2 and barbecue: LSU out of CWS
June 25, 2013
LSU hoops adds Hornsby to 2014 recruiting class
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I was really looking forward to this year’s New Orleans Saints’ season. Sean Payton was back, new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan brought back the 3-4 and memories of the Dome Patrol came back to me. A solid draft, that was defense focused, coupled with some quality free agent pickups; I have to say that I was eager to see what this team could do.
Superstar QB Drew Brees told the media that this was the first normal offseason since 2009 and we all know what that was supposed to do. It was designed to hearken us back to a Super Bowl championship. Yep. I was feeling pretty good about all the possibilities.
Then just over a week ago I received the first “bad” news of the offseason for the Saints. On a routine non-contact drill, running back Mark Ingram took a swing pass from Brees, turned the corner and collided with free agent acquisition LB Victor Butler, ending Butler’s season with a torn A.C.L.
I felt bad for Butler, he had become the cornerstone of a new and improved defense and he was really excited about playing in New Orleans. But other than feeling sorry for the man and his misfortune I was still excited about the Black and Gold.
That lasted until I made the mistake of reading the “response” section below the articles about Butler’s injury. The response section is the space provided online for fans to express their opinions and concerns about the Saints.
It was here in this dark low place that I witnessed a growing majority inside the Who Dat? Nation, a growing number of fans that I look at now with disbelief and irritation. And it’s because of these LSU/Saints fans that my excitement for the new season began to sour.
It was here that I realized that there are too many people who can’t separate their rabid lust for LSU from their devotion to the Saints. Case-in-point. Mark Ingram. It’s simple to understand, because Mark Ingram played for Alabama and he is dismissed and labeled an idiot and bust. In these fans’ minds the collision with Butler was entirely his fault. It’s not based on facts, it’s based on ridiculous misplaced loyalty.
For all they know Butler could have been in the wrong place. But Ingram is the one to blame because he did the unforgivable. He dared to show his loyalty to his school on the sidelines when Alabama humiliated LSU in the National Championship Game. Hell, even I started to cheer for the Tide. They were the only team that showed up that night in the Dome.
Some called him a bust because of his average yards per carry, stating he can only get two yards a carry. Actually its 3.9 yards, but he played for Alabama. Moron.
Some said he never helps us win games. Really?! In 26 career starts with 278 attempts he has fumbled and lost the ball only nine times. Nine. Not bad for a guy that comes in cold off the bench. But the production and ball security don’t matter because he wore a number on the side of his crimson helmet in college. Jerk.
Need more? In 2011 and 2012 poor play from Drew Brees resulted in more loses for the Saints than anything Mark Ingram did in the backfield. Since Ingram joined the team Brees has thrown 33 interceptions and has six lost fumbles. That’s nearly 40 turnovers in two years. But LSU/Saints fans don’t care because Brees played for Purdue and won a Championship for them.
And where was the outrage from the purple and gold blinded Saints’ fans when the organization let Devry Henderson go? I guess the “Blue Grass Miracle” wasn’t so heavenly after all. The former Tiger was consistently criticized for dropped balls and running poor routes. Where were the Tiger faithful then? Why weren’t they defending him? Most of the time they were leading the chorus to get rid of him and replace him with someone better. Someone from another school.
Currently the Saints have no players from LSU on their roster. That means every single player that hits the field for New Orleans went to school someplace other than the beloved Louisiana State University.
So I think it’s about time for LSU/Saints fan to get over it or do the rest of us a favor and find a new team.
I think it’s time for the LSU/Saints fan to let go of the past. It’s time for them to realize that where a current player went to college is not as important as where they play now. I think it’s time for LSU/Saints fan to grow up! And that’s the 300lbs. elephant in the room not the mascot that Ingram played under.
LSU coach Les Miles gives handshakes to Tigers fans before a SEC football game this season. TPT Advertising Director Brad Thibodaux said this week that the Tigers’ faithful need to go easy on Saints star and Alabama alum Mark Ingram.
