It feels like forever since the Saints have been relevant (2 Viewers)

[webster]

I'm not saying Brees couldn't, although CSP is the one that unlocked the potential. When Drew retired and we were left with what we had due to people moving on and losing players due to cap hit, hindsight tells us that we are a 10+ win team if neither Jameis or Taysom gets hurt and easily make the playoffs. The next year with a better overall team, we only win 7 games. This season with a better overall team and weaker schedule, we win the same about that we did Payton's last year here. Tell-tale sign of a coaching issue.

Remember SP had the reins, he screwed up the personnel. I know some people love SP but I’m not one of them, he squandered a great opportunity.

 

[Clintonrebel]

We have been very relevant. We just have not been great, which is what we are used to.

 

[VinSaint]

We have been very relevant. We just have not been great, which is what we are used to.

This. HOF QBs are both a blessing when they’re playing and a curse, when they’re gone.

Some of you don’t want to admit it but the Saints in 2022 and 2023 were overall better teams than half the teams that Payton fielded over his tenure here. If it wasn’t for Brees, all those seasons where we went 8-8 and 7-9 (and there were many) would've undoubtedly been much, much worse.

 

[Cajun Chat]

Training camp is here and the season is a little over a month away, yet my level of excitement is meh. I knew it when it was happening (our "glory days")....that it wouldn't last forever, but now that we are officially irrelevant, it hurts! Man, gimmie back Drew Brees in his prime!!!

After you have tasted success, just being a Saints fan is not good enough. You want that winning feeling again.

WHO DAT!!!

Agreed. I'm feeling the same way. Genuinely, not much excitement. Let's see how the early part of the season plays out.

 

[solarbear88]

With only about 12 legit QBs most of the league is meh and not worth following.

 

[LonghornSaintsFan]

I remember saying back when Brees and crew were on the team in the 2010s really was the golden years of Saints football even when our defense was terrible, we were in nearly every game with a chance to win. I also remember saying as soon as Drew and now SP are gone those days are officially over. We could be in rebuild mode for years if not decades if we don't strike gold before then. The height of this current program will be a wild card spot in the playoffs and possible entry into the divisional round that will be all. But it is doubtful we will even get there.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer just being a realist. But being part of a fan of any team College or NFL is also riding with them in their down years or decades and that is what I am here for.

 

[St. Geezy]

Some of you must need to see another 3-13 to be reminded of what irrelevant really is.

 

[Winter]

In years past, I welcomed the lack of a spotlight on us by the national media. But I found my feelings a bit different heading into last season. It was more of a "hey, don't forget about the Saints".

This year, the lack of media coverage is so obvious, I have to wonder if we're even a franchise anymore. Did Roger and the league drop us and I just didn't know it?

I know people are gonna say it's because of Allen's personality or because of zero playoff appearances the last few years. I get it.

But it just feels like even the really bad teams are getting much more attention this season than we are, and it's kinda pissing me off.

I think the league and media have their minds set on what the Saints franchise is. They have this about most, if not all, teams in the league. Mostly stems from where the money comes from but also from history. Its why the Cowboys get so much love and lofty predictions. Its why any news out of SF, NY, LA or Chicago is big news. The Saints are bottom dwellers, historically so and in market size. Even during the Brees era it was frustrating how little credit and coverage this team would get every year. The disrespect to Brees constantly left out of top QB lists and MVP races. Its as if they covered the Saints more because they just couldn't be ignored with 13 win seasons and dominating other teams. Thats what it takes for the Saints to be relevant. Other franchises like the Cowboys, Niners, Packers, etc. will always been relevant no matter what. The league and media don't see this franchise the way we do. It sucks because this is one of the most devoted and culturally rich franchises in all of sports.

So now when you don't have an MVP caliber QB, a roster capable of being legit contenders, and strong coaching, you're irrelevant. Dennis Allen is not turning heads. Derrick Carr was/is a high priced gamble. Kamara hasn't been the highlight reel player he was. The defense is solid, but not ground breaking. The only thing we have that makes the Saints exciting/interesting to watch is Taysom Hill who has been under-utilized since Brees/Payton left and is 33 years old. Unless we have some superstar or are legit SB contenders, nobody outside of NOLA cares about the Saints.

 

[Blazing Saint]

Some of you must need to see another 3-13 to be reminded of what irrelevant really is.

No. Not yet.

 

[Optimistic Ozzy]

Fixed that for you friend...

Add in HOF QB, the most accurate in NFL history.

 

[Geldo]

1967-1987...

 

[Sguill]

So, Haener or Rattler? Who you got as the next great Saints QB?

I think that Haener might well be the the better QB right now, but Rattler will get first shot after Carr due to arm talent. Then again, I really have no clue!

What if one of them gets his chance this coming season?? Wouldn't that take away some of the "meh"! It would definitely be interesting.

Sorry! Just trying to take your mind off the gloomy side of things.

Andrus , thanks for trying to let a little sunshine in, but the skies will gray as long we have this:

Season	League	Team	G	W	L	T	Win%		G	W	L	Win%
2012	NFL	Oakland Raiders	16	4	12	0	.250
2013	NFL	Oakland Raiders	16	4	12	0	.250
2014	NFL	Oakland Raiders	4	0	4	0	.000
2022	NFL	New Orleans Saints	17	7	10	0	.412
2023	NFL	New Orleans Saints	17	9	8	0	.529
Totals			70	24	46	0	.343		0	0	0

 

[St. Geezy]

Andrus,.. as good as it would be for our next franchise QB to have great arm talent, I believe the thing that propels a QB to the top is the 5 inches between his ears. I believe most NFL starting QBs have enough physical talent to move around and hit open receivers.

What made Drew Brees great was a complete knowledge of the game, the playbook, his teammates, and of what is happening on the other side of the line of scrimmage. As much as I would desire a big brawny QB with a cannon for an arm, I'd take a guy with average physical abilities who could develop the mental skills that we saw when #9 was running the show on the field.

From what has been reported, both Haener & Rattler are known for their grey matter and could excel at the QB position even if they are less than stellar with their physical tools. I liked the way Haener ran the offense during his limited opportunities under center. He also has a head start over Rattler at studying the playbook. However, if Rattler is a better physical specimen and can grasp all the mental things that made Drew such an outstanding QB, then I'm all for him moving into that role.

That said, I don't believe any great QB is able to earn that status on his personal abilities alone. Even the great ones of the past needed a 'perfect storm' of the right supporting cast... including a coaching staff that understands how to showcase their talents. If either Haener or Rattler has what it takes to emulate what Drew Brees brought to the Saints, let's just hope their career isn't spent carrying clipboards while the Saints return to the era of the Baghead Brigade of the 70s & 80s. I don't think I could endure another decade of such misery.

The “QB Greatness trait” that I believe doesn’t get talked about often enough is the ability to a.) see a guy about to become open before he’s actually is open, and b.) the ability to “throw a guy open.”

These are two things that made Drew incredible, along with many of the other greats over the years.

They just have an uncanny ability to know and process that “Hey, my guy is covered at this moment but I know the route he is about to run and when he does it he will have his man beat based on what I am seeing and what I know his abilities are as well as that defender’s abilities, as long as I put it in THIS exact spot at this exact millisecond.” So many of the average-tier QBs must SEE their guy open before pulling the trigger, and that hinders them tremendously, or when they try to do what Drew and other greats do, they miscalculate it significantly more often than not or they're not as accurate with the placement, and as a result throw interceptions.

You can have all the arm strength, all the accuracy, and all the brain power you can get…if you don’t have that Anticipation Trait that I don’t even know if it can be taught, you’re never going to be as great.

There are even some Hall of Fame/multi-Pro Bowl QBs that didn’t have this gift, and this is one of the things that creates the separation of the true all-time greats from the normal-tier good QBs.

 

[Bill]

The “QB Greatness trait” that I believe doesn’t get talked about often enough is the ability to a.) see a guy about to become open before he’s actually is open, and b.) the ability to “throw a guy open.”

These are two things that made Drew incredible, along with many of the other greats over the years.

They just have an uncanny ability to know and process that “Hey, my guy is covered at this moment but I know the route he is about to run and when he does it he will have his man beat based on what I am seeing and what I know his abilities are as well as that defender’s abilities, as long as I put it in THIS exact spot at this exact millisecond.” So many of the average-tier QBs must SEE their guy open before pulling the trigger, and that hinders them tremendously, or when they try to do what Drew and other greats do, they miscalculate it significantly more often than not or they're not as accurate with the placement, and as a result throw interceptions.

You can have all the arm strength, all the accuracy, and all the brain power you can get…if you don’t have that Anticipation Trait that I don’t even know if it can be taught, you’re never going to be as great.

There are even some Hall of Fame/multi-Pro Bowl QBs that didn’t have this gift, and this is one of the things that creates the separation of the true all-time greats from the normal-tier good QBs.

I totally agree. This is the part I mentioned about knowledge of what is going on across the line of scrimmage. It really takes more mental ability than physical ability to be able to pull off such spectacular completions, particularly for a guy like Drew Brees who didn't have a Howitzer for an arm. The ability to "anticipate" the progress of a receiver and figure in the closing speed of a defender is what made Drew great, especially on intermediate routes.

I just hope whoever gets the starting QB gig in the future will be able to master this part of the job as much as anything else. Gotta keep the sticks moving!

 

[jahsoul357]

Remember SP had the reins, he screwed up the personnel. I know some people love SP but I’m not one of them, he squandered a great opportunity.

I agree that we were pretty thin some years but we weren't in 2022, which is my point. We had a worse overall team in 2021 than we did in 2022 but yet won more.

Add in HOF QB, the most accurate in NFL history.

I understand, but if neither Winston or Taysom gets hurt, we are a playoff team fighting for the NFC South in 2021. With a better team, we performed worse the next season. Coaching was key