In New Orleans, on Poydras Street near the historic French Quarter, are two famous landmarks. Hard by the banks of the Mississippi River is Harrah’s Casino. Facing it 10 blocks away is the Superdome.
At both locations, gamblers are madly “chasing,” i.e., doubling down on their bets to recoup prior losses.
From 2017 through 2020, the New Orleans Saints, aware that Drew Brees’ career was ending, made a desperate, expensive, understandable bid to reach another Super Bowl. It was a helluva try. They won four consecutive division titles.
But Brees and coach Sean Payton are gone. Now what? Have the Saints moderated their approach? Ha!
New Orleans began the offseason $75 million over the salary cap, and promptly pushed $110 million into future years without cutting a player. The Saints recruited Deshaun Watson, in vain. They spent $50 million on two free-agent safeties, a non-premium position.
And they traded five picks — a 1st, 2nd, two 3rds and a 4th — in moving up to draft WR Chris Olave.
So no, nothing has changed. The Saints, God bless them, are addicted. It’s no longer enough to say that their roster-building model is the boldest in the…
