GumboBC

This is probably the worst time of year if you're a football fan. Free-agency is over and done with. The draft just wrapped up. And now it's a long time till training camp starts. Baseball anyone? Not for me. Not till the playoffs, anyway!!

One thing that really helps me get through the offseason is the forum at B&G. Kinda helps pass the time.

One thing about B&G is that I'm much more informed about the upcoming season. Would anyone know about the 2 read/dumpoff/run system if not for this forum? Would anyone know as much about the team if not for this forum?

Also, we get to debate our "opinions" on every topic you could ever think of.

Over the past few years, it has become quite apparent that there are the "popular" opinions and the "unpopular" opinions.

Most of the unpopular opinions involve a few select players and coaches on the Saints:

1. Aaron Brooks
2. Jonathan Sullivan
3. Jim Haslett
4. Rick Venturi

The "popular" opinon is that all 4 of those guys should be fired or cut. Or something along those lines. The "unpopular" opinion is that someone still believes in some of these guys.

It's pretty evident, to me, that some fans have VERY negative feelings about Brooks, Sullivan, Haslett, and Venturi. In other words, some people think Sullivan, Haslett, Brooks, and Venturi should be fired. End of story!!

And some folks don't see it as clear-cut as others.

If not for Brooks, Haslett, Sullivan and Venturi, most everyone would be in agreement on 99% of the other issues involving the Saints. How boring would that be?

So, lets deabte when we disagree. There's always some new news concerning Brooks, Haslett, Sullivan, and Venturi. Always a new debate around the corner.

It wasn't that long ago when I was in the "upopular" opinion concerning Donte' Stallworth. I can remember when Donte' missed the better part of 2 seasons and was getting slammed for dropping passes. Some folks even went so far to suggest we get rid of Donte. Maybe the "majority" wasn't screaming for Donte's head, but there were loud rumblings.

I'm going to be in the "unpopular" opinion if I don't agree with some of you guys. That's the way it's always been. And that's the way it's always going to be if I don't agree.

I don't disrespect anyone's opinion. I just don't agree with many of the "popular" opinions. Which puts me in the minority. Which puts me at odds with the masses here at B&G.

I try and argue "points" which are made. And I agrue them strongly. But I try to be respectful. Maybe I get off base from time to time.

The only other thing that is a very hot topic here at B&G is: Optimisim vs. Pessimism. We don't want to got there. LMAO!!

Good Day .......... folks.











[Edited on 30/4/2005 by GumboBC]

FireVenturi

1) brooks can stay.....for now
2)Sullivan should be cut(even though gravy will pour out)
3)Haslett can stay....for now
4)Venturi.....to the board room.....YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!

turbo_dog

I don\'t think these opinions are \"popular\" or \"unpopular.\" I just think some people believe some things and other people believe other things. You don\'t have to make it sound like this is some high school cafeteria with the \"popular\" kids vs. the \"unpopular\" ones.

GumboBC

I\'m not trying to make it sound like anything. Other than the way I see it.

I think most would agree that there are the popular (majority) opinion and the unpopular (minority) opinions involving the players and coaches I listed. All of those guys are on the \"hot\" seat to get the Saints over the hump. And there are some very strong feelings about them.

That\'s all I\'m saying.

no_cloning

I don\'t believe it is as clear cut as that. The majority of members would probably rather agree with FireVenturi than with your perceived \"popular\" opinion to get rid of all four.

I can think of quite a few other topics we can\'t agree on:
* Which position do the Saints need to go after more than anything else: OT, DT, LB? (at start of free agency)
* Howard\'s trade value
* Is it okay to hope for the Saints to lose out so we finally have a regime change? (after 4-5 games, usually fuelled by a comment from WhoDat)
Those discussions naturally aren\'t that emotional as the \"Brooks sucks\" etc. discussions.

You make it sound like you\'re the Colin Powell of B&G. The only voice of reason being attacked from all sides. It really isn\'t that bad.
Even when you open a new topic for discussion and reactions are 90% negative, it doesn\'t necessarily mean 90% of the members disagree with you. I often only feel the need to respond if the poster is obviously out of touch with reality. And yeah, I mostly try to stear clear of the Brooks discussions.

To you too.

GumboBC

Okay, I think some are thinking along these same lines. But, that\'s not how I intended my post.

I don\'t think I get attacked. No more so than other folks here. Nor do I think I am the voice of reason.

All I\'m saying is that there are some hot topics. Let\'s disagree on them but be respectful. It\'s a looooooong offseason. With not much new news being reported, things could get a little tense.

jnormand

I don\'t think the popular opinion is for all for to be cut/fired. I think the majority of fans here at B&G want to see Venturi fired or at least re-assigned.

As far as Sully goes, I think everyone believes he is worthless. I still hope to see him come out and do a good job, however, I do not feel he will.

Haz has had is ups and downs. I think he is a good coach sometimes. He is alot like AB, sometimes he great, sometimes hes average, and sometimes you don\'t know what the hell he was thinking. I think Haz will be a good coach some day. Whether or not it will happen in NO, I don\'t know. If he goes into this season and starts kickin some of these guys in the butts, we may see a different outcome than the previous seasons.

I still believe in Haz, though he has lost some of my confidence in him.

As far as Brooks goes, I go into this season hoping he will stabilize and stop playing so inconsistant. I have pretty much thrown out the possibility of him being a true leader, but I still think he can put up some good numbers if he can limit his mistakes.

saintswhodi

I\'m fine at this point of the offseason cause my Spurs are in the playoffs. That should last until the title in June, at which point there should be more word out of Saints camp on some of these players, and at which point we will be beyond June 1st cuts, which is the next big date on the calendar. I think the break is needed after the draft.