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.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

I really don't think the 9-0 start has gotten to their heads, so I don't think that is really a lot of pressure for those guys. The Saints however need to refocus on fundamentals. Things like holding on to the ball, running correct routes, not throwing INT's, tackling, blocking assignments, etc... I think the real pressure is there are a lot of guys playing that would other wise be on the bench. That has to be difficult to adjust to, and yes, most teams go through that this time of the season. The Saints will be fine, I see them correcting the mistakes they are making.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

With the spot light being on us now, obviously there's going to be pressure placed upon us to win every game. But with the way things are shaping up for us in the NFC and within our division, we've got to take comfort knowing that even if we went on a little skid, we'll be just fine and still in contention of getting homefield in the playoffs. So even if that elephant is in the room, he's in the corner sitting behind Carl Nicks... it's still a little hidden.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

Well thats my point... to this point there is no one going to the whacky house because we are undefeated. So its not that pressure makes them "CRACK", its the complacency that makes teams falter not pressure. A game is a game but if you don't prepare like you would do at the start of the season or what have you then yeah you'll lose that focus and not play as well and drop a few in the L colum. Has nothing to do with pressure.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

I really don't think it is affecting our play. I don't believe it is the players losing focus or psyching themselves into poorer performances.

As stated, injuries and illnesses are getting to the team. Lots of guys have been coming down with the flu. Oppositions are trying to knock off the undefeated one and we see teams planning us as a momentum creating game. Winning is contagious and no one wants to have the first loss come. As the season progresses and opposing coaching staffs have more and more film on us, breakdown how we operate we will become less and less effective.

Re: The Pressure of Being 9-0
 

Thank you! I needed reassurance! Great metaphor about The House. :D