This past Wednesday afternoon New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton stepped in front of reporters after practice and, after a slight pause, said his typical, “questions?”
That might seem inconsequential, but I’m sure it was a relief to Saints fans and the organization that Payton didn’t have to begin the briefing with news of an injury, or an injury-related roster move, or even a retirement. After two weeks of the most bewildering training camp, opening with our questions was a welcome change of pace.
It actually began before training camp with defensive lineman David Onyemata’s 6-game suspension after a positive test for a banned substance. That news got trumped pretty quickly when the team announced wide receiver Mike Thomas had June, not February, ankle surgery and would also be out several weeks. And the hits kept coming: Wil Lutz to have surgery, Patrick Robinson retires, rookie Jalen McCleskey on injured reserve.
Related
The team still awaits possible suspension news from the league for wide receiver Deonte Harris and cornerback Marshon Latimore stemming from their offseason arrests. Harris was arrested on suspicion of DUI, for Lattimore it was for possession of a gun that had been reported stolen.
The Saints went into 2021 knowing there would be challenges playing without No. 9 Drew Brees for the first time in 15 years, but few could have predicted a camp with this many twists and turns all before its first preseason game in Baltimore.
There were legitimate questions about this football team. Despite a record of 49-15 over its last 4 years the Saints entered this season with middle-of-the-pack aspirations to win the Super Bowl. The football team that has been the barometer for winning is now flying under the radar. And frankly when you haven’t even played a preseason game yet, who cares? It’s all just supposition until the Packers come to town. At that point, it’s for real. I think this team relishes not being the talk of football, picked to win it all as it has been in recent years. I say embrace it.
Related
In the Sean Payton era, I thought never had there been this many legitimate opportunities and competitions at so many positions for a spot on the final 53-man roster. But Payton this week said, hold on there, new guy. There was one season with more competitions and opportunities than what we have now. Well, he didn’t say that quite like that, but it was the case in 2006, his debut year as the Saints head coach. The Saints went to the NFC Championship that season. I think the beloved Who Dats would be ok with that scenario again, right?
Questions … yes, there are plenty. On Saturday night, in Baltimore, we start to get some answers.
━━━━
These little tidbits of nothing and musings from deep inside my head will become a weekly occurrence here (or as long as WWL Radio will permit) as we dive headfirst into Saints football from now until the end of February ... we hope.