Too many opportunities wasted
 

Sorry for this rant like post, but looking back over the years it seems like too many times we have wasted opportunities that are few and far in between.

I feel like for the talent that we have had since 2009, (offensive talent for the most part), we have underachieved when it comes to getting it done in the big games that count.

2010: We had a decent team hampered by injuries, but then lost to the first losing team to enter the playoffs, if that wasn't embarrassing enough we have Beast Quake to remember for the rest of our lives that goes with it. Our top 10 defense folded, and Drew was left by himself to win the game, and ultimately he could not. Oh well we still had the magical year before to remember at the time, but we should NEVER have lost to that team the way we did.

2011: We had probably one of the most potent offenses in NFL history, we were that good, bend, but don't break defense, and i guess that sort of happens when you have the high caliber offense that we did. At home we were untouchable that year. We lost two that we shouldn't have to the Bucs (Sean Payton got hurt) and to the lowly Rams which has become quite the trend in future years. If we don't lose one of these games we would have had home field throughout the playoffs. Yet we squandered that opportunity by losing to teams that we had no business losing to. Although Green Bay went 15-1, if we matched we would've had to travel there, if no one one beat them so in all fairness it kind of worked out, but a second shot at them would've been nice. This year was probably our best chance to get Lombardi number 2, but yet then the defense lets them march right down the field. We were a couple Vernon Davis catches away from playing another game in the Superdome against a lower seeded Giants team where there is no doubt in my mind we would've come out on top, and even if the Giants did beat us at home they would have surely deserved that trophy, not to discredit them, but COME ON WE DONT LOSE AT HOME. We then would've had to play a very good Patriots team in the SuperBowl, but at least we would've made it there, and there is no shame in losing to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Opportunity squandered.

2012: Our whole season ruined because we had this "vicious bounty program" that we just ended up being scape-goats for, and lost two second round picks for it... Give me a break. A year of Drew Brees in his prime, wasted. We also had if not the worst defense of all time, one of them at least yardage wise. Oh well, at least we got a very good safety in Kenny Vaccaro from our draft position, if you want to find any silver lining out of that horrendous year.

2013: Solid start, and hey look our defense finally decided to show up after a year hiatus. The offense didn't fire on all cylinders throughout the year, but the defense played stout, and didn't let us lose too many games. Some turnovers here and there probably could've been the difference. Then after our great start, we start to slowly, but surely turn into this team we have this year that can't win on the road to save its life. We squandered a second seed to the freakin Panthers. Had we not lost to again the lowly Rams, and Jets we could've had a 13-3 season with a second seed. We then lost to the Panthers to hand them the division in a game where our defense fell apart in the closing moments (hmm seems we have a theme here.) A second seed would've likely had the same result, but we wouldn't have watched ourselves play too close with the Eagles, and maybe have better momentum going into Seattle. A game which was very winnable, but it seems when we were on the fringe of getting into the redzone Sean Payton decided to get cute with the play-calling and throw a screen every other play when the run game moved us all the way down the field. The offensive play calling in the second Panthers game and the playoff game in Seattle were very similar and equally as frustrating to watch with very similar results. The opportunities were all there, but yet again we are on the opposite end of these plays. Another great opportunity to make it to the big one, wasted.

2014: We could very well be 3-1 as we are 1-3, a few plays here and there were the difference in the first two games, but the defense once again decided to play Houdini and disappear for another year. If the defense can resemble anything like a normal NFL defense then we have a shot to make the playoffs, but thats a BIG if. I just honestly don't understand where the pass rush went. The key to our defensive failure is the lack of pass rush. Our safeties also have to make up for our slow un-athletic linebackers (save for Lofton for the most part) and all of a sudden weak defensive line that's getting man handled week in and out. Turnovers will never come if the pass rush can't get going, but it is weird that seemingly no one can force one here and there.

I think this team can bounce back and we all know the potential in which they hold, but will they? Who knows, that has yet to be seen. We'll see if the other teams in our division want to hand us the lead, since none of them seem to really want it this year. I think Byrd despite a few missed tackles has been pretty solid, he looked like the only defensive player we had against Dallas. I don't remember getting beat deep over the middle hardly at all this year so what he's doing doesn't exactly translate to the stat sheet. Most of our problem is underneath as teams dink and dunk for massive yardage down the field.

Drafting: As far as defensive players have gone, we must be some of the worst at either seeking talent or developing it defensively. We have drafted close to 30 defensive players and not one of them could be labeled as Elite. We have had good players, but not one elite player. We're lucky we have found gems such as Graham, Evans, Nicks, Colston, Armstead, Strief, and Stills. Our front office for whatever reason does not like to draft linebackers which if you look at all the best teams in the NFC they have great, athletic linebackers that seem to always be around the ball. So as much opportunity we haven't taken advantage of situation wise, its also due to our pitiful drafting on the defensive side of the ball.

I just want whats best for our team, and see how amazing we could be. We really could have at least 2-3 Superbowls and be a dynasty type team if a few things went our way in pivotal moments throughout the past 4 years.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Completely agree about 2011. Had we held out against 49ers or played them in the dome I have no doubt we would have brushed aside the Giants and would have won a shootout against the Pats.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Winning against the Pats would've been something else, but at least we would have been in the big game. It was very well possible the way it played out, just holding out against the 9ers, and beating the Giants at home was very possible if not more probable than improbable the way i see it. We beat them by 40 there just a month or so before the playoffs.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

2011 would have been our year, the defense was not great but was doing enough to win football games, our offense was the BEST in NFL history, no one ever gives us credit for that but the stats don't lie

However, once again it came down to a Sean Payton led team not being able to win on the road, hard to ignore our terrible road record now

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

I guess the old adage is still true. To win on the road you need a solid defense.

We don't have one.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Very true, however its also hard to ignore that drew Brees is not the same player on the road as he is in the dome

I saw a stat the other day that says in the dome his TD to INT ratio is something like 15-2, on the road his TD to INT ratio is 12-9

7 more turnovers which will kill you at any point, not only in another teams back yard

When Brees has a bad game on the road it makes it almost impossible to win because its not like we can rely on our defense to stop anyone

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Agree, but I'll bet most QB's and most Offenses look worse on the road than they do at home. But Brees does look like 2 different QB's at times.

Defenses have always traveled better than Offenses.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

I feel the same way, its not the way the team should play in those situations. We have a huge problem showing up to each and every game, mostly road games albeit. The fact that home-field is so important just seems absurd. Like the 2011 divisional game, 5 turnovers SERIOUSLY. I dont think we had that many in the previous 10 games before that one. Seems like teams play us perfectly when they have to and we dont get an inch of breathing room.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

I wish Brees wouldn't spend so damn much time trying to audible on the line in road games

he fights crowd noise, he gets behind on the play clock and he panics

just go out there a run what you call in the huddle with Bravado if you are having problems

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

I wish we'd really run more No huddle offense, we have a track record of being great when we do it

Can anyone remember in 2011 week 3 vs Texans, the entire 2nd half we ran no huddle and ended up going on a scoring tear when we were down at half time

We substitute players so much though that it gives defenses time to react to what we are doing, if we left the same personel in for one drive and went no huddle, I'm sure we'd see better results which in turn would keep our D off the field and let them figure out how to suck less.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Man you mentioned a hell of a game. We were down and just scored like it was nothing and the Texans were shocked. Our two minute offense at times is unstoppable. I dont understand why we dont just turn up the tempo at times and get a 2 score lead to sit on.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Yeah, I agree about 2011. In my opinion, that's the best team the Saints have ever had. Better than the Super Bowl year. The San Fran game was a fluke. I think the Saints would win that game them 9 out of 10 times.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Yeah, I've thought that for a while. They should sub packages like they always do until they get an ideal match up and then not huddle until they score. It's almost like the team was built to do that exact thing. It's a head scratcher as to why they don't.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Rant away that was a great rant

Draft is a HUGE question mark. one our two gems here and there can not cover up some really bad picks. that is the complaint i have with the saints playing too cute.

Talking about playing it too cute, SP has a history of it and guess what that is what the rest of the NFL expects from him. conservative uncreative play calling would shock the the entire NFL.

I guess the old adage is still true. To win on the road you need a solid defense. bingo Danno

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Am I the only one who thinks if a team switch to a old time running game, passing just enough to keep teams respecting a pass they could churn up most teams lines. Everyone is playing with smaller pass rushing DE/OLB to stop the pass these days. Get yourself a line like the cowboys had in the superbowl days a good FB and just eat the clock and churn the yards beating up the pass rushing OLB.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

I never thought I would say anything negative about Brees. He is a different player on the road. He has the look of a deer in the headlights. He does not exude confidence on the road. I don't see that problem with other top QB's like Rodgers or P. Manning.

I don't want us to be a one super bowl win team.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

That will work if you've got a defense that can get a few stops during the game. Don't know if that would work the way our defense is playing now.

Now the offense has to score almost every time they get the ball and hope the opposing teams offense will make enough mistakes that they fall behind.

And it's not working.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

It wouldnt work with the current team,just thoughts in general. We would need a new RT for a start
I think Seattle play a similar way though with Harvin they have opened up the pass and Wilson doesnt make many mistake andis great when he has to scramble. Out of all the young QBs in the league he is the my favourite. He has a good deep ball,manages the game well,doesnt make many mistakes and doesnt have the ego that means he thinks its all on him.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Yeah i mean those gems have been great here and there with the yearly UDFA that overachieves. It just seems like we rarely draft a defensive player who is solid right out of the box, and when they are, they fizzle out once they get a decent sized contract. We are really bad at devloping/ finding defensive talent in the Sean Payton era. Its head scratching to say the least. How can we not produce one "elite" defensive player through drafting. Cam Jordan is the closest thing we've ever had to that. Kenny Vaccaro could end up being that player, but still. Free Agency is great and all, but nothing beats home-grown talent, at least defensively. When was the last time we drafted a franchise defensive player like Patrick Willis, Vince Wilfork, Earl Thomas, etc?

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

Staying ahead of the curve in the NFL is a good idea, but if it ends up being too one-dimensional then you can be shut out reeeal quick. You also have to have a top tier defense. Maybe when Brees retires since we have a knack for finding good RBs, but that will never happen with Sean Payton as HC.

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

On the road it appears to me that Drew always wants the perfect play.
The plays seem to come in late, we break the huddle late and changing the play at the line late hasn't been working. Someone else said it earlier, go with the first play called and let someone make a play and stop throwing into double and triple coverage!!!

Re: Too many opportunities wasted
 

It's hard to maintain a running game playing from behind. This year is hard to figure out across the league so far, so we still have a shot.