SaintFanInATLHELL

It's going to be a difficult season. We haven't really yet seen the real damage: player suspensions...
Yes, the entire season. Plan on treating it like Mike Vick's suspension. Benson is the owner, so it's his prerogative to do so. Unlikely though as he loves the guy for bringing an elite franchise to the City. After April 1st our coach will have to put a 'Gone Fishin' sign. No help, no communication, not in the building, absolutely nothing. It's like he's fired for a year.

My analysis is that the day to day probably isn't going to be that pressing. Carmichael proved last year that he is both a capable OC and play caller. Brees knows the offense well enough to both coach it and call plays for it if necessary. Spags is a HC of a team from just last year, and this organization (looking now unfortunately) had the DC functioning as assistant head coach.

The biggest problems I see are the Vitt 6 week suspension week 1 and who makes the crucial calls that fall to the HC. Vitt filled the role last year when Coach was down. He's a former HC (ironically of the Rams just like Spags). He would have been the natural pick for the interim leaving Spags and Carmichael to manage the defense and offense. But come September he's going to be out the building until late October. Someone has to actually be the HC. I fear both OC will be too busy to do it. I'm guessing because of the situation it's going to have to be Spags, but I'm not liking the idea too very much. Too much on his plate.

Caught a break. Suspension doesn't start until week 1. He can participate in what's left of the draft, work on contracts, be in training camp, make all the necessary transactions. It would have been much more painful if he were suspended starting April 1, like Coach.

It'll get done. Brees (his agent?) wants him to be the highest paid player in the NFL. I think we all agree that he deserves it. Manning just got 5 years $96 million and the guy did not play a single down last year. Brees played every meaningful down for the team and had arguably the best season as a QB in the history of the game. He's asking $23 million. Considering the circumstances, he's probably worth it.

But it's tough sledding. The Saints are hovering near the cap. So the team cannot do what the Broncos did and write a salary check for $20+ million for this year.

It's complicated, and it's going to take some structuring to make it work for both sides. Sooner rather than later is better because until Brees signs something, he cannot be in the building. And considering the circumstances, the team needs him in the building ASAP.

Honestly, treading water is probably about right. The player suspension damage will reveal how bad it will really be. Ten 8 game suspensions of starters on defense means that the team is defensively starting from scratch. Hopefully those suspensions will be for players that are no long with the team (Porter? Fujita?). But imagine the impact if the entire starting secondary is suspended. Or all the linebackers. Pretty much anyone who has been on the team in the last three years is a potential target. And with the loss of the draft picks, there's not going to be an opportunity to fill those slots with superior talent.

The only silver lining is that I'm sure the organization and its fanbase are going to spend a season being mad as hell. No matter the circumstances, with our offense (which will be untouched) and a city sized chip, you best believe that the Saints will be out to put 50-burgers up on every opponent every week. And it'll be justified as we have no head coach and no defense. So no one should complain.

Just my thoughts.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.