papz

Now that it’s finally behind them, the Saints can look back and say the calendar year of 2012 was one they wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Not even those Dirty Birds from Atlanta.

The nightmare started Jan. 14 with a gut-wrenching divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers and mercifully ended 351 days later as the Saints became the worst defense in NFL history.

In between was a bounty scandal and myriad distractions that went with it — unprecedented suspensions of the head coach, interim coach and general manager (30 games in all) and an 0-4 start on the field that they never really recovered from in finishing 7-9.

Going into a new season, with Sean Payton back calling plays on offense and a new defensive coordinator and scheme, there’s a feeling the 2013 Saints are going to be more like the 2009 to 2011 teams that cranked out 41 victories — including a Super Bowl title.

But Payton will be the first to say it’s not that simple.

Their offseason work and preseason nearly complete, Payton says the Saints are building their own persona in a bid to return to the playoffs and make another run at the Super Bowl.

Obviously, he thinks they can get back to contender status quickly.

“Our players and coaches are wanting to be successful,” said Payton, who immediately started erasing the horrid images of the 2012 season when he fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and replaced him with Rob Ryan.

“This team is entirely different than the 2012 team or the ’11 or ’09 teams, and that’s a positive sign because it gives you a chance. If you don’t have that (mentality), then you don’t really have a chance. But the work ethic of this team throughout the offseason and their approach to training camp has been excellent.”

Read more: Saints leave fog of 2012 | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Attached Thumbnails

 

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.