WhoDat

Kool - that\'s a great post. I have made the \"window of opportunity\" argument myself. I think it comes down to what you believe the real problem is on the team. I believe attitude, preparation, professionalism, etc. are the biggest problems. Do I think a more consistent QB would make the Saints SB contenders? No, but it is a step in the right direction.

My hope for this off-season was a change at numerous coaching positions. Look - ask yourself why the defense went from being on pace to be the worst all time to pretty tough in the last 4 games? Did the addition of McKenzie alone make all the difference? I highly doubt it. I saw the scheme change from read and react to attack. With it, the entire attitude of the defense changed. They gained swagger. They played downhill, not back on their heals. Rumor was - Haslett or Pease was calling the plays. OK, great. Why did it take THREE YEARS to figure out Venturi couldn\'t coach the defense? I knew that the day he was hired, and I\'m not getting paid to make those decisions.

Point is - this team needs a face lift, IMO. Not in terms of talent, even on defense this team has proved that it has the personnel to play top 15 or better on both sides of the ball. Aside from coaching the biggest change that needs to be made, IMO, is attitude. This team needs to have an air of professionalism, dedication, and focus. Say what you will, but my experience has been (both playing and observing), that 9 times out of 10 the QB is the leader of a team. How he plays, the team plays.

Sure, we need help from a talent standpoint at DT, LB, and T far more than we need it at QB. However, if this team wants to shake the inconsistency and unprofessionalism that has plagued it, I feel that starts with AB. Just my opinion.

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

JKool

Who,

I like the attitude argument - I think you and Danno were advancing it several months ago.

I think you\'re claim is a bit too sweeping though. I don\'t think the \"team\" plays like the QB in terms of attitude (though, surely, the QB affects how often and for how long the Defense plays and how often the special teams are on the field - but I don\'t think that has much to do with attitude). I do agree that the QB\'s attitude DOES effect the offense though.

I\'ve had several GREAT discussions of AB lately, and I\'m still undecided on whether or not he has to go (espc. RIGHT NOW). I think that the financial arugment (though I\'m starting to wonder if dumping AB would save us much cap room this year - due to bonuses, etc.) and this attitude argument are the strongest. I just can\'t determine how much attitude matters and how bad AB is for more than the offense (which seems to have players who are insulated from AB\'s attitude - such as Horn, since his attitude is so strong).

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks