It's been good to go back and watch these games. Watching the Championship team of 2009 has brought a big smile to my face. To be reminded of the kind of heart, resiliency and unrelenting spirit that the team embodied, starting with Sean Payton down to the last member of the team/organization gave my spirits a lift. That was a one-of-a-kind, a one-in-a-million, maybe even once-in-a-lifetime team. It was truly special and the motto of "Finish Strong" was fitting indeed.
In contrast, this year's team has been dubbed the "Jekyll and Hyde" team by some. And really, who can blame them? But I saw something in the Monday night game versus the Bears that was just a little bit reminiscent of the heart and fight that characterized the 2009 Saints. The sight of unknown young defensive players ballhawking and giving their all made me shout with glee. Pierre Warren took full advantage of his first start with not only 1, but 2 (that's right, 2!) interceptions and played very hungry. Patrick Robinson snagged a shoe-string interception that delightfully surprised me. From all indications, the younger players were setting the tone for the veterans on defense and lighting a fire that hadn't been kindled or stoked in a long time. That's the kind of play that I was expecting at the beginning of the season. Who could have guessed it wouldn't be till Week 15 that there would appear to be any palpable fire or hunger on defense? Not I.
This turn of events has sparked in me a renewed sense of hope for the future. And how great has it been to watch Jalen Saunders' development as a punt returner that doesn't make me cringe with dread, but rather has me on the edge of my seat waiting for him to break one to the house? What a joy! Whatever Sean Payton is doing to fix the team's problems personnel-wise, it appeared to be working in the huge victory Monday night over the Bears.
I hope that continues against the Falcons on Sunday. I hope that the offense will continue to thrive with Brees at the helm and with no more dropped catches or interceptions. I hope the run game with Ingram, PT and Khiry will open up lots of play action shots and that TDs will come easy both on the ground and in the air. I want to see Pierre Thomas (PT) run a perfect screen play for a TD. I want to see Kenny Stills score on a perfect long ball from Drew. I want to see Jimmy Graham score on a corner route in the end zone. I want to see Pierre Warren get a pick 6. I want to see Matt Ryan get sacked by David Hawthorne and/or Akeem Hicks and/or anybody else on defense.
It would be such sweet revenge to pluck the Falcons featherless come Sunday in the Dome. It would be another boost in confidence for a team that has had more than its share of heartbreaking losses that arguably should/could have been wins. And it would be another step towards a Division Championship and a home game in the playoffs. Wouldn't that be something? After all the pain and shock of a subpar season thus far, what would it be like to see our Saints finish strong? It would be just the thing to end the year right. Go down fighting and don't stop swinging till the dust clears and there is a victor. Hopefully that victor is the Saints. If not, at least they will have finished with dignity and pride and hold their heads high.
Is it a lot to hope for? Maybe. But anything can happen. So, I won't expect but I will hope for this team to make its mark and make it a good one to end the season.
Geaux Saints! Who Dat!
In contrast, this year's team has been dubbed the "Jekyll and Hyde" team by some. And really, who can blame them? But I saw something in the Monday night game versus the Bears that was just a little bit reminiscent of the heart and fight that characterized the 2009 Saints. The sight of unknown young defensive players ballhawking and giving their all made me shout with glee. Pierre Warren took full advantage of his first start with not only 1, but 2 (that's right, 2!) interceptions and played very hungry. Patrick Robinson snagged a shoe-string interception that delightfully surprised me. From all indications, the younger players were setting the tone for the veterans on defense and lighting a fire that hadn't been kindled or stoked in a long time. That's the kind of play that I was expecting at the beginning of the season. Who could have guessed it wouldn't be till Week 15 that there would appear to be any palpable fire or hunger on defense? Not I.
This turn of events has sparked in me a renewed sense of hope for the future. And how great has it been to watch Jalen Saunders' development as a punt returner that doesn't make me cringe with dread, but rather has me on the edge of my seat waiting for him to break one to the house? What a joy! Whatever Sean Payton is doing to fix the team's problems personnel-wise, it appeared to be working in the huge victory Monday night over the Bears.
I hope that continues against the Falcons on Sunday. I hope that the offense will continue to thrive with Brees at the helm and with no more dropped catches or interceptions. I hope the run game with Ingram, PT and Khiry will open up lots of play action shots and that TDs will come easy both on the ground and in the air. I want to see Pierre Thomas (PT) run a perfect screen play for a TD. I want to see Kenny Stills score on a perfect long ball from Drew. I want to see Jimmy Graham score on a corner route in the end zone. I want to see Pierre Warren get a pick 6. I want to see Matt Ryan get sacked by David Hawthorne and/or Akeem Hicks and/or anybody else on defense.
It would be such sweet revenge to pluck the Falcons featherless come Sunday in the Dome. It would be another boost in confidence for a team that has had more than its share of heartbreaking losses that arguably should/could have been wins. And it would be another step towards a Division Championship and a home game in the playoffs. Wouldn't that be something? After all the pain and shock of a subpar season thus far, what would it be like to see our Saints finish strong? It would be just the thing to end the year right. Go down fighting and don't stop swinging till the dust clears and there is a victor. Hopefully that victor is the Saints. If not, at least they will have finished with dignity and pride and hold their heads high.
Is it a lot to hope for? Maybe. But anything can happen. So, I won't expect but I will hope for this team to make its mark and make it a good one to end the season.
Geaux Saints! Who Dat!