Wrapping up the Saints

Wow, hard to believe six months ago people in Louisiana thought we could have LSU play for the national title and the Saints play in the Super Bowl in the same season.

Well, LSU held up its end of the bargain. The Saints not so much.

So what went wrong for the Saints.

Let's start with an uncanny ability to have personnel moves go awry. First-round draft pick Robert Meachem was an All-American at Tennessee. He never dressed out for the Saints. Cornerback Jason David was supposed to be a key pickup for the defense but he made Fred Thomas look good. Olindo Mare was supposed to be an improvement at kicker. He wasn't.

That doesn't even begin to touch on the injuries that devastated the backfield with both Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush going down with injuries.

Here is a realistic evaluation the Saints -- 1) They probably aren't as good as they were a year ago. 2) They're probably better than they were this season.

With some player moves on defense, some healthy players on offense, a little softer schedule, the Saints could be a factor again next year.

This year was a waste.