Bad Football is bad football. It was the Ravens game all over again. The turnovers were bad. Brees not on Target was Bad. The playcalling was bad. Just because a team goes from 3-13 to Championship game in the playoffs is no excuse for bad football. Sorry. I don't have a short memory. Do I forgive them and am I happy about what they acheived this season? Absolutly. Wow what a ride! But they played really bad against Chicago. And at this point in the season with how weve seen them play we should have expected more than 14 points and 4 or 5 turnovers. When the season starts next year I'll be cheering them on.

Originally Posted by saintpaul25

Wow. That's weird. I could have sworn we were in the play offs quite a few times when Mora was coaching. Also, once with Haslett. We even won a play off game in there as well. We have been on the verge of greatness, a few times, and the wheels fell off the bandwagon real fast didn't they? I remember this same speech in 00, from quite a few Saints fans, only to see those same Saints fans get furious in the season to follow. Yes, this season was a success compared to last year, but let's face it, alot of you would have considered a 9-7 season and a wildcard a success wouldn't you? I know you would, because alot of you posted so mid season. Hell, even an 8-8 would have been sufficient for some of you, even without a play off spot.

My point is this: Don't you guys think, that with all of those bad years, as you called it, that somewhere along the way, we as fans might have started lowering our standards, on what we would consider a successful season? A college team that has lost 43 games in a row, would consider one win a success. That's true. Also, when do we raise the bar? Do you think the Eagles are happy that they "made it to the Superbowl", one year? No. They strive for that goal every year, and that is the mind set that the Saints organization needs to adopt. Expect nothing less than the best, every year. I mean, if your standards for success are low, then usually, you will stay low, to save yourself any kind of hurt, or failure. If your standards are high, you are a CEO, and you are bagging cheerleaders daily.

Hey, it's a free country, so feel anyway you want, that's your right. BUT, even though we have only won two play off games, we have been there a few times in our history. So this isn't new to the old school fans. Mora was a hell of a coach, and he brought respectabillity to this franchise when there was none. Players like Bobby Hebert, Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Sam Mills, will always stand proud in my Saints memories, no matter what happens in the future. And I got mad when they lost too! Nothing more heartbreaking than the experience with the Eagles in 92, up by 30 at halftime, and we lost. That still kills me when I think about it. Or in 91, when we won our first ever NFC West division championship. If you were around then, it was a successful year wasn't it? You dang right it was. We got bounced in the first round, but we won that division title! That was 15 years ago guys. I think it's past time for us to expect more.

Is your name John Kerry? Do you remember this little post that you made a while back?

http://blackandgold.net/site/index.p...b260262f693b9b

I'll show you the text of what you said. Pay close attention to the stuff in bold.

Originally Posted by saintpaul25

I would just like to remind everybody, that we went 3-13 last year. This is Peyton's first year as a head coach, with almost an entirely new team. There, with that said, our secondary needs a complete overhaul. They have been our weak link for the past 3 seasons, and it is time to address the problem with FA, or the draft. More LBs, safeties, and CBs.

We are making these slumped WRs highlight reels on sportscenter, just about every freakin weekend. The offense has been tweeked enough, and it's time to start on the defense.

I don't like to lose, don't get me wrong, but we have a LONG way to go, before an NFC championship game, let alone the SB. The good news is, that we are way ahead of the curve. We just have to keep getting better.

On the other end, I'm damn glad we have a QB that can throw for 500 yards. Why? Because that's something we've never had before! This guy is a QB stud, and I'm just happy he's on our side. Also, if Colston plays the entire game, then who knows what might have happened. That was a big blow to the offense. Any word on his condition?

Basically you are just pissed because you completely overlooked the Bears and were one of those people who foolishly said "when we win" in reference to the NFC title game. That's why you had to try and save face by creating a thread *****ing about officiating and posting a reply an hour after kickoff saying that we shoudln't take the Bears lightly. While you are at it, why don't you walk outside one day when it's pouring down raining on me and tell me I might wanna consider grabbing an umbrella.

I don't think people here realize what happened this year. I choose to see it this way. We not only had a great season but we NOW have an amazing FOUNDATION. Guys....our QB is what a 6th year player?? Deuce 6th year? Half of our o-line....rookies? First and second year players? Bush, Colston...rookies? Same thing with about half of our defense. Grant and Smith....5th and 6th years more or less? (I know I might be off on some of these but i know I am close.) Even our LB's. Most of them 5 and 6th year guys. Our punter.....a rookie? Basically every player I just mentioned have one thing in common....YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE SAINTS!!! You wanna be upset about the game. Fine. I can't blame anyone here. It hurt me like hell too. Look at this way.....Becuz we had such a good year......the draft is just around the corner....unlike previous years and with a few defensive pickups....possibly a good draft....and even COACH PAYTON making more informed decisions on how to handle the team. Remember...he had little ordeals with the bye-week and the time I think Nesbit convinced him to take a day off...and of course how to prepare for freezing, slushy games. Our future looks so bright the GOLD on the helmets can't even compare. Bottom line....we made it within one game of the big dance with nothing but youth! It took Lovie a couple of years to get a program running so effectively that now he is in the big dance. I feel within a year or 2....we'll be there if we keep this going....WE WILL BE THERE!