I get it, I get it — the world we live in, with social media at our fingertips 24/7, 365, sports opinions are coming at you nonstop.I love it!But it’s also a world where the most radical ideas can become mainstream if they’re shared or retweeted enough.Wild ideas are fine for maybe shaping a debate and helping people think outside the box, but when they become the norm, I think it’s OK for someone to say — or yell — “stop, let’s get back to reality.”So let me scream right now: The Saints are not tanking the 2025 season for Arch Manning.I’ll keep this quick.While the Saints are down right now and the NFL schedule makers sent them a message by keeping New Orleans off prime time for the first time in 25 years, the team is playing to win!Does anyone really think guys like Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, Alvin Kamara, Erik McCoy and others are not giving 110% on every single snap?Does anyone think Kellen Moore isn’t going to try to come up with the most creative game plans to expose opposite defense?After four non-playoff seasons, does anyone believe team owner Gayle Benson and General Manager Mickey Loomis have the stomach to intentionally watch another failed campaign?The NFL is the greatest sports entertainment property in the world because it’s hyper competitive, it has tremendous parity, and tanking is something that just does not happen.Could the Saints be bad this year?Yes!But it won’t be because of a lack of effort or determination.Also, the Saints may surprise people.Look, I was working at WDSU in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina.In Sean Payton and Drew Brees’ first year, many thought the Black & Gold would be awful. Most prognosticators were predicting 3-5 wins total. New Orleans won 10 games and advanced to their first NFC Championship game.In more recent NFL history, the Washington Commanders last season started rookie QB Jayden Daniels on a team that was in full-blown rebuild mode, and they won 10 games and advanced to the NFC Championship. Now that we’ve established the Saints aren’t intentionally tanking, let’s talk Arch.I’ve known the Mannings my entire life, and one thing I know about them is that they don’t skip steps.Peyton Manning could have left college early to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. He returned to school for his senior season and was still the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft and entered the NFL more ready for pro ball with more college starts under his belt.Eli Manning sat for two years at Ole Miss behind Romero Miller before taking over. Eli then spent 3 seasons with the Rebels, five years total in college before entering the NFL and being selected No. 1 overall in the 2004 draft.Arch has started two games at the University of Texas.Can we let him play before anointing him?I’m all in on the Arch bandwagon and think he’ll lead the Longhorns to greatness, but again, he’s started two college games, and people are suggesting NFL teams should tank for him.And for those who are dreaming of Arch in the 2026 NFL draft, keep dreaming.As I outlined with his talented uncles, Peyton and Eli, they each stayed in college to gain valuable experience and to make sure they were ready for the rigorous life of an NFL QB.The Mannings don’t skip steps, so if I were a betting man, I’d bet on Arch playing the 2025 and 2026 seasons at Texas and entering the 2027 draft.So, anyone wanna tank for two seasons?
NEW ORLEANS —
I get it, I get it — the world we live in, with social media at our fingertips 24/7, 365, sports opinions are coming at you nonstop.
I love it!
But it’s also a world where the most radical ideas can become mainstream if they’re shared or retweeted enough.
Wild ideas are fine for maybe shaping a debate and helping people think outside the box, but when they become the norm, I think it’s OK for someone to say — or yell — “stop, let’s get back to reality.”
So let me scream right now: The Saints are not tanking the 2025 season for Arch Manning.
I’ll keep this quick.
While the Saints are down right now and the NFL schedule makers sent them a message by keeping New Orleans off prime time for the first time in 25 years, the team is playing to win!
Does anyone really think guys like Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, Alvin Kamara, Erik McCoy and others are not giving 110% on every single snap?
Does anyone think Kellen Moore isn’t going to try to come up with the most creative game plans to expose opposite defense?
After four non-playoff seasons, does anyone believe team owner Gayle Benson and General Manager Mickey Loomis have the stomach to intentionally watch another failed campaign?
The NFL is the greatest sports entertainment property in the world because it’s hyper competitive, it has tremendous parity, and tanking is something that just does not happen.
Could the Saints be bad this year?
Yes!
But it won’t be because of a lack of effort or determination.
Also, the Saints may surprise people.
Look, I was working at WDSU in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina.
In Sean Payton and Drew Brees’ first year, many thought the Black & Gold would be awful. Most prognosticators were predicting 3-5 wins total. New Orleans won 10 games and advanced to their first NFC Championship game.
In more recent NFL history, the Washington Commanders last season started rookie QB Jayden Daniels on a team that was in full-blown rebuild mode, and they won 10 games and advanced to the NFC Championship.
Now that we’ve established the Saints aren’t intentionally tanking, let’s talk Arch.
I’ve known the Mannings my entire life, and one thing I know about them is that they don’t skip steps.
Peyton Manning could have left college early to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. He returned to school for his senior season and was still the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft and entered the NFL more ready for pro ball with more college starts under his belt.
Eli Manning sat for two years at Ole Miss behind Romero Miller before taking over. Eli then spent 3 seasons with the Rebels, five years total in college before entering the NFL and being selected No. 1 overall in the 2004 draft.
Arch has started two games at the University of Texas.
Can we let him play before anointing him?
I’m all in on the Arch bandwagon and think he’ll lead the Longhorns to greatness, but again, he’s started two college games, and people are suggesting NFL teams should tank for him.
And for those who are dreaming of Arch in the 2026 NFL draft, keep dreaming.
As I outlined with his talented uncles, Peyton and Eli, they each stayed in college to gain valuable experience and to make sure they were ready for the rigorous life of an NFL QB.
The Mannings don’t skip steps, so if I were a betting man, I’d bet on Arch playing the 2025 and 2026 seasons at Texas and entering the 2027 draft.
So, anyone wanna tank for two seasons?