I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST

GumboBC · 04-19-2005, 06:17 PM

I don't think I can ever recall a time when I've seen more bitter Saints' fans than what I do today. Not even back when the the Saints were 3-13 or whatever their worst season(s) were.

I can understand it to a certain extent. But I just won't let myself be swayed by other fan's pessimisim.

When I look at the 2005 Saints, I see a team that COULD possibly be one of the most talented teams in the NFC.

At receiver we've got Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth, and Devery Henderson. Possibly the fastest WR corp in the NFL!

At RB we've got Deuce McAllister. A top five RB when healthy.

At QB we've got Aaron Brooks ... who is much better than what he is given credit for. And, say what you want, but Brooks' has been placed in a bad situation for the past few years.

Now, the offesive line is a concern ... but Mayberry will help. And Le Charles should be better at "center" this year.

This offense has all the components to be a dynamic and explosive unit. And they've PROVED in the past they can score as many points as anyone.

NOW FOR THE DEFENSE!!

The good news first!!!!!!!!!

The secondary is no longer a concern.

About middle-ways through last season we singed CB Mike McKenzie. Someone we desperately needed.

And Fakir Brown proved to be a solid #2 CB.

Add free-agent Dwight Smith at FS and now our secondary is set!!

Now ... for the bad news!!!

We need ONE LB. And in a very BIG way. While I'm not in love with Courtney Watson ... I do believe he's a solid, if not spectacular LB. And I believe he will excel at WLB. But I think he'll do okay at MLB.

And I think Bockwoldt is going to silence all of his critics this year.

We need Sullivan to step his game up or we need to solidify the DT with someone else.

To wrap this up:

This team is closer to having a complete team than at any other time in Saints' history. That includes the Jim Mora coached teams. And that includes the 2000 team that won the playoff game.

There are some fans who aren't going to believe this and won't believe ANYTHING until they see it with their own eyes. And that's fine.

Nothing is a given in the NFL. This Saints team could finish anywhere from 5-11 to 12-4, IMHO.

But ... with a little luck on draft day and a little luck during the season ... this could very well be the year!!!

Keep the faith!!

[Edited on 19/4/2005 by GumboBC]

saintswhodi · 04-19-2005, 06:20 PM

Oh brother. So 13-3 right? :icon_eyesroll:

mutineer10 · 04-19-2005, 06:29 PM

This offense has all the components to be a dynamic and explosive unit. And they\'ve PROVED in the past they can score as many points as anyone.

Except for all the teams that BEAT us...

Danno · 04-19-2005, 06:30 PM

There is not one single item you listed that I realistically disagree with.

But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type.

Danno · 04-19-2005, 06:32 PM

There is not one single item you listed that I realistically disagree with.

But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type.

Oops, I see a couple have already beat me to the punch.
Never underestimate a pessimist\'s trigger finger.

mutineer10 · 04-19-2005, 06:36 PM

But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type.

Oops, I see a couple have already beat me to the punch.
Never underestimate a pessimist\'s trigger finger.

LOL! So my objection to \"the offense has proven they can score as many points as anyone\" was \"feeble?\"

:P

[Edited on 19/4/2005 by mutineer10]

Danno · 04-19-2005, 06:44 PM

But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type.

Oops, I see a couple have already beat me to the punch.
Never underestimate a pessimist\'s trigger finger.

LOL! So my objection to \"the offense has proven they can score as many points as anyone\" was \"feeble?\"

:P

[Edited on 19/4/2005 by mutineer10]

No actually that was quite clever. A lil on the smart-arse side but really quite clever.

GumboBC · 04-19-2005, 06:44 PM

I suppose my point is that it\'s impossible to predict if the 2005 Saints are a playoff team or not.

I mean ... as bad as we were in \'04 ... we were as close to making the playoffs as anyone could possibly be. So, if you\'re realistic, then you can\'t possibly say we don\'t have a very good chance.

And that goes for the past 3-years!!!

WE\'VE BEEN AS CLOSE AS ANYONE!!!!

Based on the past ... then ... there\'s just as good a reason to be optimistic.

But, anyone can always choose to be pessimistic.

BUT WHY?

Last season ended on a 4-game winning streak. A streak, by the way, in which the defense FINIALLY showed they can play.

And in the last game we whipped the hottest team in the NFL who was fighting for their playoff life!!

And we beat \'em in their own back yard.

This group of players in New Orleans played like a TEAM.

You gotta believe!!!

Or you can throw in the towel!!

saintswhodi · 04-19-2005, 06:46 PM

So being sarcastic about someone predicting 13-3(which noone did, it was hypothetical based on previous predictions), is pessimistic? Wow. So I guess some do feel we will be 13-3. Pardon me as I go laugh uncontrollably.

Danno · 04-19-2005, 06:56 PM

Let\'s break it down and see if there\'s anything \"UN-REALISTIC\" about Gumbo\'s post.

I don\'t think I can ever recall a time when I\'ve seen more bitter Saints\' fans than what I do today. Not even back when the the Saints were 3-13 or whatever their worst season(s) were.

Agreed

When I look at the 2005 Saints, I see a team that COULD possibly be one of the most talented teams in the NFC.

As many experts will also agree.

At receiver we\'ve got Joe Horn, Donte\' Stallworth, and Devery Henderson. Possibly the fastest WR corp in the NFL!
At RB we\'ve got Deuce McAllister. A top five RB when healthy.

Yep, so far so good.

At QB we\'ve got Aaron Brooks ... who is much better than what he is given credit for. And, say what you want, but Brooks\' has been placed in a bad situation for the past few years.

Debateable, but hardly an unrealistic observation.

Now, the offesive line is a concern ... but Mayberry will help. And Le Charles should be better at \"center\" this year.

Absolutely!

This offense has all the components to be a dynamic and explosive unit. And they\'ve PROVED in the past they can score as many points as anyone.

I\'d say at least they can score as much as MOST teams. Maybe not every team, but most. But I\'m nit-picking.
Hardly an unrealistic observation.

The secondary is no longer a concern.

About middle-ways through last season we singed CB Mike McKenzie. Someone we desperately needed.

And Fakir Brown proved to be a solid #2 CB.

Add free-agent Dwight Smith at FS and now our secondary is set!!

Maybe depth a SS is still an issue but the starters are definitely not the weak link. So far so good.

We need ONE LB. And in a very BIG way. While I\'m not in love with Courtney Watson ... I do believe he\'s a solid, if not spectacular LB. And I believe he will excel at WLB. But I think he\'ll do okay at MLB. And I think Bockwoldt is going to silence all of his critics this year.

Nothing unrealistic there. I guess the one LB would be a James Allen replacement?

We need Sullivan to step his game up or we need to solidify the DT with someone else.

Yep, I agree. Although I think the answer at DT is gonna come from Green/Leisle/Bryant/Draft pick/trade etc...

This team is closer to having a complete team than at any other time in Saints\' history. That includes the Jim Mora coached teams. And that includes the 2000 team that won the playoff game.
There are some fans who aren\'t going to believe this and won\'t believe ANYTHING until they see it with their own eyes. And that\'s fine.
Nothing is a given in the NFL. This Saints team could finish anywhere from 5-11 to 12-4, IMHO.

5-11 is a little unrealistic, barring catostrophic injuries but I\'m nit-picking the main point.

But ... with a little luck on draft day and a little luck during the season ... this could very well be the year!!!

Yep. You are right. The only knock I see on your bad-news analysis is that we still have Venturi coaching this defense. I hope the whispers about him actually being a puppet DC this year are true.

Hard to find anything unrealistic about that post.

04-19-2005, 06:17 PM	#1
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST I don't think I can ever recall a time when I've seen more bitter Saints' fans than what I do today. Not even back when the the Saints were 3-13 or whatever their worst season(s) were. I can understand it to a certain extent. But I just won't let myself be swayed by other fan's pessimisim. When I look at the 2005 Saints, I see a team that COULD possibly be one of the most talented teams in the NFC. At receiver we've got Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth, and Devery Henderson. Possibly the fastest WR corp in the NFL! At RB we've got Deuce McAllister. A top five RB when healthy. At QB we've got Aaron Brooks ... who is much better than what he is given credit for. And, say what you want, but Brooks' has been placed in a bad situation for the past few years. Now, the offesive line is a concern ... but Mayberry will help. And Le Charles should be better at "center" this year. This offense has all the components to be a dynamic and explosive unit. And they've PROVED in the past they can score as many points as anyone. NOW FOR THE DEFENSE!! The good news first!!!!!!!!! The secondary is no longer a concern. About middle-ways through last season we singed CB Mike McKenzie. Someone we desperately needed. And Fakir Brown proved to be a solid #2 CB. Add free-agent Dwight Smith at FS and now our secondary is set!! Now ... for the bad news!!! We need ONE LB. And in a very BIG way. While I'm not in love with Courtney Watson ... I do believe he's a solid, if not spectacular LB. And I believe he will excel at WLB. But I think he'll do okay at MLB. And I think Bockwoldt is going to silence all of his critics this year. We need Sullivan to step his game up or we need to solidify the DT with someone else. To wrap this up: This team is closer to having a complete team than at any other time in Saints' history. That includes the Jim Mora coached teams. And that includes the 2000 team that won the playoff game. There are some fans who aren't going to believe this and won't believe ANYTHING until they see it with their own eyes. And that's fine. Nothing is a given in the NFL. This Saints team could finish anywhere from 5-11 to 12-4, IMHO. But ... with a little luck on draft day and a little luck during the season ... this could very well be the year!!! Keep the faith!! [Edited on 19/4/2005 by GumboBC]
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

04-19-2005, 06:29 PM	#3
mutineer10 Site Donor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,739	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST This offense has all the components to be a dynamic and explosive unit. And they\'ve PROVED in the past they can score as many points as anyone. Except for all the teams that BEAT us...

04-19-2005, 06:30 PM	#4
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST There is not one single item you listed that I realistically disagree with. But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type.

04-19-2005, 06:32 PM	#5
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST There is not one single item you listed that I realistically disagree with. But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type. Oops, I see a couple have already beat me to the punch. Never underestimate a pessimist\'s trigger finger.

04-19-2005, 06:36 PM	#6
mutineer10 Site Donor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,739	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type. Oops, I see a couple have already beat me to the punch. Never underestimate a pessimist\'s trigger finger. LOL! So my objection to \"the offense has proven they can score as many points as anyone\" was \"feeble?\" :P [Edited on 19/4/2005 by mutineer10]

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04-19-2005, 06:20 PM	#2
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST Oh brother. So 13-3 right? :icon_eyesroll:

04-19-2005, 06:44 PM	#7
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST But I\'m sure the pessimists are mounting their feeble attacks as I type. Oops, I see a couple have already beat me to the punch. Never underestimate a pessimist\'s trigger finger. LOL! So my objection to \"the offense has proven they can score as many points as anyone\" was \"feeble?\" :P [Edited on 19/4/2005 by mutineer10] No actually that was quite clever. A lil on the smart-arse side but really quite clever.

04-19-2005, 06:44 PM	#8
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST I suppose my point is that it\'s impossible to predict if the 2005 Saints are a playoff team or not. I mean ... as bad as we were in \'04 ... we were as close to making the playoffs as anyone could possibly be. So, if you\'re realistic, then you can\'t possibly say we don\'t have a very good chance. And that goes for the past 3-years!!! WE\'VE BEEN AS CLOSE AS ANYONE!!!! Based on the past ... then ... there\'s just as good a reason to be optimistic. But, anyone can always choose to be pessimistic. BUT WHY? Last season ended on a 4-game winning streak. A streak, by the way, in which the defense FINIALLY showed they can play. And in the last game we whipped the hottest team in the NFL who was fighting for their playoff life!! And we beat \'em in their own back yard. This group of players in New Orleans played like a TEAM. You gotta believe!!! Or you can throw in the towel!!
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

04-19-2005, 06:46 PM	#9
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST So being sarcastic about someone predicting 13-3(which noone did, it was hypothetical based on previous predictions), is pessimistic? Wow. So I guess some do feel we will be 13-3. Pardon me as I go laugh uncontrollably.

04-19-2005, 06:56 PM	#10
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	I'm an OPTIMISTIC REALIST Let\'s break it down and see if there\'s anything \"UN-REALISTIC\" about Gumbo\'s post. I don\'t think I can ever recall a time when I\'ve seen more bitter Saints\' fans than what I do today. Not even back when the the Saints were 3-13 or whatever their worst season(s) were. Agreed When I look at the 2005 Saints, I see a team that COULD possibly be one of the most talented teams in the NFC. As many experts will also agree. At receiver we\'ve got Joe Horn, Donte\' Stallworth, and Devery Henderson. Possibly the fastest WR corp in the NFL! At RB we\'ve got Deuce McAllister. A top five RB when healthy. Yep, so far so good. At QB we\'ve got Aaron Brooks ... who is much better than what he is given credit for. And, say what you want, but Brooks\' has been placed in a bad situation for the past few years. Debateable, but hardly an unrealistic observation. Now, the offesive line is a concern ... but Mayberry will help. And Le Charles should be better at \"center\" this year. Absolutely! This offense has all the components to be a dynamic and explosive unit. And they\'ve PROVED in the past they can score as many points as anyone. I\'d say at least they can score as much as MOST teams. Maybe not every team, but most. But I\'m nit-picking. Hardly an unrealistic observation. The secondary is no longer a concern. About middle-ways through last season we singed CB Mike McKenzie. Someone we desperately needed. And Fakir Brown proved to be a solid #2 CB. Add free-agent Dwight Smith at FS and now our secondary is set!! Maybe depth a SS is still an issue but the starters are definitely not the weak link. So far so good. We need ONE LB. And in a very BIG way. While I\'m not in love with Courtney Watson ... I do believe he\'s a solid, if not spectacular LB. And I believe he will excel at WLB. But I think he\'ll do okay at MLB. And I think Bockwoldt is going to silence all of his critics this year. Nothing unrealistic there. I guess the one LB would be a James Allen replacement? We need Sullivan to step his game up or we need to solidify the DT with someone else. Yep, I agree. Although I think the answer at DT is gonna come from Green/Leisle/Bryant/Draft pick/trade etc... This team is closer to having a complete team than at any other time in Saints\' history. That includes the Jim Mora coached teams. And that includes the 2000 team that won the playoff game. There are some fans who aren\'t going to believe this and won\'t believe ANYTHING until they see it with their own eyes. And that\'s fine. Nothing is a given in the NFL. This Saints team could finish anywhere from 5-11 to 12-4, IMHO. 5-11 is a little unrealistic, barring catostrophic injuries but I\'m nit-picking the main point. But ... with a little luck on draft day and a little luck during the season ... this could very well be the year!!! Yep. You are right. The only knock I see on your bad-news analysis is that we still have Venturi coaching this defense. I hope the whispers about him actually being a puppet DC this year are true. Hard to find anything unrealistic about that post.