WOE-LLERCOASTER! New Orleans Saints’ Season Continues to Disappoint

Dec 7, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers defeated the Saints 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Folks, the New Orleans Saints’ season has not looked right since Week One. Yesterday’s embarrassment of a so-called ‘performance’ after a 41-10 shellacking at the hands of the Carolina Panthers left us all wondering what the future of the Saints will hold.

Let’s rewind for a second.

The Preseason promised us a team that was worthy of being a Super Bowl contender. Here’s some of the things said about the Saints in the early power rankings:

"Improvements to secondary and receiving corps make them a legit Super Bowl contender. –NOLA.comThere might not be a team in the NFL as good as the thing they do than the Saints are at throwing the football. If they can get it (home field advantage), the Saints could easily be a Super Bowl team. –Pro Football TalkNew Orleans has every opportunity to be scary in 2014, especially if rookie receiver Brandin Cooks works out the way many of our NFL.com analysts think he will. That said, I’m looking at the safety combo here — Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd — and wondering if there’s any limit as to how effective coordinator Rob Ryan’s defense can be. I saw an interview with Ryan lookalike Sammy Hagar, and all I could think about was a Saints jacket hanging on for dear life. –NFL.comDrew Brees has a new toy. New wide receiver Brandin Cooks led FBS with 32 receptions of at least 20 yards last year. –ESPN"

Unfortunately, this team has fallen flat on their faces. Whatever statements you deem necessary to justify your displeasure for this 2014 New Orleans Saints team (and believe me they are appropriate), it likely can be summed up simply by saying it’s completely pathetic. The biggest problem is that no one can explain why.

Coaches Sean Payton and Rob Ryan have no answers. Quarterback, leader, and captain Drew Brees doesn’t have an answer. The defensive leaders point the finger and continue to play the blame game. Overall, the complete lack of work ethic is evident. We continue to get blanketed statements of ‘the fans deserve better’ without any signs of improvement.

"“Right now we just aren’t playing good football. Period,” said linebacker Parys Haralson. “We’re not doing anything well that I can see.”"

The confines of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome now resemble that of the Mike Ditka era, when the Saints lost repeatedly, and did so in lackadaisical fashion. The team has now been outscored 129-71 over the past four home games, which is good for just under 18 points per game at home (17.75).

"“Obviously that’s embarrassing: how we played, how we coached. You pick an area, you pick a phase and it was awful. You’re not going to have a chance to win when you turn it over that frequently in the first quarter, you don’t tackle, you give up almost 300 yards rushing, (and) jump(ing) offsides. You name it, check it off.” –Sean Payton"

How can a team go from a complete high in beating a heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers team on the road to a complete low of being completely dominated at home in every facet of the game by a lowly Carolina Panthers team?

How is a team that is just five years removed from a Super Bowl and heralded by many as a legitimate Super Bowl contender at the beginning of the season not motivated to execute and perform better?

If you haven’t come to the realization of it, let me just help you by saying that this team will drastically change during the offseason.

Embarrassing is the word that continues to come out of the mouths of many in the New Orleans Saints franchise. If you truly feel that way, then do something about it! Actions speak louder than words.

Fans have every right to be mad about the way things have gone this season. Why should you spend your hard-earned money to go watch a team that doesn’t choose to perform?

Naturally, some would point out that the Saints (5-8) still have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC South with the real likelihood of the Atlanta Falcons losing to the Green Bay Packers tonight on Monday Night Football.

You’re right. However, I’ll leave you with this:

Even if the Saints were to win the division, would you honestly want to host a Wild Card Game at home only to be embarrassed by a team that simply gives up when times get tough?