So Disappointing

Wow.  Such a disappointing loss for the Saints.  After that total dud against the Rams a week before, I thought a Sean Payton coached team, led by Drew Brees would come out focused against the Carolina Panthers, look impressive, and win.  I was wrong.

It's so disappointing.  At one point, the Saints were 9-2 and four games ahead of the Panthers for the lead in the NFC South.  I used to think the Saints were good enough to play in the Super Bowl, and the Seahawks were a sham.  I was wrong.

I thought Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, and the initial impressive play of the defense would be enough to overcome the inept play by the offensive line.  I was wrong.

After seeing the Saints bounce back with a fury after getting their a**es kicked by the Jets, I thought they were a championship caliber team.  I was wrong.

Let's face it.  Let's "call a spade a spade."  The Saints woes on the offensive line are holding the team back.  I've never seen Drew Brees get sacked, and hit more than he has this year.  I've never seen a Sean Payton coached Saints get physically manhandled the way the offensive line has by certain teams in pivotal games this year.

The Saints are sorely lacking in offensive linemen with a nasty streak.  Too many times have I seen Ben Grubbs just get absolutely obliterated by opposing defensive tackles.  Too many times have I seen the same happen to Brian De La Puente.  Too many times have I seen pass rushers burn Charles Brown.  Too many times has Jahri Evans gotten called for crucial holding penalties.  

As a result, too many times, have the running backs gotten absolutely killed, and too long has our running game not been a threat.  And too many times has Drew Brees been running for his life, and getting hit brutally, and showing he is vulnerable.

A vulnerable Drew Brees throws interceptions, instead of bombs for touchdowns.  And when Drew Brees throws interceptions, the Saints lose.  Period.

Let's face it, I should have known that the Saints weren't a contenders when they were absolutely embarrassed in Seattle.  I should have known the Saints weren't contenders when they got their a**es kicked by the Jets in New York.  I should have known the Saints weren't contenders when they got embarrassed by a mediocre Rams team.

Now that the Saints have played so poorly when so much was on the line for two weeks in a row, we now know that they aren't contenders.  Next weeks game is not going to be easy to win either.  Tampa Bay is a different team than the team we beat earlier in the year.  And if they lose in the dome to Tampa, they will be out of the playoffs.  My, how the mighty have fallen!

The way this Saints team has played when a home field advantage, a bye week in the playoffs, and a division championship were on the line has been so disappointing.  I wouldn't have expected that from a Sean Payton coached team.