This writer believes both teams face problems of the unknown type and there fore the pundits predictions should be taken with a grain of salt. The fans should just try and enjoy the season as much as possible and be objective in their thoughts at the end of the season.
The LSU Tigers: Despite winning the national championship two years ago with a undefeated season the Tigers have not been a consistent winning team for many years. They have made the BCS playoffs only once since it began 7 years ago. Last season's break even record was a serious drop off in performance and now LSU starts off a new season with a new defensive co-ordinator, a new offense co-ordinator and a new defensive line coach and no one really knows how their coaching abilities will play out. Then there is head coach O, who in this writers judgement did a poor coaching job last season. Any one who follows the Tigers don't have to follow the x's and o's to get a feel for the season or discuss players abilities. So my advise to LSU fans is enjoy the season, don't go over board on your predictions and just be happy if the season ends like you think it should.
The New Orleans Saints: The Saints made the play offs the last 4 straight years but were eliminated all 4 times. And it took place while Drew Brees was at quarterback. This season with Brees gone puts the Saints in the position of having a quarterback that has no experience as a Saints starter for a full season. And the Saints still has a head coach unwilling to put down the cheat sheet and allow his offensive co-ordinator to call the plays. This writer believes Payton needs to pay more attention to what is taking place on the field. Saint fans will probably not enjoy this season and what is to come. The real question is how effectively will the Saints new starting quarterback be. The answer is not available yet but this writer does not feel positive about the situation.
But there is a way for LSU and Saint fans to be objective about the future direction of both teams. For LSU, will this be the season that begins a consistent winner that makes the BCS play offs consistently and there fore have a shot at a national championship more often than in the past. (Like Alabama and Clemson has been in the last 10 years) The answer will be known at the end of every season.
For the New Orleans Saints: The Saints have not played in a Super Bowl with Drew Brees at quarterback in the last 12 years. Can the new starting quarterback and a new offense bring the Saints any closer to a Super Bowl appearance in the near future or the next 12 years. The question will be answered in time regardless what the pundits are predicting.
The bottom line is the fans can predict the future by being objective and be more accurate than the pundits who are long on hype but short of being objective.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
