I want the Super Dome to be placed on the National Historic Monument list and Muslims around the world to face 1500 Poydras St. when they pray.
Now, should none of the above occur -
I want my memory of this past season to remain as fresh in my mind as the day my son was born, the day I made love for the first time, the day I realized that 3 condoms in a pack were not a month’s supply.
I want to remember the look on the face of the Colts fan who constantly taunted me during the Super Bowl party ~ when Porter locked the door.
I want to remember the tears that still reach my neck when I watch certain YouTube videos.
I want to remember driving in my Deuce jersey and having strangers honk their horns and give me the thumbs up.
I want to remember that I never once wore a paper bag on my head or called our team “The Ain’ts.”
I want to remember that, during the most wonderful season in New Orleans Saints history, I was fortunate and blessed to make a whole boatload of new friends on Canal Street Chronicles.
Oh yeah. And I want the Detroit Lions to win the Super Bowl so I can get on their blog and say, “Pretty neat, huh?” and know what the f… I’m talking about.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 7:31 AM CDT reply actions 5 recs
If that last happens, will you finally come to faith in Jesus1000?
It was worth the wait.
by MtnExile on Jul 29, 2010 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
No, but I'll wear a Matthew Stafford jersey to church, IN THE FRONT ROW.
Close enough?
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 7:47 AM CDT up reply actions
BOOM!
I totally agree with everything.
Really, 3 condoms in a pack isn’t a month’s supply? You mean they aren’t reusable?
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jul 29, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL!
I thought you could just turn them inside out and go again.
I’m sorry, even I found that to be disgusting.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jul 29, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Relax
Dave,
I know it goes against 43 years of negative reinforcement. However, our Lombardi was not a fluke. No other NFC team is in as good of a position to win this year. Superbowl 45 is ours to lose.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jul 29, 2010 7:34 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I do believe we make our own luck, but...
To me, the “luck” we made that lead us to win a Super Bowl wasn’t in the individual ‘miracle’ plays that make the highlights on SportsCenter.
The difference I saw last year was that THEY TRULY BELIEVED they could win no matter what the situation.
When we were down by 21 and getting beat up in Miami, THEY STILL BELIEVED!
When our top two cornerbacks and starting free safety (and others) were out for one of the biggest games of the season on MNF, THEY STILL BELIEVED!
When we were down against Washington and Drew threw an interception which could have lead to the nail in the coffin, THEY STILL BELIEVED!
"Chance favors the prepared mind." – Louis Pasteur
Last year, they were mentally prepared to receive the ‘luck’ they needed.
Want to go to the Saints vs. Cowboys game? I've got an extra ticket.
by Dan Kelly on Jul 29, 2010 7:52 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
I think
we will still be very competitive. I won’t be disappointed if we don’t repeat, but I do think we’ll make into the Divisional round of the playoffs. I think the one thing that keeps me the most positive, is Drew. These are not the Saints of old. Its not John Fourcade, Steve Walsh, Bobby Hebert, Jim Everret … Drew is leading this squad with his own brand of hardcore energy and work ethic.
I also think for the first time ever in my fandom, you have a group of coaches who are a nice compliment to each other and have the whole team and their individual parts buying into what they are selling.
Call me crazy, but this just doesn’t feel like the Saints of old. But don’t be fooled that I don’t still have that small little part of me that remembers my childhood sitting around watching an epic Saints collapse on Sunday afternoon.
Luck will be there
I think Dave is absolutely right to wonder if the Saints will be as lucky as they were in 09 but I think as long as Drew Brees is under center the Saints at worst are 8-8.
So depending on injury and luck they look like a 10-14 win team to me.
I do think it’s quite possible they aren’t as lucky as 09 but I think the lucky factor will decide homefield and bye weeks in the playoffs.
And remember teams like the Vikes, Cowboys, and Packers ghad good luck last year too. Not as much as the Saints but still.
Every year is new.
i think we had our share of bad luck last season
but we seem to only remember it when something comes out of it (off the top of my head)
1. the bills scored a fake fg against us
2. the falcons recovered an onsides kick (not a surprise kick like ours)
3. colston fumbled the ball reaching for the endzone against the rams and it rolled out the back of the endzone for a touchback
4. we all remember hartleys missed kick against the bucs, but it took a punt return for a td to put us in that situation
but the one thing that made me believe that this isn’t luck, was the comeback against the dolphins… we had no business winning that game when it was 24-3. but this team basically said “f*** that! we’re gonna do it anyway!” and did the same thing against the redskins a couple weeks later. yes, we had a couple of lucky bounces, but we had some unlucky ones too. but the most important thing, is that the psychos that beat the dolphins still have the same mindset this year.
NEVER QUIT!
by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 29, 2010 8:28 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
None of those things you list were acts of luck. They were caused by successful plays by our opponents or a failure to execute plays by the Saints. Just like turnovers in our favour. They’re never lucky, they just happen because someone did something right or wrong. That’s why they’re not as unlikely to happen next season as pundits in the MSM suggest.
If I am good I could add years to my life / I would rather add some life to my years.
thats the point im trying to make
they are simply low percentage plays that eventually will happen to both sides. the mindset of playing hard through the setbacks is rare and much more important than the having “luck”.
NEVER QUIT!
by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 29, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Been a Saints fan from game 1 & my mindset has completely changed with the times...
I think your very old school negativity is exactly what the team does not need to sense from us the fans Dave. Must I remind you that these are not your Father’s Saints who were so bad that Archie Manning was continually scrambling for his life? These Saints need our full and united positive energies as a fan base Dave. Get with the program man! TWO-DAT BABY!!!
by realheavyd on Jul 29, 2010 8:41 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
The Power of Positive Thinking Will Get Our Saints Through to a Two-peat!
JUST STAY POSITIVE EVERYONE!!!
by realheavyd on Jul 29, 2010 8:46 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
The Great Team From Lat Season Will Be Even Better This Season!
Realize how good this team is, and can be (barring key injuries), and just keep the positive thinking alive for them this season.
FYI: It’s this season, or this year’s upcoming season, not “next season”…
Or, "the second season we win the Super Bowl" sounds nice.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Boy, old Dave sure knows how to get the conversation started, huh?
Way to go, Mrs. Cariello’s husband!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 9:28 AM CDT reply actions
Yup
I think lots of fans feel the same way he does. I’m still enjoying last year as it becomes this year because I feel we’re as well prepared and able as any squad and having won the SB last year gives us the added benefit of being absolutely battle-proven come playoff time. It doesn’t mean fate won’t screw us. But it does mean we’ve got as good a shot as anyone else – it’s like going all in before the flop with AA, KK, or Big Slick.
Or my favorite
Jennifer Tilly!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Dave you are too young to be this cynical
Do you remember the years before the Dome Patrol, when our only realistic goal was just beat the Falcons? My mantra back then was “I don’t care what the Saints do as long as they beat the Falcons.”
Now what is our realistic goal? It is to win the Superbowl again? That is right I said AGAIN.
And now a word from one of our sponsors "Preparation H, when discomfort sneaks between your cheeks, Preparation H"
It's funny...
because you’re right. I’m a relatively new Saints fan. I haven’t been burned anywhere near as much as many others. I don’t know why I’m such a nervous nelly.
Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!
by Dave Cariello on Jul 29, 2010 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Eat a fried oyster po-boy. Drink a Hurricane. Take a leak on the corner of Burbon and St. Louis. You'll be fine.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
be careful about the pissing thing though
i got arrested twice in my earlier years…
NEVER QUIT!
by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 29, 2010 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
The trick to getting away with it is....
just piss in your pants.
And now a word from one of our sponsors "Preparation H, when discomfort sneaks between your cheeks, Preparation H"
or having a trustworthy friend watch your back
NEVER QUIT!
by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 29, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Or a tube running from your tallywacker
duct tape the tube so it sticks out of the bottom of your pants. The best part about this you can pee on other people by lifting your leg just a wee bit.
And now a word from one of our sponsors "Preparation H, when discomfort sneaks between your cheeks, Preparation H"
Sounds like the voice of experience.
Y’all be afraid. Be very afraid!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
how do you get the duct tape off your dick?
NEVER QUIT!
by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 29, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
very carefully
lol
And now a word from one of our sponsors "Preparation H, when discomfort sneaks between your cheeks, Preparation H"
Lifting your leg just a "wee" bit, you say?
Yuk, yuk! And in more ways than one!
"It's about time that something good like this happened." - Drew Brees
Did the cops call it a "minor offense?"
Yuk, yuk!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Every game you guys play this will be the opposing teams supoer bowl
so be prepared to get every teams best shot
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"He Twittered that pitch" Steve Blass
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
While I put some small amount of stock in this general theory...
I also think that every game we played was the other team’s SB once we were 8-0 last season. I live in Dallas, and I can tell you the Cowboys were as geared up for us as they were for any game last year, including Philly.
It might make a difference in one or two wins verus losses, but I think this team is ready for this aspect of defending the crown after the prolonged undefeated streak last year.
in case you haven't been welcomed yet... WELCOME TO CSC.
(someone will be along shortly to recommend an avatar)
Want to go to the Saints vs. Cowboys game? I've got an extra ticket.
I'm reading it now.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
The good thing is: We will always be Champions!
The NFL is a monster—The Pats went 11-5 two years ago and did not make the play offs. Just get in those play offs Saints; try to win that South. As long as we have Brees, we got a chance to TWO-DAT!
We have DB, SP, GW, PT, RB, JS, TP, DS and of course Dave
who will blog us right into Dallas for SB XLV!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 29, 2010 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
When I say WHO DAT, U say TWO DAT!!!
Look I think of it like this, The steelers took forty-something years to win a Super Bowl and now they have six Lombardy trophies. Pigs have flown, hell froze over and the Saints CAN repeat. Call me overly optimistic.
by cajuncommando58 on Jul 29, 2010 10:50 AM CDT reply actions
Cajuncommando58, I noticed you do not yet have an avatar/profile image. Might I suggest this vintage photo of Powers Boothe combing the Atchafalaya Basin?
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jul 29, 2010 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
thanks coldpizza
thanks, was tring to think of what to use. even matches my hair line now-a-days. course I’m a little heavier now.
When I say WHO DAT U say TWO DAT!!!
by cajuncommando58 on Jul 30, 2010 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions
You should be worried Dave, but don't let it get in way of the enjoyment.
For the first time in history, we’re the team that people want to play. Here let me amend that. For the first time we’re the team people want to play, because they want to play against the best, not simply want to play against us for the automatic “W” that came in decades gone by. Nobody knows how the team is going to react, we’ve never been here before. The team and coaches talk a good game, all we can do is hope that after the coin flips we don’t get caught in the head lights.
People need to temper a few things. Don’t temper your expectations….even the Lions and Rams fans should enter the season dreaming of a Super Bowl. But i think we need to redefine how we define failure. I’m tired of middling around in obscurity. I’m tired of the 6-9 win seasons. Another Super Bowl would be great, but failing those expectations shouldn’t be considered a failure (Not that I’m saying you think that). The Saints have had at least 11 wins what…3 times in 44 years? (CP would know in 2 seconds).
I want to finally be a team that people fear to play. With the exception of last year, i don’t think we’ve ever had that. People would fear our defense or offense, but they’d never be afraid to play us. Even after 13 regular season wins and going to the Super Bowl, most still shrugged us off as the cute little story from the gulf. Even when the Rams failed to make the 2002 playoffs, people still feared the greatest show on turf. I don’t need another Super Bowl. Another Super Bowl is icing, it’s more joy on top of my joy. But what i do need, what this team desperately needs after years of obscurity, mediocrity, and struggle…is validation.
Give me another division title giving the Saints the first back to back titles in our division’s history. Give me another 11+ win season so the world outside of the gulf can nod their heads and say with absolute certainty “last year was no fluke”. I want another Super Bowl. But what i NEED is for every damn team that steps through our door to look up at the deafening crowd and feel the heat. I want them to stare across at our team and constantly hear the voices in the back of their mind say “they’re too damned good” before they even set foot on our hallowed turf.
It’s time we turned the Dome into Lambeau…Arrowhead…Mile High. There’s a reason those places became the most feared stadiums to play in all of the NFL regardless of what the records were of the teams. Opposing sides need to walk into our house, look up at Moses, Monster and the others and literally wonder if they’re going to be able to get out intact. We’re known as the team of the cute little “cha ching” catch phrases, and the smiles on our faces and beers in hand hugging each other in the quarter after the games win or lose. There’s nothing wrong with walking around with a smile on your face….but come Sundays…it’s about damn time we introduced a healthy dose of fear for those who dare to walk in the land of black and gold.
"...most still shrugged us off as the cute little story from the gulf."
And if they mostly still do that, it won’t matter if playing New Orleans represents “their Super Bowl.” Underestimate this team at your peril.
It was worth the wait.
i think we will run thru the season yes there r a cpl speed bumps along the way vikes n boy’s but i think drew will throw for 500 yards against dallas and score 6 tds to get back at em last year.we got the 27th hardest schdule in the league this year plus we play the rams browns bengals(who will im plode even worse now the t.o is there)so i have a lot of faith that we will repeat and hold the trophy up again geauax saints
by rob leffingwell on Jul 29, 2010 11:11 AM CDT reply actions
Hey Dave this might cheer you up
The panthers started training camp today and their players are dropping like flies.
http://www.catscratchreader.com/2010/7/29/1594131/carolina-panthers-training-camp#comments
And now a word from one of our sponsors "Preparation H, when discomfort sneaks between your cheeks, Preparation H"
I heard J Stewart is on the PUP list…
which I thought meant missing 6 games… but, i heard other reports of other players being taken off the PUP list… so, they (the MSM) need to get their facts straight.
Want to go to the Saints vs. Cowboys game? I've got an extra ticket.
Dave, The only thing we have to fear, is FEAR itself.
I wont take credit for that statement.
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever will.-Jim Mora Sr.
luck is nice but I will take desire
and I will take talent, and I will take preparation, and I will take proper coaching, and I will take the proper mind set, and on and on and…. well you get my point. A few of these things will get you far, but all of them will see you through to the end. I believe in luck but I also believe that in a complex situation, such as a football game, where so many things factor into the outcome, the more you have on your side the more you can control that outcome. Luck will help for sure but even un-lucky people such as myself; can do things to overcome bad luck. Take Miami last year. We were unlucky in the first half and fell behind by a big margin. You can’t tell me that we came back to win that one because our luck changed. Hell no. We might have gotten a little less unlucky in the second half but coaching decisions, players’ desire to win, hard work in practice that forced players to learn what to do and how to do it right, then the focus of those players to make sure on each down that they executed properly like they were coached, and the sheer intestinal fortitude to do whatever it took to come back were what caused the Saints to come away with the win and one of the greatest comebacks I’ve seen in New Orleans Saints history. I hope for luck this year, but I hope for all of the above mentioned things to be there as well above all else.
New Season
Hi there folks, well, here in AZ the people are SOOOOOO upset that we, the WHO DATS, spanked them Cards., the winning and crying that I heard, no end of it. But, that’s OK, we won it ALL…. So now we start a new season and let’s not stop supporting are men in BLACK & GOLD. I know that my family and I will be at the Cards. game here, other than that, the TV will have to do….. So lets here the noise from the dome on game days as I will make it from here in AZ… GEAUX SAINTS
Dave
It’s ok, take a breath and know that the 2010 New Orleans Saints are the defending SB champs. Here’s what I want you to do watch this
this
and this
Then say a couple Who Dats!? Then I want you to think we WILL WIN, We are a winning team now, expect to win, be surprised with losses, but be optimistic, no longer pessimistic. I will leave you with this…Two Dat, Believe Dat, Who Dat!
Every season is special.
In its own way every season is special. This one will be special in it’s own way. It’s not a magical season, it’s a magical team.
by xen-cuts on Jul 29, 2010 2:56 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Of course most of the regulars here
know that I’m a long-time fan that’s been cheering the team since the beginning. That being said, in the past I always would face the start of a new season thinking “please, just don’t let them embarass themselves.” Now, I know that certainly could mean different things to different fans. For me, it always meant I wanted to see the team put up a good fight. If last season taught us anything, I think we won’t have to worry about that. I think that the team their “finish strong” and “smell greatness” mantras to heart. And they were able to win it all because of that fact.
This year, I honestly expect them to pick up from where they left off, carrying themselves like the championship caliber team that they are. Some of what folks refer to as “luck” during last year was in large part due to the team’s intense focus and sharp mentality. They may face some bad luck and adversity, but I hope to see them do just as they did last year, which is turn things around and make it work in their favor. Two Dat—I believe!
"It's about time that something good like this happened." - Drew Brees
Yeah, we might be really good again this year
or we might stink on ice, or we might be somewhere in between
but no matter what happens, as others have also said, we’ll always be the 44 Champs.
I’m just ready to enjoy some real football again with hope for a good season for the future, but with no guarantees of anything.
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
Two Dat, Dave
Two Dat! Two Dat! Two Dat!
When I started to read this post, I thought I had a lot to say. Most of it has already been said, & I’m real happy so many other CSC members feel the way I do. I will admit that earlier today I found myself feeling anxious about this season, but I quickly replaced that feeling with hope & optimism. I am, afterall, an Optimistic Homer. The season will be what it will be, whether I’m anxious or optimistic. I enjoy the feelings of optimism a lot more, so I’ll go with them. There’s still something I thought about that hasn’t yet been addressed: the statistical phenomenon of regression to the mean. This applies to repeat SB champs. GB started it all by winning SB 1 & 2. 6 years later Miami had won SB 7 & 8. 2 years later Pittsburg had won SB 9 & 10. 4 years later Pittsburg had won SB 13 & 14. 10 years later San Francisco had won SB 23 & 24. 4 years later Dallas had won SB 27 & 28. 5 years later Denver had won SB 32 & 33. 6 years later New England had won SB 38 & 39. On average, it takes about 5.3 years to get a repeat SB chamoion. When the Saints win SB 45, it will have been 6 years since those nasty Patriots repeated. SB history suggests that, on average, it is time for a repeat champion. We did not have a bad draft. We kept the majority of the team intact. We’ve added some promising veteran players. Two Dat? Like the old tagline sais, “Why not us?”
"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.
Hell y'all...
…I’m already workin’ on THREE DAT, two dat’s done.
At least in my universe…
;-)
What will really “legitimize” this team isn’t a repeat, it’s a THREEpeat. No one has done it, and this is a team that could – they’re already an elite offense, the defense is definitely on the rise. If the players & league can work out their CBA differences, why not?
So, yeah, I guess I’m feelin’ pretty good about the 2010 season…
(…and yeah, I know that is a recipe for disappointment…but I just don’t see it…)
Who Dat? TWO DAT! Do dat AGAIN!!!
We won't win the Super Bowl. So what?
We weren’t going to win last year either… and the Lombardi Trophy is currently residing in New Orleans.
The team isn’t going to regress – I think it will actually better in many respects – but the team’s record is going to regress. The Saints only lost one game that they should have won last year (week 16, vs. Tampa) but won a bunch of games that they could easily have lost (Miami (week 7), St. Louis (!!) (sort of, week 10), Washington (week 13), Altanta (week 14), Minnesota). The Saints got good breaks, good calls, timely turnovers, clutch plays… whatever … in each of those games and escaped with the W. Any of them could have been losses.
This year the schedule will be tougher, the scheme will be less novel, and fortune may not smile as brightly. If the team goes 11-5 I will be frustrated 5 times … but also happily in the playoffs and willing to take my chances on another magical run.
After winning the Super Bowl all I really need is a playoff appearance and a shot at glory. I’d feel greedy asking for or expecting any more than that.
Ugarte
The strange thing about last season is we struggled against mediocre and bad teams.
The Rams game…we could have lost, we looked flat that game and the fumble in the end zone.
Miami game. The greatest second half comeback of all time.
The Redskins game…Crazy game and the best clutch game ever! Looked flat at times. Campbell looked like a pro that game.
The Tampa Bay loss at home. Stung like a hornet. It was the ugliest game I’ve seen in a long time. They looked like “Day of the Living Dead” that game. A 13-1 team losing to a 2-12 team was really embarrassing. I’ll never understand how that happened.
Playing against mediocre and bad teams scare the hell outta me!
That’s what we need to work on in the 2010 season..is to dominate those type of teams.
We will be fine.
Barring Brees going down I think we will be fine. Super Bowl ? Who knows? Last year we had our share of luck ,but we had more than our share of bad luck . I still remember the Saints flying in players off their couch on Fri. to start Sun. Lets get the beer cold and get ready to for some Saints football!!
by saints-fan-in-miss on Aug 9, 2010 8:30 AM CDT reply actions
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