METAIRIE, La. -- For much of Jon Stinchcomb’s seven-year career in New Orleans, the Saints have been also-rans, middling teams fighting for survival generally by the middle of the season.
Only once have the Saints begun the season on the positive side of things with Stinchcomb on the roster – a 6-2 start in 2006. Four times in his six seasons, New Orleans began 2-4.
So, the right tackle will gladly answer questions about New Orleans having a bulls-eye on its back.
“The bulls-eye is squarely on us and we’re fine with that,” Stinchcomb said. “You just have to answer the bell each time it rings.”
He added, “This isn’t high school ball where you can week in, week out dominate teams because you’re far superior talent wise. There’s great parity in this league. Each week you’re going to face a team’s best, especially when you string together eight, nine wins like we have.”
Indeed, the longer the season goes and the longer time goes before the Saints lose, the more pressure befalls New Orleans and the harder teams come at it.
New Orleans opened the season by averaging nearly wins of nearly 20 points per game. In the past four, that number has dwindled to about 8.8 points.
And it’s not because the opponents are any better. The combined record of the past four opponents is 14-22, while the opening five are a combined 21-33.
Nevertheless, teams are getting up for playing the Saints.
For a franchise that is used to being the proverbial hunter, becoming the hunted could prose a problem. It’s a question of focus more than anything.
“Playing the Rams last week, going in undefeated, it would have been a huge win for them and a huge step for them building their program with a new coach and a lot of new players,” Saints linebacker Scott Shanle said. “You have to watch out as far as teams trying to make a name for themselves against you.”
At 9-0 and playing the 1-8 Buccaneers (noon Sunday), motivation for the Saints becomes a factor as much as anything.
“Over the course of a long season, I think that’s a challenge,” Head Coach Sean Payton said. “There’s times where we’ll change the routine up, maybe during the work week. There’s times the message the night before the game – and Joe Vitt is the guy that usually will speak on Saturday nights with a video or some pertinent keys – there’s times that message will be different.”
Shanle said the fact that teams can now make a name of themselves by beating the Saints should be a motivating factor. Knowing teams will be playing their best also should be a motivating factor, he said.
“I think it’s a good problem to have,” Shanle said. “You’re going to get everyone’s A game every single week no matter where you’re playing … (and) who you’re playing.”
