Remember this thread should the Saints miss the playoffs... (2 Viewers)

[OldTimeGamer1966]

The only good thing about the op is the posters avatar that's about it.

 

[daybreaker]

No other team has had more success against us in the dome than the Bucs.

41-0

 

[Seapea]

 

[rail]

Turn in your fan card . Thanks.

 

[reason2believe]

if you doom and gloomers end up being correct just remember that a broken clock is right twice a day

This ...

It is easy to throw out a post with a big IF in it. Way to back your way into a prediction. Either way, there is no way that half of the speculated moves are possible.

 

[gumbotron]

Remember this...

tacos

 

[BobE]

tacos

tacoes

 

[wubomber]

I have been a long time non-local Saints fan so and have sat through so many heart breaking seasons to know the mental make up of my team inside and out.

You can't be home grown enough to know that our record is exactly where it should be. We are a 10-5 team no better and no less. We just got the bulk of our wins early on in the season. We have lost the last 3 out of 4 games when we were just a short while considered a threat to the Super Bowl.

We are having pass protection problems. Our $100 million dollar QB keeps providing costly turnovers when the line breaks down and our WR's can't seem to get open. We have been relying on the screen game so far and even that is getting stopped. We are facing a team who always gives us cover 2 problems even when giving Drew lots of time in the pocket. What is going to happen if nobody could get open quick enough before our O-Line collapses?

I think the drama WILL be set on Sunday and it will be squarely on the Saints winning at home. I don't think Atlanta can stop a running Cam Newton. Then in the afternoon games Seattle could get off to a fast start against the Rams because the Rams will be without their best pass rusher. Russell Wilson could get hot early and open up a big lead. Thus allowing 49ers to pull their starters early in the second half. Swings like that always have a tendency to help and hurt two teams. Those two teams this year are the Cardinals and the Saints.

It is very rare when the possibility of an 11-5 team misses the playoffs happens in the NFL. Some parity has to ensue, the last team to finish 11-5 and miss the playoffs and their season was a true underdog late season charge type team like the Cardinals. The Patriots didn't control their own destiny but won their game and needed a team ahead of them to lose and it didn't happen. I pray for a repeat outcome but I know my Saints team. We lose to below .500 teams and we have some hard luck stories. Do you not remember the 2003 Saints season with that John Carney missed extra point that cost us the playoffs after the ESPY winning special teams TD on the last play of the game. All I am saying is if we gonna get it, it won't come easy. And if we don't get it, it could define this franchise and careers.

 

[Mojomajik9]

Just like how I felt that this past game @ Carolina was playing out the same way as the @ Patriots game, I also feel another sense of dejavu.

 

[Icon]

Do you not remember the 2003 Saints season with that John Carney missed extra point that cost us the playoffs after the ESPY winning special teams TD on the last play of the game.

This is one myth that I wish would just die off.

John Carney did NOT cost us a playoff spot. Go back and look at the 2003 regular season standings. Dallas and Seattle were the 2 wild cards, and both had 10-6 records. The absolute best that the Saints could have finished if they'd won the Jax game was 9-7. Do the math.

 

[birdog]

The OP feels exactly the same way I do. The Saints should win, or so everybody thinks they should. But I don't see it that way.

The OL has major issues. No LT, and even the other tackle struggles mightily againsst speed rushers. The biggest problem on the OL is the interior blocking. Teams figured out just how to attack the inside of the OL. The end result is Brees throwing multiple picks every game just about.

In the past, the Offense bailed out the team regularly....that's no longer the case.More often than not lately, it is the offense which puts the team behind on the scoreboard. Now that in itself wouldn't be a problem, if the D steps up and makes plays. They do it sometimes, but they can't finish the game. So they play excellent for about 59 minutes, then the inevitable collapse occurs. That tells us that the team is close, but still havent made the next step yet. And if the Bucs stay close, then they will probably win the game, when the D collapses.

This Sunday, the Saints will try to come out with guns blazing. They might get ahead on the scoireboard early, but will be unable to build up a substantial lead. Mistakes by the OL, and certain drops by the receivers ensure that. If the Bucs stay close, within 3 points going into the 4th qt....they will pull the upset. If the Cards beat the 9rs, which I believe they will do the Saints are out of the playoffs.

The real question then is....why keep all these veterns around, when the aren't producing? I expect a lot of changes in this offseason, especially on the OL, RBs & WRs. That is a good thing, and I expect the same on D as well. Redo the secondary, and cut the fat. Same goes for the 2 MLBs Its not that they're not good, its that they couldn't stop the run all year long. The Saints must shore up the runD, as the most important step. I expect W Smith, Vilma, Harper, Jenkins gone....C White, P Robinson will probably be demoted to a backup status, and I wouldn't be surprised if Robinson is cut. Only Lewis & Vacarro should be retained.

The Saints are good up-front. Their DL and the 2 OLBs will get better next year. I expect Galette and Butler to tear it up next year. But an eventual playoff appearence will push back these much needed changes. To me, going back and regroup is a lot more important than be a one & done playoff team. If the Saints miss the playoffs everybody demands changes. If they make it, but bow out in the first game, many will be reluctant to demand changes....that is the difference.

 

[woohoosaint]

What's with all of the gloom and doom threads?

 

[DahnVill]

This has got to be one of the most ridiculous and pessimistic posts I have ever read on here.

I realise everyone is entitled to an opinion, but this is just garbage. Call yourself a Saints fan? We're better off without you so go cry with the falcon fans.

 

[ACCOUNTNOLONGERINUSE]

The OP feels exactly the same way I do. The Saints should win, or so everybody thinks they should. But I don't see it that way.

The OL has major issues. No LT, and even the other tackle struggles mightily againsst speed rushers. The biggest problem on the OL is the interior blocking. Teams figured out just how to attack the inside of the OL. The end result is Brees throwing multiple picks every game just about.

In the past, the Offense bailed out the team regularly....that's no longer the case.More often than not lately, it is the offense which puts the team behind on the scoreboard. Now that in itself wouldn't be a problem, if the D steps up and makes plays. They do it sometimes, but they can't finish the game. So they play excellent for about 59 minutes, then the inevitable collapse occurs. That tells us that the team is close, but still havent made the next step yet. And if the Bucs stay close, then they will probably win the game, when the D collapses.

This Sunday, the Saints will try to come out with guns blazing. They might get ahead on the scoireboard early, but will be unable to build up a substantial lead. Mistakes by the OL, and certain drops by the receivers ensure that. If the Bucs stay close, within 3 points going into the 4th qt....they will pull the upset. If the Cards beat the 9rs, which I believe they will do the Saints are out of the playoffs.

The real question then is....why keep all these veterns around, when the aren't producing? I expect a lot of changes in this offseason, especially on the OL, RBs & WRs. That is a good thing, and I expect the same on D as well. Redo the secondary, and cut the fat. Same goes for the 2 MLBs Its not that they're not good, its that they couldn't stop the run all year long. The Saints must shore up the runD, as the most important step. I expect W Smith, Vilma, Harper, Jenkins gone....C White, P Robinson will probably be demoted to a backup status, and I wouldn't be surprised if Robinson is cut. Only Lewis & Vacarro should be retained.

The Saints are good up-front. Their DL and the 2 OLBs will get better next year. I expect Galette and Butler to tear it up next year. But an eventual playoff appearence will push back these much needed changes. To me, going back and regroup is a lot more important than be a one & done playoff team. If the Saints miss the playoffs everybody demands changes. If they make it, but bow out in the first game, many will be reluctant to demand changes....that is the difference.

Great post.

Regardless if you agree with birdog, he does give you something to think about. It's this perspective that makes me think that we'll be better off in the long run if the Saints lose/ Cardinals win and we miss the playoffs. I welcome the much needed changes and in 2-3 years, we could be a GREAT team. Most of us have been saying it to some degree or another--we need to go through a short rebuilding phase. Sure, in 2-3 years Brees will most likely be on a decline BUT we will be stronger as a team and Brees won't have to try to carry the team on his back.

 

[educator_71]