NFL analyst will ‘never forget’ Saints 2021 season
By Kristen Wong
From Hurricane Ida to the disastrous rookie start of Ian Book to being one 49ers’ overtime rally away from reaching the postseason, the New Orleans Saints have suffered it all in 2021.
Real football fans know how incredible Sean Payton has been at the helm of this organization, guiding the team to a 9-8 record despite catastrophe after catastrophe.
The Saints failed to earn a playoff berth but still ended with one of the most memorable seasons in recent history — though memorable for different reasons altogether.
On Tuesday’s episode of Good Morning Football, NFL analyst Kay Adams commemorated the Saints’ 2021 season and what the team has accomplished in the face of adversity.
"I'm going to remember this season."
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 11, 2022
The @Saints faced a lot of adversity this year and just because they didn't make it to the playoffs, @heykayadams doesn't want this season to be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/k8vgCa6sVs
New Orleans Saints deserve to be recognized for small successes in 2021
For a short segment, Adams took a moment to salute the 2021 Saints team for limping to a winning record this year.
Uprooted by Hurricane Ida early in the season and forced to start their campaign in Jacksonville, the Saints embarked on an uphill battle from the very beginning.
NOLA started 58 different players throughout the season due to injuries and COVID-19 absences and played with four different quarterbacks. Only two players started all 17 games in 2021.
Both their All-Pro tackles, Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead, missed half the season, Alvin Kamara missed significant time as well, and when it came to the one thing the Saints could control — the return of Michael Thomas — Thomas flat-out ghosted them.
The Saints weren’t the only team hit hard by misfortune this year, but they were one of a resilient few to prevail through it.
Adams credited several team members for their leadership in those dark times: “It’s the Cam Jordans, it’s the Coach Paytons, it’s whatever it is that gets the team to keep showing up.”
Next. 3 Saints players who likely played their final game with the organization. dark
She and plenty of Saints fans will remember this momentous season not for any special plays or breakout players or even that miraculous 9-0 win against the Bucs, but for resolute and unwavering team spirit.
Who Dat? The Saints, that’s who.