Won't lose site of where we came from because the future depends on it. For the players, the coaches and the front office.

It impacts who we are, how we think, what we believe, how we interact with others, what we think is possible for ourselves, whether we view the world as good or bad, what we strive for. Our history—our upbringing—impacts everything we think and believe and do.

It's is impossible to know where to go without reflecting on your past. Understanding our heritage and our roots are a very important part of carving out our future.

Melissa Joy • Never Forget Where You Came From.

This excerpt is from Melissa Joy and a damn good one!

You can forget the past if you want to but I for one will never forget it and will remember it to motivate everyone in the future.

-Rankins is penciled in as a starter. We'll see. What worries me is all the "buzz" about the guy was from Senior Bowl drills and combine drills. Not about his actual play on the field.

-Thomas has the size and skills to translate well in the NFL. With a real QB like Brees, he could have a special year.

-Bell will contribute in coverage, which is much needed, and will be given a chance to be the everyday starter in the future. He's not very big and doesn't tackle especially well though.

-Onyemata is a big, strong, athlete. His limited experience in the game and lack of competition against equally talented guys is very concerning. The Saints took a flyer on defense in the 4th. With guys like DT's Billings and Reader, OG's Westerman and Drango, CB Hall, RB's Dixon and Booker, and QB Jones going afterwards, I think they could have done better.

-Lasco is very talented and fits the Saints scheme. But, if he sees the field this year, it will be because he was a steal or a lot of bad things happened to the RB corps. If offense was the direction, WR's Peake or Lawler were better choices in my opinion.

UDFA - There's lots of potential here. Allen and Turner are almost locks to make the team. I personally like Pettway, Elston, Harris, Houma, Dillon, Mathews, Tovell and Young.

You do realize this is a discussion about football, right? Comparing one's heritage to a football organization which has players who are not in any way related to the players who stunk up the joint in the past, is kind of far fetched, in my opinion.

But more than that, here's where you're really missing my point. I didn't say "forget" the past. Unless you have amnesia, you can't forget that, nor can you "choose" to forget. I asked how long you want us to look 40 years into the past. Meaning, how long before we can stop judging this team based on those teams, in your opinion?

It's fine to remember the past, but you have to move on from it. You're right in one sense... When you say it should be used as motivation. Absolutely. That means not settling for mediocrity, simply because "well, we've had worse". That's the overwhelming sentiment I get from people who constantly use that tired old line, as I described it earlier.

THIS is not THEN. That's the point I'm trying to get across.

Guys, our new draft picks will be fine!! Rankins will help our interior run and pass defense. Thomas will keep the offense humming at full potential, Bell will help the back 7 and Lasco will increase our special teams production. Stop being negative nancy's!! We rock The Black and Gold not the cowgirl silver.

watching top undrafted players and they just went through John Randle. He was about the same size as Rankins.