This writer "Gets" it

RockyMountainSaint · 10-22-2006, 04:46 PM

http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pb...610180337/1006

Saints' fans shouldn't focus on finish line just yet

Don't do it.
The excitement level is so high after a 5-1 start that the temptation can be too much to fight off for some long-suffering New Orleans Saints' fans.

But don't do it.

Don't start thinking that if you go 5-5 the rest of the way, you finish 10-6 and in the playoffs.
Don't start telling yourself that a 4-6 finish the rest of the way gets you a winning season and possibly in the playoffs.

And don't start trying to figure out how the Saints can get a bye week in the first round of the NFC playoffs.

It's just too early to go down that road.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying to curb your enthusiasm for what Sean Payton and Company have brought to the Gulf Coast this fall.

Continue the process of bringing down all of your old ''Who Dat?'' stuff out of the dusty boxes in the attic. Keep relishing the Monday mornings after the wins.

Don't stop hollering in utter glee each time a national analyst incorrectly predicts the Saints to lose another one.

Payton wants you loud and proud. The Superdome crowd responded to his challenge in Sunday's win over Philadelphia. Keeping following Payton's lead.

He's a coach, so he lies with a straight face like all of them do. But shortly after Sunday's win, he maintained that his team still has a lot of work to do.

This time, it wasn't just coachspeak. The four-quarter game hasn't been played yet.

"We have the potential (to be a playoff team),'' Deuce McAllister said. "We can't fall into that trap of thinking that we're 5-1, so we're almost there. We have to continue to work hard and do the things we've been doing. But we definitely have the opportunity to do something special.''

If this continues, the Saints are about to enter some dangerous territory. Another win or two in the next three weeks and suddenly they'll be favorites and not underdogs.

They'll be targets, no longer chasing a dream in relative obscurity.

Opposing division coaches will be playing Payton's new offense for the second time through the order, starting Nov. 5 at Tampa Bay.

The challenges began to change at that point.

With that said, football will still be football. It'll still be about managing games correctly.

Watching Arizona self-destruct in losing to Chicago on Monday should be a vivid reminder to Saints' games of that truth. No matter how good you play, the fine line between winning and losing is managing the game at the right time.

Drew Brees has figured that out. He's under control for three quarters and then somehow out of control in a good way in the fourth.

If the Saints stay healthy and Brees doesn't get amnesia any time soon, that time to look down the road may come, but it's not now.

Enjoy the bye week and don't think about the finish line just yet.

Just enjoy the race for now.

He seems to sum up my thoughts very well.

10-22-2006, 04:46 PM	#1
RockyMountainSaint Mmm That Smell! Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Metairie Terrace Posts: 3,073	This writer "Gets" it http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pb...610180337/1006 Saints' fans shouldn't focus on finish line just yet Don't do it. The excitement level is so high after a 5-1 start that the temptation can be too much to fight off for some long-suffering New Orleans Saints' fans. But don't do it. Don't start thinking that if you go 5-5 the rest of the way, you finish 10-6 and in the playoffs. Don't start telling yourself that a 4-6 finish the rest of the way gets you a winning season and possibly in the playoffs. And don't start trying to figure out how the Saints can get a bye week in the first round of the NFC playoffs. It's just too early to go down that road. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying to curb your enthusiasm for what Sean Payton and Company have brought to the Gulf Coast this fall. Continue the process of bringing down all of your old ''Who Dat?'' stuff out of the dusty boxes in the attic. Keep relishing the Monday mornings after the wins. Don't stop hollering in utter glee each time a national analyst incorrectly predicts the Saints to lose another one. Payton wants you loud and proud. The Superdome crowd responded to his challenge in Sunday's win over Philadelphia. Keeping following Payton's lead. He's a coach, so he lies with a straight face like all of them do. But shortly after Sunday's win, he maintained that his team still has a lot of work to do. This time, it wasn't just coachspeak. The four-quarter game hasn't been played yet. "We have the potential (to be a playoff team),'' Deuce McAllister said. "We can't fall into that trap of thinking that we're 5-1, so we're almost there. We have to continue to work hard and do the things we've been doing. But we definitely have the opportunity to do something special.'' If this continues, the Saints are about to enter some dangerous territory. Another win or two in the next three weeks and suddenly they'll be favorites and not underdogs. They'll be targets, no longer chasing a dream in relative obscurity. Opposing division coaches will be playing Payton's new offense for the second time through the order, starting Nov. 5 at Tampa Bay. The challenges began to change at that point. With that said, football will still be football. It'll still be about managing games correctly. Watching Arizona self-destruct in losing to Chicago on Monday should be a vivid reminder to Saints' games of that truth. No matter how good you play, the fine line between winning and losing is managing the game at the right time. Drew Brees has figured that out. He's under control for three quarters and then somehow out of control in a good way in the fourth. If the Saints stay healthy and Brees doesn't get amnesia any time soon, that time to look down the road may come, but it's not now. Enjoy the bye week and don't think about the finish line just yet. Just enjoy the race for now. He seems to sum up my thoughts very well.
	I'm no one. Who are you?