First loss a reality check for New Orleans Saints

QBREES9 · 12-24-2009, 10:38 PM

93 Octane: First loss a reality check for New Orleans Saints
By The Times-Picayune

New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray is in his sixth NFL season, having spent his first four years in Jacksonville before coming to New Orleans as a free agent in 2008. The former Florida Gator has established himself as a speedy pass-rushing threat, rotating into the lineup with starting ends Will Smith and Charles Grant.
McCray has agreed to share his thoughts with Saints fans through a blog this season. Here is his final installment.

"The first loss of the season was very tough, but it also brought us back to reality. We almost kind of felt invincible. That was 13 weeks of being virtually invincible, coming back in the second half, even down 24-3 (at Miami), finishing games. We were doing a great job. Then I think at some point we just got kind of accustomed to that, coming back at the end. We still feel like we can use that later on. If we do get caught in a bind, we know we can finish. But it kind of brought us back to reality, just kind of bit us in the ass. Just starting slow, starting slow, and the other team finished and we didn't get it done. But that was because of our mistakes, and we've got to be able to go back and correct it.

"Going undefeated would have been a great accomplishment. While it was within our grasp, we were going to try to bring it in. That would have been good for the fans and the whole town of New Orleans. But at the same time, that weight is off our back. We lost one we didn't intend to, but (stuff) happens in this league.

And that was just one, and hopefully it will be our only one. Now we're just focused on Tampa, all our attention is going toward them and trying to get this No. 1 seed, "Unfortunately that doesn't leave a lot of time for Christmas. But our families understand, in this profession, it's going to have to be a couple hours that have to go toward football. That's just the part of football season. We're going to take the morning off, open presents with the little one. My son's here, so we're going to open up presents and probably have a brunch or something like that.

Actually he'll probably be too busy and I'll be chasing him around, so there's no time to eat. But it's just a good time to enjoy the great holiday that morning and relax and be with your family. Then once we do that we come in, get our work done, and focus in on Tampa again.

"I'm a last-minute shopper. As of right now (Thursday afternoon), I haven't done any shopping. My fiancée has done a majority of the shopping. I have no idea what's under the tree. But I'm going to meet up with Will (Smith) right now and try to knock out some last-minute shopping. I mean, for a kid, all you have to do is just go to a Toys R Us or a Wal-Mart and just grab some toys. It's like, what can you get for a spoiled 5-year-old? But you know what he likes, more Power Rangers, maybe a bike. You just kind of go with the flow and see what he throws out from commercials. And something for your wife or girlfriend and the family, mom and dad.

"And 93 Octane wishes a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all the fans, and thanks for reading. The fans are doing great this year. Let's just finish it out strong, and hopefully we can bring one home."

12-24-2009, 10:38 PM	#1
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,989	First loss a reality check for New Orleans Saints 93 Octane: First loss a reality check for New Orleans Saints By The Times-Picayune New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray is in his sixth NFL season, having spent his first four years in Jacksonville before coming to New Orleans as a free agent in 2008. The former Florida Gator has established himself as a speedy pass-rushing threat, rotating into the lineup with starting ends Will Smith and Charles Grant. McCray has agreed to share his thoughts with Saints fans through a blog this season. Here is his final installment. "The first loss of the season was very tough, but it also brought us back to reality. We almost kind of felt invincible. That was 13 weeks of being virtually invincible, coming back in the second half, even down 24-3 (at Miami), finishing games. We were doing a great job. Then I think at some point we just got kind of accustomed to that, coming back at the end. We still feel like we can use that later on. If we do get caught in a bind, we know we can finish. But it kind of brought us back to reality, just kind of bit us in the ass. Just starting slow, starting slow, and the other team finished and we didn't get it done. But that was because of our mistakes, and we've got to be able to go back and correct it. "Going undefeated would have been a great accomplishment. While it was within our grasp, we were going to try to bring it in. That would have been good for the fans and the whole town of New Orleans. But at the same time, that weight is off our back. We lost one we didn't intend to, but (stuff) happens in this league. And that was just one, and hopefully it will be our only one. Now we're just focused on Tampa, all our attention is going toward them and trying to get this No. 1 seed, "Unfortunately that doesn't leave a lot of time for Christmas. But our families understand, in this profession, it's going to have to be a couple hours that have to go toward football. That's just the part of football season. We're going to take the morning off, open presents with the little one. My son's here, so we're going to open up presents and probably have a brunch or something like that. Actually he'll probably be too busy and I'll be chasing him around, so there's no time to eat. But it's just a good time to enjoy the great holiday that morning and relax and be with your family. Then once we do that we come in, get our work done, and focus in on Tampa again. "I'm a last-minute shopper. As of right now (Thursday afternoon), I haven't done any shopping. My fiancée has done a majority of the shopping. I have no idea what's under the tree. But I'm going to meet up with Will (Smith) right now and try to knock out some last-minute shopping. I mean, for a kid, all you have to do is just go to a Toys R Us or a Wal-Mart and just grab some toys. It's like, what can you get for a spoiled 5-year-old? But you know what he likes, more Power Rangers, maybe a bike. You just kind of go with the flow and see what he throws out from commercials. And something for your wife or girlfriend and the family, mom and dad. "And 93 Octane wishes a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all the fans, and thanks for reading. The fans are doing great this year. Let's just finish it out strong, and hopefully we can bring one home."
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