TopCow

I resent the wink-and-a-nod "I told you so's" that the media -- and some questionable fans -- are directing at the Saints. They are having a field day scoring cheap laughs and guffaws from twisted and distorted information.

I read the Saints Injury Report this evening:

OUT:
Pierre Thomas -- RB
Lance Moore -- WR
Usama Young -- S

DOUBTFUL:
Scott Shanle -- LB
David Thomas -- TE

QUESTIONABLE:
Jeremy Shockey -- TE
Sedrick Ellis -- DT
Robert McCray -- DE
Jonathan Vilma -- did not practice Friday -- LB
Darren Sharper -- did not practice Friday -- S

ROBABLE:
Darnell Dinkins -- TE
Jason Kyle (long snapper) -- C
Jahri Evans -- G
Jermon Bushrod -- OT
Lynell Hamilton -- RB
Randall Gay -- CB

The Saints I have endured throughout my late adolescence and adulthood were just plain incompetent and pitiful. They fully earned the jeers directed at them.

Saints 2009/10, on the other hand, have an injury list that looks like a phone book. The present Saints are not a lousy football team. They are an injured 13-2 team, soon to be 13-3. And they will get well in time for the playoffs. Media figures have not once mentioned this, as they would have for any of the teams representing their favorite markets. The Saints are not washed up and not a laughingstock as many would suggest.

As for Sunday's game, this team does not need a symbolic morale booster. It does not need a feel-good victory. It does not need to beat Carolina. What is needs is to get well and beat playoff teams. Then the laughter will cease.