There is a classic NFL Films Football Follies bit about games played in severe weather in open-air stadiums. As players endure the rain and mud, stumbling and fumbling, a voiceover that sounds like Porky Pig speaking on behalf of the players talks to God about the situations they face in less than ideal conditions. At one point, he struggles to say melancholy — “melancaca, melancaca, melancaca,” he stutters before saying, “We’re pretty darn sad.”
This bit reminds me of the 2025 New Orleans Saints and their fans. Going into the season, most knew it was going to be tough. Thirty-seven-year-old Kellen Moore took the reins as a first-time head coach. There was uncertainty under center, only a part-time quarterback had recorded a win as a starter, and questions on defense loomed.
As the draft approached, the thought was the Saints needed to pick players who could provide an immediate impact. The team made nine selections in the draft, headlined by first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (No. 9 overall) and Tyler Shough (QB, 40th overall), as well as Vernon Broughton (DT, 71st overall), Jonas Sanker (S, 93rd overall), Danny Stutsman (LB, 112th), Quincy Riley (CB, 131st), Devin Neal (RB, 184th), Moliki Matavao (TE, 248th), and Fadil Diggs (EDGE, 254th).
Unsurprisingly, Banks emerged as the starting left tackle, arguably the most important position on the offensive line. Broughton recorded three tackles before getting hurt and being placed on injured reserve. Sanker stepped into the starting free safety role and has made strong contributions. Stutsman is backing up defensive leader Demario Davis at left inside linebacker and done well. Riley has been a bit player as backup nickel back. Neal sits behind running backs Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller and has seen limited action. Matavao has been a practice squad player, and Diggs was cut after Week 1 then re-signed for depth on special teams.
Sharp-eyed readers likely noticed Shough was not mentioned in the previous paragraph, and that’s part of why the “melancaca, melancaca, melancaca — we’re pretty darn sad” line echoes in my mind.
When training camp began, there was excitement that there would be competition for the starting quarterback position between Spencer Rattler – although he had yet to claim a victory — and Tyler Shough, the Saints’ highest-drafted QB since Archie Manning in 1971. Rattler won the battle and has not lost his spot. Meanwhile, Shough has essentially gone missing in action.
Through the first five games of the season, Rattler, 25 years old, completed 119 of 177 pass attempts (67.2%), threw for 990 yards, six TDs, and one interception. The 26-year-old rookie had two passing attempts and no completions. While Rattler’s completion percentage is solid, he doesn’t often stretch the field with his passes and opposing defenses have noticed. He has averaged just 190.4 yards passing yards per game. With the rushing attack providing an average of 116.8 yards, the Saints were ranked 24th in the NFL in total offense with 307.2 yards per game, in early October. Worse, they averaged just 18.4 points per game, 28th in the NFL.
In the same time period, the Black and Gold defense gave up an average of 326.2 yards (204 passing and 122.2 rushing) and 27 points per game, both ranked 24th in the NFL.
That level of production gave the Saints just one win in their first five games.
The second reason the Porky Pig exclamation resonates is due to the success the New York Giants had in bringing in two rookies — QB Jaxson Dart (Round 1, Pick 25) and RB Cam Skattebo (Round 4, Pick 105) — both of whom the Saints could have selected. While neither player shone when the Saints beat the Giants in Week 5, there is no doubt that both have been impactful and have changed the trajectory of their season, if not their franchise. It begs the question: If both were in New Orleans, would things be better?
The final reason for being “melancaca” is the seemingly hopelessness shown by some Saints fans in the early part of the season. Crowds at the Superdome have appeared to be split 50/50 between home and away fans. The Saints are losing their “Domefield” advantage and making the gulf between the Drew Brees-led golden era and today evermore evident.
Hopefully, the second half of the season will be better for the Black and Gold. It’s too early to be forced to say, “Wait till next year!”
Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football.
