NFL Team Previews: New Orleans Saints
When Sean Payton is your head coach, and Drew Brees is your quarterback, a fanbase has expectations of winning every season. Last year (the last few years, really), general manager Mickey Loomis has failed to put a team together that wins consistently. After going 7-9 and finishing third in the NFC South, the Saints once again expect to win. But with the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers in their division, nobody else really expects too much.
DRAFT RECAP: The Saints had a couple of needs this offseason, but with only five players drafted, they used free agency to solve most of their needs. That said, the players the Saints selected are fits and should contribute immediately. To start, DT Sheldon Rankins from Louisville was the clear-cut top defensive tackle in this massive class, and slightly ahead of the glob of defensive tackles that contains players like Kenny Clark, Vernon Butler and A'Shawn Robinson. It doesn't mean he will be better than any of them, but with no real depth at defensive tackle he might already be the best in New Orleans. The Saints then selected two Ohio State Buckeyes: WR Michael Thomas and S Vonn Bell. Neither of them are necessarily at a position of need, but Thomas should step in and replace Marques Colston, and if Bell has a really strong camp, it wouldn't surprise me to see him split time with S Jairus Byrd during the season.
FREE AGENCY: The Saints were a relatively active team in free agency, and the biggest contract they set out was tot TE Coby Fleener from Indianapolis. He has failed to live up to his first round expectations, and I don't necessarily see that changing in New Orleans since he already had a pretty good QB in Andrew Luck. The way I could see it changing is that maybe a change of scenery will help, but this change of scenery hopes he will be the next Jimmy Graham. They also brought in a trio of players on three year deals to help at linebacker, headlined by James Laurinaitis from the now LA Rams. He should start immediately in the middle. The group also contains Craig Robertson from Cleveland and Nathan Stupar from Atlanta, and they will provide depth at the position. DT Nick Fairley was also brought in from the Rams, and he could be starting next to Sheldon Rankins right away. Finally, S Roman Harper signed a one year deal after leaving Carolina, but with the safeties they already have, it's hard to see him playing a lot, and possibly even getting cut due to his age.
PLAYERS LOST: I think the headline here is losing longtime WR Marques Colston, and although he has not officially retired, he probably will soon. Colston fell off a cliff with his production last season, and the Saints finally decided it was time to move on from him after 10 years. The Saints also let TE Ben Watson go to Baltimore, but it's not a surprise with the addition of Fleener. S Rafael Bush went to Detroit, and yet again, it's not surprising with the additions of Harper and Bell, both of whom probably won't start at the beginning of the season. RB Khiry Robinson went to the New York Jets, but the Saints already have RB Mark Ingram and enough depth behind him.
STRONGEST POSITION: The Saints have a lot of strengths this season besides quarterback, including a group of linebackers led by Stephone Anthony and James Laurinaitis. However, my biggest strength, especially on defense is the group of safeties led by Kenny Vaccaro. If they keep Roman Harper, the Saints have a two Pro Bowl caliber players in Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd, a top 5 rookie at his position in Vonn Bell, and a veteran whose last game was in the Super Bowl in Roman Harper. It's almost as if the Saints are too rich in this position, especially considering what my weakness is.
WEAKEST POSITION: Cornerback. This group is headlined by Keenan Lewis, and after a couple of nice seasons in New Orleans (and by no means great seasons), he is coming off of a season ending surgery. Then, you have last year's third round pick PJ Williams who tore his hamstring before the season and was placed on IR. The only other corner of note is Delvin Breaux, who had 3 picks last season, and although it was his first year, he is by no means a stud yet.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO THE SAINTS SUCCESS: QB Drew Brees, RB Mark Ingram, DE Cameron Jordan, OLB Stephone Anthony, S Kenny Vaccaro. Without Drew Brees, the team leader and most important piece of the offense, the Saints would fall apart. The defense looks improved, but their are still weak and/or unproven links all over. RB Mark Ingram is necessary for the balance in the offense, and taking some heat away from Brees. DE Cameron Jordan is the start of the pass rush, and he led the team with 10 sacks last season. OLB Stephone Anthony led the team in tackles, and is now coming into his second season and has a solid contributor next to him in Laurinaitis. Finally, S Kenny Vaccaro is the best safety on the team, the leader of the secondary, and might even be the best safety in the division.
PREDICTION: I can't see this team being better than Carolina, but I do sense a bit of a three way race for second in the division and a possible, but improbable wild card slot. Anything from 5-11 to 10-6 is reasonable to predict, and I believe this team has improved, but the schedule got tougher and won't show it. I'm going with 8-8 here.
