Just curious, why is it so important
 

to so many fans that the national media write good stuff about us? And why do people get so effected when they write negative things? Who cares? Let them write whatever the hell they want, the only people who truly understand the monumental changes this team has gone through is US, lifelong Saints fans. Since the beginning of the year, it's been "so and so said this" and "why are they saying that?" I am just curious as to why anyone cares? Is it really that important to that many people that ESPN kisses our arse? Or any other national sports news outlet? Why?

RE: Just curious, why is it so important
 

Well...I suppose I agree. I recognize that the "experts", while usually more in tune than the "average" fan -- which most of us aren't -- are paid to create controversy. But I won't lie. It hisses me off BIG time to hear Jim Mora blow us off as having NO chance against the Eagles. I guess I just like it when they're wrong about us, and I like to see some people busted more than others. It's part of the whole entertainment package I guess.

RE: Just curious, why is it so important
 

I could care less really. i just hate them thats all. entertainment tonight does not belong in football. okay there was my stab at ESPN. talk about the two teams playing and the players on the field and i am fine.

RE: Just curious, why is it so important
 

I think it may just have to do with that fact that for years.....well...you know. Negative media here, "look who they are playing" over there, "gimmi a break, THE SAINTS???" in that corner, and the famous..."this team has a history and history is destined to repeat itself" bull crap. Like if you got a new car or something...you enjoy getting praise for it. In general we may not care about those that don't like it but deep down somewhere you can't help but feel a little irked when something you care about does not get the recognition that it deserves. Human nature maybe? In short....you are right....its should not matter. Some of us ( I am guilty as sin) are just way too in love and way too proud of this team and being a fan of this team. Naturally, I am speaking for myself but I am pretty sure others feel the same way I do....if not...then I am a lunatic...AND PROUD OF IT!!!

OK, whodi...

My philosophy in life is, give respect and you'll receive respect in return. It applies to every facet of my life except one. The F-ING SAINTS!

Being a Saints fan is part of my personal pride, my self esteem. They've taught me humility and humbleness over the years and in some crazy way, they are an extension of myself on Sundays.
I have absolutely nothing to do with them winning or losing, and yet I'm directly affected by the outcome of every game. I have a pep in my step when they win, and an almost alcohol-like hangover when they lose.

Most of the press I've ever seen or read over the years about the Saints has been negative, but it has never shaken my devotion to the team. When Saints bashing starts every year, I can tune it out. However, when good things are written about the Saints, it's almost like a stroke to my personal ego. That respect and recognition reinforces what I already believe to be true as a fan. It extends the celebration of the win a little bit longer. It's like a return on all that I've emotionally invested over the years and was never rewarded with this stinkin' team. Does this make any sense? I don't know.

It's gotta be some sort of clinical insaniity. But, what am I gonna do? I'm a Saints fan.

I think the record isnt saying much. We could still easily finish with a losing record this season. Most of these people writing negative things are just being truthful. The schedule ahead sets up for 8-8 at best. Dont be ready to annoint this 4-1 team that has beaten two bottom feeders and two emotional games at home the Superbowl Champions. .500 record will be a GIANT success for the team this year.

We just all have that feeling inside of us that we just want to be loved. Or we want people to feel sorry for us...either way, i dont care what anyone says about the Saints, so long as i am enjoying what i see...and right now, i am enjoying what i see.

True.
I didn't give us any hope for a .500 season 2 months ago.
Now we should be allowed to think of something more.
We are 4-1!
If we finish out of the playoffs I hope no one here will be too disappointed.
Realistically I don't believe many if anyone at all figured we would be where we are right now.
If we finish 8-8?
Christ Almighty!
That alone would be Mannah From Heaven!
That being said....
SAINTS in the SUPERBOWL BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want it all!

Payton has done a good job of teaching these ballplayers to play like men. Play smart, dont make mistakes and good things will happen. Like we all said months ago, there were alot of holes to patch and its hard to believe you could take care of all that in one year to make this into a playoff team...so if it happens..WOW...but i will not be disappointed if we miss out because there is no doubt that we are headed in the right direction.

As someone who doesn't live in the greater New Orleans area, but in the largest media market in the US, it takes a lot to divert attention away from the 13 professional sports franchises in situ. The starvation for news/assessment of the Saints can be palpable at times. For there to be any kind of serious story, it usually must be of a topic either tragic or imminently impacting one of these teams. Not that it is a great guage, but national media attention on the Saints most often means that there's something bad happening, like the AB cartoon football hour. The fact that there's been a lot of attention means that the team is problematic for the Giants, Jets and Eagles.

Whether or not one considers the analysts opinions at ESPN meaningful or relevant, the positive education about the team and its prospects add to the overall anxiety when teams eventually face the Saints. We all know these athletes keep tabs on who gets coverage, how much and for why, especially on ESPN. That simple but supposedly meaningless factor can foster a sliver of doubt over how much confidence to bring to a game with the Saints. And we need all the doubt we can instill in our opponents.

^^^^^Well Said^^^^^^

I never really cared what the media wrote or said about us. As long as we produce on the field, or even field a respectable team out there, we'll get our props in due time. Whether is positive or negative, at least they're writing about us period... which is a good thing. It's better than being lost and forgotten.

Didn't the Steelers pretty much thrive on the bad publicity they got late last year, sneaking into the playoffs, Knee-blow Von Oelhoffen, etc? I seem to recall them winning the Superbowl based primarily on the 'no respect' philosophy. New England used that during their Superbowl runs too. Might be something about channelling the negative energy into a winning attitude, and Coach Payton definitely looks like he can get the team to do that. In which case I say, call us the Aints all you want! I'd rather be disrespected and overachieving than be a team like Indy where they absolutely have to win the Superbowl or the entire season is considered a wash.

Good answers guys. I was just wondering though, cause it seems like people wanna dump all over anyone who writes anything negative. Now there are some writers who no one should listen to outside of being for entertainment, but even if respected writers say something negative, it shouldn't bother us. Like I said before, NO ONE can know this team like we do, and feel and see the differences. And that whole no respect thing was alright for a minute, but we need to, IMO, move beyond that. We're getting about the respect we deserve from where we were coming from. Now, if after this upcoming stretch we have a winning record, and some columnists are still predicting our demise, I might get a little peeved too. But it's still early, very early, and we still have a long road ahead. Don't let 'em get to you yet. We will be underdogs in every game we have until we play San Fran. Just get ready for that, and hope our boys keep punching 'em in the mouth.

Re: Just curious, why is it so important
 

The reason is that we would like to see more Saints coverage at the national level. Every three seconds they are talking about the same set of teams: Pittsburg, Seattle, Chicago, Philly, New England, Indy, Carolina, Dallas.

It's based on three criteria:

1) Star power
2) Reputation
3) Somewhat consistent winning

Dallas hasn't been in the playoffs since 2003 but yet gets a lot of pub.

I think a lot of us fans are annoyed by the fact that it takes months for the media to catch on to hot teams. Anyone who is 4-1 or better right now should be getting a lot of discussion. That includes us, St. Louis, Denver, and the like.

But it doesn't work like that.

As a Saints fan I want to see more about our team. And while I understand you can't spend a lot of national media time talking about a 0-5 Lions team,, the Saints at 4-1 are a total surprise.

SFIAH