Congrats Saints, Good Luck Next Year (You'll Need It)
by The Real Me on Feb 8, 2010 11:35 PM EST
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PrintAs badly as I wanted to feel like crap over this loss, I can't. The Saints were a good story (although it definitely got old having to hear about it), and they played a better game than us. I would have given a lot to win that game, but we didn't, and now it's in the past.
The last time we had a loss this devastating was in 2005 when we started 13-0 and lost a heartbreaker to the Steelers in the divisional playoffs. I remember thinking to myself then, as I am now, that all this is going to do is give Peyton and the boys EXTRA motivation to win next year. What happened the next year? We won it all. Does this mean we are guaranteed victory next year? Absolutely not. But it does guarantee a few things.
1. Peyton and his receivers will never be a tighter knit group of individuals than they will be next year. Whether Gonzalez returns to his #2 spot or not, whether Collie and Garcon take cuts in playing time or not, they run tighter routes than they ever have, and they will always be on the same page. Peyton will make sure of this in the offseason.
2. The holes will be filled. In '06 we drafted Addai, Jennings, Charlie Johnson, Bethea, and Freddie Keiaho. That is 5 impact players (despite Jennings performance in the Super Bowl) in one draft. It is very hard to find a draft that turned out better than that one in terms of overall effectiveness. The defense will get deeper.
3. Bob Sanders will be on the hot seat. I love him as much as the next guy, but Bullitt stepped in well this year, and Bobby is not worth big bucks if he's gonna stay hurt every year. Look for him to pull through and have a great year.
4. The offensive line will not be fazed by the loss of Howard Mudd. A lot has been made of this for some reason, but the fact is that he is just an offensive line coach. It seems a head coaching change didn't hurt them too badly. The line is veteran enough to block for Peyton without needing a top flight position coach riding their every move, although the run blocking has to step up. We saw Addai run well in the first half Sunday. Lets hope those holes stay open into next year.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.
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I'm gonna lay the loss upon your defense.
The Colts (sans Freeney) play with the idea their offense will outscore what their defense gives up. The hope is that you guys get out into an early lead and force the other team to throw the ball. Then you have Freeney and Mathis rushing the QB as the other team needs to throw the ball to catch up. The other team will make mistakes and bad throws and your defense holds. (Yes, I know all about that. That’s what our 2007 Pats did for the rest of the season after the close games to the Eagles and Ravens- just pray that we outscore the opposition).
Your offense needs to become less one dimensional. Your defense, while speedy, needs to bulk up. You always have two-three huge injuries over the season that cause your demise. While they can’t always be helped, getting size would help.
No, its on the offense.
They failed to reach twenty (which you just can’t do against the Saints); and they gave the Saints 6. This one is squarely on the O.
Plenty of blame to go around
Holding the best team in the NFL to 24 points isn’t too bad an effort, all things considered.
We played OK all around, they just played better.
by eltharion_doa on Feb 9, 2010 8:52 AM EST up reply actions
On the Saints side
I thought I heard that a majority of their roster’s contracts are up before next season.
See Ball, Get Ball. Quarterback Has Ball, Sack Him.
by 7_Painter's_First_Fan on Feb 9, 2010 12:55 AM EST reply actions
Yeah the Saints do have a lot of resignings to do
But most of the star players are locked in. Brees will be getting a new contract soon, so that will cost a good bit. The only big signings I can think of on defense are Sharper and Fujita. Sharper is in for a big pay raise.
Jammal Brown will be the big decision on offense. He spent the year on IR while Jermon Bushrod was actually pretty good when he has help, so I don’t know if we will pay for a former pro bowl left tackle coming off an injury when Bushrod is good enough to win with at a much cheaper price.
So while the Saints do have a lot of roster decisions to make, most of the starters will stay right where they are.
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
The Saints won't be back
That team is full of huge egos and everyone of them will want huge pay raise to go with wininng. Expect lots of hold outs, free agent defections, etc. In addition, there will be a bullseye on them and especially their QB every single game next year. There will be plenty of teams looking for payback and a tougher schedule as well. I doubt if they will even make the playoffs.
That seems a little extreme.
I can’t imagine the Saints not at least making the playoffs next year considering who else is in their division. They’ll get all of their stars back and if I’m not mistaken most of their lower priced role players are set to return as well. It looks like their roster is built for the long haul (much like ours). And then once they get into the playoffs who is going to take them out? Maybe Green Bay, the Cowboys, or the Eagles. The Vikes could also be in the mix if they either hold onto Farve or find another servicable QB. I expect the Saints to make another deep playoff run. Although if they make it to the SB again I think they’ll get beat by the AFC champion (God, let it be the Colts). The NFC hasn’t been able to win it 2 years in a row in what seems like forever.
"It's an easy game, man. Easy game."
~Edgerrin James
by 87 Rides A Surfboard on Feb 9, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Wow ! Great and correct assessment of the Saints prospects for next year.
I’m sure we will be seeing your Colts next year. This was a hell of a win for my Saints. That is only posible when you play a hell of a team. Which the Colts are. Later
by saints-fan-in-miss on Feb 9, 2010 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
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