Predict the Season. What others think of the Saints chances.
 

This is why sports writers are picking the Saints as one of the worst teams again. For a second, pick the games you feel we will win if you were a sports writer. After an impressive 2-0 start, injuries and a lack of backup talent begins to take it's toll. Saints prove again that stopping the run and constantly being behind makes them one dementional. Poor offensive line play continues to plague the QB position making Brees less effective while highlighting his weaknesses.

09/10 at Cleveland 12:00 PM CT - Loss
09/17 at Green Bay 12:00 PM CT - Win
09/25 Atlanta 7:30 PM CT - Win
10/01 at Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Loss
10/08 Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT - Win
10/15 Philadelphia 12:00 PM CT - Loss
BYE
10/29 Baltimore 12:00 PM CT - Loss
11/05 at Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT -Loss
11/12 at Pittsburgh 12:00 PM CT - Loss
11/19 Cincinnati 12:00 PM CT - Loss
11/26 at Atlanta 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/03 San Francisco 12:00 PM CT - Win
12/10 at Dallas 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/17 Washington 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/24 at N.Y. Giants 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/31 Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Loss

That 4-12 and another top pick in the draft again. 6-10 would show improvement while 8-8 would be unreal. Playoffs??? Forget about it. Not with this schedule.

While I'm not predicting this, this is what others around the league are thinking about our Saints!

RE: Predict the Season. What others think of the Saints chan
 

Those predictions sound reasonable however....I think we can take Philly, both Carolina gmes are a toss up (they always are), and I think we can take Baltimore. So my revised predictions AT BEST would have us at.....8-8. Although 8-8 is an improvement I think it is one of the reasons why the Saints can't escape mediocrity. Constantly drafting in the middle of the pack has forced us to get well....middle of the pack players. At least thats what I have noticed over the years.

i jsut want to win
 

i just want to win on Sept. 25th

RE: i jsut want to win
 

7 to 9 wins this season.......

you can look at schedules all day long and never figure em out............
the most important thing the saints have now that we did not have with brooks is "desire" and "leadership" if you inject those into mediocre you get dangerous.............
and that's what the saints will be this year....................if brees stays healthy, we go to the playoffs, period..........the pieces are here, they just need to fall, (or be put) into place.................smitty

What really makes me excited about this up
coming season...we don't have Venturi.
And if we do make the playoff...that will
be the reason why!!!

8)

09/10 at Cleveland (1-0)
The Browns' injury bug will continue as a few more starters will not make it to the opening game. I see a squeaker win here as Bush scores 2 and Brees hits for 3 scores - 31-27 Saints.

09/17 at Green Bay (2-0)
This date's been marked in several Saints' minds. GB is really no better this year than last and the Saints are definitely better. A controled running assault leads to a 27-17 Saints victory.

09/25 Atlanta (3-0)
Homecoming. The Fal-cons are dropping receivers more than Conwell drops passes. New defense with faster pursuit safeties neutralizes Vick. Saints cruise 38-24.

10/01 at Carolina (3-1)
1st real test of the season. Carolina will be fully prepared for everything the offense has and Jake will disect the defense. Not close. Carolina 41-21.

10/08 Tampa Bay (4-1)
Shake it off. Tampa's marginally better this year and had to work extremely hard to beat a worthless Saints squad last season. Saints 24-17.

10/15 Philadelphia (5-1)
The beagles are not a pretty team and don't fare well against highly skilled offenses. This may be a shootout, but Saints prevail 45-39.

BYE

10/29 Baltimore (6-1)
How much is left in the tank for the Ravens' D? Does McNair have the targets to make it close?
No. Saints 23-17.

11/05 at Tampa Bay (6-2)
Some might say this is expected, but giddiness over the 6-1 start undermines this team. Bucs 17-14.

11/12 at Pittsburgh (6-3)
Unless Rothlesberger finds a Big Wheel outside Heinz Field at a tailgate, this will tell you where the Saints are relative to the goal of a Super Bowl. Steelers 27-7.

11/19 Cincinnati (6-4)
At least this will be at home and possibly against the Bungle's 3rd string qb. But maybe not. Cats 35-31

11/26 at Atlanta (7-4)
Make or break on playoffs for this game. Same story, different field. Saints 26-19

12/03 San Francisco (8-4)
Whew. Not even dirt on the uni's. Saints 51-27.

12/10 at Dallas (8-5)
Tuna's gonna show the pup how-to. 'Boys 21-17.

12/17 Washington (8-6)
Gnarly mess. Second home loss and playoffs starting to slip away. 33-28

12/24 at N.Y. Giants (9-6)
The Saints' home away from home provides a pleasant surprise. Cold and wind in the Meadowlands disrupts passing and it's all about fast running. Deuce and Reggie give the homey's a full highlight reel. Saints 38-17.

12/31 Carolina (10-6)
Win an in. In. Fire up the hookah boys and girls. Saints 31-30

Holy high scores, Batman!

I would love for the Saints to have that record by seasons end but I will not allow my excitement for this season bring me to such high expectations for a recently renovated team.
The O-line is a great big question mark, I'm still not convinced that they've plugged the hole in the middle of the defense and the players have a new system to learn.

The Saints won't be 3-13 this year but they won't be 10-6 either. Somewhere in the middle is more like it.

Da Saints Will Be Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

RE: Da Saints Will Be Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

That's a bit of a reach I think. The defense wasn't there yet. And I don't think that the organization has yet made enough changes for them to get there this year.

Truthfully I'm looking for the Saints success to come in a two year window. The objective this year is to learn how to play smart, mistake free, football. Just as a reminder the team had 43 turnovers last year. That's nearly 3 a game! You can't win in this league turning over the ball three times a game. I expect this year's team to cut that in half.

Next on the plate is figuring out who are the true playmakers on both sides of the ball. If Brees, Horn, and Deuce can come anywhere near where they have in the past, they'll be fine. It's time to see if Stallworth finally becomes worthy of that #1 we spent on him 4 years ago. I predict that Reggie Bush will not dominate the NFL this year, though that's what everyone, especially the national media, wants. Truthfully I'd be satisfied if Bush could simply pull off one electrifying play a game and drive DC's nuts trying to figure out how not to make that happen 3 times a game. If he does only that, then Brees, Horn, Deuce, Stallworth, and the other veteran playmakers on this offense can do their job.

All of this is contingent on the O-Line stepping up and not being terrible or mediocre as many predict. I'll take average for the O-Line this year.

The defense is a total makeover. New players, new scheme, new coaches. It's a crapshoot. And that's how they're probably going to play. Some games the defense will dominate. Others they will probably get run over. I think it's a reach to think that this defense will reach any level of consistency this season. But this needs to be their mantra:

We only need to make one play and get off the field.

That's it. If the defense can make one play each drive, then they can be successful this year. I don't think they're going to dominate. But if they can rise up and make the critical stop, then they'll do fine this year.

I'm a realist. I want the Saints to be competitive and moving in the right direction this year. Less turnovers. Less penalties. More critical stops by the defense.

If I see that during the year, then I'll look forward to year two of the Payton regime. Another offseason of getting the right talent in. Another offseason of putting in scheme. Another offseason of gelling. Then this team will be ready to dominate.

Also I'm glad that we got Bush. He won't live up to the hype. People are calling him the next Gayle Sayers for instance. I'm glad that we got him because he'll shine a light on this team that they've never seen before. Also he'll suck up a lot of the spotlight so that others can do their job and be successful. Both of these are good things.

Looking forward to some good football this season.

SFIAH

RE: Da Saints Will Be Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

6-10 would be a C....8-8 a B....10-6...an A...anything above....a MIRACLE

my prediction is 7-9 next year...and that would be a big improvement

RE: Da Saints Will Be Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

09/10 at Cleveland 12:00 PM CT - Win (loss of Bently is huge)
09/17 at Green Bay 12:00 PM CT - Win (Farve keeps throwing INTs)
09/25 Atlanta 7:30 PM CT - Win (normally a loss...the dome will be rocking to propel the saints to a win)
10/01 at Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Loss (Carolina is way too good)
10/08 Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT - Loss (Defense, Defense, Defense)
10/15 Philadelphia 12:00 PM CT - Win (no running game, and not WR's = loss for Eagles)
BYE
10/29 Baltimore 12:00 PM CT - Loss (great defense and now have offensive weapons...too much for Saints)
11/05 at Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT -Loss (see above)
11/12 at Pittsburgh 12:00 PM CT - Loss (Saints can't stop run and Steelers can)
11/19 Cincinnati 12:00 PM CT - Loss (Palmer is too good)
11/26 at Atlanta 12:00 PM CT - Loss (emotion removed...Falcons take Saints out)
12/03 San Francisco 12:00 PM CT - Win (Saints rebound from 5 game skid with an easy win)
12/10 at Dallas 12:00 PM CT - Win (TOUGH game...Payton wants to beat Parcells too bad...he will pull it off)
12/17 Washington 12:00 PM CT - Loss (Portis will eat Saints alive)
12/24 at N.Y. Giants 12:00 PM CT - Loss (Tiki's last game at home...will make our defense look bad)
12/31 Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Win (Carolina will have a playoff spot locked down...Saints pull an upset)

last year the saints shouldn't have had the record they did! They had injuries to key players and traveled all over to practice in parking lots and high schools They were every-bit a 8-8 team last year. Payton will not win overnight but will lay out the foundation for the team and add through the draft and free agency. I feel that n.o. can be better than .500 this year even in the nfc north!

nfc north???

LOLOL....thats right jergen....the FROZEN TUNDRA!!! I'm just messin with ya shack...I'm sure you did not notice you typed that.

:lol: 7-9 would be o/k but 8-8 woul be a big improvement

Hey fellow who dats, my first time here. I think at least 7 to 8 wins this year. Next year we address our LB's an our Ol with the draft an (FA's) then deep into the playoffs ...... ALWAYS A WHO -DAT !!!

i sure didn't notice something that i didn't type...haha

not counting last season.we are an 8-8 team every year, and we improved our team alot, anything less is a dissapointment.


I think 9-7 should be our low to shoot for

There's lots of things to count here:

1) We were 3-13 last year.

2) We live in the toughest division in the NFL.

3) We have the toughest 4th place schedule in the NFL this year.

4) While some things are new, we still have the same FO. They've had some problems stocking the pantry this season. We're still very very weak at LB, OT, and DT.

That's the reality of the situation.

I'll be satisfied if the Saints can do a few things this season.

1) Play smart. No stupid penalties. No stupid turnovers.

2) Play aggressive on both sides of the ball. On defense we need players flying all over the field.

3) Win the games we should win. Compete in the games where we are overmatched. We have the playmakers to make every game interesting. But I think we're going to have a few of those 31-30 games someone else posted earlier. We need to make sure we have the 31.

4) Learn to play in the NFC South. Our true goal this season if nothing else is to take one game from each of our division rivals. It should be our mission above all else not to get swept by any of them.

Now that may still be a 6-10, 7-9 season. But it's a big building block for 2007.

9-7 frankly would be the worst finish we could have:

1) Even in the weak NFC it probably doesn't make the playoffs.

2) Even if you do make the playoffs you'll be a #6 seed and out after the 1st week.

3) The draft position is absolutely terrible.

You want to storm the postseason, not drunkenly stagger into it. The Saints don not yet have the horses on the lines and at LB to be dominate.

2007 is another story though. A story yet to be written.

SFIAH

last year record does not reflect how close so many of thoose games were. a 500 season is great with all the additions we have made, anythhhing above that is gravy. a 7-9 is what I expect. the dome will get us at least 2 wins this year. brees/wr is good for 2, bush/duce 1, and the team as a whole 2 more....
Date Score Opponent
09/11 23-20 W at CAR
09/19 10-27 L NYG
09/25 16-33 L at MIN
10/02 19-7 W BUF
10/09 3-52 L at GB
10/16 31-34 L ATL
10/23 17-28 L at STL
10/30 6-21 L MIA
11/06 17-20 L CHI
11/20 17-24 L at NE
11/27 21-19 W at NYJ
12/04 3-10 L TB
12/12 17-36 L at ATL
12/18 10-27 L CAR
12/24 12-13 L DET
01/01 13-27 L at TB

Re: Predict the Season. What others think of the Saints chan
 

09/10 at Cleveland 12:00 PM CT - Win (Cleveland's offense in disarray)
09/17 at Green Bay 12:00 PM CT - Win (Revenge from last year)
09/25 Atlanta 7:30 PM CT - Win (emotional game at the dome - crowd wins this one)
10/01 at Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Loss
10/08 Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT - Win
10/15 Philadelphia 12:00 PM CT - Win (bounce back -- show lots of improvement)
BYE
10/29 Baltimore 12:00 PM CT - Win (breaks gives much needed rest)
11/05 at Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT -Loss
11/12 at Pittsburgh 12:00 PM CT - Loss
11/19 Cincinnati 12:00 PM CT - Loss
11/26 at Atlanta 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/03 San Francisco 12:00 PM CT - Win
12/10 at Dallas 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/17 Washington 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/24 at N.Y. Giants 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/31 Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Win (Saints end season on high note)

Good start fizzles due to lack of depth --- 8-8 -- still a good year for Saints fans

RE: Re: Predict the Season. What others think of the Saints
 

and the defense will have a much better chance without good old AB giving our opponents a short field

how do we lose to cleveland. i mean anything is possible in this league but how do we lose to cleveland. under haz we are losing that game and the one at the 49ers. hopefully under sean we are winning those games. 8-8 would be nice but our schedule is brutal. be competitve and not get blown out and i will be happy. it will be a step in the right direction. i just want to see a team really get after it. get that attitude and we have something to build on.

Re: Predict the Season. What others think of the Saints chan
 

============
09/10 at Cleveland 12:00 PM CT - Win
09/17 at Green Bay 12:00 PM CT - Win
09/25 Atlanta 7:30 PM CT - Win
10/01 at Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Loss
10/08 Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT - Win
10/15 Philadelphia 12:00 PM CT - Win
BYE
10/29 Baltimore 12:00 PM CT - Win
11/05 at Tampa Bay 12:00 PM CT -Loss
11/12 at Pittsburgh 12:00 PM CT - Loss
11/19 Cincinnati 12:00 PM CT - Loss
11/26 at Atlanta 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/03 San Francisco 12:00 PM CT - Win
12/10 at Dallas 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/17 Washington 12:00 PM CT - Loss
12/24 at N.Y. Giants 12:00 PM CT - Win
12/31 Carolina 12:00 PM CT - Win

I expect at least a 8-8 year, maybe better maybe wors you never know. No way we lose to Cleveland. Our 1st pick will be right around 13-16 in the 1st round

RE: Re: Predict the Season. What others think of the Saints
 

I just don't see the Saints having a winning record this year. Here's why:

1. Lack of depth at O-line. The probability of getting through the season without any of our "starters" getting hurt is nil. The impact of our skill players on offense: Brees, Bush, Duece, Horn, Stallworth etc. will be severely limited by irratic/poor line play. Once teams see this weakness they will go for broke - clogging the box on running plays and blitzing relentlessly on passing downs.

2. No talent at LB. Without a single star caliber player at linebacker the Saints will give up chunks of yards and lots of points. And with teams consistently attacking this weakness the other players on defense will try to compnesate and this will mean real trouble. Once you stop playing your postion and try to cover for someone else you make big mistakes.

Having said all that I think the Saints will be a much improved team, even if their record is similar to last year's. I don't think you'll see the inconsistent, undisciplined football that plagued the Saints during the Hasslett years. The Saints have some excellent talent to build around. Thye need a lot more though before they can content for the plaoffs.