Woody Paige just broke my heart because I believe

This morning on Cold Pizza, Woody Piage broke my heart by ripping the Saints for signing Drew Brees, who's recovering from a serious shoulder injury. In short, Mr. Paige predicted that the Saints are going nowhere because they are the worse team in NFL history. Drew Brees, in Mr. Paige's estimable opinion, should have his head examined for signing with the Saints; and, the Saints should kick themselves for signing a recovering Mr. Brees.

The brokeness of my heart created quite a quandary for me. Why do I care if yet another talking-head in the sports industry rips the Saints? Its not like there isn't truth in what he said. But still the twinge of pain is there, despite the truth. Could it be that my heart aches at the dismal predictions for the Saints because...I believe. Yikes!

Every offseason, deep in the hearts of New Orleanians, the hope that has been vanquished by the Saints performance in the previous season, somehow resurges and rises from the ashes of broken dreams like a phoenix. Despite the fact that many of these New Orleanians are rational, critical-thinking people who have witnessed a franchise that, in its 40+ year history, has accomplished much of nothin', this resurging hope rises so high that it transforms into belief - the belief that maybe this year will be our year. I attribute this transformation of hope into belief to the offseason when New Orleanians enjoy the privilege of not actually seeing the Saints play. Seeing the Saints play holds any dreams of the Saints being a solid football team at bey. But in the offseason, all the whimsy of a young, imaginative child returns to all New Orleanians, even without their knowing.

The return of this whimsy is why I am so caught off guard by my reaction to Mr. Paige's statements. I hadn't even been paying attention to my heart for the Saints - I try not to acknowledge I have one. But there it was when Mr. Paige spoke those unkind words. So I end this post by acknowledging my hope...acknowledging my belief. "Go Saints all the way. Saints go all the way! Oh, I believe." Of course, by the end of the first pre-season game this season I'll be cursing the Saints and tucking my belief away until the next offseason.