Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

The high-flying, yard-producing, NFC-South competing New Orleans Saints of the past decade do not accurately paint the picture of the Saints' franchise history.


Following their birth as an NFL club in 1967, it took the team 21 seasons to make their first playoff appearance in 1987, and another 14 to get their first playoff win. Prior to 2006, the black and gold won just two division titles and finished with a winning record seven times in 39 seasons, earning the nickname "The 'Aints."


In 2006, after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, the Saints landed a pair of saviors in head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees.

Both men have made magic throughout their tenure together. The Saints won a division title in their first season together, and three seasons later won their first Super Bowl.

The biggest reason they work so well together is their combined willingness to take risks and an eagerness to pass the ball early and often. Brees has put up five of the 10 best single-season passing yardage performances in NFL history and led the league in passing six of the past 10 seasons.

Since their Super Bowl victory in 2009, the Saints have slowly been regressing and if they don't start to think about long-term success, they risk returning to the days of the 'Aints.

General manager Mickey Loomis has been in a salary cap mess nearly every offseason since winning the big game. That's rather expected though; it's only natural that players feel they deserve to be paid more once they've contributed to a championship team.

The issue that the Saints have found is now that they've tasted the sweet victory of the Vince Lombardi trophy, they want more.

Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints | theScore.com

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Blah, blah, blah. With the changes finally being made in the higher ups, we aren't even the Saints of two years ago. Historical stats in football is pretty much crap.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

So building a young nucleus of players is a bad thing?

I'm pretty sure we had the most rookies on our team last season, 25 out of 53 players were rookies. If they develop as they should and we look at life after Brees, there's no reason we can't be successful.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

This narrative is so old and stale. They act like after Brees is gone there will never be a future QB to lead us to the superbowl ever again.

So what is it, get rid of Brees now and suck forever or get rid of Brees later and suck forever. So damn hypocritical

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

That's rather expected though; it's only natural that players feel they deserve to be paid more once they've contributed to a championship team.

Brees and Morestead are the only Superbowl Vet's remaining aren't they?

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Streif too, so 3 are left from 2009

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

The supposed "writer" that penned that story is an idiot.

First of all, the new contract was a given and the franchise tag was simply a placeholder until it was finished. The ordeal with the tag was because the NFLPA wanted to challenge the designation of TE opposed to WR.

Secondly, the trading of Graham had nothing whatsoever to do with the Saints' ability, or inability, to pay him. The Saints had approached Seattle about trading for center Max Unger and offered up Kenny Stills as part of the deal. The Seahawks countered with Graham and ponied up a 1st rounder in addition. The transaction actually INCREASED the cap hit because Unger was due more than Graham that coming season.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

And below ideal return? A starting Center, one of the most important positions on the offense, and a first round pick that was turned into a starting LB. I'd say that is a pretty good haul for a TE.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Larry!!!!!

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

I don't understand why so many "writers" say trading Graham was a bad idea.

We got rid of someone who made our offense one dimensional on third down, Brees is incredible - but everyone knew he would force it to Graham on third down.

We then beefed up our O line and drafted Stephone Anthony as our future leader at Linebacker.

Graham was a good player but ask yourself, what is the real verdict when 36 year old Ben Watson puts up the same stats as he did - Sean Payton is the answer.

In my opinion, our offense got better without Graham, Brees went back to spreading the ball around and threw roughly 8-10 less picks.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even idiots.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

some of what he said was accurate, but some was short sighted. idt anyone believes we're a player away, but i do think there is the recognition we could be a season or two away from really pushing. if some moves work out for us i can see us pushing for a playoff spot this year. i can also see us 6-10 to 8-8 again.

i think people are going to be surprised by the difference dennis makes.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

That just cracked me up.

Unger has been all that anyone could've wished for and most importantly started all 16 games, which was the big concern regarding him.

Anthony is a star in the making and getting him was part of building for the present and the future... something the author was calling for.

Ridiculous.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

true, and really I don't even really miss JG, just being honest. I felt there were times Drew relied on him too much. If old ass Ben watson can grab 70-80 balls and 900 yards for us JG isn't worth 10 mil for us

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Agreed, I really thought that I'd miss him, but to be honest - I didn't even think about him all that much last season.

I don't know the guy or how he is, and the way he grew up is inspirational, but I never honestly liked him too much as a player. I always thought that he went down too easily after the catch and didn't really fight for the extra yardage as hard as he should have.

I think Fleener has the potential of being a really effective player in this system and with the players around him, he could put up numbers which will put Graham's numbers to shame.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Opinions are like a_ _ holes. Everybody has one.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Besides, Graham only had two more touchdowns than Unger last year...

Not sure if the writer is paid by the word or the number of comments.
What a great job to have though- just write inflammatory comments and piss everybody off. Kinda like the 'villains' in pro wrestling. About as authentic too

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

It's that article, it's offseason, it's like......

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Someone is bored.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

I didn't miss JG last year either, then again I felt the Saints had "won" that trade with Seattle because this system is TE friendly and they got Unger

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

No kidding captain obvious, after winning the trophy, who doesn't want more?

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

IMO...anyone who uses the word "Aints" is not a fan. You wanna use that word, go be a Falcons fan.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

^^^^^True
Hated that time, hated the paper bags, hate that word

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Agree, I think anytime you see the word "Aints'" it shows a blog or piece is definitely written by a fan.... of some other team, mainly crAplanta. So take it for what it's worth.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

We don't have a Von Miller, the NFL is about playmakers nowadays until otherwise. No team like us has gone to a sb in recent memory. The reason is because of the NFC West division winners having a first round bye and crippling team's chances. GB and NO have been victims of this the last seven seasons.

But again these experts believe that if there is no Von Miller or Luke, OBD will burn anyone, and keep a average qb on par with our offense. And we didn't do ourselves any favors losing games we knew we could win last year.

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

I am proud to say I was an aint and not only wore the bag of shame but solid them out front of the stadium to all that forgot to bring theirs for 2 dollars.

It proves that no matter what, I will always stand by my team through thick or thin and to the bitter end. Not once have I walked out of a game or booed them.

I teach my children that people that boo are not a true fans. They are the type of people you do not want in your corner covering your back. That to me is a biggest disgrace coming from the stands.

I would bag it all over again at ever single game if needed and pray for a win

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

I used to feel the same way, but I've begun to kind of lean the other direction lately. I mean, the way professional sports are run nowadays - it's a PRODUCT that is created and distributed to the masses. And just like any other product, if the consumer isn't getting what he or she paid for they should have the right to voice their dissatisfaction about the bum deal they are receiving.

Naturally, I'm not saying that booing your team when they just aren't doing well despite giving it their all is the right thing to do, but when you can clearly see the team and players giving up and not trying their best - you certainly have the right to be pissed and voice it out if that is what feels right.

I don't think that makes someone a bad fan and it certainly doesn't make them a person that can't be trusted. If anything, you could view that as someone standing up for their rights and not taking it up the a$$ willingly.

Again, that's just another way of looking at it and I certainly didn't mean this in reference to the "Aints" years since that was long before my own fandom, so I really wouldn't know what I was taking about.

:bng:

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Impulsive?
1. acting or done without forethought.

dumass blogger

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

So a "true" Cleveland Brown fan didn't boo? No! The "True" fan simply cheered 'Tim, Tim he's our man! If he can't do it, nobody can!!!! Yayyyyyyyy. A few years later the "True" fan once again cheered, Brady, Brady he's our man! If he can't do it nobody can!! Yay! Then once again the "True" fan cheered "Brandon Brandon he's our man! If he can't do it nobody can! Yay. Yet again the "True" fan cheered "Johnny, Johnny he's our man. If he can't do it, nobody can" Ya! The moral? "You may be a True fan, but you'll feel it tomorrow and for many tomorrow's to come!"

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

His theory is bull ****! It was a bull **** article.

I've set through a lot of games with people beside me who were wearing bags. I would never disrespect my team that way.

I actually had a lady at the grocery store offer me a paper bag when she saw my Saints gear. I had to laugh out loud. :razz:

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

The defense has made us irrelavant it's true. I think they'll get it fixed. All the D has to be is top 15 and we are champs again. Any true Saints fan like me think the moves we've made like Breaux, Lautinitis(who will help) and Rankins among others will give us a title this year. PERIOD! WHO DAT!

Re: Saints' impulsive moves risk them returning to being the 'Aints
 

Can we let this thread die already?