Common Theme in Saints Opponents

I've started to notice a common them in Saints opponents, especially for big time games.

Ask any Saints fan right now what team (besides Atlanta, of course) in recent memory just get's on their nerves. Most will probably say Bears, Eagles, maybe Cowboys and Vikings.
It's understandable since the Saints played all these teams in pretty high profile games, but the Saints have also recently played the Cardinals, Patriots, Giants, and especially the Colts in very high profiles games, yet there is a lot less animosity towards these teams.
The reason for this is clearly in the attitude of the opposing teams fans. The fans of teams in the latter group for the most part were good sports about the competition. Take the Super Bowl, the biggest game in Saints history. You would think with that much on the line there would be some bad blood towards the only thing standing in the way of the Saints and the ultimate prize, but after the game the attitude between the opposing fans seemed relatively neutral if not positive. Colts fans seem to accept that they were beaten fair and square in a pretty equal match up in which the Saints got a few more good breaks, made a few more good decisions and walked away with the Lombardi. Any decent sports fan can respect that kind of good sportsmanship in opposing fans.

Now look at the Vikings. Another huge contest for both teams with both teams fairly equally matched in a close game that came down to the wire. Again, the Saints got a few more good breaks, made a few more good decisions and they ended out on top. No body could deny that night that either team could beat the other team any given Sunday after seeing that match up. There should have been a mutual respect between the two opponents.

But that isn't what happened, is it? Instead you have a bunch of bad sports whining for six months about how their geriatric quarterback was hit too hard, how a spot was 1-2 inches off, barking in the NFL and the media's ear enough so that they change the rules in an overtime game. Fans make empty threats towards Drew Brees such as wanting to break his bones and knock him out for the season.
Instead of lining up, shaking hands, and saying "Good game," they take ignore the lessons of Coach Mora and keep the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" approach towards an impressive display of the sport by each team that "shoulda" been a glorious moment of entertainment for all.
So it comes down to this: it isn't that hard to gain the respect of Saints fans. We want to like you, we want to respect you, but we can't do that if you ignore the concept of sportsmanship and proceed to act like 11 year olds who just lost the little league game and don't get to go to Chuck E. Cheese for a victory party. Be a good sport, and for most of us, you're ok. We can even be friends.
Act like a dick, and we'll send pizzas to your house, get you fired from your job at the gym, tell your dad you're gay, and make you regret ever signing up for Facebook.



Cliffnotes: Be a good sport, Saints fans will like and respect you.
Be a bad sport, Saints fans will destroy you for their own entertainment.