Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

This August has basically been business as usual for New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis -- long training camp days full of practices and meetings, hoping for no key injuries through dull preseason games, studying players as he and his staff prepare for roster cutdowns. In short, getting the Saints ready to defend their NFC South title in a year in which Super Bowl XLVII is in the Saints' home dome.

September, however, will be a departure from the norm for Loomis. That's when the eight-game suspension for his alleged role in the Saints' alleged bounty system kicks in. He must exit team offices after Aug. 30, the team's final preseason game, and have no contact with Saints staff members, coaches or players until he returns after the Nov. 5 game against Philadelphia. On top of that, head coach Sean Payton is suspended for the entire year.

While obviously not happy about the situation, Loomis is not overly concerned about the impact his impending absence might have on the team.

Read more: Mickey Loomis thinks New Orleans Saints will handle bounty adversity well in 2012 - Jeff Diamond - SI.com

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

I had high expectations too before the Jaguar game.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

me three.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

Im glad somebody does. I think we will have a winning season, but don't see a Super Bowl happening this year. Now that I got a taste after all those years I want a ring every year. Before Payton and Brees came along I was happy as long as we made it to the playoffs.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

I think we're all badly underestimating the effects of not having Sean around. Even though our offense has the exact same players except for one guy, they have changed from an attacking wide open style to a ball control, field position scheme and that reflects the way a head coach views the role of the offense. We just aren't set up to win games that way. I think we're in for a VERY long season.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

Did you not pay attention to Drew's TD drive in the Jaguar game? Nothing about that drive would be considered ball control... Most of last year Pete was calling the plays, it wasn't a ball control scheme then and it won't be this year...

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

... but that was the only time in three games we've done that. I'm just saying that we now have a coach that is more oriented to defense than Sean ever was and it's we're seeing a defensive philosophy overall.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

Pete is calling the plays, I doubt Vitt has too much say so on what offensive plays are called...

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

... so you're saying the head coach doesn't have any say in the overall game plan philosophy???! Then why do we need a head coach?

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

No way, Pete & Drew are going to let Vitt start calling a ball control offense... And from what I understand and Vitt has even said that they're not deviating from Payton's way

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

I'll say it again. The Saints are not showing their hand. They want everyone to think they are struggling. The important thing now is not to have any more injuries.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

I also think that missing Payton will be huge. Not as much play calling but tough decisions like going for it on 4th, roster changes, and personnel grouping will be where we really see it.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

We'll see who's right in 20 days.

Re: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
 

I've said from the day Sean Payton was suspended for the year that we would feel it in the win/loss column. He's the head coach, a very strong one, and the glue that binds this team together.

I don't feel strongly about the offense play style being the difference maker as much as the little things that happen during a game. Like when to play players, time-out control, game pacing, when to run a trick play or not, and when to rally troops etc.

Sean Payton is a master at turning the tide of a game and a season. He's up there with the best coaches when it comes to risk and decision-making during a game.

These "details" and intangibles could be the difference between a 6 or 8 win season and a 10 or 12 win season. Just my opinion, and I hope I'm wrong and this does not come true.