Jack Vegas

I've felt like this all year but this season is so similar to 07. Remember following 06 we were the big story, getting slurrped by all the media, named SB contenders, etc. Team wasn't ready. We got destroyed by the Colts in the season opener, dropped the next three to go 0-4, actually got back to .500 with 4 straight wins, then had some injuries, lost a couple and limped to 7-9.

Eerily similar to this year - but the point is, that was a pretty young team that just wasn't ready for prime time. Remember the young core of that team was Colston, Evans, Bush, Jammal Brown, Harper, PT, etc. Even guys like Stinchcomb and Will Smith had only been in the league 3 years at that point. They didn't truly understand what it took to win. They had to learn some tough lessons and struggle through two mediocre frustrating seasons to get where they wanted to be.

I think that's where we are now. It might take a couple of subpar years to get everything back in order again. But talent-wise we are in a much better place now than we were then. I think we need to be patient and understand that we are in a little bit of a rebuilding job now. People assume that we have to be in win-now mode while Brees is still around, but I don't think SP/Loomis see it that way. If they continue to bring in quality young players like they have in the last two years we'll be in good shape before too long.

Don't see this as the team falling apart, see it as part of a learning/growth process. I'm not saying we'll win the Super Bowl in two years but things are going to get better as these young players grow into themselves.

blackangold

What quality young players have they brought in?

I dont agree thst this season compares to any before it. We had way too much talent to be this bad.

nola_swammi

Next time we are favorable to win a Super Bowl by analyst and polls I will be better prepared for the let down.

Jack Vegas

Kidding, right?

Cooks
Stills
K Robinson
Armstead
Jenkins
Hicks
Vaccaro

1st and second year guys. Add in a bunch of others like Jordan, Galette, Ingram, K. Lewis that aren't exactly old, and some other guys like Lelito, Toon, Edebali SJB that show a lot of promise, and role players like Foster/Walker/Josh Hill/Humber. I think you can very safely say they have brought in a solid amount of young talented players in the last few years. Don't let the veil of a bad season fool you, this is still a quality roster. They just have some growing up to do.

hagan714

K Robinson?????????????

ok i missed something. sophomore jinx? I saw a player that played like an UDFA that was a rookie .... i am lost for a word here.... backup with hope.

He did not impress me one bit and can be replaced. he did back us into a corner with his play. he in no way can be a starter so Ingram value got an even bigger boost.

we are still at Ingram and PT as the only backs on this team that can be relied upon to play in the NFL.

burningmetal

In my opinion, there are way too many veteran guys who have been there and done that, to write this season off as a rebuilding year. We are absolutely in rebuilding mode now, but this season is a failure. There can be no other description in my eyes. No excuses.

There are some young guys, but it's not like we're the youngest team in the league. I think we may be the oldest, or at least in the top 5 oldest. I don't have optimism over guys like Galette and Jordan, when they've been in this league long enough to know what to do and have had success, yet managed to regress at a rate that I can only describe as pathetic this year. That points to attitude and work ethic problems. Maybe the light comes back on, but again, I can't be optimistic over what I've seen.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

Sarik

Idk Hagan, even with injuries catching up with Khiry & only 69 total attempts this year, he still avg over 5 yards/carry. By no means am i saying he's our answer, but he's good depth though.

I have a bad feeling we may lose Mark in FA this year. finances are really hurting this team & deep RB draft class this year may leave the team with a tough decision. Maybe they have someone they like in the draft? Lots of options:
Gurley(too high)
Gordon
Abdullah
Coleman
Davis
Yeldon
Johnson
Allen
Ajayi
& so on... We'll see

Budsdrinker

OL is too old for the money they are being paid. Goodwin is done, Armstead is progressing and is a keeper. I like Strife but he's average, Grubbs and Evans need to be restructured. Don't think they're done yet but definitely overpaid for their play. Let Lelito take over at center and find a more athletic RT. Ingram will probably walk and become a top 10 RB but we need to address OL. JR needs to step up next year and I think Jordan is gone. Jimmy needs to go on a strength program for his legs, my god a chihuahua can take him down. But yes I agree this season is very similar to 2007 and I don't think we will be better than 8-8 next year without major restructuring of contracts to where we can find some upgrades. Regardless we will still be making the drive over from Texas to be in the Dome.
WhoDat for life baby

Rugby Saint II

I believe that this team will find a few KEY pieces again this year and they will blend nicely with our returning players from IR. We could very well be back in the thick of things again next year. We have the basic building blocks of life. So, who knows............?????

SmashMouth