Dominik Reimonenq Data News Weekly Contributor
Saints Coach Dennis Allen and Saints Quarterback Derek Carr are hoping to make magic this year, but not all the Saints fans are convinced. The Who Dat Nation is in what many are describing as a weak NFC South Division, but the Saints have suffered from mediocre seasons for the past two years.
The Saints lost a tie for the NFC South Division Champion in 2023 with a 9-8 game record, and they were tied for last place in the division in 2022. Despite New Orleans being the host for this year’s Super Bowl, many Saints fans do not forecast the Black and Gold as a contender.
Despite the obstacles, the Saints hope to keep the momentum from a Week 1 win against their division rival, the Carolina Panthers, into the rest of the season. The Saints outscored the Panthers in the Superdome on Sept. 8th: 47-10. For their playoff hopes, the divisional games are must-wins if the Black and Gold want to end their recent playoff drought and start on the path to another Super Bowl.
“In my opinion, Dennis Allen was a mistake – as was Derek Carr,” said Amy Brown, a Harvey resident. “The Saints need to rebuild after losing [their] Hall-of-Fame quarterback and coach – not pour more money into free agency when [their] core isn’t secure.”
Sean Payton, the former head coach for the Saints, left after the 2021 season. Allen was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach. For some fans, this wasn’t enough change.
“The aura of the old Saints teams is gone,” said Esther Laurent, a Metairie resident and season ticket holder. “Dennis Allen was a part of those teams and what we need isn’t that feeling because we can’t recreate that feeling. We need to focus on putting together a new team spirit that can continue when [Spencer] Rattler is ready for the reins.”
Candice Labit, a Kenner resident, believes that coaching needs to make tougher decisions to better the team as a whole. “I watch less and less Saints games due to the predictability of it all,” Labit said. “We have all the pieces of the puzzle, but it seems like they change shape mid-game so nothing can truly build on the foundation laid out,” she added.
For other fans, the quarterback isn’t doing enough to inspire their confidence in the Saints doing well this season. “Derek Carr is the most uninteresting basic quarterback in the league,” said James Gray, Sr., a resident in New Orleans East. “I’ve grown up and lived here my whole life, and this Saints team have got to be the sorriest team I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Some think that the Saints are in a rebuilding time and that they’re owed a few more dry seasons. “Since before I was born the Saints have been successful under Drew Brees,” said Terrance Poole, a Metairie resident. But now, Poole said we are seeing that tide balance out.
Although the NFC South hasn’t been significantly competitive in the past few years, the Saints have some major obstacles this time around. The Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to lead their offense, the Carolina Panthers have a new head coach who is looking to help Bryce Young shine, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won three division titles in a row.
“I’ve learned that teams must fail for long time before they have success for a short time. The Saints had such a strong run at the top of their division so they probably must suffer for a couple of years and then it will all work out again. Hopefully, before I am my parent’s age,” he added.
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