In the aftermath of the Saints season opening sleepwalk loss to the 2011 5-11 Washington Redskins, the most overused phrase among the Saints players, coaches and some media was,"that wasn't us" or "that's not us", referring to the way the Saints performed. But if you look at Saints teams since 2006, last Sunday's version of the Saints were exactly who they are.
Since 2006, the Saints have turned in performances such as the one against the Redskins on a yearly basis. I'm talking about games played versus inferior opponents.
In 2007 after stumbling out of the gate to an 0-4 start , the Saints rallied to win four straight games before going into their bye week. Upon returning from that bye, the Saints faced the 0-8 St.Louis Rams at home. They lost, ending what could have been a historic turnaround. Instead they tailspun to 7-9. The Rams? They fininshed that season 3-13, second worst in the NFL.
In 2008, the Saints spread the charity. Instead of failing to show up against an inferior foe, they took the a more torturous route of folding in the fourth quarter. Six of the Saints eight losses were games in which they were either tied or had a lead in the fourth quarter. Three of those losses came in the final minute by field goals, a Saints miss in Mile High and two made by Tampa and Carolina. The Saints also managed to blow a ten point lead with less than 5 minutes and the ball in D.C. But the most frustrating game came at home on Monday Night as the Saints blew Reggie Bush's greatest performance as a Saint. In the end, they bowed to the Vikings 30-27.
Even the Super Bowl season could not escape the Saints uncanny knack for charity as they blew a 17 point lead to the then 2-12 Tampa Bay Bucceneers. However one cannot hold this against them as the did get the ultimate win that season.
2010 brought more fun, losing to Arizona and Cleveland. Two teams that finished 2010 with 5-11 marks. In those games, the Saints faced rookie quarterbacks making their first starts. Sound familiar?
And who can forget the 2011 meltdown in St. Louis. The Saints, as it would turn out, needing one more NFC win to secure home field advantage, were dominated by a team who would fininsh an astonishing 2-14. Because of this game, the 13-3 Saints had to travel to San Francisco for the divisional playoffs. We all know how that turned out.
For whatever reason, those noon kickoff, regionally telecast, non fanfare games agianst inferior opponents just don't do it for these prime timers. For a team boasting "lockeroom guys" and motivational coaching, they display an utter lack of preperation and desire to lower themselves to ready for such an event. It never fails and never ceases to amaze.
So, yes, Saints. That was EXACTLY who you are Sunday. The only difference was this one was the season opener after the offseason from hell. It also begs the question. If they couldn't get motivated to play the most anticipated season Saints history, at home, when will they? We shall see.
