What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

You don't see this every day -- a poem about the Saints' hapless history of quarterbacks, courtesy of ESPN's Rick Reilly.

ESPN The Magazine's David Fleming offers several Saints observations after spending a few days in New Orleans this week.

FOX Sports' Brian Billick breaks down the Saints' decision to rest or play their starters this week.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco and Clark Judge present their 2009 awards. Quarterback Drew Brees is the runner-up for MVP on both lists.

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks says with another loss, the Saints could become the least confident No. 1 seed in NFL history.

SI's Peter King is picking the Panthers to win on Sunday.

The Baton Rouge Advocate's Sheldon Mickles writes that Saints Coach Sean Payton still wants to see improvement from his team this week, no matter how he chooses to play it.

WWL TV's Jim Henderson says there really isn't much on the line Sunday.

WWLTV.com's Bradley Handwerger explores the Saints' run defense problems.

WWL Radio's Steve Geller believes there are reasons for concern and optimism.

WWL Radio's Kristian Garic says the Saints should play to win Sunday.

Re: What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

Well honestly... with how we have been playing we don't deserve to be in the playoffs... and If something don't happen between now and our first playoffs game I'm afraid we will be watchin the superbowl from new orleans... I don't understand It's like after we beat the patriots on that monday night game its like we are hear to prove we are for real and barley getting this wins over teams past few weeks and then losin to dallas in the dome and to Tampa Bay.... Really Saints ? Come on now ! This can't be how the season ends on such a low note.... after comin into the season on such a high one.... I have Faith ! and I believe.... So hopefully our boys will step it up realize its time to play.... !

Re: What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

I resent the wink-and-a-nod "I told you so's" that the media -- and some questionable fans -- are directing at the Saints. They are having a field day scoring cheap laughs and guffaws from twisted and distorted information.

I read the Saints Injury Report this evening:

OUT:
Pierre Thomas -- RB
Lance Moore -- WR
Usama Young -- S

DOUBTFUL:
Scott Shanle -- LB
David Thomas -- TE

QUESTIONABLE:
Jeremy Shockey -- TE
Sedrick Ellis -- DT
Robert McCray -- DE
Jonathan Vilma -- did not practice Friday -- LB
Darren Sharper -- did not practice Friday -- S

ROBABLE:
Darnell Dinkins -- TE
Jason Kyle (long snapper) -- C
Jahri Evans -- G
Jermon Bushrod -- OT
Lynell Hamilton -- RB
Randall Gay -- CB

The Saints I have endured throughout my late adolescence and adulthood were just plain incompetent and pitiful. They fully earned the jeers directed at them.

Saints 2009/10, on the other hand, have an injury list that looks like a phone book. The present Saints are not a lousy football team. They are an injured 13-2 team, soon to be 13-3. And they will get well in time for the playoffs. Media figures have not once mentioned this, as they would have for any of the teams representing their favorite markets. The Saints are not washed up and not a laughingstock as many would suggest.

As for Sunday's game, this team does not need a symbolic morale booster. It does not need a feel-good victory. It does not need to beat Carolina. What is needs is to get well and beat playoff teams. Then the laughter will cease.

Re: What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

Agreed. There is nothing on the line Sunday. Don't let others ideas of what is important, take away the focus, which is the play offs. And I'm sorry, two losses doesn't mean we don't belong in the play offs. We won 13 before that, that says we do. This team earned the right to be the one seed, in the first 14 weeks. Only things that matter are the play offs, and the superbowl. Here's to a 3-0 record in January!

Re: What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

Fleming's article is very good. I really like him as a writer.

Flem File: Observing the Saints in the wild - Page 2 - ESPN

I don't think he's lost the faith.

Re: What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

My thoughts EXACTLY.

And I believe the problem is simply that the media doesn't know this team as well as they know many of the other popular (in their view) teams. So if the Colts or Cowboys were missing their top 3 CB's and a slew of other key players, that information would accompany every criticism ad nauseum.

I think we've also had a starting OLB out for about 5 or 6 weeks now, and 2 of their main back-ups either out for the game or on IR.

Re: What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

I loved that article. The Saints and us are special. I guess maybe there are other places like GB or Buffalo where the relationship between team and fans is as strong but not many.

Re: What others are saying about the New Orleans Saints
 

There is no better walk to a game than the 10 blocks down Poydras to the Superdome in New Orleans. Pittsburgh's riverfront pregame is good. Green Bay is classic, I guess. Kansas City is amazing, too. But nothing touches Nawlins. Nothing. Coolers. Flags. Wigs. Makeshift bars. Jazz music. More flags. Inflatable helmets. T-shirts. A guy in a full Knights of the Round Table suit. Beads. Hats. Chanting. More music. More rum. The smell of jambalaya. Face painting. It's football festivus. And I wonder, have they ever thought of making this into an actual, official parade? How about this: For the playoffs, which now go through New Orleans, start in the French Quarter, gather up, get your Goose on and march to the dome, drinking, singing, tossing beads and celebrating.

I miss that. Great Read