Sunday, October 7, 2012

Paper Bag Paranoid


The season is off to a very slow start for Drew Brees and the New Orlean's Saints. With a quarter of the season already in the books the New Orleans franchise hasn't managed to get a tick in the win column this season. Even-though this years roster is loaded with a talented offense a bend but don't break defense that has been the signature of past Saint's teams. A defense that fails to make the big play in the closing moments of games to secure the victory. 

Although this years defense especially in the secondary is far below average in this league; some of the credit has to be given to the guys in stripes. The replacement officials flag anything similar to penalty when the Saints are the culprit while seemingly turning a blind eye to obvious calls that could possibly secure a win for the Saints. The original league officials where no help to us this week in Lambeau either. Hartley was forced to re-kick a field goal that would have given the New Orleans club their first win of this young season. The phantom holding call that forced a more difficult field goal attempt, proved to be the nail in the coffin, hammered into place at the  hands of the lead umpire. I know a win for the Saints would have ended in a riot. Like I mentioned before there's a budding rivalry between the two NFC ball clubs.

I know that I'm biased and being a local WhoDat put me on the loosing end of those calls. For once I would like to be counted in the number of fans who know the game, deserve a fair shot at the win no matter who the opposition is. Ive been in love with the sport since childhood and my lifelong passion for the Saints has been the source of many headaches over the years. The fans of Green Bay know that a budding rivalry is in the making  having hosted Bree's twice and sending him back south with the loss. Both games where decided by field goals.

The WhoDat nation has fostered a great passion for the team following hurricane Katrina and their surprising  return to the Mercedes Benz Super Dome. The championship they brought to this city is a shining beacon of light in a city that's being rocked by an uncontrollable murders rate. Football in the Dome is a fun way to take your minds of the troubles of the work week and the frustrations of everyday life. The Saints fan have put up with so many bad years that I feel as if they should be just as good as they where bad for all of those year. Thanks to the bounty scandal and subsequent suspension of the head coach for the season I'm reminded of a time when brown paper bags where the headgear of choice for die hard Saints fans. 

Great front office and great on the field coaching and play had the team I knew last season breaking records. Many of the names are the same and the addition of Lofton at linebacker has filled the hole left by suspended all pro Jonathan Vilma. The recently acquired defender flows to the ball a lot like Vilma. His ability to diagnose the play is only trumped by his ability to finish the tackle. Being in the right place doesn't count for much when the ball carrier gets three yards after contact. Lofton is a great example of how a great front office move can translate to ticks in the win column. The free agent was signed after the Saints brass noticed his excellent play for our rival Falcons. Getting a player of this caliber from a rival is always a good move. Know your enemy!

The vacant parking spot of head coach Sean Payton is the biggest contributor to our losses. The head coach engineered countless come from behind victories and huge blow outs is facing a season long ban for the bounty scandal. It's seem to me as if Godell has handed down a death sentence to the 2012-13 Saints. No chance we lose three in a row with SP at the controls. Payton created an atmosphere of excellence that will be missed during this season. Although he will be allowed to watch the game this Sunday as a spectator as Drew Bree's attempted to break the record for games with a passing touchdown. I will gladly welcome Payton back to the dome and wish Drew huge congratulations on the success. 

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