After a year without the Saints, the folks in New Orleans have taken to their team like never before.
In 2006, there was a very good reason for it. The Saints made it to the
playoffs, and they advanced to the NFC title game for the first time in
franchise history.
The past two years have resulted in no postseason appearances. Though
the tickets are still selling, the fans at some point will return to
complacency, barring a serious push to the proverbial next level.
And so the Saints have made a somewhat serious push to address their
most glaring weakness from a year ago — their defense. Despite the
looming reality that defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith will be suspended for four games each, the
Saints used their first-round pick on a cornerback (Malcolm Jenkins)
and they signed a veteran safety with playmaking skills (Darren
Sharper). But they could have done even more via the draft but for the
draft picks that were sent elsewhere in a failed (to date) trade for
Jeremy Shockey.
Of course, the guy who pulled the trigger on the Shockey trade — coach
Sean Payton — could see that move atop the list of reasons to fire him
after the coming season.
The offense continues to be stellar, with one of the best quarterbacks in the game, capable wideouts, and a stable of solid but not spectacular running backs.
The absence of starting left tackle Jammal Brown for the first five games due to a hernia could put more pressure on the passing attack, but the Saints still have enough talent to compete for a playoff berth.
If they don’t, there could be trouble.
Key player: Drew Brees. He nearly broke the single-season passing yardage record last year, and the Saints need him to continue to churn out plenty of yards, week in and week out. Without him, this team is downright ordinary.
Rookie to watch: Jenkins. The only stat that matters in football is points scored versus points allowed, on a per-game basis. Jenkins will help the Saints deal with the latter half of that equation.
Best veteran acquisition: Sharper. Though he might not have much left, the Saints will benefit from his skills and leadership.
Key game: Week Seven, Atlanta. In a very difficult NFC South, the games against the Panthers and Falcons will be critical. The Saints get their first crack at either team on November 2.
The best “player” for the Saints is DC Gregg Williams. Finally a DC that will attack and not sit back and watch teams drive down the field for TDs. That along with some healthy D players should vault the Saints into SB contention.
The O should be better this year than last (when they were the #1 O in the NFL). Shockey is finally healthy and was a go to target for Brees through the preseason. Bush is also healthy and when we last saw him in good health he was leading the NFL in TDs scored. Not too shabby for a guy many proclaim as a “bust”. Hell, I’ll take any and all “busts” who give a team 1,500 yards and 10-15 TDs per year. Colston is also finally healthy along with Lance Moore.
If the D improves to middle of the pack (or better) and the O retains status quo, the black and gold will be in the SB.
I hate how people like yourself act we like just started supporting the Saints since the storm, I personally have been a season ticket holder since 88,and been going to games before then, and the one consistant has always been the fans, so stop acting like ” wow everyone is suddenly Saints fans down there since the storm”…
Great Article!
Please continue to tell it like it is!