New Orleans Saints headed in wrong direction

There is much to be worried about in the land of the New Orleans Saints.  This season, starting so promising with a 6-0 start is now in jeopardy.  The Saints have lost 3 of the last 4 and are actually 4-5 since that previously referred to start.  Once assured of a NFC South championship and a second seed, it now appears the best the Saints can now ask for is a 6th seed and a road game limping into the playoffs.  And speaking of playoff, who really cares?  No one sees the Saints doing much on the road, playoffs or not.

What the heck happened?  What evils were well hidden during the early days of this season?  Ironically, the majority of the inconsistency comes from the side of the ball that has long been the Saints strength: offense.  First, the Saints have never found a running game all year.  Next, the O-line has not been great and has gotten progressively worse, week after week.  Finally, Drew Brees 2013 is a far cry from Drew Brees 2009-2011.  And road warrior Drew Brees is full of pretty mediocre play.

The defense too has failed to hold up as in today's final Panther drive, but on balance, and especially because they are not supposed to be the strength of this team, they have more than held their own.

All of a sudden I am asking: where is Jimmy Graham?  where is Lance Moore?  what happened to Pierre Thomas and Daryl Sproles?  And why do we have a poor offensive line?

Speaking of the line, all of a sudden I am hearing more than just a few negative words about that Drew Brees contract that has admittedly helped us to lose some big time OL free agents.  Going forward, Brees better be open to renegotiating that contract to help the Saints find more talent.

As recent Super Bowl champs and powerful performers as recent as the 2011-12 season, do you, especially if you are a Saints fan, sense a team on the rise or one that is faltering and sputtering?  I thought so.

Unless this team morphs into the Giants of recent memory, it's going to be a short playoff season, if there be a playoff season at all.  But look at the Giants of 2013, the right now Giants.  That could be our reality soon if changes are not made.

C'mon Saints; what the heck is going on?