Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

Losing 2 home games to none playoff teams,2 of your last 3, having an easier schedule, these are things that voters look at. Just to clarify to me, Hands down Payton is the coach of the year, BUT, with all the NFC vs AFC comparisons, you have to think the voters will favour the AFC coach? the Jets getting in with a 10-6 record as well in a much tougher conference and you got all the Hoopla that he deserves coach of the year. Tough call?

What R You guys thoughts?

RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

I'm sure most everyone here will say that Payton still deserves it, and he will probably still get it, but if Eric Mangini got COY I wouldn't be disappointed.

I really wanted this win today. I guess everyojne that wanted us to rest our starters for the whole game got what they wanted though.

I just hope this game is stricken from the memory of our players. Nothing positive came from it at all.

RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

"I just hope this game is stricken from the memory of our players. Nothing positive came from it at all."

Well said.

RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

^I don't see why the starters would be so upset since they barely played. It was a meaningless game. Don't read too much into it.

Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

Starters or not it's a team. We win and lose as a team.

I see the Colts are playing their starters into the second. Maybe they learned that resting starters last year doesn't equate into playoff success. I think they know the importance of going into the playoffs on a roll.

Hell, I'm proud of our boys. I think or reserves did well fpr playing against the Panthers 1st team the whole game. Our reserve defensive players played with desire and spirit. The only thing that worried me was Martins lack of arm strength.

All in all I think if any loss can be good, this one was ok. We came out unhurt. All our players healthy and the starters looked good while they were in.

Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

The only momentum is the momentum you make. It's a myth created by teams that choke under pressure. And besides, even if momentum did exist, the bye-week would kill it anyway.

RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

The colts still have seeding to play for, so it's not a meaningless game for them. No good would come from playing a starter with the potential to be injured.

This game shouldn't have anything to do with anything, other than real time practice for the 2nd unit against the 1st unit of an NFL team. Those guys can't get enough real time reps.

By the way, does Payton winning a COY award give the team a better seeding or win in the post season?

Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

Of course momentum exists. Every team that I've ever followed mentions momentum. Winning breeds winning. Sports isn't all about the x's and o's.

If you don't think momentum exists go talk to an Eagles player.

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Winners execute and play smart. Losers don't. The Eagles are winning because they are playing team ball, and not commiiting turnovers. Oh, and actually running the ball helps too.

RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

Whatever....we lost the game. It's over and done with. Nothing positive came from it. We have a playoff game in two weeks. But I don't see how it's a "good loss". And if the COY goes to Mangini, I'd say he has a compelling case.

RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

Bottom line.........

Brees, Deuce, Colston, Reggie, W. Smith, & the rest of the gang were not injured & will be playing on Jan. 13th in the Dome. I think it was a smart decision by Payton. It only goes to show that his mind is set on the playoffs & not the accolades such as Coach of the Year, etc..... We had absolutely nothing to gain by playing our starters in this game & a hell of a lot to lose by getting starters injured. Again....very smart move Coach Payton.

P.S.- Anyone else notice Zach Strief man handling Julius Peppers....the league's best DE?

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Strief is a beast. I have no doubt he can start full time.

RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year???
 

What do you mean by nothing positives? Hell man did you see how Jamie Martin looked out there today? He looked horrible, if anything we go in the playoffs healthy, that's as positive as it gets. Do you want to win a meaningless game and risk losing Drew Brees to a freak injury? Hell no! Do you want to go in the playoffs without Bush, Colston, McAllister, the defensive and offensive lines being healthy? Hell no! You have to look at the bigger picture here, a victory would have been nice, but a heathy team in the divisional round of the playoffs is a hell of a lot better. GO NFC SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPION SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :band: :monkey: :saintsfan: :party:

Re: RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the year
 

Yeah absolutely nothing positive came out of the game today. I challenge someone to find something positive other than noticing that if the game is left up to Martin we are toast.

I'm sorry I just don't subscribe to the substantial rest of players for risk of injury. I think he did it to rest his players, which is different. If Payton was wary of injury why even suit the guys up in the first place? One play is all it takes, right?

Fact is that injuries can happen anytime. Ask Carson Palmer.

Chargers had nothing to gain either by playing their starters, but they got everyone involved. No reason for LT to play but he did and got a good deal of carries. They got the win and are on a substantial roll going into the playoffs.

I don't think Payton was wrong for resting his starters, but I think he could have given them more time than 1 series. I don't buy people justifying it with hypothetical injuries that would have happened.

I think he did it to rest players, and I'm fine with that. But I don't think he's scared of injuries because that can happen at any time, anywhere.

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Going into the bye with a healthy team. That's the most positive thing I saw.

What about the starters looking sharp on the first drive? Marched the ball right down the field and into the end zone.
It's true there's a risk reward factor there. Payton pointed out during the week that there are only 46 guys available. So someone had to suit up.
But limiting minutes limits the chance of something bad happening.

Or Brees. But you have to admit the longer a player is out there, the more likely the chance of something bad happening.

The point is that the game had no meaning in terms of playoff positioning. It was practice. So let the starters who were completely healthy practice a bit then get off the field.
Not true. Baltimore won today. San Diego lost to Baltimore 16-13 on October 1st. If they had ended up tied at 13-3, the Baltimore would have had home field.
They had a reason to play. So that argument misses the point.Not would have happened. Could have happened. Another missed point is that by giving the backups some minutes, they can be a bit better prepared to play in the payoffs if needed. Martin hadn't had a single regular season snap this year. So why not let him get some snaps in a game that has absolutely no impact.
But because it was a meaningless game the risk/reward profile changes.

SFIAH

Every one agrees we Want the Saints to win in the playoffs!

We just have different avenues as to how to get there.

What does CHI got to gain? Nothing, yet their starters are in, and they are down 13-0. They want that Home Feild Aura. They want people to FEAR coming into town. Losing 2 of 3 to non playoff teams does not exactly get you that.

Last, I heard the argument that momentum doesn't matter? C'mon.

Remember when we were on the verge of the playoffs when we beat Car a few years back, but got screwed by the DUMB ( I still say it SUCKS ) Nfl tiebreak procedure. All the talk about the town was NO one wanted to play the SAINTS!

They were The Hottest team going into the playoffs, and had all the MOMENTUM. But now momentum doesn't matter?

I disagree there. Either way we're in, let's get that Playoff win and get on the road to Miami!

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My overall point was that if he was scared of injuries, there's no reason to play Bush and Brees at all. If they were resting them, then that's one thing. But if they were doing it to avoid injury then no starter should have suited up at all.

Also Chicago has Grossman and most of the starters out there right now. I think if you played them one series you can afford to play them longer.

I just hate losing the game and the only thing that can make me feel better is if we whup on whoever we end up facing in a couple of weeks.

The reason I hope he's not thinking about getting players hurt is that I think that's a profile of a coach that's coaching scared. He's been a gambler thus far this season and it's reaped rewards. I hope he doesn't decide to tighten up now that we're in the playoffs.

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach of the
 

Yo, people sit back and look at what was accomplished here. The 2006 season is over and we're still playing, not just playing, but we're the 2nd seeded team in the playoffs. We won our Division by a large margin, when was the last time that happen? NEVER that's when. We have a bye week for the first time in franchise history, we have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and we're blessed to be going in to the playoffs almost completely healthy. Oh yeah, don't you think 2 weeks is long enough to rest his players? I think so. GO NFC SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPION SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I'm aware of what we've accomplished. I know everyone is very proud of the Saints and the season thus far and I hope my disappointment isn't misconstrued as bitterness. I just hate having the Panthers sweep us.

That NFC South title is in the rear view window and we have bigger aspirations now. No reason to rest on those laurels, no matter what our record was last year. I just hope in two weeks that Payton and the team comes with the killer instinct that we had last week in NY.

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O.k., i give you that, being sweep by the Panthers does leave a bitter taste in the mouth. But don't come down on Coach Payton for being concerned about any of his players being hurt in a meaningless game like this one. Because, if he had kept say Brees in through the 1st half, and he got hurt, or Bush got a high ankle sprain, than this board would be lite up with people upset that he left them in the game that long. So as far as the decision goes to keep certain players out of the game and play others for a mininal time, i support him 100%. GO NFC SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPION SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Blacksaint, OK Jamie Martin was getting his butt thrown to the ground alot in this game because Carolina had there massive starting Defense Line in the game til midway thru the 4th quarter. He was 20-26 for over 200 yards. Our backup offensive line was not blocking at all because he was sacked I think 5 times. Give Martin a break. If he had the main offensive line in their for the whole game he gets sacked maybe twice. Brees is not hurt, Jamie Martin is not hurt that we know of so we have one MVP and a good QB as a backup, and this was the point for playing the backups, to win the SB, hell just win the next game and other games.

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton coach
 

Guys, read the injury reports from meaningless games today and then tell me that Payton did the wrong thing. The Seahawks are down to starting their waterboys in the secondary, Cutler got a concussion, Grossman had as many INTs as completions, LT and Rivers got banged up...I'll trust Payton and this coaching staff. Not like we have any reason to doubt them thus far.

The Saints' backups hung with the Panthers' STARTERS. Freddy Mac got a rushing TD today...did you see how overjoyed he was with Payton after that? How can you not feel at least okay about the game today? I thought Freddy was gonna cry, he looked so happy.

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We lost and got swept by the Panthers and I have to hear this garbage about them having the best division record. I can't see how we can feel ok about this game today. Maybe it's nothing to worry about but that doesn't mean I'm gonna throw a party.

It won't matter in a couple of weeks when we play our playoff game because they are at home but I don't like losing a division game.

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Did that loss cost Payton c
 

Yo, no disrespect to the kid, but even when he had time, he didn't look like he was ready, and he should have been. We're talking about a 12 year veteran here, you have to remember one thing, he should have been more comfortable with the 2nd and 3rd stringers, because that's who he practice with on a daily basis. I'm sorry, but i have to disagree with you on Jaime Martin, we at lest need to give it a good look in the off season. But I'm not worried about the QB position in the playoffs because Brees was barely touch during the regular season and i don't expect that to change at all. But i do think we need another backup QB. GO NFC SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPION SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Yeah, it makes much more sense to risk injuries to our starters and get a meaningless win, doesn't it?

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I already said a few posts ago that I was fine with him resting the players. But there's no way in hell I'm gonna be gleeful and happy about getting swept by the Panthers and losing our last regular season game. Sorry.

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Did that loss c
 

Who's happy and gleeful about it? Most of us just don't care about it and aren't gonna piss and moan about it. Fast Freddy scored. As an sr.comer said, whether or not you were happy about that tells what kind of Saints fan you are.

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Did that loss c
 

Yo, let's all just take a deep breath for a minute, we're all SAINTS fans here we should be happy, not for the loss, but for the achievement. Being sweep by the Panthers is never good, but damn Goldrush26, you can't tell me that you wouldn't have been piss if one of our starters would have gotten hurt and knock out of the playoffs. Then you would've been saying he shouldn't left them in so long. Let's all agree to disagree, or in the words of a drunken idiot; CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG. :jester: :party: :cheers:

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Some people are talking about Andy Reid as a possible COY candidate. Losing McNabb and winning with a back up has people talking about the system and coaching in Philly as being the prime factors in their success. If they come to NOLA, we really need to look out! The are stealth scary the way they're playing.

i'm almost positive the last time the saints swept the panthers and were out of the playoffs, it was carolina that wound up in the superbowl...
if this is payback, i'll take it..................

My argument is that momentum doesn't exist. There are winners and losers in sports. Winners win because they play well, not because some fickle cosmic force smites the opponent with bad play.

As I said last night, the only momentum is the momentum you make. If a team wins in the playoffs, it will be because of gameplaning, execution, and pure will. I have faith that the Saints will win because that describes this team perfectly.

Are some of you mildly retarded?

It WAS a meaningless game. You know what the difference between us being 10-6 or 11-5 in relation to the playoffs? Nothing.

I mean, it would have been lovely to go in to the playoffs at 11-5 with Brees on the bench because he got hurt in a game that had absolutely zero ramifications in regards to our possible playoff success.

All this momentum crap, is exactly that. Crap.

I don't know if some of you realize this, but these guys in the NFL that spend all year busting their asses do it for one thing, and one thing only - to get to the playoffs and try to get to the Super Bowl. If you have any rational thought going on in your head you'd come to the conclusion that because that's every players goal on every single team they might just be a little bit more focused and amped up heading in to their preperation for the playoffs.

I think some of you are just looking for something to piss and moan about.

Let me point out a couple positives for a few of our clueless fans...

We had no injuries to the core group of guys that we need healthy in order to make a playoff run.

The NFL season is extremely long and hard on players bodies. That's why many of them look forward to the bye weeks to heal. The less wear and tear possible, the fresher these guys are going to be when it counts - the P-L-A-Y-O-F-F-S.

I saw a lot of heart from our second teamers and a lot of "want to". The Panthers had a 1st and goal from our 5. What happened? Our 2nd string stuffed their starters and held them to a FG.

I want to win every game like every other fan, but I didn't give a damn about what happened yesterday. If you happened to notice the body language of our starters and backups, either on the sidelines or in the game, you saw a team that looks like they're having a lot of fun, like they're very confident, and like they understood what our coaching staff was doing by resting our starters.

It's too bad that some in our fan base don't seem to be able to grasp those same concepts.

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I remember this one season where we swept the Bucs.

The Bucs got a Lombardi Trophy that year.

Did we get a Broom trophy?

Jeremy, not that I completely disagree with you....but who pissed in your wheaties? Simmer down man, life will go on. :lol:

For real.

I was disappointed yesterday in losing a game. The fact that we are going to the playoffs doesn't make a loss in a "meaningless game" more palatable. It's still a loss.

Time to move on.

I guess just after reading the entire thread it got a little on my nerves.

No prob dude. It was just coming down a bit hard on some of the members. We all can't agree all the time and just because we disagree doesn't mean i'm a retard or anyone else to that matter. Even though most of you know I am. :lol:

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O.K. guys just think if the Chargers would have let Rivers start the last game last year Brees would not have been hurt and would not be our QB this year.The Chargers was playing a meaningless game and should have be looking at some future players but instead lost their starting QB.
The Chargers WILL miss the experience of Brees in the playoffs. I'm glad the vets got a rest against a divisional rival ( looking for cheap shots ) and will be ready to go in the playoffs with everybody healthy and a smart & experience QB ( not Brooks ) in Brees.
Now that the team and staff are thinking like winners all we need if for the fans to get rid of that OLD (win game X no matter what ) attitude and think of doing what it takes for the team to WIN THE SUPERBOWL.

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First of all, Coach Payton got that award sewed up. 1) PAYTON 2) MANGINI 3) REID. And second, i wouldn't worry about how hot Philly is playing, you remember October 15? Philly was the hottest team and McNabb was playing like the MVP, SAINTS 27, EAGLES 24. GO NFC SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPION SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!