Walk down Bourbon Street in New Orleans and you’ll see all sorts of signs about voodoo. They might as well move those signs a mile or so away to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. After all it seems like the New Orleans Saints are cursed.
At least since they won the Super Bowl 10 years ago and especially the last three years. Sunday’s overtime playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings was just the latest crushing hit to a proud franchise with a rabid fan base. It’s happened in historical fashion.
According to ESPN, the Saints became the first team to have six straight playoff losses by one score and the second team since Green Bay (2013-15) to lose in three straight postseasons on the final play of the game.
Remember the “Minneapolis Miracle’’? Everyone in New Orleans sure does. That was two years ago when Minnesota’s Stefon Diggs caught a walk-off touchdown pass.
Last year was even worse. That was the NFC Championship Game loss to the Los Angeles Rams. In that game, Los Angeles defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman blatantly interfered with New Orleans receiver Tommylee Lewis on a play that could have put the Saints in the Super Bowl.
Sunday’s loss won’t prompt coach Sean Payton to force any rule changes, the way he convinced the league last year to make pass interference and non-calls reviewable. But the loss to the Vikings wasn’t any less painful than last year. The Saints got stabbed twice in overtime. First, there was a 43-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen that took the Vikings to the 2-yard line. Cousins followed that with a touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph to win the game.
So where do the Saints go from here?
“It might get worse before it gets better,’’ a scout for another NFC team said. “They have a lot of older players. People have to understand that they have to get younger and that comes with growing pains. With them, it’s not a total rebuild but they have to get younger in some spots.’’
What spots? Let’s take a look at what the scout suggested the Saints should do this offseason.
Get a young cornerback
“Janoris Jenkins and Patrick Robinson are old,’’ the scout said. “They need to draft a cornerback.’’
Marshon Lattimore is in his prime and Eli Apple, who missed the game with an injury, still has upside. But the Saints need to add a cornerback early in the draft to keep up with the likes of Julio Jones, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the NFC South. Adding Janoris Jenkins late in the 2019 season is a stopgap at best.
Add more speed at wide receiver
Michael Thomas is the best in the game, but the Saints need a speed receiver to go with him. Ted Ginn Jr. is 34 and not very physical. The Saints need to bring in a receiver that can take attention off Thomas. Tre’Quan Smith has potential, but the Saints need more speed.
Find a young tight end
Jared Cook had a very nice year, but he’s 32. The Saints need to find someone like a young Jimmy Graham.
Stabilize the quarterback position
Drew Brees is about to turn 41, but the scout said this is one spot where the Saints need to stick with the status quo. Brees is about to become a free agent and the Saints have Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill, who are much younger and have upside. But Bridgewater also is about to become a free agent and Hill may be nothing more than a great utility player.
Would you rather have Brees or Bridgewater at somewhere near $30 million a year? The obvious answer is Brees, who still appears to have some good football left in him.
Keeping Brees means the Saints can remain a playoff contender for a year or two while they rebuild at the other positions.
I asked the scout if the Saints still will be the favorite in the NFC South next season.
“Yeah,” the scout said. “As long as they keep Brees. They need him for another year or two to ease the transition elsewhere.’’
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
