Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

For months I've pondered how good is this 2014 New Orleans Saints roster. Is it better than any in the Dome Patrol era? Is it better than the 2009 Super Bowl-winning roster? Is it better than the 2011 team (a roster that was more talented than the Super Bowl XLIV championship squad but lost in the divisional round of the playoffs at San Francisco)?

The answer to all of the above questions is a resounding yes.

Former Saints quarterback Archie Manning agrees, saying recently: "On paper they look as good as they have ever been."

So does Curtis Lofton.

"This is by far one of the best teams I've ever played on," the Saints' starting middle linebacker said last week.

The 2013 Saints had a couple of glaring weaknesses, though they advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs, which was about as good as expected, before losing at Seattle.

Read more: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy? | Larry Holder | NOLA.com

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

There are typically about 10 teams every year with superbowl talent. So they all have about a 10% shot of winning it.

The 18-1 Pats were probably the most talented team we've seen in 20 years, and they lost the superbowl.

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

Depends on too many variables. Doesn't matter how much talent you have. Injuries and even luck can make or break a Super Bowl team.

I like our chances though! Before the season starts since it is basically a level playing field as far as injuries go I think we are ahead of most!

We have even been getting a lot of respect nationally. Every team on our schedule is not looking forward to playing us that is for sure.

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

With the league's best coach.

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

Lombardi Gras is coming!

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

I think that there are still some big question marks surrounding the center position for one, and the depth at some other positions does make me worry about what will happen if the starter goes down with an injury (i.e. LT).

Still, the Saints do have the talent on both sides of the ball, and the sidelines, to be one of the favorites going into the season.

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

horse before the cart. but i will bite

playoffs i can see but that is where i stop for now.

biggest question is: Will the saints have a kicking game that Sean will trust. 3's are huge in the playoffs. the deeper you get into the playoffs the bigger they become.

remember all the TD in our super bowl year? sure but

G. Hartley 3/3 47 2/2 11

not to mention how huge he was in getting us there in the playoffs

granted we all wanted to run him out of town by season end but he stepped up huge in the playoffs

SP knows 3s are big in the playoffs but will he find the kicker that gives him the warm fuzzies to settle to set up a field goal first before taking the shots into the end zone

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

I TOTALLY AGREE. Without those Hartley FG's agains MINN, we don't even get to the SB that year

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

Being that the playoffs are single elimination, a team can fly through the regular season, but then just have one off game and the whole thing comes crashing down.

I am not advocating a different format, I'm just saying that the playoffs are more about who is hot at the moment and has the ball bounce their way...and that's what makes it so interesting.

Case in point...the '07 and '11 Giants.

Re: Yes, New Orleans Saints have Super Bowl-caliber talent. But will it result in Lombardi Trophy?
 

On paper doesn't mean a thing. THey never crown you because of your roster...

You actually have to play football.