After Brees returned to the staring lineup we lost FOUR of our eleven defensive starters. That's over 36% of our starting defensive lineup. Kiko Alonzo, Anzalone, Rankins and Davenport. That wasn't on Brees.

And I suppose you're going to conveniently ignore what I said about the offense needing a couple weeks to find it's bearings after Drew went down?

Sean wouldn't even allow Teddy to attempt anything beyond 15 yards. He was scared to let him play, because he hadn't started a meaningful game in three years. Once the training wheels started to come off, the offense was efficient, and so was he. Was he a star? No. I'm not in favor of him as the heir apparent, as I think his ceiling is limited, but his floor is good enough that we don't really take a step back from Drew, at THIS stage of his career.

That's why I'd look to draft a QB now, and let him sit behind Brees for what will likely be his last year.

Anzalone was already done by week two. Did the injuries on defense effect the Saints offense against the Falcons? Did it effect them against the Vikings?

No one's saying Drew lost those games by himself. The point is that he didn't elevate the play of the team upon his return. The offense, as a whole, was not more efficient.

And what were those three games after the "training wheels" came off? Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Chicago. Three subpar teams. Woohoo!

Bridgewater is definitely a step back from Brees at this point in both of their careers. If you couldn't see that from their play on the field you weren't watching closely.

Jacksonville and Chicago had solid defenses. And Bridgewater improved dramatically over a very short period of time. But hey, at least we had Brees doing nothing against those Vikings when we needed him the most. All hail Brees.

I did watch closely. It's how I noticed the difference in Bridgewater's play when he was finally allowed some freedom. It's how I noticed that a funny thing happened when the team played well AS a team. They won. Imagine that!

This team hasn't sniffed a Super Bowl since 2009, but every year, without fail, you insist Brees is the way back. It takes more than one man, and that one man has not been exceptional when his team has needed him most, in recent years.

The fact that half the offensive line, as well as others, were struggling with effects from the flu versus the Falcons affected the offensive outcome more than anything. Or did you completely forget about that fact? Brees was sacked five times in less than four seconds in that game.

Armstead had the flu. not the entire offensive line. The Falcons defense was atrocious. The Saints came into that game thinking they would just air it out all game, and it would be easy. But the Falcons decided to come after Brees with everything they had, and Payton made no adjustment.

That was not the style of play that led the team to success in Brees' absence. You're hung up on defending Brees, and neglecting to remember that it's that my point from to beginning of this conversation was how well the formula was working on offense when Brees was out. Bridgewater and Brees can both be game managers and win games. But with Brees, Payton thinks he can still go all air-raid. But that doesn't work well anymore. He can't get the ball out there. And he isn't going to get any better.

Those are the facts. You can either sit and wait till his arm falls off, are you can do something about the future now, while Drew is still capable of keeping the team reasonably afloat.

Bridgewater was LESS than exceptional. Who do you propose would be more than "exeptional" post Brees? I know. ANYONE but Brees. That is obvious.

This team hasn't sniffed a Super Bowl since 2009, but every year, without fail, you insist Brees is the way back. It takes more than one man, and that one man has not been exceptional when his team has needed him most, in recent years.