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John Sigler
December 16, 2022 9:52 am CT

You often are who your record says you are in the NFL, but Drew Brees feels the New Orleans Saints are better than their 4-9 tally suggests. The former Saints quarterback took stock of his old team during an appearance on WWL radio Thursday night, discussing their year so far and what’s ahead of them.

“They’re not a 4-9 team, but they’re 4-9,” Brees conceded, pointing to some things the team has done well that were undercut by too many low moments, bad breaks, and self-inflicted wounds. He continued, “And I think that’s probably the disappointing part, and I still feel it along with the guys in the locker room, your heart hurts.”

The Saints have been competitive in most of their games this year, but they haven’t finished strong and have racked up too many losses with poor play in the second half. And Brees has an inside track on how those defeats hit his friends and peers in the locker room: he shared the title of team captain with Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan, completed hundreds of passes to Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, and he’s still close with many people in the building despite having been away for two years.

So Brees knows better than most what so many frustrations can do to a team’s morale. The Saints would probably be in a better spot right now if they weren’t shackled with the least-ambitious coaching staff in the league, but Dennis Allen has made that bed, so he’s got to lie in it. Too many punts on fourth down and short field goal tries have defined Allen’s philosophy of playing not-to-lose rather than trying to win, and it’s resulted in too many lost games and missed opportunities.

It’s a bad process that’s led to bad results, and the Saints are worse off for it. They’re a better team than their record implies — they rank near league-average in points scored and allowed, yards gained and yielded per play, third down conversions, and a host of other key stats. But at the end of the day, they’ll be eliminated from the playoffs because of their record and nothing else. This team is worse than the sum of its parts, and a lot of that comes down on coaching. Everyone can see it. Even Brees.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965406) https://twitter.com/TheSaintsWire/st...80938483253248 This team is worse than the sum of its parts, and a lot of that comes down on coaching. Everyone can see it. Even Brees.

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 965409) Genius :rolleyes: Coaching ... ya think?

Originally Posted by Sinner (Post 965412) "The Saints would probably be in a better spot right now if they weren’t shackled with the least-ambitious coaching staff in the league, but Dennis Allen has made that bed, so he’s got to lie in it. Too many punts on fourth down and short field goal tries have defined Allen’s philosophy of playing not-to-lose rather than trying to win, and it’s resulted in too many lost games and missed opportunities."

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965415) Offensive playcalling. That's what I've been harping on with Pete Carmichael. But are they concerned with the backups on the offensive line and at TE and is that affecting the diminished playbook?

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965415) Offensive playcalling. That's what I've been harping on with Pete Carmichael. But are they concerned with the backups on the offensive line and at TE and is that affecting the diminished playbook?

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 965420) If the backups were well coached they shouldn't need to alter the play calling as much. Backups can do the same things as starters. Just not as well. I can understand having to make a couple of adjustments. But to have to recreate a game plan, that was lacking in inspiration to begin with, is just too much for this coaching staff. I've seen coaches do more with less. We did have a strong looking roster to start the year. Injuries have hurt us but it's possible that the coaching has hurts us more.

Originally Posted by Sinner (Post 965412) "The Saints would probably be in a better spot right now if they weren’t shackled with the least-ambitious coaching staff in the league, but Dennis Allen has made that bed, so he’s got to lie in it. Too many punts on fourth down and short field goal tries have defined Allen’s philosophy of playing not-to-lose rather than trying to win, and it’s resulted in too many lost games and missed opportunities."

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 965420) If the backups were well coached they shouldn't need to alter the play calling as much. Backups can do the same things as starters. Just not as well. I can understand having to make a couple of adjustments. But to have to recreate a game plan, that was lacking in inspiration to begin with, is just too much for this coaching staff. I've seen coaches do more with less. We did have a strong looking roster to start the year. Injuries have hurt us but it's possible that the coaching has hurts us more.

Originally Posted by halloween 65 (Post 965423) He don't challenge is his motto!! He's not a poker player Payton was. He thinks the cards are going to fall into his hand like his job did. He's not cutting the mustard, period. It's not in him!! Dan Campbell was the one that got away. Payton should be embarrassed !!

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965425) Lions fans were calling for Dan Campbell's head earlier this season or did you miss that thread? They were *****ing about his 4-19-1 record since taking over the Lions.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965424) Doug Marrone is one of the very best offensive line coaches to have coach in the NFL over the past couple of decades. Did he forget how to coach, as well? Very curious.

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 965427) Lol, "fans". It's the Lions. Yet still, somehow Dan Campbell has more wins (14) & 10 fewer losses (27) than your guy Mr. Dennis 12-37 Allen :rolleyes:. At least the Lions are 1 game from .500 ball & second in their division. Did you miss the thread on wins and losses?

Originally Posted by halloween 65 (Post 965423) He don't challenge is his motto!! He's not a poker player Payton was. He thinks the cards are going to fall into his hand like his job did. He's not cutting the mustard, period. It's not in him!! Dan Campbell was the one that got away. Payton should be embarrassed !!

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 965443) It's obvious that Dennis Allen is not a gambler. Just look at his third and short or 4th and short decisions that affect whether we win or lose games. He always goes for the safe bet. It's also obvious that he is not a chess player. Sean Payton was a master chess player. Yes, Dennis Allen can coach a defense but is limited as a head coach.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965424) Doug Marrone is one of the very best offensive line coaches to have coach in the NFL over the past couple of decades. Did he forget how to coach, as well? Very curious.

Originally Posted by leilung (Post 965467) I wonder how many were calling for SP's ouster after his first season? Just saying that many are spoiled having a winning team for all of those years, but the early years were lean!

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965429) When did I ever claim Dennis Allen as "my guy"? I have been wondering where you came up with that fallacy. Obviously he can't hold Sean Payton's jockstrap as a head coach. But who could? I just haven't placed all the blame on him. I place the majority of the blame on untimely injuries, followed closely by offensive game planning and playcalling by Pete Carmichael.

Originally Posted by leilung (Post 965467) I wonder how many were calling for SP's ouster after his first season? Just saying that many are spoiled having a winning team for all of those years, but the early years were lean! I'm being patient and taking the wait and see route with respect to DA... for now.

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 965524) Sean Payton’s first season was his first season with the Saints, Dennis Allen isn’t new to this team or players. Before I say the rest I have to ask if you put any thought into Sean Payton’s first season before making that comment or just felt like defending Allen? Sean Payton’s first season was 2006 and went 10-6, in 2005 Haslett went 3-13. Why would anyone ‘call for his ouster’? Guidope liked your comment because Twitter didn’t launch until 2006 and he has no reference material.

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 965524) Sean Payton’s first season was his first season with the Saints, Dennis Allen isn’t new to this team or players. Before I say the rest I have to ask if you put any thought into Sean Payton’s first season before making that comment or just felt like defending Allen? Sean Payton’s first season was 2006 and went 10-6, in 2005 Haslett went 3-13. Why would anyone ‘call for his ouster’? Guidope liked your comment because Twitter didn’t launch until 2006 and he has no reference material.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 965608) As for Twitter, it is actually a great tool in that it quickly brings together any number of journalists works for quick and easy access. No more searching out articles from the original sources in various formats. They are all shared in a common medium. Yet, it is still only one of many sources I choose to keep as informed as I possibly can.

Originally Posted by neugey (Post 965633) I think you've got a point. Twitter - great for journalism and professional updates. Terrible for opining.

Originally Posted by JPPT1974 (Post 965640) Yeah but really a little OT it seems that Drew Brees is going into coaching there for hopefully success as being a Purdue interim at his Alma Matter.

Originally Posted by neugey (Post 965633) I think you've got a point. Twitter - great for journalism and professional updates. Terrible for opining.

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 965846) I can understand why Drew Brees says your heart hurts watching the Saints disappointing season. I know every game is a real chest clutcher for me.

Originally Posted by Boston Saint (Post 965848) I felt even worse about it when we were having 7 win seasons with a prime Brees at QB.

Originally Posted by Sinner (Post 965850) I didn't. With a prime Brees, and even a sub-prime Brees, and Sean Payton at the helm, there was always a good chance that we could turn things around.

Originally Posted by Boston Saint (Post 965853) Fair enough. I was aware enough to realize that what was going on back then with their offense and the way Brees played we were dealing with a special player that we were likely never going to see again. Having 4 years spoiled like that with 7 win seasons when you KNEW the team was capable of so much more was crushing to me. In those years the saints Ds were ranked 31, 28, 32 and 31. Any decent support from the D and they are contenders. THAT sounds like some bad coaching to me. But I respect you being more disappointed by this years team that had injuries to starters at QB, OL, WR, LB, CB, and RB.

Originally Posted by Sinner (Post 965854) We never had a "starting"- caliber QB this year - and all the other positions are so poorly coached and trained/conditioned, we never had a chance. Many of us saw this coming. Need a totally clean house to even get close to our former glory. With this "Management", that might take a few years.

Originally Posted by Boston Saint (Post 965855) You saw injuries to all those starting positions? Wow! No wonder you were disappointed. Can you tell me next week’s lotto numbers?

Originally Posted by Sinner (Post 965856) I can't help you with the lotto numbers, but I can TRY to help you understand that injuries happen all over the league, just as bad calls and fumbles and false starts and all kinds of mishaps and mistakes happen to every team. THIS TEAM, THIS YEAR, (and possibly for years to come) is in trouble, unless we totally clean house.

Originally Posted by Sinner (Post 965858) Our abysmal record and poorly coached performance doesn't suit my narrative either, and unfortunately, I couldn't ignore any of it this season.

Originally Posted by Boston Saint (Post 965857) I can understand injuries have hit this years and last years teams at rates that were out of the ordinary. People that have watched this team and covered them professionally for years, like Underhill, have pointed it out. You ignore this fact because it doesn’t suit your narrative.