Saints Fans Should Dial Down the Hype Of OTA's

The hype surrounding organized team activities is easy to get caught up in especially when your team has had a down year like the New Orleans Saints.

The guessing game surrounding what will happen, who will be the next playmaker on offense or defense, and how the pieces will all fit can drive fans into a frenzy of expectations.

You can admit it’s positive to hear that first round pick linebacker Stephone Anthony had an interception a few weeks ago when the media was allowed to access the first time to OTA’s.

Reports of much maligned cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste looking more comfortable and being able to flip his hips and run alongside wide receivers was another standout.

Wide receivers Brandon Coleman and Seantavius Jones have been crowned as the front runners so far in the wide receiver battle which still is an area of concern.

Jun 10, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman (16) during minicamp at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

But all these reports come from observations, or more realistically, one small slice of the pie that the media is allowed to view.

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Yes, years ago I was guilty of getting caught up in the hype of OTA’s and the flash reports that followed media sessions with the team.

The truth of the matter is that none of us outside of the Saints staff will truly know how things will factor out until the season starts.

Anyone who has seen the many pictures and videos from OTA’s can see it’s strictly helmets and shorts with no live tackling.

You may call me a Debbie Downer but usually when I see the after action reports on these sessions I give it a once over and then move on.

I do try to take small victories into account such as Jean-Baptiste or Anthony but I also look who these victories came against.

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Stephone Anthony (50) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

For example, Anthony’s interception came against backup quarterback Luke McCown. If it would have been against Drew Brees then it would have garnered a bit more excitement.

But hey it is about the small victories so Anthony can be commended for being a rookie who made what was said to be an athletic play…and leave it at that.

Another big reason not to get caught up in hype of OTA’s is that in the mere flip of a coin a player can be king of the hill, then suddenly a poor pauper the next.

I recently had someone comment to me about being negative towards my views on Nick Toon in a recent article where I pointed out he was dominant in OTA’s and training camp but fizzled during the season.

The premise was Toon would need to battle for a spot especially since it’s his final contract year with the Saints and expectations he raised didn’t live up to the hype.

If that’s being negative then life has a few more curveballs in store for you…it’s called being realistic.

And not just with Toon but all players will be battling for a spot in a current roster that is full of some really good talent.

Another name I brought up that fans can remember is former wide receiver Adrian Arrington who was an offseason darling in OTA’s and camp but couldn’t translate it to a real game.

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks with tight ends Josh Hill (89) and Benjamin Watson during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Reading too much into the tea leaves can be misleading when it comes to phrases like “working with the first team”.

Speculation begins when a players name is associated with “first team” or any other of the groups the Saints run at OTA’s.

Saints Fans Should Dial Down the “Hype” Of OTA’s

By Gene Higginbotham | Jun 7, 2015

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