So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

After being a contender for so long and winning a Super Bowl are we as fans going to be able to go back to enjoying watching games just to see them play and have a good time? I have been a Saints fan for over 30 years and used to love to watch or go to games just to see them play and have something to cheer for. They usually lost, but there was always a possibility something out of character would happen. We would be happy just to win the game, the playoffs were just an afterthought. Then we got to the playoffs and a higher bar was set. We still had down years but we still would enjoy them win or lose. After winning it all can we go back to that? Or maybe the question should be can you go back to that. Hopefully we can hold them to a higher standard now. Hopefully the organization will find a way to get us right back in there even after a slump. Something has definitely changed though. I don't think I will be happy just having a winning season anymore. Its going to be playoffs or nothing. I will still watch and cheer, but I expect more.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

One thing that annoys me is this thinking that we have to win while we still have Drew; with all due respect, F*** Drew...

Was a big Jimmy Graham fan, but if that trade wins us games (and with Unger and Stephone Anthony in return), so be it...

I'm a Saints fan, if we traded Brees tomorrow and spent another year developing and then came back on a decade run like the Pats have had, I'd be thrilled...

Before Payton and now, I've always wanted and pulled for the Saints to win the whole thing every year; irregardless of Drew, I want to win this year and every year...

If you're not playing to win, then why play the game?!?

And the two most indispensable people to the team right now are Sean Payton and Jeff Ireland...

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Well said.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Exactly. They could replace every single player and coach on the team tomorrow and as long as it puts us in a position to win more games and become a better team I'm all for it. What I don't want to see is Payton keeping Brees on the field 4 years from now taking us nowhere when we have the QB of the future on the sidelines. (Or waste a draft pick for the same reason)

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Why worry about what may happen in the future, especially when you can't change anything!

Saints football starts Thursday and we actually have a secondary that is more efficient than a screen door on a submarine! Offense will be in the tops like always and we have 3-4 very good press corners!

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Not worried, just a thought. I wondered where you were. Have not seen you around the board much lately.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

The NFL is cyclical. While no fan base wants to think about it, sooner or later a team is going to have a down cycle. The salary cap and draft are designed to make it happen.

I don't think the Saints are up for one as long as Brees is here. And depending how long it takes to find a quality QB and good young talent, the dip may or may not happen when he's gone- but somewhere in the future, the odds are the Saints will have a string of years where they aren't expected to contend.

But to answer the OP, I don't know about you personally, but the diehard fans will remain fans. A lot of the bandwagoners who may have jumped on ship in the years preceeding or just after the Super Bowl may fall away, but the die hard fans will remain.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

As long as the team remains competitive and hopefully wins the division and is still playing past the regular season. Would be very hard digging through the pantry for paper bags again. Especially since all the grocery bags are plastic these days.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Personally, if we were to be grateful for the sb win alone, then we should not have made the playoffs the next year. However, you can thank Atlanta for that. Atlanta and their fans ruined our time when we were having our run, and it seemed every offseason they would act like they're going to win the sb. I am so thankful Atlanta does not have a sb. Because if they did, they would use Ryan's age against us for bragging rights. It just seemed we didn't really get to relax and enjoy our moment. Green Bay has shut Chicago up, New England did the jets and they probably will the dolphins too, Indy is doing to Houston, and did it to Jacksonville as well under Manning. We didn't quite shut Atlanta up until we ourselves were in a rut and now they're making noises of coming back.

It would be hard if we fall off while Atlanta and Cam are winning. That would be hard pill to swallow.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

When we won the SB, I was seriously thinking we could win a couple more with these players, or that we could at least repeat the next year. Honestly, I was thinking possible dynasty. Then Goodie 2 shoes Goodell screwed that up. When the time comes for Drew and possibly SP to move on, it will be a sad time but with change always comes new hope.

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Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

The Saints have been bad before and I'm still here. The team may change but I don't.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Last years team lacked effort at times. When they had deciding games in front of them, they were flat. That's unacceptable. In the past, it was sadly clear that other teams simply had more talent than the Saints. While disappointing, it was what it was. Now, and since Payton arrived, the Saints have had the talent to win. When they don't, it hurts a little more than it did in past years.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

pull a tampa!

get the bench on the field as much as possible and see what have to work with.

saints get a top 5 pick in 2016

Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State :razz:

Do Drew the favor if he finds a team that he wants to play for and they really want him trade him and that last year contract. cashing in at this point would be a smart business move.

Get a boat load of picks and a ton of cap space. let the rebuild begin

I could live with my min requirements for a losing season.
beat the falcons at home 1-15 :jkool:
if you get the win on the road in Atalanta that is icing on the cake. 2-14:-(

my requirements for a losing season that is palatable are pretty simple being the old dog that I am.;)

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Take comfort in every time the Saints get beat the winning team will be hurting the next day!!

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

I see what the Dude is saying... We've begun to expect success. And I think we have a right to that.

With Drew and SP or without, this team has the tools to succeed & they should go over 500 this year. If they don't, I for one will be irritated!!

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

How did Atlanta ruin our time? Especially their fans?

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

The team needs to be competitive and well coached. That's what I expect to see no matter what personnel we have. We're not a laughing stock team anymore and no coach has to come in to try and get us our first Lombardi. That should make the HC/GM position more appealing in the future.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

When they bury me is the last time I worry about my Saints. :angel:

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Other than 2011, after we won the sb Atlanta did steal our thunder some with the media and all. We didn't get to have the NFC South spotlight to ourselves. Atlanta was a first seed in 10 and 12. And their fans on variety forums like what ESPN was always stalked our forum there. And the bounty season was bad.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

We've won a Superbowl, Atlanta hasn't...

There.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

The Saints 2011 team was destined to win the Super Bowl

5 turnovers
a knocked out Pierre Thomas as he goes to score on the 2 yard line
Comebacks only to have Greg Williams sabotage things with a man to man and all out blitz when prevent wins it

No team has won two superbowls since NY Giants last in 2011
Only Seattle and New England have gotten there twice in the last 5 years

The zsaints have for the most part remained competitive
Despite Roger Goodell's best efforts

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

I think everyone who has been a fan for a few decades can admit that where we once had hope but appreciated just seeing the games and cheering, we have evolved into expecting to be in the mix every year and have less tolerance for failure. We have become a bit jaded and entitled as Saints fans over the past decade. Anything short of a playoff run is unacceptable and surprising. And while this should be the case, the previous decades taught us to accept mediocrity and failure.

I said it after the Super Bowl win, this team never needs to win another game for me. Everything after experiencing a SB victory is gravy in my lifetime. But that sentiment was short lived. I expect more from this team and I am frustrated when we don't meet expectations.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

I'll root for them the same as I did since I was a kid

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Exactly the point I was trying to make. I think now that we hold them to a higher standard hopefully the powers that be will try harder, spend more money, and invest in good players and coaches to keep us in it.

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Who the hell cares what Atlanta fans think? No way I am letting other people effect how I feel about my team and the Super Bowl. We beet them 9 out of the last 12 meetings.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

I hope the NFL enjoys the same kind of parity MLB is enjoying now. Tired of the league office intrusion in having it's pet teams and turning offenses loose with all these protection rules. NFL needs to get back to better defense, maybe add some rules to help out the defense for once. You do that and you get more quality teams into the picture. And we don't feel like we need to attempt 100 passes a game to stay competitive. Or maybe I'm going crazy. It's been too long since I've watched football :)

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Great question, and a fun topic, DUDE. I'm glad you asked.

I sat out last year with my own off the field problems. There is something very wrong with me, when im not a raging fan, and sweating every down of Saints Football.

Well I'm back. Sept. 20. Tampa. I have a better seat than Tom Benson. If I had a million dollars, I would still sit in section 500 -- the best view for football in the Dome, with a little more elbow room, but you still get the craziness of Da Terrace. I BELONG in the Terrace. I am one with the Terrace. It is part of who I am. I love the people of the Terrace.

I've already scoped out the season, decided which games to go, which to watch w/ the Hou-Dats, here in Houston, and of course the big Blue Lot Tailgate, we're doing at the Texans. I've already budgeted a bunch of money, invested my calendar, and I, too, have thought, "What if we suck?"

The answer came easy. Just pretend it was any of the old years, when I was a Saints fan, and go crazy like I always have. When I take my kids to the Panthers game, whether we're 0-12 or 12-0, I'll be yelling for our Boys to take Cam Newton's head. And every game between, i'm raising 8 kinds of hell.

I'm hanging out with WhoDAt Nation this season, tailgating, drinkin like Lincoln, partying the Quarter, and having fun across Lousiana & Mississsipi, this year. Game One/ Cardinals, I'm coming back from Jackson on bizness, and I'll catch the Saints at some hole in the wall in MS. I WILL do at least one game in an Atchafalaya swamp bar.

Im gonna pick a GF, (currently running a platoon system) for the Giants game, and do a little New Orleans romance trip, maybe. I have no plan yet, but most likely will just bring the one w/ the one w the biggest boobs.... or whoever is most likely to take them out.

So F*** whatever our record is. I plan on this being a Rock and Roll Party from this thursday night on, even if Im the only one rocking. But this is New Orleans, and I wont be. If you're a WhoDat, you'll be in this number too.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

It's all potential. When we were less than appealing prior to the Brees era, our potential was like someone said, may win - may not, but something fun or out of the norm could happen. When we started winning with Brees and our potential changed to maybe consistent post-season success, then our expectations changed as fans. The hard thing to swallow now is when we feel like we have the players to have success and fall short. Doesn't make us any less of fans, just let down. You are either a Saints fan or not, win or lose.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

I had a hard time getting excited last year. I don't know why I (like we all did) thought we were going to have a big year. Training camp didn't grab me like it usually does and when the pre-season got going it all felt very stale. Once the season started it didn't take long to figure out their was something seriously wrong.

The team seemed be just as apathetic as I was. I kept waiting for Payton to crack the whip and get these guys straightened out. Trouble is Payton seems to have lost his kick ass bone. He needs to lose that stoic aspect on the sidelines.

But I never quit watching.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

You hit the nail on the head. I think Payton's lost the team. I may be in the minority here, but I think if we don't make the playoffs again this season then it's time to move on from Payton and Loomis. Time to stop living off 2009 and 2011.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Sucking is not an option. And it's not because I'm jaded. It's because we deserve it as fans. We've earned it. It is no longer good enough to have a winning season and there is nothing wrong with having high expectations. We should demand more and not accept mediocrity. The organization is obligated to give it to us because we have made them all rich while being loyal, devoted fans for many decades. I'm a life-long fan but I'm not stupid or unrealistic. I won't be cutting them any slack for not performing.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

I fear we're already there fellow Saints fans. With that being said, I damn sure ain't going anywhere. This is our team and New Orleans is our f'ing city and we are going to fight for her until the day the good Lord brings us home!

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Amen

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

The Saints are at that stage that all good teams come to during salary cap era and that's how to manage the cap and keep the players together while drafting at the bottom of the draft.

The window is still open, but it is getting challenging and it appears that some bad decisions were made with overpaying certain vets. There is still time to right the ship, but the margin for error is slim.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

I've suffered through John Mecom, JD Roberts , Hank Stramm, Bum Phillips and Mike Ditka. Watched them go 1-15. Seen them draft Jonathan Sullivan, Rick Middleton, Larry Burton etc.

Let's not even mention Erxleben. At one time half of the NFL records on books were set while playing against us. (lawrence McCuteon once owned the NFL single game rushing record. Guess who they were playing. Who the * is Lawrence McCuteon?)

So no, I'm not looking forward to it but if we have seen the end of the Golden Age, oh well. I'll still be in that number. After 48 years pulling for the Saints is like breathing, it just happens. I suspect I'll stop doing both at about the same time.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

U Rock, Boutte. Hope you might pop up in the Quarter one
game day weekend.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Payton and Brees will be gone and the Saints will go into salary dump mode. I personally thought Payton lost the team a season ago. In meaningful, critical games last year, the team just didn't show up. The Saints have the talent to compete this season. If key injuries don't determine the season, it's all on Payton and Brees. Bottom line.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

With the cap rules, the league is really designed to be mediocre. The NFL calls it competitive balance, but frankly it's pretty watered down. A lot of teams go through cycles because they aren't very gifted in the art of foresight, while other organizations just aren't good at anything (Raiders, Jaguars, Browns, etc). But there are a couple of teams that have been good at managing the cap and sustaining success (Patriots, Colts). The Saints and Steelers are very similar over the last decade (decade plus, for Pitt) in how they fluctuate between being contenders and just being average, but they don't completely fall apart.

The Saints did well for a while with finding hidden gems that allowed them to keep the cost down and retain a certain core of players. But once guys started looking for a big pay day we over-payed on some players, and it's bit us in recent years. The offense keeps us competitive but we really haven't been able to keep up with the elite.

It really all boils down to finding the right QB when you make a transition, and building around him. Just look how quickly the Colts went right back to winning after one bad season.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

There's no question that my mindset completely changed after the Super Bowl run. It's a strange thing to get a grip on, but in a way it did kind of spoil the fun. I used to always look forward to game days, just to watch the Saints. I was never satisfied with losing, but it didn't stop me from being excited for the next game.

After they won the super bowl, there wasn't any higher goal to be achieved, so it was win or bust for me. There was more anxiety in the anticipation than there was of excitement.

But a lot of things, from all my teams, to everyday life are bringing me back to reality and I enjoy it more again. I still do have higher expectations, though, and I don't want this thing to run into the ground.

Re: So what if the Saints do start to suck
 

Do you pay?