NFL.com says the Saints won't make the playoffs

silverbullet said
I'm accused of being negative. I'm just realistic about this team.

The two most important things on a contending NFL team are:

1. Elite, top 5 QB
2. Top 10 HC

At best, Carr is maybe around 15. I personally, have him in the 20s due to lack of leadership and intangibles. He's like the anti Jake Delhomme for example. Allen is definitely a bottom 5 if not worst HC in the league IMO.

But what about the Defense!?

It's old.

Davis and Jordan are ancient. Granderson is a fine player if he's your No. 2 DE and you have a stud pass rusher opposite. You don't. All hope rests on an oft-injured Chase Young on his third team in his short career. That's hope. Maybe it works out, but objectively, if he was that good, he would still be on Washington or SF.

Your CBs have some talent but injury issues. Safeties are either old or meh.

The offense is just a trainwreck.

I count 4 players who I consider starting caliber: Kamara (who is slowing down), Olave, McCoy, and I'll throw the rookie LT a bone and give him the benefit of the doubt. Shaheed is a fine No. 3 WR and Hill is a great gadget player. But you have no starting caliber LG, RG or RT. No No. 2 WR. No starter level TEs. And like I said, a middle of the pack QB, who isn't exactly the most inspiring guy.

Maybe, maybe a great HC could eek out a winning season with this group. Dennis Allen? Yeah right. The only question IMO, is if he makes it through the year.

I disagree with your 1. And 2. Not all qbs that made it to the championship games were top 5. If that was the case the games would be very limited. The defense you described is not the one I see. Besides age catching up to Jordan, it hasn’t seemed to affected the other older players yet, most are playing like they are in their prime. On offense there are a lot of worries. Carr, Olave, Hill, Shaheed, and McCoy are likely the only players that could start for other teams. We have some young players with potential but the current starting tightend would likely not make most teams even as a third tightend. Backup qbs? Running back position? Oline? Wide receiver group? Kuboak has his job cut out for him. I think having a solid veteran qb is the key to success, if he can keep the team in games then a winning season and the playoffs are possible. If Carr goes down the season is over.