'Saint' It Ain't So!
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by user Justin Yost
Admittedly, I haven’t been around AGM in quite a while, and since I finally have the time again, I figured I’d make my glorious return with an article that will stir the pot a little. Since my return (about a week ago), I’ve noticed quite a few changes and lots of growth and would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to not just the administrators, but the community as a whole. Without further Adieu…
As a loyal Philadelphia Eagles fan, this might sound a little egotistical, but who do the New Orleans Saints think they are? Are they the best team in the NFC? Have they been anointed as everyone’s second favorite team, and do they have the support of every true-blooded American? Probably not, especially if you’re an Eagles fan, or even a Seattle Seahawks or Chicago Bears fan. I’ve had enough of this “America’s New Team” business and I’ve heard enough about the glorified Brian Westbrook err Reggie Bush. I’ve listened to how apparently vicious the Superdome can be when its crowded (in the Saints history, has it ever been “crowded?”) or how pumped up the fans will be, but honestly, I still don’t believe it. This team went 4-4 at home…4-4!
Look, I’m not here to rip New Orleans (great party town for one) as a city or to discredit the devastation that was Hurricane Katrina, but lets be honest, this whole America rooting for the Saints thing is more about feeling bad for the city than actually realizing, the Saints are pretty much a mediocre team (actually, isn’t every team in the NFC?). I’m also not saying that that they’re all that bad, and the turnaround for this team was certainly well done and a bit unexpected. My bottom line is, if you’re rooting for the Saints because you feel bad, why don’t you just cut a check to the Red Cross, it’ll mean more.
Listen, just because this team in New Orleans doesn’t mean they get bonus points, not in the NFL at least. Sure you saw Reggie Bush helping out the community and all the hard work Drew Brees put in (he also moved into the city, atypical in the NFL these days), but I ask you, what real NFL stars don’t do this. What NFL stars don’t donate to charity or help the community, especially when it’s in need. Honestly, these guys deserve the spotlight as much as any of their faithful counterparts for their help. I’m not discrediting their work, and I feel like these gracious NFL players did the right and honorable thing, but many many NFL players do this and they don’t get the same recognition. God has blessed them and they certainly should reach out, but its unfair that other NFLers, for their service both to their communities (via their team or their home) and to New Orleans.
Here are my beefs:
Sean Payton, Coach of the Year
Admittedly, 10-6 is a pretty good year, especially when it captures you the second seed, and a bye, but when you look at the Saints season, it doesn’t really look all that great. Did Sean Payton do a good job in fixing this team, especially via the draft with a little luck (Bush, more on him later), some skill (Marques Colston and Roman Harper to some extent). He also brought in a few fine players (Scott Fujita, Terrence Copper and of course Drew Brees, but he practically fell in Payton’s lap) to begin the process, but I don’t think anyone expected results this quickly from a team that was only beginning to mold. Still Payton has yet to sure up the defense that has managed to be ranked 11th overall, but is 23rd against the run. Worse yet, the Saints faced a tough schedule with no team in their division being above .500 (combined 19-29 record, .396 winning percentage) and while their schedule featured 9 teams at .500 or better, they are only 4-5 against those teams with 6 of them being at .500 (the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, twice, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and the New York Giants). Overall, the Saints Strength of Schedule was .461, not very difficult. To that extent, I do believe that Payton is a good coach (and a Philly guy) and he probably did deserve Coach of the Year honors (I'm a big Eric Mangini supporter this year), but certainly not for overcoming the problems in New Orleans the city as much as the Saints themselves.
Drew Brees, MVP
Drew Brees did not have an MVP year, repeat, he’s not the MVP. The stars practically aligned for him and I still do not think he deserved it, consideration yet, the award, no. Peyton Manning lead the league in rating and Touchdowns, and even had an off year (well, as off as he can get in the regular season), and David Carr lead the league in completion percentage (David freakin’ Carr!). To his credit, Brees did lead the league in yards and was up there in touchdowns which certainly places him in the running, but Manning was only 21 yards behind him at season end and Mark Bulger was only 117 behind. Manning got the TD crown and almost beat him in yards, yet Peyton only got 2 votes (half that of Brees). Did Drew have a good year, yes, did he significantly improve his team, yes, is he the most valuable player in the league, save Tomlinson, no.
Reggie Bush Hall of Famer
Perhaps the most overblown and then underblown player to come out of the draft this year, Reggie Bush was clearly the perfect, shifty, small back, teams like to have. Hyped as the best running back ever to come out of college, Bush seemed like the sure thing type of guy, but really all he is a glorified Brian Westbrook. Bush proved to be an excellent pass catcher, catching a league high 88 for 742 yards and 6 touchdowns, and a threat in on special teams (1 TD), but his running was suspect (155 attempts, 565 yards and 2 TDs). Bush played well, but he only had three games worth of noting (a 4 TD, 131 receiving against the San Francisco 49ers, a 1 TD 125 receiving against the Dallas Cowboys and a 1 TD, 126 yards rushing game against the New York Giants, his only 100 yard rushing game of the season). Now Bush gets typically TV time (much less than his USC and draft days), but this time, he’s reaping what he’s sowed. Knowing what you know now, did he warrant the 2nd (or for that matter 1st) pick in the draft?
The tragedy in New Orleans a year and a half ago certainly is terrible, and I do feel bad for the city and think its terrific that they can get behind this team, but to give kudos to a professional football team because of the tragedy is a crime against all other teams that work just as hard for themselves and their community. Are the Saints truly a Super Bowl team, could they hang with Chicago, and then San Diego, New England, Baltimore or Indianapolis. For that matter, can they beat the Eagles? Its hard to say, but believe me, when the Eagles come down on Saturday night, the Saints won’t win the game because of heart and determination and against all odds, they’ll win it because they are a better football team.
