What the fuck happened? The Saints Story.

The Saints are done. Stick a fork in them. It's over. Finito. Don't worry about them in your pre-season predictions or even apologies, and don't worry about your fantasy football team headlined by Drew Brees - they're done too. In one short year, the Saints, NFC South Champions, and active participants in the NFC Championship games have become what they've always yearned to be, The 'Aints. And the 'Aints, ain't comin'.

And the dark horse pick by many (me) for the NFL Championship are just in the dark now, to even get out of their own way. The eulogy has begun.

I'm not an 'Aints fan, but if I was, I'd want to know what the hell happened, that in three weeks, the Browns are in better position than this team. We all knew that this defense was no good, even though they signed super cornerback Jason David (sarcasm alert). But, the idea that this offense has yet to put up 20 points in a game when effortlessly averaging that last year is just plain puzzling.

Nothing changed on that side of the ball to all of our knowledge. Drew Brees, a possible MVP candidate was back, and had another year in the offensive system to get more comfortable. The thunder-power back Deuce McAlister was going to be loose as he broke through the middle of that solid offensive line. Marques Colston, the pleasant surprise in the 7th round pick was only going to get better because he had matured a year, he was so wet behind the ears last year. Their all-everything lightning rod on offense and his own match up problem Reggie Bush spent the off-season working out in front of the cameras - he looked super. And, of course Sean Payton, the brightest light in the young coaching circles was going to build on his impressive year last year by out-foxing the competition on offense enough that his defense would hide its woes.

In week one, it all came a crashing down, and not marching in, as the Saints failed to score a touchdown on a beaten up and rebuilt Colts defense. What we thought was a mirage has now become a reality, and to 'Aints fans a nightmare. This offense hadn't fallen asleep for a game, it had gone into hibernation for the entire season.

Being 0-3 is just as good as a death penalty for making the playoffs in the NFL in recent years. But it goes beyond that, there's really no sign that the Saints are right there to make a dramatic come back. And now, Deuce is loose on the sidelines, because reportedly he's out for the rest of the year with an ACL tear. It's a good thing they cut Pittman because there were too many running backs on that offense. Now they have no one to run the ball, because everyone knows Reggie Bush can't handle the load.

So, like I said. They're done, it's over, and don't hold out hope, just shut it down.

On a lighter note:

1. Did the Texans make the right pick with Mario Williams?
2. Is Jeff Fisher not the best coach in the NFL?

Game Recap [Yahoo Sports]
Duece lost to ACL [AOL Fanhouse]
Photo: Alex Brandon [AP]