Dear New Orleans Saints: Your Fans Deserve Better
Sunday’s performance by the Saints against the Lions was hard to watch for any fan of the Black and Gold. Lackluster, uninspired, pedestrian, and apathetic are all adjectives that come to mind.
Everyone in the New Orleans Saints organization, from top to bottom, owes the Who Dat Nation better than whatever the hell you call what happened on Sunday.
One play sums up the past three seasons for the Saints and their fans. Early in the fourth quarter, the Saints scored their lone touchdown of the day, a one-yard dive by fullback John Kuhn to make it 19-13, Lions.
The Saints teased us all into thinking maybe — just maybe — they could pull it out.
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) prepares to pass the ball during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Detroit defeated New Orleans 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
The Superdome came alive after that, rocking and roaring because they knew their team needed them; and as they have done so many times over the years, they gave them their very passionate and full-throated support.
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The crowd’s crescendo culminated with the Lions facing a tough 3rd and 10 situation. Who Dat Nation did their part, making so much noise even the announcers had to struggle to be heard.
The energy and passion from a frustrated fan base was there, when an under-performing team needed it the most.
But unfortunately, once again the Saints didn’t hold up their end of the bargain.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen dialed up a blitz and Lions quarterback Matt Stafford found Golden Tate on a busted coverage. Instead of simply giving up the first down, Tate took the pass 66 yards “to the house” — essentially sticking a dagger into the heart of the Saints.
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) carries the ball between New Orleans Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux (40) and outside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Watching Golden Tate race untouched to the end zone brought up all sorts of emotions.
What happened was bigger than one busted play; but rather it was the timing and complete ineptitude of it, which was a microcosm of what Saints fans have been forced to endure for the past three years.
The Saints give you a glimmer of hope, only to snuff it out in the most complete and crushing way possible.
It’s one thing to be a bad football team. It’s another thing to consistently not live up to your potential, and to squander the twilight of Drew Brees’ Hall-of-Fame career.
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The sluggishness was noticeable and it can be traced DIRECTLY back to the head coach.
Commentator Ronde Barber repeatedly brought up the fact that when he asked head coach Sean Payton if the Saints were in playoff mode, Payton responded, “I wouldn’t say that.” Barber seemed a bit incredulous at that response.
I’ll take it a step farther and personally ask Coach Payton:
WHY THE HELL NOT!!?? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) intercepts a pass in front of New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
This lack of urgency clearly translated into whatever took the field on Sunday. I don’t care who the Saints were playing, because with the talent they have on offense, it is unconscionable for them to score only 13 points.
The reality is that this offense needs to be more consistent. Too often in losses this year they disappear at the most crucial moments.
And whatever Payton and Brees have to say about “game planning”, a big part in the offense being completely out of sync was Brees forcing the ball to Brandin Cooks.
There comes a point when there really isn’t much left to say.
Looking at the prospect of missing the playoffs for a third year in a row, Sean Payton’s post-game comments ring hollow, and fall on unsympathetic ears.
However, there is one thing Payton said in his presser that rings true. “I have to do a better job.”