Saints and Their Fans Must “Ride The Storm Out”

Okay if you’ve been around New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton long enough are you really that surprised by this?

The injury to quarterback Drew Brees is already devastating enough but now the plot is taking another turn and it might be for the worse.

Originally Brian Bienemy of The Sports Hangover on ESPN’s 100.3 FM had heard from a source that Brees had suffered a tear of the rotator cuff during a hit in last week’s game.

Then ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported the next day that Brees had bruised his rotator cuff instead and that there was not tear.

It ended up being called a contusion which is a deep bruise and likely not one that Brees could bounce back from as quick as predicted.

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

This ended up being the case and after a quick throwing session late this past week, Brees was ruled out against the Carolina Panthers after several of his deep passes ended up not having the velocity that they should have on them.

Fans immediately began moaning as backup Luke McCown suited up for his first start in four years, one where he threw four interceptions and zero touchdowns…yes you read that correctly.

More from Big Easy Believer

• New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
• New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
• New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
• New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
• New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch

Some were even calling to tank for the season after the Saints woeful performance so far and the team likely to end up 0-3 after today.

Well the latest news from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport will definitely send Who Dat’s into a tailspin after some news he broke this morning.

Rapoport stated that Brees actually has a rotator cuff sprain and not just a bruise which “indicates some structural damage”.

Also mentioned by Rapoport is the scenario of Brees playing against the Dallas Cowboys would be a “steep climb” and is a “longshot”.

Sep 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws in the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Brees is already working against the odds since it’s the same shoulder that he injured many years ago that lead to his signing with the Saints after he was told his career was over.

More from Drew Brees

• New Orleans Saints: Why Drew Brees’ injury will end up being a good thing
• 5 Reasons Why the National Media Doesn’t Consider Drew Brees Elite
• Saints Ticket Holders Could Be In For a Treat in 2016
• Are The Saints Out Of “Luck” With Brees Contract Talks?
• West Virginia and The Greenbrier Counting On Saints “Family”

I mentioned yesterday that it was the smart move to sit Brees today so it wouldn’t cause further damage in a likely physical game against the Carolina Panthers and the same bodes for next week as well.

It would be perfect for Brees to play and the Saints take advantage of the fact the Cowboys are missing several of their key players like quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant but that may not be the case if Rapoport’s report is correct.

While it may be a “steep climb” for Brees to possibly be ready, it would be be an even steeper one for backup Luke McCown who’ll be tasked with going against another defense that likes to be physical.

We’ll see later where Brees stands with the injury but you can be sure that it’ll be another speculative filled week ahead for everyone.

The bottom line?

Saints fans will just need to “ride out the storm” for the time being, and hope that Brees’ injury can heal within in a reasonable amount of time to salvage whatever is left of the 2015 season upon his return.

Dec 7, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks on with concern in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers bear the Saints, 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

If he were to return by Week #5 at Philadelphia, it would still hopefully give the Saints a total of 12 more games with Brees at the helm.

And believe me: 12 games of a 16-week schedule would give the Saints ample opportunity to get back into contention for a Playoff spot.

However, it will be a lot easier if they’re at least 1-3 or even better yet 2-2 heading into that Eagles game, instead of 0-4.

That’s what makes today’s game now even more important, than it was before this news broke just a short while ago.

So for now Who Dats: you’ll just have to grab hold of something, and “ride the storm out”………….

Next: A Lesson in History for Saints Fans -- and Why You Should BELIEVE They Can Win