The last time the New Orleans Saints started a season 4 – 0 the year was 1993, the head coach was Jim Mora and the quarterback was Wade Wilson. That year the Saints ended up with a dismal 8 – 8 record and did not make it to the postseason.

Much has changed in the last decade-and-a-half.

Under the direction of Head Coach Sean Payton, the Saints have broken their long-standing playoff curse, making it the NFC championship in 2006 before falling to the Chicago Bears. They also boast one of the league’s best quarterbacks in Drew Brees. Additionally, the Saints defense is much improved over past years. These factors have perhaps left Saints fans in the River Parishes with a renewed sense of optimism.

Last week, L’Observateur asked readers to vote in its online poll on the question “Given the Saints’ 4 – 0 start, how do you think they’ll fare through the rest of the season?”

A total of 85 percent of respondents thought the black-and-gold would fare quite well, either notching a first Super Bowl championship for New Orleans or at least making it deep into the postseason.

A breakdown of all responses follows.

• 40 percent of respondents chose “Super Bowl champs, baby!”

• 45 percent of respondents chose “They’ll make it deep into the playoffs but fall just short of a championship.”

• 11 percent of respondents chose “The curse will return, and they’ll lose in the first round of the playoffs.”

• 4 percent chose “Same old Saints. They’ll fall apart and not even make it to the postseason.”

This week’s question: President Barack Obama’s visit to the region has been criticized as too short and lacking substance – the only stops he is making are a visit to a New Orleans charter school and a town hall-style meeting. What would you add to Obama’s agenda?

Visit www.lobservateur.com to vote.