The New Orleans Saints aren't getting much credit from the national media or oddsmakers -- in fact they're not getting much attention at all.
After years of high win total projections and expectations, the 2024 Saints had their win total set by Vegas at 7.5, and they're being picked to finish third in the NFC South behind the Falcons and Bucs. As Bobby Hebert explains, if this year's team isn't using that as near-constant motivation this offseason and beyond, they're doing it wrong.
"I’d rather the Saints be where they’re at right now. … If they’re not humbled now, when are they gonna be humbled?" Hebert said. "You can’t go four straight seasons without being in the playoffs, so right now, who’s counting on the Saints? Nobody but a diehard Who Dat Nation member."
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The alternative is often more difficult. The Cajun Cannon looks back to the 1987 season when the Saints surprised everyone with a 12-3 season that included a 9-game winning streak. The next year "everyone is telling you how good you are." The Saints went 10-6 and missed the playoffs.
It's not dissimilar to the mood around the Saints each of the past three years. There was an idea that they wouldn't miss a beat despite the departure of Drew Brees and then Sean Payton. There was an idea that Derek Carr's addition would solve any lingering issues. The results were 9-8 then 7-10 then 9-8 and three seasons outside of the playoff bracket. Was it realistic to expect the highs of the Brees-Payton era to continue without a hitch? Probably not.
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That's certainly not the case this year, and based on comments from team leaders like Demario Davis and Cam Jordan, there's certainly an eye on using that as motivation. The term "chip on your shoulder" has come up early and often, and the team has to make sure it's more than just lip service.
"As a player, you should have a chip on your shoulder," Hebert continued. "And even if you don’t have a chip on your shoulder you invent one, somehow to motivate you that everyone is disrespecting you. You don’t have to say nothing, just go out there and do it.”
MORE FROM HEBERT
On the Saints RB depth
“If not Alvin Kamara, then who? We ain’t got no 1-2 punch. You know, you’re talking about Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas or whatever, Darren Sproles. You look at all the combinations. I always thought as great as Reggie Bush was, Darren Sproles was a better version of Reggie Bush in a Saints uniform, but you still need that 1-2 punch, a great opportunity for Kendre Miller. Come on, dude. We don’t know [about Jamaal Williams] what he did with the Lions, that’s ancient history. He scored all those touchdowns and you got that garbage touchdown against Atlanta. No, Alvin Kamara, we need Alvin Kamara to roll for this team, becuase as far as Jamaal Williams, what other running back are you truly going to trust.”
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On the Saints OL
“Three new starters on the offensive line and I talked about Derek Carr, you know, the quarterback gets too much of the glory, too much of the blame, but also with Klint Kubiak … think what’s required of him and the expectation of him. But regardless of how much you think of him as an offensive guru, him too. He’s only as good as the guys up front. You know, the plays you’re calling, what you’re trying to execute. It’s not sexy. A pass rush, that’s sexy, getting after the opposing quarterback. But an offensive line dominating? No, the fans follow the football. So I’m saying if you want Kamara to play well, Derek Carr, well Kubiak, he sure knows how to call plays but the offensive line better block, I’m just telling you.”
On outlook for the DE group
“Cam knows he has to bounce back. … He knows. Nobody wants to hear, oh, I sprained my ankle again. No, they don’t want to hear that. Do you think he’s kind of passed the torch to Carl Granderson? What I mean by that, I would take now, not the lead dog but the lead production. I would take like, just do this, Cam Jordan get 8 sacks, Carl Granderson get 12. So between your two bookends you get 20 sacks, 10-10. Carl Granderson had 8.5, so now let’s say 12.5. Cam had what, 2? Can he have 8? … They’re both producing, but I’m really worried about the depth behind them, like Isaiah Foskey, are you going to show up, considering where you were drafted.”