The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

I think it's the elephant in the room. Time to acknowledge it!

Dropped passes. Missed tackles. Fumbles. Looking bad against undistinguished
teams. Slow starts on offense and defense. Why?

Think about it. Not 1 player or coach on this team have ever been 9-0. The
pressure must be awful.

I'm sure the players and coaches are thrilled to be 9-0. However, despite
what they are saying, I believe there is a great deal of pressure causing
some of the recent erratic play.

I think most any player or coach would feel like there's an anchor around
his neck under the situation. Who wants to be the one that makes a
bad play or bad call that stops the winning streak? I bet that thought is
always in the back of everyone's mind. Many are holding up well, others
seem to be falling off a bit, the overall team is falling off.

I'm sure Payton is doing what he can to take the pressure off, but it's an
impossible task. All he can do is tell them to play their game, do what they
do, and don't worry about the undefeated streak. The defense should be
trying to shut out the opponents, the offense should be trying to score on
every possession.

The 2009 Saints are my heroes, and if they lose to the Bucs, they will still
be my heroes. I want 19-0, but it couldn't make me a lot more proud than I
am right now.

What are your thoughts on how the pressure is affecting team play, if at all?

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

My response? Players need to man up mentally (if our record really is effecting them). At the end of the day if you just make the plays, we win. We have enough talent to not need big plays and miracles to win. Just make the plays one play at a time and we win. That goes for Defense too.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

Pressure... its more about focus.

I don't buy into the pressure theory. This is a grown man's sport anyone can beat anyone any given day of the week. Everyone has a bad game including Manning. You make adjustments and you find ways to win blah blah blah.

You just expect to win each week and before you know it you lose focus. A lose once in a while keeps you honest and makes you work hard to get back on the winning horse again.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

There is undoubtedly pressure when you are 9-0. How you handle it defines you as a player and a team mate. Personally, I don't really care if they go undefeated...although with the mental mistakes we are making it is looking less likely every week. We can do it. I just want to see a serious post season run..and HFA.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

On the flipside maybe they are just not focusing because they know that they could lose a few games and still be well into the mix.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

The pressure is greater at 0-9.... that is if you want to stay employed.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

exactly... talk about losing a lot of sleep!

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

I bet it is!

I think the team is showing signs of pressure, because this is new to everyone. Lesser players would probably have cracked at 7-0.

I think they should be told to play hard and have fun.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

CRACK?

I know the crazy wards have filled up with former NFL players who went 7-0. Could the next win put Bush in the psycho ward?

Its complacency man! You don't work as hard you don't concentrate as hard because you're 9-0, you're going to win because the next guy to you is going to pick up the slack and win the game because that is what we always do and before you know it... they don't and you lose. Then its back to real work trying to get the focus back.

Each time you win and remain undefeated in todays pro-tackle-football is a big deal.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

Not THAT kind of crack. Not going nuts, just letting the pressure get to them, and having it affect their play.

If they were complacent, no way we would be 9-0. If anything, I think they're working too hard to preserve the undefeated string.