While perusing the new USA Today NFL Preview Magazine today, I got to the season predictions section. Several of the USA Today NFL writers made their season predictions. In the Super Bowl, most of them had the typical 'sexy' picks right now .......... the Vikings ......... the Ravens ............. the Jets .......... the Packers ........ There was one team oddly missing from the mix ..................... the reigning champion New Orleans Saints......... not one writer even had them making it to the big game again. It got me thinking ....... I can't recall seeing anyone, anywhere, in any outlet (media, forums, etc.) who wasn't a Saints fan of course, predicting a Saints NFC repeat. Why is there such a lack of confidence in the Saints to repeat? It has actually been quite unusual for a team recently to win the big game and then fall off the face of the earth. The Steelers, Colts, and Patriots have sustained greatness for a long period of time. Even the current Giants team has remained very competitive and made the playoffs since their SB win a few years ago. What gives? Are we calling the Saints a 1-year wonder? Are we just assuming they're going to disappear after they win the big one, as the Buccaneers did after they finally won it all? Personally, I see a few similarities between the 2 teams but I'm not sure the Saints are in quite as bad of shape as the Bucs were. The Saints have a top-tier QB in place. The Bucs didn't. We knew Gruden's ego was huge and winning a SB created a monster. I don't think Peyton has a huge ego so I don't think he will become bigger than the team. The Bucs roster had been working for years to get to the big game and were older. The Saints have only been good for a few years and have more youth in place on their roster for the future. What's the consensus? Are we looking at the next Bucs team (1 and done), the next dynasty, or somewhere in between (the Giants)?
The NFC South curse will prevent them from making the playoffs next season. Also, it's just not "sexy" to pick the defending champs. Maybe to pick them to lose, but definitely not to win the big game. I don't know, it's just not. Again, I hate predictions. They're stupid and meaningless. I'll predict a Super Bowl winner on February 1 when we know who the teams are and there's only one more game left to play, not when the season hasn't even started yet. I'm watching 2009 highlights to get myself pumped for '010.
I'm tired of this "curse" bullcrap in sports. There aren't any curses. I think they'll still be good, but I don't think they'll return to the superbowl. It's possible, yes. But I don't see it. Far as I know, they still have every major piece of the puzzle in place.
2008 Giants Could be 2004 Patriots Probobly the best team, but not head and shoulders above everyone else
Well, what is it, a blessing? Fine, NFC South trend. Happy? Also under the "trend," Bucs will make the playoffs. I'll stick with that till the day it's mathematically impossible.
The Buccaneers are still a work in progress but they now have some more pieces to build upon. The worst to first trend in the NFC South ends this season however imo. The Saints still have their entire coaching staff intact from last season and are returning most of their starters. They have a very good chance at least getting back to the Super Bowl.
this. Reason they are far from the 2003 Bucs, closer to the 2004 Patriots than the 2008 Giants...DREW BREES.
The reason the Bucs took a freefall after winning the Super Bowl, is because the Glazers performed lap band surgery on the money they allowed to be spend on the team, the Bucs would still be a good team if the freaking Glazers didn't buy Manchester United, the Bucs could be a surprise this year but I don't see them making the playoffs yet
They will be really good. I don't see another SB, but they will be there at the end so who knows. Everything went perfect last year for the most part. It was their year.
unless the saints get their crap together they WILL be the 2003 bucs and miss the playoffs the season after winning a SB..............
you can make a case that the Saints could be 0-5. They don;t have that extra gear on offense right now. No Darren Sharper hurts too
