I don't feel the exact emotion and sentiment as The Dude, but he has a point in there (somewhere).
I've said all along that the loss of Sean Payton for this season pretty much spells trouble.

How many teams are playing this season without their head coach?
How many teams play ANY season without their head coach?
Nobody really wants listen, and I can understand why. But these are facts and I know members will come here to complain bitterly at the missed opportunity due to poor elementary decisions this season and I want everyone to have this sink in!

How good was Green Bay without Lombardi?
How good was San Fran without Bill Walsh? Would they waltz into the Superbowl just on talent and Joe Montana's arm?

In football, the leader (head coach) is extremely important. There are "on the field" leaders who are field generals that bring the same tenacity and drive of the head coach to the field... they are generally NOT decision makers.

The head coach balances platoon based athletic military exercise with the chaos of the game itself. We have all seen teams that were bad under one coach turn to winning the next season with a coaching change.

Last year we saw bloopers, blips and blunders with Vitt and Carmichael at the helm while Sean Payton was out.

Don't preach to me about the Colts game! We ran the ball on pitch sweeps the second half to run out the clock. That game was as much a testament to how bad the Colts were.

Anyone remember the Tampa Bay game after Sean Payton was knocked out? Anyone remember the game management during that game? It took our sideline forever to call a timeout.

Who was in command during the Rams game? What went well that game?

It's going to be very hard for our team this season. I'm not a Kool-Aid drinker who believes we will coast into the playoffs and Superbowl on talent alone.

Goodell knew exactly what he was doing when he "KILLED THE HEAD" of the Saints.... he threw out Sean Payton whether he's guilty of anything or not. That's the biggest damage done to our team before the season begins.

I WILL BE IN THAT NUMBER EVERY WEEK! Wouldn't miss a game. Just food for thought.