James Hurst theorizes on when the players started to separate from DA (3 Viewers)

[3ParStillDriver]

I think it was sooner then that. There was a period last year around mid season where it seemed like the players were just there, not fighting for inches. Then (at least I thought this was the order) that they had a player only meeting and rallied, nearly beating the lions and went on a run.

I think the Falcons game with the Winston incident just brought back all the negativity that the players already felt and were fighting against. Secured it, and its built up.

 

[NewOrleansBoy]

Y’all loved him when he was the DC for this team and got us a top 10 defense every year.

Damn we are animals for turning.

I didn’t like him as a HC, but damn

 

[St. Geezy]

I think it was sooner then that. There was a period last year around mid season where it seemed like the players were just there, not fighting for inches. Then (at least I thought this was the order) that they had a player only meeting and rallied, nearly beating the lions and went on a run.

I think the Falcons game with the Winston incident just brought back all the negativity that the players already felt and were fighting against. Secured it, and its built up.

Yep…plus there were whispers and hints in year 1 from players not feeling as though they were being held accountable the same.

As someone else surmised, the Atlanta incident was just the manifestation of already long lost respect.

 

[Paul]

I don’t disagree, but I won’t bad-mouth Allen. I will say, though, I’m a peaceful guy, but the minute Arthur Smith dropped those F-bombs at the end of that game, Allen should have gone stone-faced and slowly nodded up and down. Instead, he puts his arm around that dude’s waist, apologizing and petting him up. No!!!!!!!!

It ruined a glorious moment and I figured most of our guys were done. Terrible.

 

[solarbear88]

Y’all loved him when he was the DC for this team and got us a top 10 defense every year.

Damn we are animals for turning.

I didn’t like him as a HC, but damn

Was never a huge fan of his defense. It looked good statistically but often got torched in big play off games.

 

[Randy S]

Act I: The Apology


Act II: You Want the Smoke?


Act III: Interim Coach Hired

 

[Rexman100]

Well said. Man Sean Payton called a wheel route to Kamara on 4th and beyond when we were already stomping the eagles I think just last week someone was complaining about him “running up the score” and he told them to play better. Dennis proved that day he simply doesn’t get it. Crazy when he’s spent so long in this city and around these fans. Shows how utterly detached mentally he was. Good riddance.

Interesting take. Youre right, DA never took ownership of the Saints and the city. He was never “one of us”. Technically Sean Payton isn’t /wasn’t either. I felt Hasslet was. Ditka, nope. Mora Yea. Imo, you start your search by checking that box first. Like the movie Gladiator, “win the crowd, win your freedom”. I’m hoping Rizzi is this guy.

 

[HattiesburgWhoDat]

Sometimes it’s worth it to get to beat your chest and assert your dominance for your team’s confidence and overall vibe.

Kind of like when SP had Brees throw a bomb to Kamara when we were already up like 41-7.

You don’t make a habit out of it, but sometimes it’s okay to show your opponent, the league, and yourselves that you are the s*** and you will get stomped when you come into our building.

I didn't have a problem with scoring another touchdown. My problem was doing it out of the ."take a knee" alignment. That was what was ridiculous to me. If you want to score again just line up in a regular set and score. I don't think they were going to stop us anyway.

 

[Rexman100]

I care. It's called class. There is no need to beat people by more than a couple of scores unless you are in some sort of round robin.

Apparently people in NOLA or America lack that.

I kinda felt like that at first. But I don’t feel that way anymore. The fact is, they did something stupid, unprofessional, immature, idiotic, childish. But if you’re the coach and they’re your family, you defend your family whether they are right or wrong, No matter what. You can talk to the individuals later if needed. But you don’t show them up like that. The fact that he did that only demonstrated that he had already lost the team. If he was united with the team, he would’ve had their back.

 

[VPCajun]

Not his finest moment, I do agree with that. Still not a reason to terminate him after one true disaster iteration IMO.

Ummm, I think his first disaster in all of this was his hiring DA as HC in the first place.

 

[St. Geezy]

Ummm, I think his first disaster in all of this was his hiring DA as HC in the first place.

That’s what I mean by “Disaster Iteration.” This entire DA phase was an error, his first full phase error. You get another shot with one more coach, typically, but especially for a guy like him with some form of unofficial tenure privileges.

 

[Jesse Custer]

Y’all loved him when he was the DC for this team and got us a top 10 defense every year.

Damn we are animals for turning.

I didn’t like him as a HC, but damn

Drew only lost us one playoff game. The other losses were all defensive collapses.

 

[meezy0236]

I never understood the getting upset or questioning of class when it comes to "running up the score". These are grown men that get paid, and paid well i might add, that money is given to them win or lose. Also, the margin of victory means absolutely nothing, a 1 point loss is just as hurtful as a 50pt loss, all that matters is winning.

The apology was very unnecessary, he should have just told them try for the score because I'm sure even the Falcons players would have been alright with it for the simple fact they wanted their lame duck coach gone as well, and that would have just been one more thing to get that accomplished. The scoring from victory formation wasn't the best, but hey, it was what it was, thankfully no one was hurt.

The Saints won a meaningless game, but ultimately the Falcons still won after that day, think about that.

 

[IlovemySaints]

Biggest duh ever. Throwing the players under the bus. Then, apologizing for beating the Falcons. Definitive loser mentality. The way Payton would have owned that moment and said the Falcons can go get bent. The way ANY coach would have stood behind their players knowing the situation Williams faced after leading the league in TDs the year before. THE WAY ANY PERSON familiar with football knows the history of this rivalry, where the Falcons won't even put the Saints name on their scoreboard, would have understood the assignment.

The guy is just a loser. He could have the Chiefs or the Commanders, he would have a losing record. He could start fresh from 0-0 today with any franchise(s) and he'd have a losing record in 5 years. He's not a head coach in the NFL. He doesn't get it. I never rooted for him to be fired because I truly hoped as a Saints fan since he was who we had. But now that he's gone. We can be honest about it. And the people that still to this day defended that BS? Know that's the day he truly loss the team and it should have been obvious to you.

Denn

I care. It's called class. There is no need to beat people by more than a couple of scores unless you are in some sort of round robin.

Apparently people in NOLA or America lack that.

no mercy this is America

 

[IlovemySaints]

I never understood the getting upset or questioning of class when it comes to "running up the score". These are grown men that get paid, and paid well i might add, that money is given to them win or lose. Also, the margin of victory means absolutely nothing, a 1 point loss is just a hurtful as a 50pt loss, all that matters is winning.

The apology was very unnecessary, he should have just told them try for the score because I'm sure even the Falcons players would have been alright with it for the simple fact they wanted their lame duck coach gone as well, and that would have just been one more thing to get that accomplished. The scoring from victory formation wasn't the best, but hey, it was what it was, thankfully no one was hurt.

The Saints won a meaningless game, but ultimately the Falcons still won after that day, think about that.

We did them a favor honestly jumpstarted they retooling