Happy Deuceday. You know, every 26th of the month should be called Deuceday. Just as every 9th should be Drewday. I think we have a new tradition here.
I have to start by apologizing to Ralph Malbrough for not being here yesterday to tout his thoroughly excellent column in a timely fashion. In it, he carpet bombs the notion that the Saints are doomed in 2012 because Sean Payton is missing.
(Sorry Sean. Be well.)
Read the whole thing, but here’s the money quote: “If freaking Barry Switzer can win a Super Bowl, Joe Vitt and whoever coaches the first six weeks can, too.”
I agree. And as I pointed out in a comment on Canal Street Chronicles, the Saints have one more thing going for them. The Cowboys, the 49ers, the Colts are all examples within recent memory of teams that switched coaches and continued to enjoy high-level success. Two of those teams went to the Super Bowl immediately; two of them (not the same two) won the big game within two years of a coaching change. But none of them were fighting for their honor. None of them had had their reputations dragged through the mud by a professional liar and bully. None of them were seething.
If the Saints make Super Bowl XLVII, it will be the most-watched broadcast in human history. And the chance to show up Goodell in front of the entire planet is just too good to miss out on. I expect there’s not a player on the team who wouldn’t pawn his own skin for the chance.
Now, it’s possible, of course, that the team isn’t as pissed off as the fans. I for one don’t believe it. I wouldn’t believe it no matter what they said, because they’re human, they’re young, and they’re swimming in testosterone. They aren’t the kind of people who just shrug off epic disrespect. Joe Vitt says the “us vs. them” mentality will disappear with the first kickoff. But what would you expect him to say?
And by the way: Joe Vitt is The Man. He didn’t start out as The Man, not in my heart anyway, but he’s earned it. (Note to Joe: “The Man” status ain’t permanent. You can still lose it. Don’t do that.) Joe was quoted by Mike Triplett as saying this to a reporter:
“We all learn to write in the second grade, but most of us go on to something else.”
That’s the best line I’ve heard in a long time…even if it does apply to, you know, bloggers. Who do this for free. For an audience they can count on their fingers.
The more I see of Vitt, the more I like of him. He may be the perfect guy to guide the Saints through this turbulent season (what, there’s a lot of sediment?). And once again, Mike Triplett agrees with me. What’s more, he also states frankly his opinion that the Saints still will win the NFC South (which they will, but with a higher win total). Predictions of the Saints’ imminent demise are, he says, “way off base.” More on that tomorrow.
On the Jukebox
Ruby Deuceday?. (The Stones were so cute when they tried to be serious.)
FriarBobJuly 26, 2012 at 2:08 pm
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Uhoh doesn’t look like anybody showed up. They expected you had already started your vacation.
I have to agree that the Saints CAN. And I really badly WANT them to. I’m just trying not to get my hopes up too high. I’ve had them crushed too many different ways (not remotely all NFL-related, by the way) and not sure how much more I can take… at least not without just going out and getting plastered. And I don’t really want to go that route.
PhilistineJuly 26, 2012 at 4:56 pm
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With Drew Brees’ ability to read the defense at the line and check out of plays, about the only time the Saints would have no chance would be if they lined up to run every play. Brees is the coach on the field that makes every opponent vulnerable. If the defense is just moderately better, I’d say that, with apologies to Mel Brooks,
SaintsW1nJuly 26, 2012 at 10:45 pm
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Inspiration
Breesus Christ SuperstarJuly 27, 2012 at 7:14 am
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There truly is something to being seething.
Saints have accomplished unimaginable heights the last six years at baseline motivation. Now they are pissed off. Vitt is bluffing acting like these sanctions aren’t going to motivate. Remember the banner on the practice field during OTAs that read “Fuck Goodell”? Yeah, I think this team is undeniably looking for revenge. The only way to fully accomplish it is to see Goodell begrudgingly hand us the Lombardi.