The New Orleans Saints have made history in the past three seasons.
A year ago they became the first 13-3 team to not advance to the divisional round, when Kirk Cousins led the Minnesota Vikings to an overtime win in the Superdome in January. Two years ago, a missed pass interference call on Los Angeles Rams cornerback, Nickell Robey-Coleman. If the call would have been made the Saints would have advanced to the Super Bowl. Three years ago, Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs became a part of the first NFL team to win a playoff game as time expired, in what most call “the Minneapolis Miracle”.
In other words, the Saints haven’t made the best history recently. With additions of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and safety Malcolm Jenkins, the Saints came in with the third-best odds to win the title at 13%, according to ESPN’s 20,000 simulations through its Football Power Index metric.
By looking at the roster anyone can tell this team has been built to win since the 2017 season. The Saints have players like Marshon Lattimore, Michael Thomas, Cameron Jordan, Alvin Kamara, and Demario Davis. This is loaded at every position and can go toe to toe with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Baltimore Ravens. Simply put this team is built to win now rather than later.
Good teams come and go but most don’t have the ability to have legitimate Super Bowl hopes for four years in a row. Experts have the Saints advancing to the Super Bowl for the first time since they defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV; assuming their locker room won’t have any issues.
Drew Brees is now entering his 20th season in the NFL the last 15 with the Saints. Brees is still regarded as one of the most productive and high-velocity passers in the league. Last season, he became the NFL’s pass yards accounted for (77,416) and passing touchdowns accounted for (547). At age 41 he was ranked #12 in the NFL voted by his colleagues, and still has shown his ability to pass the ball at a highly efficient level.
Brees’ knows he’s on borrowed time, which is why he signed a deal with NBC Sports in April as a television analyst. During an interview with Yahoo Finance Brees’ was asked a question about the NFL’s response to players possibly protesting – as Colin Kaepernick and many others have done throughout the past four years. He instantly turned the question into a debate about patriotism, saying he will “never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America,”. His comments have jeopardized the chemistry the Saints have had over the past three years.
The reaction from fellow athletes across all sports were completely negative.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, retweeted the interview with the words “This ain’t it.”
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Darius Slay: “Damn, Drew hurt me with that one!!”
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Richard Sherman posted his thoughts on Brees’ comments, calling Brees “Beyond lost.”
And Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers posted a picture of him and his teammates with arms locked with the caption “It has NEVER been about an anthem or a flag.”
To make matters worse, New Orleans Saints teammates, such as running back Alvin Kamara “Oop” and wide receiver Michael Thomas “He don’t know no better”. Both expressing their disapproval of his comments.
After receiving backlash for his comments, he admitted an apology. Teammates Thomas, Kamara, Terron Armstead, Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan all accepted his apology. We will see as the season unfolds if there is any discord in the locker room.
