Same ol', same ol' for Saints

tiggerpolice · 08-13-2005, 01:01 PM

NEW ORLEANS

Same ol', same ol' for Saints

We heard it all summer. The New Orleans Saints had an improved defense. Everybody knew about their offensive playmakers. As Tom Benson would say, they were "workin' to win" in New Orleans.

You gotta have faith.

You gotta be kidding me.

This NFL team is still trotting out empty slogans, empty performances, and, in their exhibition opener Friday night, another half-empty Louisiana Superdome.

No, check that. The Saints played host to the Seattle Seahawks, and a Tulane game broke out.

About 25,000 people actually turned out for this sorry spectacle, which obviously means next to nothing once they tee it up for real in September.

It certainly meant next to nothing to Benson's Boys in Black and Gold, the perpetual 8-8 team that is pacing itself for another run at mediocrity.

Seattle 34, New Orleans 15, Tom Benson 0.

Deuce McAllister fumbled on the game's third play from scrimmage, the Seahawks scored two plays later and the fans who obviously had nothing better to do sensed they had seen this movie before.

They had.

Seneca Wallace, the Seahawks' backup quarterback, scrambled for a 24-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, putting the Saints in a 14-3 hole.

Todd Bouman, the Saints' backup quarterback, made sure they stayed there.

Bouman served up an interception, and former Saints wideout Jerome Pathon burned Jason Craft for a 28-yard touchdown reception, making it 21-3 and leaving everybody in this town north of the Audubon Zoo wishing they were actually there.

In the alligator pit.

Benson wants Saints fans to take a leap of faith, to drop their hard-earned money on season tickets for a team that may be up for franchise free agency. The Los Angeles Lost Boys or the San Antonio Sidewinders or, according to one Benson confidant a few months back, the Albuquerque Armadillos.

Trouble is, these same fans seem to be accepting this fate, if their reaction to Friday night's fiasco was any indication.

There were scattered boos, sure. The empty seats began to multiply once Pathon got in the end zone with 5:06 left in the first half. But mostly, it was indifference. Have a beer, boo first-round bust Johnathan Sullivan. Praise Deuce for electing to re-sign with the Saints, giving the club a touch of class, and grumble about Benson, who, well, touches plenty of things and is best known for turning gold into fertilizer.

The Saints have sold about 33,000 season tickets for Jim Haslett's sixth season, which marks 21 years under the Benson administration. One playoff victory. Lots of 7-9 and 8-8 seasons. The Ditka Disaster.

Same team, different slogan.

Sock It To 'Em Saints. Faith, Hope and Bum. No Mora Excuses. Cha-ching! (Not that their ticket office is gonna be singing that tune.) Men of Iron.

You Gotta Have Faith.

They're talking to you, L.A.

A leap of faith? More like a leap into the aforementioned alligator pit.

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/12373379.htm

TallySaint · 08-14-2005, 08:07 AM

You Gotta Have Faith.

They're talking to you, L.A.

I wouldn't worry about the first pre-season game. We're really not that bad. Benson's just working on a ploy for L.A. to pay him to keep the Saints in New Orleans.

8)

chRxis · 08-14-2005, 11:33 AM

i think the biggest reason everyone feels upset is because of all the hype that has surrounded the saints finally "turning the corner"... i admit, i fell for it too, but i haven't written off the season b/c they came out a little lackluster the first preseason game... it just means they have to go back to the drawing board and fight a little harder to get where they need to be, winning REGULAR season games... honestly, i'd settle for 0-4 preseason, if it means they learned some things, be better prepared, and it translated to 10-6, 11-5, etc. in the regular season.

CHACHING · 08-14-2005, 11:36 AM

Spoken like a true fan..
I agree 1000%..chRxis...
WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR!

SaintFanInATLHELL · 08-14-2005, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by CHACHING

Spoken like a true fan..
I agree 1000%..chRxis...
WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR!

I'm still not sold. The 1st team defense looked better. But Watson was burned pretty badly on that first TD. I'm not understanding why a LB was having to cover a WR on a crossing route anyway.

I was at the game. It was fun. I stuck around to the bitter end because I wanted to see AMac. The guy in a bundle of very raw talent.

I saw some good things. Except for Deuce's fumble, the 1st team on both sides of the ball looked pretty good. I'm still not convinced we need to keep Bouman. We have a big talent gap after the 1st string. Sullivan was hustling. That's a good thing.

But at the end of the day my concern remains coaching and scheme on both sides of the ball. It's clear that Sheppard is committed to running the ball. However the team still doesn't have a consistent offensive identify yet. Time will tell if that develops. Defensively I'm still unsure where they are going. I do know that WR vs. LBs are a bad matchup though.

SFIAH

TallySaint · 08-14-2005, 03:02 PM

I do know that WR vs. LBs are a bad matchup though.

I wasn't impressed, either.

8)

AllSaints · 08-14-2005, 10:12 PM

GET REAL ITS PRESEASON >>!!!!!! OMG DOES ANY 1 UNDER STAND THAT !!!!!!! IM TIRED OF HEARIN THIS U PPL EXPECTED TOO MUCH AND KNOW ARE SAYIN SAINTS WILL NOT NEVER DO ANYTHING AND ITS ONLY PRESEAON I MEAN PLEASE . . .

Euphoria · 08-14-2005, 10:27 PM

Yeah I was 'ok' with the first quater or so... I was more watching players to stand up... Like Jimmy Williams, and Levar Fisher, whom both caught my eye.

CHACHING · 08-14-2005, 10:44 PM

Williams was solid and seemed to be a coach favorite..(time on field)...
special teams and depth at corner....I'll take him....

AllSaints · 08-14-2005, 10:48 PM

Take him over Craft 4 sure. . .

08-13-2005, 01:01 PM	#1
tiggerpolice 500th Post Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: new orleans Posts: 584	Same ol', same ol' for Saints NEW ORLEANS Same ol', same ol' for Saints We heard it all summer. The New Orleans Saints had an improved defense. Everybody knew about their offensive playmakers. As Tom Benson would say, they were "workin' to win" in New Orleans. You gotta have faith. You gotta be kidding me. This NFL team is still trotting out empty slogans, empty performances, and, in their exhibition opener Friday night, another half-empty Louisiana Superdome. No, check that. The Saints played host to the Seattle Seahawks, and a Tulane game broke out. About 25,000 people actually turned out for this sorry spectacle, which obviously means next to nothing once they tee it up for real in September. It certainly meant next to nothing to Benson's Boys in Black and Gold, the perpetual 8-8 team that is pacing itself for another run at mediocrity. Seattle 34, New Orleans 15, Tom Benson 0. Deuce McAllister fumbled on the game's third play from scrimmage, the Seahawks scored two plays later and the fans who obviously had nothing better to do sensed they had seen this movie before. They had. Seneca Wallace, the Seahawks' backup quarterback, scrambled for a 24-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, putting the Saints in a 14-3 hole. Todd Bouman, the Saints' backup quarterback, made sure they stayed there. Bouman served up an interception, and former Saints wideout Jerome Pathon burned Jason Craft for a 28-yard touchdown reception, making it 21-3 and leaving everybody in this town north of the Audubon Zoo wishing they were actually there. In the alligator pit. Benson wants Saints fans to take a leap of faith, to drop their hard-earned money on season tickets for a team that may be up for franchise free agency. The Los Angeles Lost Boys or the San Antonio Sidewinders or, according to one Benson confidant a few months back, the Albuquerque Armadillos. Trouble is, these same fans seem to be accepting this fate, if their reaction to Friday night's fiasco was any indication. There were scattered boos, sure. The empty seats began to multiply once Pathon got in the end zone with 5:06 left in the first half. But mostly, it was indifference. Have a beer, boo first-round bust Johnathan Sullivan. Praise Deuce for electing to re-sign with the Saints, giving the club a touch of class, and grumble about Benson, who, well, touches plenty of things and is best known for turning gold into fertilizer. The Saints have sold about 33,000 season tickets for Jim Haslett's sixth season, which marks 21 years under the Benson administration. One playoff victory. Lots of 7-9 and 8-8 seasons. The Ditka Disaster. Same team, different slogan. Sock It To 'Em Saints. Faith, Hope and Bum. No Mora Excuses. Cha-ching! (Not that their ticket office is gonna be singing that tune.) Men of Iron. You Gotta Have Faith. They're talking to you, L.A. A leap of faith? More like a leap into the aforementioned alligator pit. http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/12373379.htm

08-14-2005, 08:07 AM	#2
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	You Gotta Have Faith. They're talking to you, L.A. I wouldn't worry about the first pre-season game. We're really not that bad. Benson's just working on a ploy for L.A. to pay him to keep the Saints in New Orleans. 8)

08-14-2005, 02:09 PM	#5
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,647	Originally Posted by CHACHING Spoken like a true fan.. I agree 1000%..chRxis... WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR! I'm still not sold. The 1st team defense looked better. But Watson was burned pretty badly on that first TD. I'm not understanding why a LB was having to cover a WR on a crossing route anyway. I was at the game. It was fun. I stuck around to the bitter end because I wanted to see AMac. The guy in a bundle of very raw talent. I saw some good things. Except for Deuce's fumble, the 1st team on both sides of the ball looked pretty good. I'm still not convinced we need to keep Bouman. We have a big talent gap after the 1st string. Sullivan was hustling. That's a good thing. But at the end of the day my concern remains coaching and scheme on both sides of the ball. It's clear that Sheppard is committed to running the ball. However the team still doesn't have a consistent offensive identify yet. Time will tell if that develops. Defensively I'm still unsure where they are going. I do know that WR vs. LBs are a bad matchup though. SFIAH
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

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08-14-2005, 11:33 AM	#3
chRxis 500th Post Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 690	i think the biggest reason everyone feels upset is because of all the hype that has surrounded the saints finally "turning the corner"... i admit, i fell for it too, but i haven't written off the season b/c they came out a little lackluster the first preseason game... it just means they have to go back to the drawing board and fight a little harder to get where they need to be, winning REGULAR season games... honestly, i'd settle for 0-4 preseason, if it means they learned some things, be better prepared, and it translated to 10-6, 11-5, etc. in the regular season.

08-14-2005, 11:36 AM	#4
CHACHING 500th Post Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Golden State Posts: 830	Spoken like a true fan.. I agree 1000%..chRxis... WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR!

08-14-2005, 03:02 PM	#6
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	I do know that WR vs. LBs are a bad matchup though. I wasn't impressed, either. 8)

08-14-2005, 10:12 PM	#7
AllSaints Breakin Records Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Deville, Louisiana Posts: 2,167	GET REAL ITS PRESEASON >>!!!!!! OMG DOES ANY 1 UNDER STAND THAT !!!!!!! IM TIRED OF HEARIN THIS U PPL EXPECTED TOO MUCH AND KNOW ARE SAYIN SAINTS WILL NOT NEVER DO ANYTHING AND ITS ONLY PRESEAON I MEAN PLEASE . . .

08-14-2005, 10:27 PM	#8
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Yeah I was 'ok' with the first quater or so... I was more watching players to stand up... Like Jimmy Williams, and Levar Fisher, whom both caught my eye.

08-14-2005, 10:44 PM	#9
CHACHING 500th Post Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Golden State Posts: 830	Williams was solid and seemed to be a coach favorite..(time on field)... special teams and depth at corner....I'll take him....

08-14-2005, 10:48 PM	#10
AllSaints Breakin Records Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Deville, Louisiana Posts: 2,167	Take him over Craft 4 sure. . .