How do we compare?

[JamesWilder32]

To the Saints who were supposed to be dreadful last season after their disastrous 2005 season then brought in some new life on offense (a good vet QB and got back McCallister and brought in rookies Bush and Colston). Perhaps the coaching change might have been the biggest change.

We are bringing in a vet QB, hopefully getting our RB back and brought in a bunch of guys that will hopefully be major contributors and upgrades (Petigout, June, Carter and a PLETHORA of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball). As for coaching we didn't make the big move, yet but we did bring in a heckuva DC to be our DL coach and brought back a guy that should do very well as our secondary coach.

Everybody's writing us off (including me)... but didn't the Saints also get written off before last season began? Were our offseasons (the 07 Bucs and 06 Saints that different?) So do we have a chance to surprise? I think we do and at the very least with our draft we laid the foundation for our future.

[55North2Ohio]

[QUOTE=JamesWilder32;2708635] Perhaps the coaching change might have been the biggest change.QUOTE]

[LafayetteSaint]

Originally Posted by JamesWilder32

To the Saints who were supposed to be dreadful last season after their disastrous 2005 season then brought in some new life on offense (a good vet QB and got back McCallister and brought in rookies Bush and Colston). Perhaps the coaching change might have been the biggest change.

We are bringing in a vet QB, hopefully getting our RB back and brought in a bunch of guys that will hopefully be major contributors and upgrades (Petigout, June, Carter and a PLETHORA of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball). As for coaching we didn't make the big move, yet but we did bring in a heckuva DC to be our DL coach and brought back a guy that should do very well as our secondary coach.

Everybody's writing us off (including me)... but didn't the Saints also get written off before last season began? Were our offseasons (the 07 Bucs and 06 Saints that different?) So do we have a chance to surprise? I think we do and at the very least with our draft we laid the foundation for our future.

We've always had a good core of players. You really can not count '05 as a serious season for us. Any team that would have to play nomad, would have the same fate. If it wasn't for that, I'd figure we would have went 8-8ish and just miss the playoffs as usual.
All our team really needed was a few good leaders and good character guys to get us over the hump.
The five new faces that made the most difference for us (in no particular order) are Brees, Bush, Colston, Payton, and Jahri Evans(OL).
Sure Bush didn't live all the way up to the insane expectations put on him by the press, but his presence created enough energy and excitement in our team and fans to carry us through the season.

On that note, I think you guys have a pretty solid team. The only glaring thing I think you guys are missing is that spark plug player like Bush. Someone new and exciting to create that energy for your team. I think Calvin Johnson would have been that spark, but he fell thru. Maybe Garcia can be that spark, we shall see.

[Buccaneer53]

Can't wait to see carter and june bring tampas d back to number 1!!!!

[BucsFanInKC]

Originally Posted by JamesWilder32

To the Saints who were supposed to be dreadful last season after their disastrous 2005 season then brought in some new life on offense (a good vet QB and got back McCallister and brought in rookies Bush and Colston). Perhaps the coaching change might have been the biggest change.

We are bringing in a vet QB, hopefully getting our RB back and brought in a bunch of guys that will hopefully be major contributors and upgrades (Petigout, June, Carter and a PLETHORA of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball). As for coaching we didn't make the big move, yet but we did bring in a heckuva DC to be our DL coach and brought back a guy that should do very well as our secondary coach.

Everybody's writing us off (including me)... but didn't the Saints also get written off before last season began? Were our offseasons (the 07 Bucs and 06 Saints that different?) So do we have a chance to surprise? I think we do and at the very least with our draft we laid the foundation for our future.

They have one thing we don't.. and that is a coach that knows how to call plays that fit his players, not ours who calls plays that play against the strength of his players.

[Buccaneer53]

a tip for everyone watch for Carter i have a feeling.... breakout year. best man on the line.Big feeling can't wait.

[TheChefO]

Originally Posted by BucsFanInKC

They have one thing we don't.. and that is a coach that knows how to call plays that fit his players, not ours who calls plays that play against the strength of his players.

The superiority in that regard is debatable. The Saints were one of the few teams we actually competed against last year.

If you look at the stats, the Bucs actually bettered the Saints in almst every category for the first game. This, with a 6th round rookie in his first start.

The second game didn't go quite as well for us but at least our offense didn't look anemic. Rush defense actually worked in this game too, but we got burned by Brees.

Head to head matchup of these coaches reveals they aren't quite as far apart as their 2006 records show.

2007 will be interesting if nothing else.

Personally, I think we will surprise a lot of teams.

Great topic Wilder.

[Chas]

Originally Posted by JamesWilder32

To the Saints who were supposed to be dreadful last season after their disastrous 2005 season then brought in some new life on offense (a good vet QB and got back McCallister and brought in rookies Bush and Colston). Perhaps the coaching change might have been the biggest change.

We are bringing in a vet QB, hopefully getting our RB back and brought in a bunch of guys that will hopefully be major contributors and upgrades (Petigout, June, Carter and a PLETHORA of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball). As for coaching we didn't make the big move, yet but we did bring in a heckuva DC to be our DL coach and brought back a guy that should do very well as our secondary coach.

Everybody's writing us off (including me)... but didn't the Saints also get written off before last season began? Were our offseasons (the 07 Bucs and 06 Saints that different?) So do we have a chance to surprise? I think we do and at the very least with our draft we laid the foundation for our future.

In the short history of the NFC South the last place team has always won the division the following year.

[TheChefO]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer53

a tip for everyone watch for Carter i have a feeling.... breakout year. best man on the line.Big feeling can't wait.

I'll be watching, but I think Rice will be the one with a breakout year.

Regardless, the line will be getting pressure again which is all that matters.

[Buccaneer53]

speaking of history for last couple of season we have done bad then awesome then bad then awesome. we just had a horiffic year, that must mean.................. SUPER BOWL?Nah, dont want to get my hopes to far. maybe playoffs.......yeah i can possibly see that........5 wins, deal, i know we can get that many, such an easy schedule.

[warrensappisgod]

Originally Posted by LafayetteSaint

We've always had a good core of players. You really can not count '05 as a serious season for us. Any team that would have to play nomad, would have the same fate. If it wasn't for that, I'd figure we would have went 8-8ish and just miss the playoffs as usual.
All our team really needed was a few good leaders and good character guys to get us over the hump.
The five new faces that made the most difference for us (in no particular order) are Brees, Bush, Colston, Payton, and Jahri Evans(OL).
Sure Bush didn't live all the way up to the insane expectations put on him by the press, but his presence created enough energy and excitement in our team and fans to carry us through the season.

On that note, I think you guys have a pretty solid team. The only glaring thing I think you guys are missing is that spark plug player like Bush. Someone new and exciting to create that energy for your team. I think Calvin Johnson would have been that spark, but he fell thru. Maybe Garcia can be that spark, we shall see.

I have to agree with that. You guys had a lot of things come together for you. Deuce back 100%, drafting Bush, finding Colston and Evans, and having the right coach to bring it all together. Can't say I agree with the Calvin point though. The Saints ran a very balanced offense where it's a lot easier for a guy like Bush to shine. He wasn't always the #1 priority with Colston and Deuce playing lights out. Plus, it's easier to come up with ways for Bush to get the ball or matchups out of the backfield than it is for a WR.

I think we compare some to the offseason the Saints had last year, but I'm not all that optimistic that we can have the success they had. A winning record would be great. Winning the division, going to the NFC championship game, and being one of the main contenders for the next season is a little much to ask IMO. One step at a time.

[Legacy]

Originally Posted by TheChefO

The superiority in that regard is debatable. The Saints were one of the few teams we actually competed against last year.

If you look at the stats, the Bucs actually bettered the Saints in almst every category for the first game. This, with a 6th round rookie in his first start.

The second game didn't go quite as well for us but at least our offense didn't look anemic. Rush defense actually worked in this game too, but we got burned by Brees.

Head to head matchup of these coaches reveals they aren't quite as far apart as their 2006 records show.

2007 will be interesting if nothing else.

Personally, I think we will surprise a lot of teams.

Great topic Wilder.

What's your point? You can spin it however you want, but the Saints made it to the playoffs; we did not.

BucsFanInKC is exactly right. Payton knows how to design a playbook and use it to support his players' strengths. Gruden is the moron who makes a rookie 6th round pick throw the ball 30 to 40 times a game.

[TheChefO]

Originally Posted by Legacy

Gruden is the moron who makes a rookie 6th round pick throw the ball 30 to 40 times a game.

Bruce Gradkowski 31 20 64.5 225 2 6 2 0 0.0 52 107.6

[Legacy]

Originally Posted by TheChefO

Bruce Gradkowski 31 20 64.5 225 2 6 2 0 0.0 52 107.6

Did we win that game?

[TheChefO]

Originally Posted by Legacy

Did we win that game?

If only Gruden would have called less pass plays...

[sounds7]

Originally Posted by JamesWilder32;

To the Saints who were supposed to be dreadful last season after their disastrous 2005 season then brought in some new life on offense (a good vet QB and got back McCallister and brought in rookies Bush and Colston). Perhaps the coaching change might have been the biggest change.

We are bringing in a vet QB, hopefully getting our RB back and brought in a bunch of guys that will hopefully be major contributors and upgrades (Petigout, June, Carter and a PLETHORA of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball). As for coaching we didn't make the big move, yet but we did bring in a heckuva DC to be our DL coach and brought back a guy that should do very well as our secondary coach.

Everybody's writing us off (including me)... but didn't the Saints also get written off before last season began? Were our offseasons (the 07 Bucs and 06 Saints that different?) So do we have a chance to surprise? I think we do and at the very least with our draft we laid the foundation for our future.

You can never take the Bucs for granted and yes there is a chance.

[BFT]

I'm still curious as to who said the Saints were going to suck last year....

After they got the coaching change, drafted Reggie, got Brees... I KNEW they were going to be scoring machines. IMO The ONLY thing stopping them from going to the Super Bowl is a few tweaks on defense.

NOBODY will fear us the way the Saints will be feared this season (or last for that matter). They are for real... Sadly, we're a punchline (again).

You guys have some good young talent on the offensive line now which I think is a big plus. We (the Saints) had Jammal Brown, Jeff Faine, Jon Stinchcomb, Jahri Evans, Jamar Nesbit last preseason and they melded together to make a pretty darn good starting o-line.

I really think you guys have the makings of a similar line. Petitgout may be a slight step down from Jammal, but the Joseph/Trueblood combo on the right side can be every bit as good as the Evans/Stinchcomb combo on ours. Buenning's a decent veteran LG similar to Nesbit in a lot of ways. The only real big difference I see is the gap between Faine and your starting center (I assume that's still Wade?).

Anyway that's my take.

[underdog]

Last time I felt this good about a Buc team we ran the kickoff back for a touchdown in the first play of the preseason. This is going too be a break out year for the offense. Bucs will go 13-3 this year. Don't let all this negative doom and gloom bring you down.

I believe the Bucs have narrowed the distance between the two teams. The Saints have more proven components and the Bucs have expectations built on potential. We will just have to wait and see.

[LafayetteSaint]

Originally Posted by warrensappisgod

I think we compare some to the offseason the Saints had last year, but I'm not all that optimistic that we can have the success they had. A winning record would be great. Winning the division, going to the NFC championship game, and being one of the main contenders for the next season is a little much to ask IMO. One step at a time.

I think you guys can finish 2nd in the NFC South with Garcia. And 1st if Brees goes down. Carolina and Atlanta both have starting QBs who are a little too inconsistent right now.
From a Saint's fan perspective. All I was hoping for last year was to be in the playoffs. Next thing I knew, we were in the Championship game. So anything really is possible. Who knows, maybe Clayton will bounce back and Cadillac will return to his rookie form? You never know.

[DinoBravo'sDad]

The difference (clearly) is Brees vs. the two stooges (Rattay not included) we had impersonating QB's.

Garcia alone should give us a few more wins than we deserve. All in all, Gruden would be an idiot not to draft a franchise QB in 2008.

[Kimono Dragon]

To me, the only unquestionable team is Atlanta... There is so much turmoil there right now that I can't see them doing well.

Delhomme can be resurrected, and Carolina might be a force again. They've done it before, going from 1-15 to Divisional champs. New Orleans has so much PROVEN potential that they MUST be favored to take the division. The Bucs had a very good off-season, when it comes to filling needs, but the potential is not proven as of yet. Hopefully, Gruden revamps his way of running the team, and we get back on track this season.

It's wide open. Sorry, Atlanta.

[JamesWilder32]

Originally Posted by Chas

In the short history of the NFC South the last place team has always won the division the following year.

That is a staggering stat.. hopefully we can continue it this season.

[JamesWilder32]

Originally Posted by BucFanTexas

I'm still curious as to who said the Saints were going to suck last year....

After they got the coaching change, drafted Reggie, got Brees... I KNEW they were going to be scoring machines. IMO The ONLY thing stopping them from going to the Super Bowl is a few tweaks on defense.

NOBODY will fear us the way the Saints will be feared this season (or last for that matter). They are for real... Sadly, we're a punchline (again).

They were terrible the season before then they went out and their big FA acquisition was a short, weak-armed QB coming off a major shoulder injury who was definitely the benefactor of handing the ball off to the best player in football (LT). Who could have guessed that Brees would have been as good as he was? Especially with Horn down for most of the season and Bush not exactly being the second coming of Tony Dorsett. That team was carried by Brees, McAllister and Colston on offense. With the Bucs coming off a division title and returning 21 of 22 starters and the Panthers being thought of as SB contender and the Falcons being thought of as perennial playoff contenders, it was easy to place the Saints as the last place team in the division.

[BFT]

Originally Posted by underdog

Last time I felt this good about a Buc team we ran the kickoff back for a touchdown in the first play of the preseason. This is going too be a break out year for the offense. Bucs will go 13-3 this year. Don't let all this negative doom and gloom bring you down.

Translated:
Rah Rah Rah!

[BFT]

Originally Posted by JamesWilder32

They were terrible the season before then they went out and their big FA acquisition was a short, weak-armed QB coming off a major shoulder injury who was definitely the benefactor of handing the ball off to the best player in football (LT). Who could have guessed that Brees would have been as good as he was? Especially with Horn down for most of the season and Bush not exactly being the second coming of Tony Dorsett. That team was carried by Brees, McAllister and Colston on offense. With the Bucs coming off a division title and returning 21 of 22 starters and the Panthers being thought of as SB contender and the Falcons being thought of as perennial playoff contenders, it was easy to place the Saints as the last place team in the division.

And... casual fans of the game did that. How'd that work out?

The LEGIT fans knew that Brees is a damned effective and intelligent QB.

They are the class of our division.

[JamesWilder32]

Originally Posted by LafayetteSaint

We've always had a good core of players. You really can not count '05 as a serious season for us. Any team that would have to play nomad, would have the same fate. If it wasn't for that, I'd figure we would have went 8-8ish and just miss the playoffs as usual.
All our team really needed was a few good leaders and good character guys to get us over the hump.
.

This is true but it is also true for us as well. The 2006 Saints were two seasons removed from being a near-miss on the playoffs and then had a dreadful 05. The 07 Bucs are two seasons removed from a division title and being dreadful last season.

I think instead of adding the playmakers on offense like the Saints, we've added the playmakers to the defensive side of the ball. Perhaps our version of McAllister (coming back from injury) will be in the form of a healthy and more determined Carnell (he has to earn back the nickname) Williams and perhaps a re-emergence by Clayton or Boston at WR.

[TheChefO]

Originally Posted by BucFanTexas

The LEGIT fans knew that Brees is a damned effective and intelligent QB.
.

Agreed. My only question was how he'd look after surgery.

{still kicking myself for not "heading to vegas" on this one last year}

For the same reasons informed fans figured the Saints would be competitive in 2006...

[ingey1968]

The biggest thing that happened to the saints isnt bush, it isnt the coach, its Brees. Plain and simple. He is a great QB