Saints Positives, no really
 

1. Undoubtably we will have a new GM and coaching staff., If not it will ease my transition into not watching any 2005 Saints football. Benson may fire Haz this week. Either way there is no way we win another game. Not even against Carolina.

2. We will have some very high draft picks. Our own top 10 pick, and a top 10 second round pick as well as Washington's (which should also be very high). The new coach (Crennell or Weis) is probably already salivating over taking ownership of this team.

3. Good foundation for a new staff to work with. Bentley, McAllister, Henderson, Watson, McKenzie, Brooks, Karney, Grant, Howard, Young, Brown etc. A good coach only needs to bring in a few of his type players (read LB's and NT) and this team is ready to compete. Hell I think a good staff could take what we have now and make them competitive.

4. City starving for a winner. A new staff that goes 8-8 their 1st year will own this town. Not much immediate pressure to succeed.

5. We have tons of cap room for a new staff to bring in their types of players via free-agency. The Saints may be the easiest re-build situation this league has ever seen. I think by the end of the 2005 season (if we hire the right staff) it will become even more clear just how bad Haz/McCarthy/Venturi were.

I think Benson's strategy is simple. Hire a quality General Manager and let him do all the hiring/firing necessary. Enjoy the Golden years Tom.

The new GM brings in solid free-agents at NT, SLB, MLB (Watson moves to WLB) FS and SS.

Saints Positives, no really
 

I agree Danno... except about Howard. He\'ll be gone after this season. I also think a new coach may make big changes in personnel and that might mean less than 8-8. Finally, I\'m not so sure that even with a new coach the City will be happy with 8-8. I think our fans are finally starting to demand more. Finally...

of course, that may all change. I forget how quickly people around here are willing to forgive and completely forget the past. ;)

Saints Positives, no really
 

Danno,

About #2. Didn;t we trade one of our seconds to Green Bay to go with O\'Sullivan for McKenzie? We only have one of those now. I don\'t know if it is ours or Washington\'s.

Saints Positives, no really
 

You are right. We traded our #2 (Washington) pick for McKenzie.

Which is fine. We couldn\'t draft anyone as good as he is anyway.

Saints Positives, no really
 

Yep -- only positive i can see is a new coaching staff on the horizon. But once again we must say wait for next year.

Saints Positives, no really
 

another positive is that we can say Phillip Rivers started his prolific career against the Saints. he saw his first action versus us, no surprise. seems like everytime i watch a special play on NFL films, the record breaker ect. is playing the Aints.