If 2006 was the Cinderella Saints, 2007 was the Saints Beast Without the Beauty.

There was nothing pretty about New Orleans going 0-4 after an embarrassing season opening on MNF against the Indianapolis Colts. 

There was nothing handsome watching star running backs Deuce McAlister, Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker, Mike McKenzie ending their season with injuries. 

There was little attractive seeing Marcus Colston sitting on the bench in the Saints’ last half against the Bears.

It was ugly watching a relatively short Drew Brees have  passes tipped, knocked down and tagged.

But, in a league which allows an 8-8 club to have a crack at the playoff status, there was always hope, until the last seconds against ‘Dem Bears. 

The Saints, in 2007, controlled their own destiny with weeks left in the season and despite losing big games they could have won, they never gave up, even in the Windy City. 

So, even with a beast of a season in which they ultimately went 7-9 after that 0-4 start, they still fought mightily for survival.

The Saints did things they should not have done.  They never should have tried that razzle-dazzle play weeks ago  which resulted in an unnecessary fumble in the closing moments.  On Sunday, they never should have punted to Devlin Hester, but they did, who ran back an expected touchdown.

Yes, things could get downright ugly.  We don’t know what the future will look like for New Orleans.  The Saints obviously did not playing with the same fervor and intensity that was the Katrina victim season to show they had the spunk that personified a city that would not say no.

We do not know if the injuries to their stars will hamper their respective future productions.  We don’t know if Pierre Thomas is the real thing or a flash-in-the-pan.  He showed two games of solid performances late in his rookie season so he has the big momentum which gives New Orleans a reason to be hopeful. 

Ultimately, the New Orleans Saints let the beast of their past beat them.  Surely,  they weren’t the bag-over-the-head-Saints of the past.  But, the season showed hope mixed with uncertainty--as so many of the other losing seasons have done for now three decades.

Once again, it is “wait until next year”.  Soon, the media will be telling us that this is the year the Saints can take it all the way.  This season, New Orleans will pick draft choices that will flop.  They will find “diamonds in the rough” who will surprise the coaches and certainly, ultimately the players.

The New Orleans Saints 2007 were never a beautiful team.  They lost games they should have won.  Home field advantage was no help.  Their coaches weren’t even “a beautiful mind”.  Collectively, they made major blunders which make us wonder if we are back in the fantasy land of leadership.

Still, there is next year, as we say, now as a New Orleans mantra.  The Saints 2007 made us proud to the final seconds in a league where also-rans can run.  Now, the coaches and the administration have many beasts in front of them.  They must find their way in the dark.  They must find a defense, period.  They must find discovery a new identity.         

And, most importantly, they must find a winning strategy that makes them consistent winners who really can take them to the top rung.  New Orleans’s own  Payton Manning has done that for the Indianapolis Colts after years of doubt.  Now, it is time for the Bensons to get that beast off their own backs and show us and themselves they have what it takes to be long-term, true winners in the NFL.

The loyal, almost insane fans have been waiting for their Prince.  One Cinderella after three decades makes for a terrible story.