Down in these parts we've been waiting with great anticipation for the 2012 season. Of course we all realize that the Saints are a 13-3 team from just one short year ago and we all want to see the Saints stick it to the NFL because of all the offseason issues. No one had any "real" idea about the impact of no head coach for a full season and no GM for most of the season but Saints fans were ready.
In addition to being a defending 13-3 team, on paper we were told the linebackers, thanks to free agency, would be better and some other defensive pick ups were quality. And of course we still have the offense that includes Drew Brees(the new $ 100 million dollar man after a lengthy hold out), Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham, Pierre Thomas, and more.
But what about the impact of the offseason bounty gate, the loss of a coach, the change in defensive coordinators, and oh yes, the loss of some great Saints from our Super Bowl run, Carl Nicks, Robert Meachem and Tracy Porter?
Week 1 would bring in the Redskins and a rookie QB simply known as RG3. He went out and set NFL records for a rookie QB. 463 yards later, our defense is gassed and the offense made enough mistakes, the $ 100 million dollar man throws some critical interceptions and we have a decided underdog beating up the Saints 40-32. Ouch. Now that game is a blur to me. It was played on the weekend of my grandson's birth and quite frankly, I was not all that worried if the Saints won or lost. Yet finding out the details, most especially the horrible defensive effort, I felt concern. Was our defense going to be really this bad in 2012? Is the loss of Sean Payton on the sideline too much? Well, it's only 1 game. Let's see if we find improvement in week 2 against Carolina, a team we dispatched twice in 2011.
The game started well. Brees and the offense clicked on all cylinders and an 80 yard drive produced a 7-0 lead. The defense even holds. Then the $ 100 million dollar man, Drew Brees, throws a very head scratching INT and Carolina ties it up. With the exception of a FG drive, the Saints would never lead again. 464 yards of offense later against the Saints and a couple of big pass plays surrendered by an always out of position defense, it was over. And to make matters worse, to rub salt in the womb, still with a longshot at tying the game, the $ 100 million dollar man throws his 4th INT for the year. 35-27 on the scoreboard = the first 0-2 start since 2007 for the Saints.
Now let's be clear; I'm a Saints fan. They are the team that represents my home town, my area where I have always lived and worked. But I don't drink Kool-Aid. A few friends always accuse me of all kind of hienous things when I just don't whistle the Saints tune. There is nothing wrong with and nothing sinister about being a fan but calling it likes you sees it!! Sure, turn this thing around and finish 14-2. Reality would suggest otherwise. How will the rest of the year play out? What will the Saints record be at years end? Nobody knows. I do know this; the Saints won't win or lose a single game because YOU believe, YOU have faith, YOU are all in, YOU are a "real" fan. What you are is delusional. When you love or support a team, I think part of that relationship is to be honest; to express that which makes you happy and that which makes you sad, mad, whatever you want to call it. At best, you should be honest! IF the Saints are going to turn this around, the Saints need to find a defense that stops the run, avoids big plays, is not out of position and is aggresive. IF the Saints are going to turn this around, the offense needs to convert FG's into TD's, give Drew Brees better protection and tell Drew to throw the ball away before forcing a bad throw.
Yep, I wanted Drew back on the team, contract signed. I am one of the few Saints fans that think the contract was a bit too much. Yes, I understand that Drew Brees was a major factor in the Saints being a Super Bowl Champion. But that $ 100 million probably is why we lost such stars as Meachem, Nicks and Porter. And Nicks is the one who protected Brees best.
Next week it is the woeful Kansas City Chiefs. This game will tell us a lot. It is a game the Saints must win and should win. It's a game that will require much better defense and no turnovers on offense. Only time will tell.
Yes, I proclaim boldly Geaux Saints; but as Coach Payton says more eloquently than I: DO YOUR JOB!
No comments:
Post a Comment