LKelley67

I count this as one of the most insightful threads for me to understand some perspectives different than mine.

My viewpoint is akin to TheDeuce. Billy\'s approach many times seems like blind faith or mindless optimism to me. The flip flopping views and endless cheerleading I do not relate to. I mean no offense or slam, just my perception. Maybe I can understand a bit more now after this thread though. Another 8-8 and no change IS preferable to some people over 4-12 with change. It is difficult for me to fathom but I am begining to see that take even if very different than my own. Cheer the team on, support the staff and ownership... no matter what. Hey, they were 15 teams worse than us last year. And if 5-11, there are still teams worse than us. 8-8 again and change regime, then we might end up worse. So how could one hope for change?

I\'ll take the risk of change anyday over finding satisfaction in mediocrity. Am I quoting Lombardi correctly here?... \"Winning isn\'t the most important thing, it is the only thing.\" My take is a winning organization. Winning beyond the scoreboard. Get that right and the wins on the field will come. Those wins are the ultimate judgement eventually though. I won\'t be happy or satisfied until the Saints hold the Lombardi Trophy. Then it will all start over from scratch the next year. I could care less about the record unless it translates to a championship. 9-7, eeking into the playoffs, and being eliminated quickly will do as little for me as another 8-8 2nd place finish. Then also, 5-11 would bother me none if I had confidence that a winning organization was in place and operating. The Titans come to mind. Do I have one question about Jeff Fisher\'s ability because they were 5-11? Not at all. That is from proven quality. Yes, winning consistently but a quality beyond that too. I believe the wins come from that characteristic,not the characteristics come from the wins.
Therein is the trouble with the current Saints. I do not see that essence. I see flashes of brilliance along with pathetic embarrassments. I see enough pure athletic and/or football talent that sustained quality of performance should be expected. To date however that has not happened. The fruit of this erratic team under Haslett is 42-38. After five years an identity is established. National press identifies this team as underachievers. As pointed out, Berman used the word goofy just this past Saturday. The focal point of this past season was the unconscionable backwards pass to a lineman. And rightly so! It typlified the frequent disarray of the team.

I am reminded of going to Yankee Stadium. It is an intense experience! The fans are emotionally charged, vociferous to both opponents and their own. They (like many here) have a lot invested in their team- time, money, family, emotion. Many cheer with every fiber of their being. Likewise they experience the anguish of game losing errors. They voice their anguish. Not even Derek Jeter can blow a game and not incur the wrath of the fans. It isn\'t about not liking him. It is about winning. Never accepting anything less than maximum performance to reach that.

Forgive my soapboxing, I\'m just trying to bridge some of the many differences in how different fans support this team.