i dont understand then why did we dominate in 2009, did we run complex blocking schemes that preseason? Why was Pittsburgh doing so well, were they running complex schemes too? So in 09 we dominated in preseason and ended up 13-3 and winning the super bowl and SP thought to himself don't do that anymore, instead look like **** in preseason so you can trick everyone?

I think there are at least 5 in the NFC and 5 in the AFC maybe more. Our O isn't the quick strike O of old anymore and might never be again with the teams building solid defenses and our defense has never been a solid consistant unit year after year. We may be able to beat lesser teams this season but I can't see us beating contenders unless they beat themselves with mistakes. Those close games last season might not be so close this season.

That 2009 offensive line WAS better than our current line. Way better.

That doesn't mean our current line sucks. It is NFL average most likely. With Brees under center he can still turn that into 40 TD's and 5000 yards, especially if the defense isn't performing at a historically poor level.

forget about 2006, the year that Payton is comparing to this year by wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch. The Saints sucked in preseason and still went out and went the same 13-3 and made it to the conference championship game.

As for Pittsburgh, once again you can't tell anything about preseason. They may or may not have been running regular season blocking schemes at times. Preseason isn't about winning at all. It is about evaluating players even if it means putting them in situations doomed to fail to see how they respond.

That's an opinion that I cannot be certain is true. Possible, sure, but I do not know that right now and neither do you. This team looked, offensively, as bad as I have ever seen under SP.

No we went 10-6 in 2006, and to be honest I don't even remember the preseason that year, but I remember (I think) we played Cleveland to start the season and came away with a win and the team seemed to get better as the year went on. We had some scrappy players, so it is possible if we can win and build confidence, but right now I see nothing about this team that leads me to be optimistic. I hope we steal a win or two to start the year and build that momentum, that may be more important than anything.
I do think we are building a good team and are a few key pieces away.

You're right, my bad. But we do agree, and you make my point, we "do not know that right now" and will only know for sure when regular season is underway. And I repeat, we haven't even seen the offense on the field yet, at all. Bits and pieces, yes, but not all of the key players. Of course we are going to suck with Cook, Snead and/or Thomas on the sideline. Of course we'll look bad with Greyson or McCown taking all of the snaps. Of course we'll look bad with Murphy or Cadet running the ball up the gut on first or second down. None of that will be the case once the season starts for earnest.

How do you know our offense isn't quick strike? You haven't even seen it yet. It hasn't been on the field yet. Bits and pieces running vanilla plays, yes, but not the regular season offense.

Guido, running vanilla plays are usually getting the team to work out some kinks, they have in no way shape or form worked out those kinks and watching that O-line get manhandled more plays than not has put an exclamation point on it for me. It amazes me how you don't see this. I love my Saints good or bad but this team needs more help than what they have now on the O-line. Buy into it if you want but I have a hard time seeing a good O let alone a quick strike O. Their not close to passing the eyeball test out on the field. I might ask you the same question a few games from now?

Nothing is "Guaranteed" especially when dealing with the Skinz