Report Gives Saints A Low Grade For 2015 Off-Season
As the New Orleans Saints are heading into training camp in just a few weeks, our editor here at Big Easy Believer, Barry Hirstius; gave his grades for the organization, which ended up being honor roll worthy.
The only thing that was left unattended in his list was the Saints “off the field” category which understandably is still waiting on the other shoe to drop concerning the NFL’s decision to suspend or not suspend outside linebacker Junior Galette.
Other than that, there were A’s and B’s aplenty — with Barry giving the team an overall grade of a B+ heading into the season.
Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately Russell Baxter, a featured columnist of Bleacher Report, didn’t quite share the same views or grade concerning the Saints.
In a recent article for BleacherReport.com, he gave the team an overall grade of a D+ when it came to their 2015 offseason.
Baxter’s article reads:
"Is there any reason to think that the New Orleans Saints are a better team than they were a year ago? This was a club that lost its final five home games and finished 7-9 for the second time in three seasons.Earlier this year, the team dealt three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks (and got center Max Unger and a first-round pick in return). The Saints traded wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and also sent two-time left guard Ben Grubbs to the Kansas City Chiefs.The NFL’s 31st-ranked defense from a season ago added pieces such as safety Kenny Phillips, cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson, outside linebacker Anthony Spencer and defensive tackle Kevin Williams. First-round pick/linebacker Stephone Anthony could be a factor as well.The biggest new face on offense comes in the form of running back C.J. Spiller, who hopes to do his best Darren Sproles imitation in terms of a runner, receiver and special teams contributor. Quarterback Drew Brees also has a new wideout in veteran Josh Morgan, but he and the offense will miss unsung running back Pierre Thomas.If this new-look club doesn’t all come together, that’s not all that Sean Payton and his team will miss in 2015."
I can see Baxter’s point especially in the first paragraph where he hints at a bit of doubt amongst potential readers because let’s be honest— there is some doubt even among the Saints fan-base also, to an extent.
Diehard Saints fans bought into a team that was primed to make it back to the Super Bowl again and instead saw a team that could barely win at home.
The trades he mentioned involving Graham, Stills, and Grubbs were also a concern early but have since eased a bit.
Of course, I give credit to Barry for being one of the local writers who at least is giving the grading scale a shot since most don’t want to touch it or what they think their season record will be (I’m thinking 10-6).
While Baxter’s grade may get Who Dat’s riled up, it goes to show how far the club has fallen in the past year in the eyes of the national media.
Also in Baxter’s article, he gave the Saints fellow NFC South foes the following grades: Atlanta Falcons (C+), Carolina Panthers (B-), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (C+).
January 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks for an open man to pass to against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Not trying to play a homer, but his report on the Falcons and Buccaneers seemed to have the same feeling of doubt yet they managed a grade higher than the Saints.
If I had to assign an overall grade myself to the club then I’d most likely go with a C+ since the team still feels just what that means, which is average but on the verge of improvement.
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Of course, the only grade that will matter to the team or the fans will be at the end of this season as we will see if the Saints can make the Dean’s List or get sent back for remedial lessons.
If the latter happens, then it won’t be too much fun going to see the principal in his office, by any means…………