New Orleans Saints
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NFL Team Column By Bryan Dietzler |
New Orleans Fends off a Late Falcons Rally to Remain Perfect
The New Orleans Saints managed to stay undefeated after a close Monday night contest against the Atlanta Falcons beating them 35-37. The Saints didn’t play their best game of the season, turning the ball over several times in critical situations but they did enough on both sides of the ball to win this game and remain quite possibly the best team in the NFL.
The Falcons started off scoring in the game in the first quarter when running back Michael Turner blew into the end zone following a 13 yard run to put the Falcons up 7-0. The Saints would answer the Falcon’s touchdown on a 22 yard run by running back Pierre Thomas to tie the game at seven. Atlanta would add one more touchdown in the first quarter when Falcon’s defensive tackle Kroy Bierman recovered a fumble and ran it back for a touchdown. That put the Falcons up 14-7.
It was all New Orleans in the second quarter as they tied it up following an 18 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Brees to wide receiver Marques Colston. New Orleans would go up 21-14 when running back Reggie Bush punched it from one yard out. The Saints defense would even get into the act following a 48 yard interception return by cornerback Jabari Greer which would make it 28-14 in favor of the Saints.
That’s how the half would end.
The Falcons opened up the second half scoring in the third quarter when Roddy White caught a 68 yard pass from quarterback Matt Ryan to make it 28-21. There were no other scores in the quarter. In the fourth, Atlanta kicker Jason Elam booted a 25 yard field goal to bring the Falcons to within four of the Saints. New Orleans would put another score on the board when running back Pierre Thomas caught a one yard pass from Brees to make it 35-24. The Falcons would get one more score, the last one of the game for either team when they got a 40 yard field goal from Elam to make it 35-27.
Stud of the Game-You have to give this to the Saint’s defense. Despite allowing Turner to run all over them and despite allowing Ryan to complete some pretty critical passes, the Saints defense kept the Falcons far enough away to allow their offense to score points and keep them ahead. This defense has come a very long way since 2008.
Dud of the Game-Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas-Both running backs fumbled at critical times in this game and almost gave it away. They have to hold onto the ball better.
Key Stat-48 yards-This is how many yards the interception return that Greer had towards the end of the half covered. He ran the pick back for a touchdown and swung momentum towards the Saints going into halftime.
Analysis-The Saints show us week in and week out that they have the best offense in the NFL. They also show us that their defense has come a very long way in a year and that it helps keep opposing teams at bay much better now. New Orleans has way too many weapons for most teams to handle and with the play calling that they get from the coaching staff, this team is virtually unstoppable. The biggest question now is, when will they lose.
Next Up-The Saints will host the Carolina Panthers this coming Sunday. A full preview of this game is shown below.
The New Orleans Saint vs. The Carolina Panther
The undefeated New Orleans Saints, coming off of a win against the Atlanta Falcons this past Monday night will host the 3-4 Carolina Panthers this Sunday. The Panthers are coming off of a 34-21 win against the Arizona Cardinals. This is a rivalry game between two division rivals which should make it an even better game than it would appear to be.
When the Saints have the Ball-The Panther’s defense played Arizona Cardinal’s quarterback Kurt Warner tough so they will focus on getting pressure on Drew Brees in this game. This is why the Saints need to establish the run and they will do that with Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell. If it has to come down to throwing the ball a lot, Brees is one of the best in the NFL and has a great group of wide receivers. With this kind of offense, the Panther’s defense may be overmatched.
When the Panthers have the Ball-The Saints defense is a very opportunistic defense and will take advantage of any mistakes that the Panther’s offense makes. Carolina will try to run the ball a lot to help keep the ball out of the hands of the Saint’s offense and so New Orleans will try to control this. The Panther’s passing game is not that good thanks to ineffective play at the quarterback position so if the Panther’s have to throw the ball a lot they will most likely lose this game.
Potential Stud of the Game-The Saints rushing defense-If the Saints can keep DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart from gaining a ton of yards then they will have done their job and the Saints will have easily won this game.
Potential Dud of the Game-Players who turn the ball over-Turnovers plagued the Saints in their last game and turnovers at key points in this game could kill them. They have to hold onto the ball better.
Fantasy Spin-In what should be a weekly ritual, you should start Saint’s players like Brees, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Marques Colston.
They continue to produce week in and week out.
Prediction: The Saints are on a roll and it’s hard to imagine the Panther’s defense being able to stop them on offense. If the Saints defense can take away the Panther’s rushing attack and force Carolina to throw the ball a lot they can take advantage of the mistakes that quarterback Jake Delhomme is sure to make and almost easily win this game. The Saints should roll here.
Prediction: New Orleans 35 Carolina 13.
Saints Rally to Beat the Dolphins
The undefeated New Orleans Saints, fresh off of a big victory against the New York Giants, took on the Miami Dolphins in Miami and after falling behind by three scores, rallied back to win the game 46-34. The Saints used a combination of solid defense along with an opportunistic offense to overcome the mistakes made by that powerful offense. Now the Saints remain undefeated and one of the best teams in the NFL.
The scoring started out when Miami’s Ricky Williams ran the ball in four yards for a touchdown. The Saints would make it 7-3 on a field goal by kicker John Carney, still in the first quarter. Williams would help make it 14-3 following a 68 yard run. In the second quarter, the Dolphins would go up 17-3 following a field goal. Running back Ronnie Brown would make it 24-3 after an eight yard run. The Saints would get their second score of the game in the second quarter on a one yard touchdown run from quarterback Drew Brees to make it 24-10. That is how the first half would end.
The Saint’s great comeback really got going in the second half when safety Darren Sharper returned a Chad Henne interception back 42 yards for touchdown to make it 24-17. The Dolphins would add another field goal to make it 27-17 to help keep the Saints back by ten points. However, New Orleans would pull to within three following a ten yard touchdown pass from Brees to Marques Colston. The score was 27-24 after that. The Dolphins would get one more touchdown following a four yard touchdown run by Williams to make it 34-24.
The Saints scored the final four scores in the game all in the fourth quarter. The rally started out when running back Reggie Bush burst into the end zone from ten yards out to make it 34-31. The Saints would make it 37-34 following another one yard run by Brees. (The kick failed) The Saints would add a field goal to make it 40-34. New Orleans would get one more score after Tracy Porter returned an interception 54 yards for a score. The two point conversion failed and that ended the game 46-34.
Stud of the Game-The Saints defense. When the game was on the line and the Saints had to come back and win this one the defense stepped up and help pave the way for a comeback. Granted, they didn’t do so hot to start out with but they stepped it up in the second half and helped this team win. They are one hundred times better than they were in 2008.
Dud of the Game-Pierre Thomas-Granted, the Dolphins run defense was doing well against the Saints and New Orleans had to get away from the run in order to keep up with the Dolphins but if Thomas had gotten a better start, the Saints might not have needed such a furious rally at the end of the game.
Fantasy Spin-Brees didn’t have one of his “classic” outings as he was intercepted three times but he ran for a couple of scores and ended up doing well. Bush had a good game as did the Saint’s defense.
Analysis-This game showed us that the Saints are also able to overcome adversity and come back from a serious deficit and this is what makes great teams great. Their defense has also come a long ways and can help keep them in games (and help them win them). This team is clearly the class of the NFL.
Next up-The Saints will host the Atlanta Falcons at the Superdome in New Orleans. A full preview of the game is shown below.
The New Orleans Saints vs. The Atlanta Falcons Game Preview
The undefeated New Orleans Saints will take on the 4-2 Atlanta Falcons this Monday night at home. The Saints are coming off of a 46-34 win over the Miami Dolphins while the Falcons lost to the Cowboys 37-21 in Dallas. This is a key division game for both teams. If the Saints win they will get a three game lead on the Falcons while if the Falcons win, they will gain one game on the Saints and be just two games back.
When the Saints have the Ball-The Falcon’s pass defense has been fairly weak lately as was seen against the Cowboys where they were ripped by Miles Austin for 170 plus yards. New Orleans has one of the best passing games in the NFL and will cause the Falcons problems.
The Saints offensive line will have to hold back what should be increased pressure from the Falcon’s defensive front and the line is capable of giving quarterback Drew Brees enough time to throw the ball. New Orleans may want to get their running game established as well because that will help to keep the Falcon’s defense honest and off balance. Both Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell need to have big games Monday night.
When the Falcons have the Ball-The Saints defense has been very good against passing teams and are one of the most opportunistic defenses out there. They are not as tough against the run though so the Falcons may look to get their running game established and they should be able to get Michael Turner in there and keep pounding him between the tackles. The Saints will have to keep an eye on tight end Tony Gonzalez who is becoming quarterback Matt Ryan’s go to guy. If the Saints can shut down the run and keep good coverage on the Falcon’s weapons in the passing game they will win this one.
Potential Stud of the Game-The Saints defense-If they can shut down the Falcon’s offense this game will be a breeze for them.
Potential Dud of the Game-The Saint’s rushing defense-If the Saints allow Turner to run all over them thus keeping the ball out of the hands of the offense, the Saints could realistically lose this game. They have to keep him off the field.
Fantasy Spin-Starting Brees, Thomas, Bush and all of the Saints receivers would be a good idea for this game. The Saints defense should also see a start too as they have been impressive over the past few weeks.
Prediction: New Orleans is playing at home so having the crowd on their side will give them an advantage. The Saints are on a roll while the Falcons have struggled for a couple of games and now their defense isn’t looking as good as it did when the season started. As long as the Saints can keep the ball in the hands of their offense they will be able to win this game.
Prediction: New Orleans 31 Atlanta 21.
The New Orleans Saints 2009 In Season Preview: The Safeties
In order for the Saints to be successful and make the playoffs in 2009, their defense has to step it up and hopes are high that they will be able to do that and keep the Saints in games. The safety position was much maligned in 2008 but things have gotten better for the Saints there and they will field some of the best players that they have including former Minnesota Viking Darren Sharper, Usama Young and Roman Harper to name a few. This is a good group but not the most solid in the NFL.
The following is a look at each player at the safety position for the Saints. There is a quick look back at how they played in 2008, how their offseason went and how the rest of the 2009 season should shape up for them.
Usama Young-Young, a four year veteran out of Kent State, is the backup to newly acquired free safety Darren Sharper. Young has played well in the past and in 2008 he started in two games while playing in 15 but was replaced this season by Sharper. Young will continue to be a solid backup at the free safety position and will contribute on special teams as well this season.
Pierson Prioleau-Prioleau is yet another long tenured veteran having been in the NFL for 11 years and he brings a lot of experience to the table with this group. In 2008 Prioleau played in just four games starting none and didn’t rack the stats of a starter but still contributed. He will do the same this season sitting behind Roman Harper at the strong safety position. Look for Prioleau to contribute at points this season.
Chris Reis-Reis, a third year backup at the strong safety position, provides some decent depth at the position and some good help on special teams. In 2008, Reis was active for 15 games but failed to start in any single game contributing mainly on special teams. That’s what he will do again this season with the Saints and he should be a valuable part of this team.
Roman Harper-Harper is the starter at the strong safety position and has become quite a valuable asset at the position. In 2008 Harper played in and started in 15 games for the Saints and was very productive but not as productive as he was in 2007. Harper remains the starter this season and should be able to perform admirably in the strong safety spot as long as he stays healthy.
Darren Sharper-Sharper, a free agent acquisition from the Minnesota Vikings, has started his career with the Saints very well and was a key factor in their win against the New York Jets. Sharper may be getting older (this is his 13th season) but he still has a lot to offer. In 2008, Sharper started all 16 games for the Vikings and was pretty productive in their defense. He brings that productivity to the Saints as well as a lot of experience and can really help out their defense and as we have seen, he has become an asset to this team.
Chip Vaughn-Vaughn, a rookie out of Wake Forest, will have to wait until next year to contribute as he is on injured reserve this season. Vaughn has good size for the position and good range but didn’t have the all out spectacular speed but would have been a good fit as a backup at either safety position. He will get his chance to prove himself once again in training camp next summer and should have the tools to stick with the team in 2010.
Overall, the Saints have a pretty strong group at the safety position and already in 2009, this group has helped the Saints keep teams at bay and has also helped them win games. There is no sign of Sharper being slowed down by age and he has had a good season so far. As long as this group stays healthy it should continue to be a key part of the success of the Saints defense. It could even see Sharper getting elected to the Pro Bowl at the end of the season. This could be one of the better safety groups in the NFL this season.
New Orleans Saints Destroy the Giants
The New Orleans Saints, fresh off of a bye week, hosted the New York Giants at the Superdome in a battle of undefeated teams and the Saints virtually blew out the Giants 48-27. The Saints showed us just why they are the number team in the NFL now after putting forth a great effort on both offense and defense. The Giants had one of the best offenses in the NFL as well as what may have been the best defense in the NFL before this game and the Saints picked them apart with seeming ease.
The first score of the game came when Saints running back Mike Bell went into the end zone on a two yard run to put the Saints up 7-0. New Orleans went up 14-0 when quarterback Drew Brees hit tight end Jeremy Shockey on a one yard pass to make it 14-0. The Giants would get on the board at the end of the third quarter with a field goal from kicker Lawrence Tynes to make it 14-3.
The Saints would go up 21-3 following a 36 yard touchdown pass from Brees to wide receiver Robert Meachem early in the second quarter. The Giant’s Ahmad Bradshaw got the Giants on the board again following a ten yard touchdown run to make it 21-10. New Orleans would go up 28-10 following a 12 yard touchdown pass from Brees to Lance Moore still in the second quarter. New York would get seven more when quarterback Eli Manning connected with Mario Manningham on a 15 yard touchdown pass. The Saints would close out the scoring the first half following a seven yard run by Reggie Bush.
The half would end with the Saints up 35-17.
The Saints would get the only score of the third quarter on a 12 yard pass from Brees to Marques Colston to make it 42-17. In the fourth quarter, the Giants would inch closer on a field goal by Tynes to make it 42-20. The Saints would get their final score of the game on a two yard run by Heath Evans to go up 48-20. The Giants would get the last score of the game on a 37 yard touchdown pass from quarterback David Carr to WR Hakeem Nicks. The game would end with the Saints winning 48-27.
Stud of the Game-The whole Saints team can be considered to be studs in this one. Both the offense and the defense performed very well against what many considered to be the strongest team in the NFC and there were very few mistakes made by this team.
Dud of the Game-It’s hard to find one for the Saints in this one but if I have to choose one I would say that the failure of the Saint’s secondary to keep the Giants from completing some of their longer passes should be of some concern. This could be attributed to a lack of pass rush by their defensive line but overall this group got good pressure on the Giant’s quarterbacks.
Fantasy Spin-It looks like Brees has resumed his record pace and made many fantasy owners happy last week. The Saint’s running backs didn’t do too bad either and the Saints remain one of the best teams for fantasy production in the NFL so far.
Next Up: New Orleans will travel to Miami to take on the 2-3 Miami Dolphins.
The preview of this game is below.
The New Orleans Saints vs. the Miami Dolphins
The undefeated New Orleans Saints will travel to Miami to take on the 2-3 Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins had a bye week last week and their last game was against the New York Jets, a 31-27 victory on Monday night. The Saints beat the then undefeated New York
Giants 48-27 this past Sunday.
When the Saints have the Ball-By now, everyone is aware of the kind of powerful offense that the Saints have and are well aware of their ability to strike quickly from anywhere. New Orleans may want to use their ground game a little bit more to keep the ball out of the hands of the Dolphins potent offense and they are fully capable of doing that with Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell available. Of course, this team has a talented group of wide receivers and their quarterback, Drew Brees, is capable of taking games over without much effort.
When the Dolphins have the Ball-The Dolphins have had a lot of success running the wildcat offense in the past and this could pose some problems for the Saint’s offense. In order to counteract this they have to be ready for anything and this defense will be hard to trick with defensive coordinator Greg Williams at the helm. Look for the Saints to keep their linebackers close to counteract the wildcat while taking special care to ensure that they get plenty of pressure on quarterback Chad Henne.
Potential Stud of the Game-Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell-These two have the ability to keep the ball in the hands of the Saints offense and do some great things with it. Look for both of these guys to have big games along with Brees.
Potential Dud of the Game-The Saints front seven-If the Dolphins try to get the wildcat offense going the front seven of the Saints will have to be on the ball to stop it. If they fail to do so, New Orleans could see its first loss of the season.
Fantasy Spin-Starting any and every New Orleans player eligible would be a good idea. All of them are highly productive especially Brees and Thomas.
Prediction: The Saints are on a roll and it’s hard to imagine a team like the Dolphins stopping them right now. The Saints will work to get a big lead to start and then use their defense to make sure that the Dolphins don’t come back on them. It should be an easy win for the Saints but they have to keep an eye out for the tricks that Miami likes to use. Just two or three successes could put this game in jeopardy for the Saints. Prediction: New Orleans 34 Miami 21.
New Orleans Saints vs. The New York Giants Game Preview
The undefeated New Orleans Saints, coming off a bye week, will host the undefeated New York Giants in a game that promises to be one of the best of this season. The Giants are coming off of a huge 44-7 win over the Oakland Raiders while the Saints earned a 24-10 victory over the New York Jets two weeks ago. With both teams coming in undefeated and both sporting high powered offenses and tough defenses, this promises to be a great game.
When the Saints have the Ball: The past two games have seen quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints passing game go into some kind of funk and they will have to break out of it in order to win this game. The Giants are deadly against the run and so the Saints will have to rely on Brees to win this game. They should be able to pick on the Giant’s secondary pretty well provided they aren’t under a lot of pressure by what has become a solid pass rush. If Brees can connect with his receivers and help get an early lead, the Saints could win this game. However, they most likely won’t be able to fall back on their running game as the Giants, as mentioned, are very tough against the run.
When the Giants have the Ball: This will be the toughest test this year for a Saints defense that has really improved upon its 2008 campaign. They have been solid against the pass this season and haven’t been too bad against the run either but they will face what may be the best offense that they have seen all season this coming Sunday. Getting pressure on Eli Manning would be a good idea in this game. With Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw leading a powerful running game it may be difficult for the Saints to keep containment on both. The Giants may be able to expose weaknesses in the Saints defense and take advantage of them.
Potential Stud: Brees-Brees has to have a big game in order for this team to win this game. If the Saint’s passing game fails to get going the Saints will almost certainly lose this game. Brees has to find that magic that he had when he first started the season.
Potential Dud: Both offense and defense-If there is any large failure on either side of the ball for the Saints, they will lose this game. The Giants are just that good and right now they are playing nearly flawless football so this is going to be a tough one for the Saints.
Fantasy Spin: While it may be difficult for some, you may want to start Brees in this game because the Saints will be passing the ball a lot in this one. Starting Brees and his group of wide receivers could pay off big.
Prediction: This game will either be close or be a blowout by one of these teams. Whoever jumps to an early lead will probably win this game. With two great offenses and two solid defenses this could also be a shootout and whoever gets the ball in the last two minutes will win this game. It’s almost too close to call. However, with their superior offensive power and a strong defense the Giants should prevail and the Saints will suffer their first loss of the season.
Prediction: New York Giants 33 New Orleans Saints 27.
New Orleans Saints vs. The New York Jets Game Review
The undefeated New Orleans Saints played host to the undefeated New York Jets and in the end, it was the Saints that remained undefeated following a 24-10 victory. This game featured a lot of great defensive plays by the Saints and yet another solid running effort. Quarterback Drew Brees was down once again throwing for just 190 yards with no touchdowns. Pierre Thomas rushed for 86 yards and one touchdown but as stated, it was the defense that won this one for the Saints.
The scoring started out in the first quarter as the Saints went up by three following a field goal. The Saints would also score the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter as safety Darren Sharper returned an interception back 99 yards for a score to make it 7-3. The Saints defense would score once again after Jet’s quarterback Mark Sanchez fumbled the ball in the end zone and Remi Ayodele recovered to make it 17-0. The Jets would get on the board though, before the end of the half, following a field goal by kicker Jay Feely to put it at 17-3 at halftime.
The Jets would close to within four following a Thomas Jones touchdown run. The Saints would ice the game on a one yard touchdown run to make it 24-10.
Stud of the Game-Darren Sharper-Sharper ended the game with five tackles and two interceptions one of which he would return 99 yards for a touchdown and showed the NFL that the Saints defense isn’t one to be thought of lightly now. They are one of the best in the NFL.
Dud of the Game-The Saint’s Passing Game-For the second straight game, the Saints failed to overpower their opponent through the air. This should raise some concern with the coaching staff but keep in mind, the Saints have faced two tough pass defenses these past two weeks. They need to get back on track if they hope to win tougher games in the future.
Fantasy Spin-Brees continues to disappoint owners with his low yardage and touchdown totals. On the other hand, Pierre Thomas has been very productive for those lucky enough to pick him up.
Next Up: The Saints will have their bye week in week five and then host the New York Giants in a battle of two undefeated teams.
The New Orleans Saints vs. The Buffalo Bills Game Review
The undefeated and red hot New Orleans Saints, boasting one of the most powerful offenses in the NFL, travelled to Buffalo to take the 1-1 Buffalo Bills. In a game that wasn’t a typical high powered game for the Saints, they still managed to beat the Bills 27-7 and remained undefeated so far this season.
Quarterback Drew Brees was less than spectacular during this game but managed to keep the offense going despite the fact that Brees didn’t have a good outing. On the day, Brees threw for just 172 yards and no touchdowns but they didn’t need Brees that much as their running game took off and helped earn them the win. Running back Pierre Thomas rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns to help propel to the Saints to their third straight victory.
The Saints did much better on defense than many had though they would allowing just seven points as well as shutting down the Bills top wide receiver Terrell Owns. It appears as if the Saints have finally found a defense to start matching their offense. Now they just need to keep it up.
Stud of the Game: Thomas-Thomas’ play allowed the Saints to win this game since their passing game wasn’t quite the same that it has been during the previous two games. His 126 yards and two touchdowns showed that he is a viable option in the running game and should remain so this season.
Dud of the Game: It’s hard to blame Brees for all of the Saints problems in the passing game but his play in combination with that of the Bills defense did leave a little something to be desired. Look for Brees to pick things up and play much better in their next game.
Stat of the Game: 222. That is the number of rushing yards the Saints got. When compared to 176 passing yards (they got from Brees) this shows that the Saints are now one of the more multi faceted teams in the NFL and one that will be hard to defend.
Next Up:
The Saints will host the New York Jets this coming Sunday at the Louisiana Superdome. A full preview of this game is below.
The New Orleans Saints vs. The New York Jets Game Preview
It will be a battle of undefeated teams as the New Orleans Saints will host the New York Jets in a game that promises to be one the better games this season. The Jets have been doing things with defense for the most part but you can’t count out the fantastic play of rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. He is playing like a seasoned veteran and this could be a difficult game for the Saints defense. On offense, Brees needs to get back on track after having thrown for no touchdowns in their last game but they may not need Brees so much now that their running game looks much better than many thought that it would.
When the Saints have the Ball: We all know what Brees and his receiving corps are capable of and when they are hot, they are almost unstoppable but when you put pressure on Brees, he doesn’t seem to connect with those same receivers. So the Jets will be bringing a lot of pressure. However, the Saints have gotten their running game going lately making them multi dimensional and this should help keep the Jets defense off balance.
When the Jets have the Ball-Sanchez is having a good go of it passing the ball and their running game is doing very well so far this season but the key for the Saints will be to pressure Sanchez and force him to make mistakes. Granted, the Saints don’t have the best defense in the NFL but they are much more improved than they were in 2008. Pressuring Sanchez and shutting down running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington successfully should lead to a win for the Saints.
Potential Stud of the Game-The Saints defensive line. The Saints need to pass rush successfully and keep the Jet’s running game at bay and the unit that will need to step up in this game is the defensive line. If they have a good day, the Saints will win.
Potential Dud of the Game-The Saints offensive line. The Saints have to hold off what is one of the best defenses in the NFL and this means protecting Brees as well as opening up holes in the running game for their running backs. If they can do that they will help this team win but if not then the Saints may see their first loss of the season.
Fantasy Note: While some feel that starting Brees against this tough defense may be a mistake, he is poised to have a bounce back game here and could have a big day if his offensive line can keep him protected.
Prediction: The Saints haven’t faced a defense quite like the Jets and will have their work cut out for them. The key players will be on both the offensive and defensive lines and if the Saints can win the battle there they will win this game. Prediction: New Orleans
24 New York Jets 17
The New Orleans Saints Season Preview: The Linebackers
After a few years of ineffective play at the linebacker position, the Saints added former New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma and despite the fact that he has been injured off and on he still brings something to this defense and should help keep it stable for several seasons to come. They also went out and drafted a linebacker in Stanley Arnoux but he is on the shelf for the season thanks to a season ending injury suffered in OTA’s.
The following is a look at each player at the linebacker position for the New Orleans Saints heading into the 2009 season. There is a look at how each player performed in 2008 and how their offseason has gone so far. There is also a look at how they should perform in 2009.
Jonathan Vilma-Vilma will probably take a bigger leadership role this season and if he can stay healthy, he could end up being the biggest star on the Saint’s defense. Vilma played in all 16 games in 2009 and figures to be a dominating force on defense. Look for Vilma to become a key player on defense for the Saints and be their leader on that unit in 2009.
Jonathan Casillas-Casillas, a rookie out of the University of Wisconsin, will make the active roster and contribute as a backup and a special teamer. Casillas had a good training camp and showed the coaching staff that he has some ability and can fill in for a while if needed. Look for him to shine on special teams and in relief as needed.
Troy Evans-Evans will back up Scott Fujita at the strong side linebacker spot and has eight years of experience to add to this defense. Evans has a lot of talent and plays the position well but isn’t quite as strong or fast as Fujita is. Evans will see some time in relief of Evans and could be a good short term solution if Fujita was ever to get hurt.
Scott Fujita-Fujita is truly one of better players on defense for the Saints and has performed very well for them during his time there. Fujita, playing the strong side linebacker position, still has the strength and quickness to play the run but doesn’t quite have the agility to drop back into coverage and keep up with some tight ends. Fujita is one of the leaders on this team and should have a great season with the team.
Marvin Mitchell-Mitchell will back up Vilma at the middle linebacker and if Vilma goes down for any reason this season, Mitchell, a veteran who has some experience, could step in and play if necessary. While he isn’t the ideal fill in for an injured Vilma, he does have some decent ability and can contribute on special teams as well.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar-Dunbar is slated to back up Scott Shanle at the weak side linebacker position in 2009 and Dunbar is ready for the challenge. Dunbar, a two year player out of Boston College has shown himself fully capable of backing up and playing special teams as needed. He should have a good season and can fill in at times as needed.
Scott Shanle-Shanle is the starter at the weak side linebacker position and is a pretty solid player for that position within the Saint’s defense. Shanle has some speed and can also move well laterally making plays all over the field. Shanle is in his seventh year in the NFL and has some experience in playing defense and can help the others along. Look for Shanle to have a solid year and help lead this defense to a much better season than they had in 2008.
Mark Simoneau-Simoneau is on injured reserve right now but may see action a little bit later on in the season (after week six) if he gets healed up in time. Simoneau, a ten year vet has been a starter for the Saints in the past but has succumbed to injury. Look for Simoneau to be back on the team and playing again after week six of this season contributing where he can.
Stanley Arnoux-Arnoux, a rookie out of Wake Forest began his career with the Saints on a low note and suffered a season ending injury in offseason workouts thus ending his chance to contribute in 2009. Arnoux is known to be a solid athlete and great in coverage and can be used as a blitzing linebacker at times. We will see him in 2010.
The Saints need to get better on defense and they need to ensure that their linebackers are not only strong in run support but can cover tight ends and running backs as needed and also blitz the quarterback. If there has been any time where they need their linebackers to stand up and perform, it is this season. The defense needs to help ensure that they will win games thanks to the powerful offense that they are putting forth this season.
The New Orleans Saints vs. The Buffalo Bills Game Preview
The undefeated New Orleans Saints will travel to Buffalo to take on the 1-1 Buffalo Bills this Sunday. The Saints are coming off 48-22 win over the Eagles while the Bills won their first game of the season by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-20. Buffalo will be missing several key starters on defense for this one which means that they won’t be able to put up as strong of a front against the Saints powerful offense. For the Saints (on offense) things should go pretty well since they have one of the best offenses in the NFL but on defense, there are always question marks.
When the Saints have the Ball: Drew Brees can be considered to be the best quarterback in the NFL right now and has thrown more touchdown passes than any other quarterback this season. The Saints offense is very powerful and hard for any team to stop and the Bills will have the same problems that the Lions and the Eagles have had with that offense this season. Look for the Saints to start the game throwing the ball a lot to get a big lead and then sit on the ball by running it to keep it out of the Bills hands.
When the Bills have the Ball: The Saints have been doing decent on defense but not spectacular and will have to get better. They will get some pressure at the cornerback position in having to cover Lee Evans and Terrell Owens so that will be a challenge. Also, in order to keep up with the Saint’s high flying offense, Buffalo is most likely to pass the ball a lot. This could spell trouble for the Saints offense. If the Saints allow the Bills to run the ball then Buffalo running back Fred Jackson, who is seeing his last game as a starter in place of Marshawn Lynch, could have a decent game.
Potential Stud of the Game: Brees, hands down he is poised to have another big game.
Potential Dud of the Game: The Saint’s pass defense. The Saints have been giving up a lot of yards through the air but teams have been forced to pass on them a lot thanks to their offense jumping out to big leads. Still, the lack of a solid pass defense could be damaging.
Prediction: The Saints have a hot offense and the Bills defense is hurting. This team is too good to be held back and should be able to score a lot of points against the Bills.
Prediction: New Orleans 31 Buffalo 20.
New Orleans Saints vs. The Philadelphia Eagles Game Review
Benefitting from the Eagles change at quarterback thanks to an injury suffered by starter Donavan McNabb, the Saints travelled to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles and came away with a 48-22 victory. Drew Brees was hot once again throwing for three touchdowns and just one interception and the running game got going as well helping to keep the ball out of the Eagles hands and keep the Saints in the win column.
New Orleans is now 2-0 and tied for the lead in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Saints got a fast start to this one and it was over before the Eagles could mount much of a comeback.
Brees had his usual hot hand in this game throwing for three touchdowns and one interception. The running game got going as well as both Mike Bell and Reggie Bush had a touchdown. It appears as if the Saint’s offense is hitting on all cylinders early in the season. They may have some concern on defense however but as was seen in this game they didn’t need to worry too much about the Eagles scoring because they jumped out to an insurmountable lead to begin with. Brees spread the ball around a lot in this one as no receiver had over 100 yards receiving.
The Saints defense did allow 22 points but the game became a shootout towards the end and there wasn’t much of a chance for a big comeback by the Eagles. They did allow Philadelphia to gain a lot of yards through the air which isn’t a good sign because if the NFL puts forth a defense that can stop the Saints tough offense, the Saint’s defense will be in trouble.
Stud of the Game: This has to go to Brees once again for his herculean efforts at the quarterback position. He appears unstoppable and so does the Saints offense.
Dud of the Game: You have to think that the defense is going to let them down at some point this season. By allowing Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson to gain 101 yards through the air, as well as allow tight end Brent Celek to gain 104 yards through the air. Their pass defense has to get better if they plan to keep on winning more games.
Key Stat: 3-This is the number of touchdown passes that Brees has thrown so far this season bringing his season total to nine.
Next Up: The Saints will travel to Buffalo to take on the 1-1 Buffalo Bills. Stay tuned for a preview of that game coming up later in the week.
New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles Game Preview
The New Orleans Saints, fresh off of their 45-27 victory over the Detroit Lions, will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles who are coming off of a big 38-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers but could be without their quarterback Donavan McNabb thanks to injury. If he doesn’t start, they could use former Eagle Jeff Garcia in his place. It could make for an interesting contest.
When the Saints have the Ball-Everyone is now well versed in just how well the Saints offense works and what makes it work is the pass protection that the offensive line gives to quarterback Drew Brees. If Brees has time to throw, things could get ugly for the Eagles but if they can keep pressure on him, they should have a chance against this powerful New Orleans offense. The Eagles are traditionally good against the running game and if they can shut down the Saints running game they may force a shootout which, for all intents and purposes, the Saints will probably win.
When the Eagles have the Ball-The Eagles seemed to cruise on offense pretty easily against the Panthers in week one and will face a somewhat weaker defense when they take on the Saints. At this time, there is no word on whether or not McNabb will play and if the Eagles have to start someone else, there could be a problem and the Saints could take advantage of it.
Potential Stud of the Game: Mike Bell/Pierre Thomas-If Thomas is healthy, he will get the start but if he isn’t ready to go then Bell is a satisfactory replacement. It will be hard to run on the Eagles but if the Saints can get something going on the ground, it will make it much easier on the Saints.
Potential Dud of the Game-The Saints Defense-The Saints defense is still a little bit suspect as was seen in their game against the Lions which is a team in transition. The defense isn’t as strong as they would like yet but they are bound to get better.
Fantasy Fact-Brees could still have a big day against the Eagles depending on how this game starts out. If the Saints can pick apart the Eagles pass defense, it may be another big day for Brees. Starting him this week may not be a bad idea.
Prediction: If the Saints offense is hitting on all cylinders, it may be tough for the Eagles to stop them. Brees is on fire but if New Orleans can’t get the running game going, they might be in trouble. It’s still a mystery who is going to start at quarterback for the Eagles, but right now it looks like it's going to be young, unproven Kevin Kolb, and if it’s anyone but McNabb, the Saints shoulf win.
New Orleans Saints vs. The Detroit Lions Game Review
In the first game of the 2009 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints hosted last year’s 0-16 Detroit Lions and beat them soundly 45-27. It was a record breaking game for Saint’s quarterback Drew Brees who became the only quarterback in NFL history to throw six touchdown passes in a season opener.
The Saints may have scored a ton of points and beat the worst team in the NFL in 2008 but they didn’t do it cleanly. The defense gave up 27 points which, if New Orleans didn’t have the powerful offense that they had, may have put them on the losing end of this one.
Stud of the Game-Drew Brees-Brees threw six touchdown passes in this game breaking the record previously mentioned and proving that the Saints offense remains as it always has as one of the best in the NFL. If they can keep this up they may end up being division champions and be playoff bound before it’s all said and done but we have to remember, this was done against one the weakest defenses in the NFL so it’s still too early to get hopes up.
Dud of the Game-Reggie Bush-There weren’t too many players on the Saints that didn’t do their job in this game but Bush did fumble twice (losing one) and needs to hold onto the ball better.
Highs-Brees spread the ball around quite a bit in this game and even got it to his tight end, Jeremy Shockey, who had his first touchdown in two seasons. The receivers did well in catching the ball and the running game, with Mike Bell subbing for an injured Pierre Thomas, helped the Saints pile on the points.
Lows-Aside from Bush’s two fumbles, the defense was a little bit scary in allowing the Lions to put up 27 points. New Orleans needs to work on its rushing defense a little bit more or else teams that run the ball a lot (and there will be a lot of teams that choose to run the ball in the future so that they can keep it out of the hands of the Saint’s offense) will control games in the future.
Impressive Stat-6-The number of touchdown passes that Drew Brees threw during this first game of the season.
Next Up-The Saints will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles who are coming off of a 38-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. A game preview for this game will be forthcoming.
Training Camp Preview: The Defensive Tackles
The Saints have had a run of mediocrity at the defensive tackle position for quite some time but there are hopes that they will be able to help anchor and strengthen what has been a weak defense and get the Saints back to the playoffs. With such players as Sedrick Ellis and Kendrick Clancy available, the Saints should be able to get a good pass rush this season and with an improved secondary, be much better on defense.
The following is a look at all of the players that the Saints will take into training camp at the defensive tackle position. There is a quick look back at how they performed in 2008, how their offseason has gone and where they should end up at the end of training camp this summer.
Sedrick Ellis-Ellis, the starter at left tackle, had a decent season in 2008 playing in 13 games but has had some injury problems that have made it difficult for the Saints. If he has a healthy 2009 season, he could end up being one of the better defensive tackles in the league. He has to get better because the Saints need their defense to step up and play well or else they could be right back where they were at in 2008, missing the playoffs. Look for Ellis to have a good season as long as he can stay healthy and thus help make the Saint’s defense much better.
DeMario Pressley-Pressley, Ellis’s backup at the left tackle position, will surely have to battle for his backup position this season now that the Saints have brought in a few additional players to add some depth at the defensive tackle. Pressley didn’t see any action in 2008 and could end up seeing some in relief this season if called upon and should be able to play well enough when asked.
Rod Coleman-Coleman, a ten year veteran, may be seeing the end of his career coming soon and if the younger talent that the Saints bring in performs as well as they would hope, he could find himself looking for work at the end of the season. In 2008, Coleman didn’t play for the Saints but hopes are that he has at least a good year or two left in him and can help out the Saints on defense. If anything, he should be able to fill the gaps and help them stop the run. As long as he can hold off some of the younger talent on the team, he should be able to contribute in 2009.
Earl Heyman-Heyman, an undrafted free agent out Louisville will backup at the left tackle position and could supplant Coleman as the number two person behind Ellis and Pressley. Heyman has good size but isn’t as big as the other defensive tackles so he may be used on passing situations to use his speed to rush the passer. He has a good chance at making the roster thanks to his ability to get up the field quickly and could become a fixture on defense if he can prove himself in the preseason.
Kendirck Clancy-Clancy, an aged veteran, has the opportunity to contribute once again at the right tackle position in 2009 and should keep his starting job despite the fact that he has lost a step or two. Clancy is a big body tackle who is able to fill the gaps and at least help control the running game but isn’t that productive against the pass. He should be able to keep his starting spot and help out a defense that should see some steady improvement this season.
Remi Ayodele-Ayodele, a three year player out of Oklahoma, will back up Clancy at the right tackle position and should vie for additional playing time thanks to his ability to move up the field quickly and get pressure on the quarterback. Look for Ayodele to continue to backup Clancy in 2009 and see some addition spot duty as they work to help keep their starters fresh and get a pass rush going.
The Saints have quietly had one of the more solid defensive lines in the NFL but not as well as some of the other teams in the NFC (like the Panthers and the Giants). It is critical that this unit perform as well as they can because it will have a direct bearing on what happens on defense. If they can get a good pass rush going as well as good run support from their tackles they should have a solid defensive line in 2009.
New Orleans Saints Training Camp Preview: Defensive Ends
The Saints are a team that lacks balance on both sides of the ball. While they have a tough and potent offense, the Saints defense has let them down several times during the past few seasons and they need it to get stronger if they hope to get into the playoffs. Defensive end has been a bit of a strong point on a weak defense as players like Will Smith have played very well for the Saints. More is needed however and while the Saints did improve their defense, they didn’t do much to improve their pass rush.
The following is a look at the players at the defensive end position that the Saints will take into training camp this summer. There is a quick look back at how they did in 2008, how their offseason has gone so far and where they may end up at the end of training camp this summer.
Will Smith-The Saints best defensive end had a decent season in 2008 but not as good as his previous seasons. Smith suffered from a sports hernia injury in 2008 which slowed him down but he is healthy and has had a solid offseason. There is still some question as to his availability however as Smith is involved in the infamous Starcaps case with the NFL and could miss the first four games of the season if the government rules in the NFL’s favor. At this time, he is the starter and if he can stay healthy, he should be very productive on defense in 2009.
Anthony Hargrove-Hargrove, a five year veteran, comes over from the Buffalo Bills to the Saints and will enhance their ability to rush the passer thanks to his experience. Hargrove should be able to fit in as a backup and come into the game at specific times and help rush the passer. Look for Hargrove to compete for and win a backup spot this summer and contribute a lot in rushing the passer.
Jeremy Parnell-Parnell, a rookie out of Mississippi, will get his shot to make the team as either a defensive end or a defensive tackle and with the kind of skill that he has, he might be better suited at the tackle position. He is most likely going to have to fight hard to earn a spot on the active roster but if he doesn’t, he would be a good candidate for the practice squad where the Saints may want to keep him and give him a try sometime a little further down the road.
Bobby McCray-McCray, Smith’s backup at right defensive end, had a decent season starting eight games due to Smith’s injury and should remain the backup at the right defensive end position. With Smith facing suspension, it’s likely that McCray will end up being the starter at the beginning of the season and will fill in as needed. His offseason has been a good one and he should have a great training camp.
Charles Grant-Grant, last year’s starter at left defensive end, comes into the 2009 season ready to play following a pretty solid 2008 season. Grant has had a good offseason which should springboard him into this next season where he should be able to perform at a high level. If Smith ends up missing the first four games of the season, Grant may have to step it up a little bit to help take up some of the slack that will surely be left with Smith being out. Look for Grant to remain the starter and perform well for the Saints in 2009.
Paul Spicer-In 2008, Spicer was Grant’s backup in 2008 and saw some action playing pretty well when he was on the field. Spicer will get some competition for the primary backup spot at left defensive end this offseason but he should be able to beat back the competition and remain the primary backup behind Grant in 2009.
Jeff Charleston-Charleston comes in as the third string backup at the left defensive end position and will face some competition as he will have to go up against some of the rookie talent they have decided to bring in at the position. However, this third year vet, who played in ten games last season and go three sacks, should be able to stay on as a backup easily. Look for Charleston to have a good camp and remain with the team after final cuts.
The possible loss of Smith will really hurt the Saints at the start of the season and hopes are high that he won’t have to serve the four game suspension that has been handed down to him. There are capable backups but their speed and pass rushing moves are clearly not as good as Smith’s. The Saints defense should be better overall next season however and if they can get good production out of their defensive ends, they could end up complementing the offense and getting into the playoffs in 2009.
Saints 2009 Draft Preview: The Offensive Tackles
As mentioned in the previous New Orleans Saints preview on their offensive guards, the offensive line of the Saints is one of the best in the NFL and they have two of the better offensive tackles in the NFL at this time. Jammal Brown, still young yet, has a lot to offer this team and Jon Stinchcomb bring a lot of stability to the right tackle position and should be fixtures there for several seasons to come. There is also adequate depth at both positions although the backups at the left tackle position do leave a little something to be desired.
The following is a look at each player at the offensive tackle position on the New Orleans Saint’s roster as they head into training camp. There is a brief look back at their 2008 season, a look at how their offseason has gone and a look ahead to where they may end up at the end of training camp this summer.
Jammal Brown-Brown, the Saint’s starting left tackle, has had a great go of it since joining the team just a few short seasons ago. Brown made the Pro Bowl in 2009 thanks to his efforts in 2008 and has had a solid offseason so far. Look for him to remain the starting left tackle and play very well again in 2009.
Zach Strief-Streif is Brown’s backup at the left tackle position and while he didn’t get to see much action in 2008 (he did start one game), he still represents the best backup possibility for the Saints at the left tackle position. Streif will be challenged a little bit by some newcomers but should be able to remain the primary backup at the left tackle position in 2009.
Jon Stinchcomb-Stinchcomb is the Saint’s starting right tackle, will follow up a solid 2008 season with a strong 2009 season and shouldn’t have to worry about anyone threatening his starting spot in 2009. He is a solid player and does very well for the Saints as a pass blocker contributing to New Orleans having one of the best passing games in the NFL. Look for Stinchcomb to have another great season as the starting right tackle and contribute to another big season on offense for the Saints.
Jermon Bushrod-Bushrod, the Saints primary backup at the right tackle position in 2008 and he didn’t see much action last season. Bushrod will get some competition from a couple of other tackles behind him but should be able bet them out and remain the backup to Stinchcomb. Look for Bushrod to remain the primary backup at right tackle and contribute in 2009.
Michael Brown-Brown, a rookie, comes in as a rookie out of Mississippi State and will contend for a backup spot on the team. Brown is a good run blocker and an adequate pass blocker but may not have enough of what it takes to stick with the team past training camp. Depending on how many players the Saints decide to keep at the tackle position, Brown may end being a good candidate for the practice squad at the end of training camp this season.
Anthony Davis-Davis, a six year veteran, didn’t see much action last year and figures to be the number three backup at the tackle position going into training camp this summer. While he will have to fend off some younger talent, he should be able to overcome any challenges and remain a third backup on the roster at the tackle position.
The New Orleans Saints have one of the best offensive lines in football and it’s thanks to guys like Brown and Stinchcomb that they are able to have the kind of offense that they have. With these guys healthy and ready to go in 2009, the Saints offense should be even better than it was in 2008 which is a scary proposition for most teams in the NFL. As long as the offensive line stays healthy, the Saints should excel in 2009.
Saints Training Camp Preview: Offensive Guards and Centers
As every football fan knows, you can’t have a stable high powered offense without a good offensive line and the Saints have been fortunate enough to have a good offensive line. This year will see little change at the guard position on the line as they return the same starters as they had in 2009. The depth at the guard position is solid as is the depth at the center position as the Saints have several centers to use for competition in training camp this summer and so they should be very stable there. At any rate, this offensive line, with its experience and depth, could be one of the better offensive lines in the NFL in 2009.
The following is a player by player look at all of the players the
Saints are taking into training camp at the guard and the center position. There is a look back at how they performed in 2008, how their offseason has gone so far and where they may stand going into the regular season this year.
Guards
Shawn Flannigan-Flannigan is an undrafted free agent out of Sioux Falls and will contend for one of the backup spots at the guard position and has the skill to play effectively but some question whether or not he has the experience to play effectively (after having playing at a small college). He will get his chance though and could contend for a backup roster spot.
Jamar Nesbit-Nesbit, an 11 year veteran brings a lot of experience to the Saints but will probably remain a backup at the guard position in 2009. While he is the senior at the guard position, he has lost a step or two and most likely won’t be able to beat out any of the starters at the guard position. If he can have a good training camp, he should be able to remain as a backup and a capable one at that.
Anthony Davis-Davis can play either guard or tackle making him very valuable to the team. This six year veteran has a lot of experience and could contend for one of the two guard spots but his versatility may keep him on the bench just in case there is an injury. Look for Davis to have a solid training camp and end up making the final roster at the end of training camp.
Jahri Evans-Evans, last year’s starter at one of the two guard spots, Evans should be able to retain his job as a starter and continue playing very well as one of the two starting guards on the team. Evans plays with a lot of power and intensity and does well enough in both the running game and the passing game and gives the Saints some stability on the line. Bill Parcells once commented that he thought Evans was one of the best young guards in the NFL. Look for Evans to make the final roster and remain one of two starters at the guard position.
Carl Nicks-Nicks is yet another player that can play both guard and tackle and therefore has a lot of value on the team. He is only a two year player but shows a lot of promise possessing great size and good power and his ability to move defenders off the ball in the running game is decent. The starter in 2008, look for Nicks to battle it out with some of the other backups at the guard position but he should be able to win out and be the starter again in 2009.
Tim Duckworth-Duckworth, a first year player out of Auburn will battle it out for a backup spot behind Evans at the guard position and brings youth and skill to the position. He is a much better run blocker than a pass blocker but fits in nicely and should easily make it in as a backup in 2009.
Centers
Nick Leckey-Leckey, a six year player, will battle it out with starter Jonathan Goodwin for the starting center spot and does bring a lot to the table in terms of ability. However, he just doesn’t have what Goodwin has to play the center position and he will most likely be a backup at the end of training camp this summer.
Digger Bujnoch-A first year player out Cincinnati, Bujnoch will make an attempt to earn a backup spot at the center position but if the Saints only keep two, he could be the odd man out. While he is the ideal size for the position and has some ability, he doesn’t have enough to overtake Goodwin as the starter and will probably not even beat out Leckey as the backup. Look for Bujnoch to be on the practice squad at the end of training or looking for work on another team.
Jonathan Goodwin-Goodwin, the Saint’s starting center in 2008, doesn’t look to be going anywhere in 2009 and should remain the Saints starting center. He is a fine player and both a good run and pass blocker and has remained solid standout for them since joining the team. No one will unseat him as the starter and he will continue his excellent play well beyond 2009.
The Saints have quietly put together one of the better offensive lines in the NFL and the guard and center positions have been positions of strength for them. Having one of the NFL’s best passing attacks starts up front and this team has a lot of talent there to help them get the job done. Look for the line to remain on of the best in 2009 and help pave the way for what should be a playoff berth in New Orleans.
2009 Training Camp Preview: The Wide Receivers
One thing is for sure, if you are a wide receiver on the New Orleans Saints, you have a great chance at catching a lot of passes. Not much is going to change in their wide receiver corps this year as a majority of the guys are returning and it looks to be a promising season once again catching passes in New Orleans. Hopefully, along with quarterback Drew Brees, this unit will excel and end up getting the Saints into the playoffs in 2009.
The following is a look at each player that the Saints will take into training camp at the wide receiver position. There is some insight into how they performed in 2008, how their offseason has been and where they could end up at the end of training camp this summer.
Skyler Green- Originaly drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and then released. Green is a third year player out LSU with a chance to make the roster as a fifth or sixth receiver if he can perform well enough in training camp. He doesn’t have the size that you would like in a receiver but he does have speed and a lot of determination. He is one of those fringe players that just might make it onto the active roster at the end of training camp this summer.
Marques Colston-Colston is coming off of an injury plagued season in which he caught just 47 passes for 760 yards and five touchdowns. Colston is fully recovered and ready to go and should be the number one receiver in the Saint’s offense in 2009. He will easily make the roster and should have a pretty decent season.
Rod Harper-Harper, a second year player out of Murray State is a longshot to make the team at best. While has some skill and some size he doesn’t have the experience that some of the other players in the offense do and therefore might not make it onto the roster at least this season. Look for him to miss making the active roster in 2009 but quite possibly stick with the team on their practice squad.
Courtney Roby-Roby is a four year journeyman of sorts who lands with the Saints in attempt to finally stick with an NFL team. Roby has some decent skill and wouldn’t be a bad possession receiver for the Saints if they can find a spot for him. Looking at his ability and what the Saints have, it’s not out of the question to think that he just might make it as a fifth or sixth receiver and be used on special teams as well as some third down situations. Look for Roby to make the roster and be a good third down specialist for the Saints.
Lance Moore-Moore has been somewhat of a surprise for the Saints ever since he arrived in New Orleans and could end up being the number three wide receiver behind Colston and Robert Meachem. Moore stepped it up a lot in 2009 and had a better season than some primary wide receivers on other teams did giving the Saints a group of receivers that could easily be some of the best in the NFL. Look for Moore to be that third option in the passing game and catch a lot of passes in 2009.
Robert Meachem-Now in his third season with the Saints Meachem has been somewhat of a disappointment for the Saints since coming there as their first round pick just a few seasons ago and didn’t play a full season (again). The Saints will be hoping that he finally stays healthy this season and is able to contribute to the offense because he is a solid receiver and a guy that brings good size and speed to the position. If he cannot prove that he will remain healthy, there is a chance that he may not make it onto the team’s final roster at the end of training camp this summer. The Saints may instead decide to keep a proven wide receiver who can stay healthy but it will be hard to dump Meachem, a former first round pick. This training camp could be a make or break one for Meachem.
Devery Henderson-Henderson has been hot and cold for the Saints since coming to New Orleans six seasons ago but he still represents one of the better talents at wide receiver for the Saints. Henderson has turned into a fairly good possession receiver and has some speed, perhaps enough, to make some defensive backs sweat. With the current crop of talent available at the wide receiver position, Henderson might find himself in a bit of a race for a role on the team but his familiarity with the offense will help him get ahead and keep him on the roster at the end of training camp.
Matt Simon-Simon, a rookie out of Northern Illinois, will take a shot at making the active roster but will most likely fall behind thanks to the amount of talent that is already ahead of him. An undrafted free agent, Simon comes in with some good size and speed but looks more like a candidate for the practice squad thanks to the depth ahead of him. Look for him to end up there at the end of training camp.
Paris Warren-Warren, a four year receiver out of Utah, will try to stick with the Saints in hopes of breaking through the log jam at wide receiver and earning a spot on the squad. He does have the experience but hasn’t had any “great” experience that would separate him from a lot of the other guys vying for a spot on the active roster so look for him to contend for a backup spot and quite possibly just miss the cut.
D’Juan Woods-Woods, a first year player out of Oklahoma State is still another player coming in to try to make the active roster and join a group of very productive wide receivers. Woods is actually a pretty decent receiver displaying some good size and speed and he has some talent so there isn’t a need to write him off just yet. With a good training camp he could end up sticking with the team.
Adrian Arrington-Arrington has been a guy with a lot of talent that just hasn’t quite caught on but very well could this season with a strong showing in training camp. He is just two years removed from college and was a decent performer there and might end up having some value for the Saints in New Orleans. With a good camp, look for Arrington to make the team and help out not only in the passing game but on special teams as well.
Tight Ends:
Billy Miller-While Shockey was shelved with an injury last season, ten year veteran Billy Miller stepped up and helped fill in the void that was left at the tight end position and he did pretty well. Miller caught a lot of passes for the Saints and is a great option to have in there especially if Shockey goes down with an injury again or if the Saints wish to add a couple of pass catching tight ends in on the same formation. Look for Miller to come in and be the second tight end on the roster during the 2009 season and be a solid contributor for them again this season.
Buck Ortega-Ortega, in his second season, will most likely compete with veteran Dan Campbell for the third tight end spot and depending on how many tight ends the Saints decide to keep, he might just be able to make the roster. Ortega’s value, for the most part, is as a blocking tight end and therefore, if the Saints end up only keeping three tight ends, Ortega will battle Campbell for a spot and it just might be a close race. The Saints may choose to go with youth over experience in this case. If he doesn’t make it onto the active roster, he should land on the practice squad.
Jeremy Shockey-After spending some time on the shelf in 2008 thanks to an injury, the Saints tight end will come into camp injury free and ready to contribute. An off the field incident (dehydration as a result of drinking in the hot Nevada Sun) won’t hold him back from competing this summer but he may not be guaranteed a starting job right off the bat. Miller played very well while he was out last season and Dan Campbell has a lot experience at the position so Shockey may be in for a little bit of a battle this offseason. Unless he gets hurt though, he should be able to maintain the starting tight end position and if everything goes the way he thinks it will go and he will end up the starter in2009.
Dan Campbell-Campbell comes to the Saints hoping to earn a spot and does have a lot of talent to bring to the team. He is a seasoned veteran with good pass catching ability and decent blocking skills and will give Miller a little bit of a run for the second tight end spot but in the end, Campbell will most likely stay as the third tight end on the roster and contribute at times as needed. If there is an injury to either Shockey or Miller, Campbell is very capable of stepping in and being an effective part of their offense.
As usual, the Saints are pretty well stacked at the wide receiver position and should be able to come up with a strong group out of what they have going into training camp and if someone gets hurt, they should have plenty of talent in reserve. The tight end position may end up being one of the strongest in the NFL if they (in particular Shockey) stay healthy.
Training Camp Preview: The Running Backs
When the Saints drafted Reggie Bush the hopes were that he would end up being the final piece of the puzzle in helping to get the Saints offense on track and moving. In just his first year with the team, the Saints, behind the strong arm of Drew Brees and the running of Bush, made it to the NFC Championship only to lose to the Bears. Following that solid season, Bush struggled to stay healthy, and subsequently, so did the Saint's offense. The Saint's offense centers a lot on the passing game and what Bush can do. Now, as the Saints prepare for their training camp this July, they head into it with a lot of questions and a full stable of wannabe running backs.
Deuce McAllister is gone so who will be their ball carrier between the tackles? Time and a strong training camp will tell.
The following is a player by player look at all of the players that the Saints will take into this summer’s training camp, at the running back position. There is some insight into where they stood in 2008, how their offseason has been thus far and how their training camp may turn out.
Reggie Bush- Is coming off of serious surgery, surgery that ended his 2008 season prematurely but appears to be ready to go for 2009. Bush means a lot more to this offense than a lot of people either give him credit for or want to admit and he will be an important part of this team. The issue with Bush is that he is not an in between the tackles running back which is generally set up for a guy who can take the type of heavy pounding that you get running into defensive tackles and linebackers. He won’t hold up if he is forced to run the ball 20 or 30 times a game. If he can be used as a slot receiver or catch passes out of the backfield, the Saints will get a lot more mileage out of him.
Pierre Thomas- Came on strong at the end of last season and has a chance for a real promising future with the Saints. Thomas is a between the tackles type runner unlike Bush so it’s possible that he could come in and be the guy that they need to run in between the tackles in 2009. There isn’t going to be much competition for Thomas to have to worry about and so he just might end up being the featured running back in the Saint’s offense in 2009.
Mike Bell-Bell, the former Denver Broncos running back, comes to the Saints with an opportunity to supplant Thomas if he can, of course, play better than Thomas. Most football fans will remember what Bell did while he was in Denver and he could have similar success in New Orleans if he can get back to form and stay healthy. It should be an interesting training camp battle.
Herb Donaldson- Is an undrafted rookie out of Western Illinois and is trying to make the roster as a backup at the running back position. He does have some decent talent but being a smaller school prospect he will have an uphill battle during training camp and might find himself to be the odd man out. Look for Donaldson to work well enough to get through the initial round of cuts but not last the final round before the season starts. He could end up being a practice squad player.
Lynell Hamilton- Is only in his second year in the league and with the Saints. He was used sparingly last season (in just one game where he didn’t record any stats). Like Donaldson, Hamilton will try to compete for a backup spot on the roster and has as good of a shot as any of the younger guys at making the roster. However, of this group of younger players, someone is going to have to really stick out before they make the roster. Hamilton may be that guy (thinking that Bush, Thomas and Bell will make the squad).
P.J. Hill- Came out a year early (from the University of Wisconsin) only to go undrafted and land as a free agent with the Saints. Hill does have some decent skill but has had some off the field issues that might hold him back so he will have to make sure that he has that stuff in the past and that he is ready to play football. Of all the young players at the running back position, Hill may have the best shot at making the roster thanks to his experience in college and his talent.
Olaniyi Sobomehin- Returns for his second year with the Saints after having played in just two games in 2008. His only productive play came last year and it wasn’t even that productive as he fumbled once and lost it. While Sobomehin could be the odd man out in the race for a fourth running back spot, what might get him on the team to stay is his special teams play. He is a pretty decent special teams player.
Fullbacks
The Saints will take two fullbacks into training camp this summer. Here is a look at each player at that position.
Darian Barnes- Has been in the league since 2002 with a variety of teams and has some good veteran experience. However, he is going to compete against one of the most underrated fullbacks in the NFL at this time and that’s Heath Evans. It will be an interesting race but in the end, Evans versatility may make Barnes a long shot to make the team.
Heath Evans- A former New England Patriot, had a lot of success in the Patriots system and should be able to bring some of that to the Saints and become an offensive weapon that that they could really use. Evans has to compete with Barnes but he should almost easily win that battle. Look for him to be the Saints starting fullback in 2009.
The health of Bush will determine a lot with this team and its offense in 2009. If he can remain healthy, the Saints should go much farther than they would without him in the lineup. If Thomas can perform like he did at the end of the 2009 season, this team could be set at the running back position, but again, Bush needs to remain healthy. Having Evans will be big and he should contribute as a blocker and a pass catcher this season.
Saints Pre-Camp Roster Grades
The New Orleans Saints have been media darlings and preseason favorites to win their division and make a run for a conference championship for the last couple years. In all honesty they have been severely over-rated as they have struggled to find consistency in their running game and have failed to stop the big plays against opposing passing games. Most importantly, some of the players brought on to make a difference have not performed all that well.
Last year the team finished at the bottom of the NFC South division. The Bucs, Panthers, and Falcons were all competing for the playoffs in December while the Saints season was already over. The other three teams simply showed more balance and overall reliability from their rosters than New Orleans and unless some key players step up that trend may continue.
Quarterbacks: A- Drew Brees has endeared himself to the city of New Orleans and led the league in passing last year. He is a good leader with the ability to find the open receivers and push the ball downfield. Backups Mark Brunell and Joey Harrington both have a lot of experience and should be able to fill in as starters occasionally but neither would be a good long-term answer.
Wide Receivers: B Marques Colston is not a burner but he is big, tough, and athletic enough to be Brees’ most dependable target. Devery Henderson is capable of breaking off some big plays for the offense with his speed. Lance Moore has emerged as a threat and should keep improving.
Tight Ends: C+ Jeremy Shockey may have found a home in New Orleans. He caught 50 passes last year from Drew Brees but he didn’t get a single TD. He will definitely be looking to improve on those numbers. He works hard and has done a good job blocking as well so if he can stay healthy he will have a good career here. It would be nice to see him become more of a red zone threat. Dan Campbell can get the job done in workman-like fashion but he doesn’t really scare anybody as a receiving threat.
Defensive Line: C+ Sedrick Ellis was a nice pickup in the first round of last year’s draft as he quickly earned a starting spot and played well. He should get better and will look to be a keystone of this defense’s future. Will Smith is an athletic player on the right side but he only had three sacks last season. He can demand double teams at times although he is not a consistently dominant performer. New left end Paul Spicer brings his run-stuffing abilities over from Jacksonville. He and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy will be asked to do a lot of dirty work in order to allow some of the other players to make plays. This group has a lot of potential but they need to get to the quarterback more often and force some turnovers.
Offensive Line: C This is a solid unit which allowed time for Drew Brees to be somewhat patient. Jon Stinchcomb and Jammal Brown form a nice pair of tackles and right guard Jahri Evans, center Jonathan Goodwin, and left guard Carl Nicks are slated to start between them. The offensive line does need to step it up a notch in their run blocking as the offense struggled mightily trying to find consistency in their running game.
Linebackers: C+ Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma resigned with the team and will again be the team’s top tackler. Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle are not anything too special but they are both hard workers who bring a blue-collar mentality to the field.
Safeties: C Darren Sharper is the new free safety. He is a seasoned veteran who has made some big plays in the past. Roman Harper can hit pretty hard from his strong safety spot but he may be a liability in coverage at times. The two might make a nice duo for the Saints which is something they have needed for years.
Running Backs: C- Reggie Bush so far has not been the game-breaker the team envisioned him when they drafted him second overall in the 2005 Draft. He has been great returning kicks but he will need to step up at running back and deliver with a bang to not get labeled a bust on offense. Pierre Thomas led the team in rushing TD’s and should continue to provide some occasional highlights but this team is in need of some muscle to be a threat in the red zone and on third and short.
Cornerbacks: C- The group got burned a bit last year. Part of the problem is an anemic pass rush upfront. Tracy Porter and Randall Gay are currently tabbed as the starters at the moment but that is definitely expected to change at some point. Top pick Malcolm Jenkins was selected to nail down one of these spots for the next 10 years. He has the size, toughness, and the right sort of attitude to be successful in the NFL despite a relatively slow forty time. Jason David had five interceptions last year but can get picked on with his smaller stature (5’8” 180 lbs). He seems like a good fit as a nickelback. Jabari Greer will also compete for playing time. Overall, the competition should be tough in camp and that’s exactly what the coaches will be looking for.
Kicking: C- Inexperience abounds as Kicker Garret Hartley and Punter Glenn Pakulak are both in their second years. However, they both have ability and will get plenty of opportunity to prove themselves.
As a whole I view this team as being slightly above average despite having some elite athletes and a top-notch passer in Brees. If the running game takes some heat off Drew Brees and the defense creates some turnovers this team will again be in the playoffs. The NFC South has seen their worst teams step up and at least compete for the division crown the following year ever since the realignment. Let’s see if the Saints are up to the challenge of playing up to their abilities and keeping that tradition alive.
The 2009 Position Review: The Quarterbacks
There is no question that the Saints have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Drew Brees. Brees is able to light it up through the air almost all the time and had the team had a better defense the past three seasons, they might have wound up getting into the Super Bowl.
Brees has had a big of career resurgence since coming to the Saints and is poised to have another big year. The quarterbacks sitting behind Drew Brees include aged veteran Mark Brunell and journeyman Joey Harrington.
The following is a look at all of the players at the quarterback position for the Saints. There is some insight into how they performed in 2008 and what their status is for 2009.
Drew Brees-Brees is the number two quarterback in the NFL (behind Peyton Manning) in terms of production but he still has yet to take his team to the Super Bowl and the window for Brees and the Saints to get there could be closing fast. Brees, despite his size, sees the field very well and has a strong arm allowing him to throw the ball down the field and connect with receivers on those long passes. Brees also has great football intelligence and doesn’t make the mistakes that some other quarterbacks make. He is a premier player and one of the best at the position. Brees will go into training camp as the clear cut starter at their quarterback position and no one should challenge him.
Mark Brunell-Brunell still manages to stay in the NFL despite being around for several seasons. He is a proven starter which makes it nice for the Saints knowing that if Brees goes down with an injury, they at least have someone like Brunell to take over. Brunell is an experience quarterback who, despite his age, has something left in the tank and could be a good fill in if it ever comes to that. But in the interim, he will remain as a backup at the quarterback position and should survive training camp and go on as the backup in the regular season.
Joey Harrington-Harrington, the ex-Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons quarterback comes back to the Saints for another stint as a backup and will battle Brunell for the second spot behind Brunell which he might end up winning. Harrington has had a much maligned career while in the NFL but he could serve the Saints well as a backup or fill in if Brees gets hurt. While he may not beat out Brunell for the second string quarterback position, he could see some time in mop up duty but will most likely ride the bench unless there is an injury.
Barring any sort of injury to Brees, the Saints shouldn’t have to worry about anything at the quarterback position in 2009. As long as the receivers stay healthy Brees should flourish once again and with a better defense (supposedly) in 2009 and quite possibly get the Saints to the playoffs.
The New Orleans Saints On the Move
The draft is over and even though the Saints didn’t have too many picks in the draft, they have done other things to help improve their team during the season. Signing such free agent players as former Minnesota Vikings safety Darren Sharper, defensive tackle Rod Coleman, linebacker Anthony Waters, safety Pierson Prioleau, tight end Darnell Dinkins, defensive end Paul Spicer, center Nick Lecky, wide receiver Courtney Roby, fullback Heath Evans, cornerback Jabari Greer, and tight end Dan Campbell.
The Saints released defensive tackles Hollis Thomas and Brian Young, fullback Mike Karney, running back Deuce McAllister, and wide receiver David Patten. The also terminated the contracts of safety Kevin Kaesviharn and cornerback Mike McKenzie. They resigned wide receiver Lance Moore, guard Jahari Evans, cornerback Leigh Torrence, tackle Zach Strief, quarterback Joey Harrington, wide receiver Devery Henderson, tackle Jon Stichcomb and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
The Saints didn’t have that many draft picks but with those picks they did have, they tried to make the most of them. Their first pick in the draft, Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, should give them a big shot in the arm in the secondary and help shore up a pass defense that cost the Saints some games in 2008.
The other guy that they got to help them in the secondary, safety Chip Vaughan and he could start right away depending on how he works out during training camp. At any rate, the Saints are clearly on the right path to getting their issues in the secondary, and on defense taken, care of which should equate to more wins for them in 2009.
On offense, the Saints signed several of their key players from last season so the Saints offense should be just as good (or better) than it was last season. The only thing stopping them from having a lot of success on offense will be the lack of a true in between the tackles running back. With the release of running back Deuce McAllister, the Saints don’t have a true bruising running back who can take a pounding on a regular basis and Reggie Bush is not an every down type of back.
The Saints did nothing in free agency to cure this problem and didn’t get a running back in the draft so hopes are high that they will find someone in the off season to fill this role. Right now, Pierre Thomas, a running back who filled in quite nicely last season, doesn’t look like a long term solution.
The Saints are looking more and more like a playoff team once again thanks to some of the changes that they have made in the offseason. As long as the defense comes around and the running back situation doesn’t hurt them as much as it appears that it might, they could easily make the playoffs but just miss a shot at getting into the Super Bowl.
NEXT UP: In our next New Orleans Saints article, we will take a look at the quarterbacks currently part of their roster.
Slowing Down the Opposition
The New Orleans Saints offense is among the best in the league. In fact, they were the best passing offense in football last season.
Regardless of their offensive prowess they failed to reach the playoffs and landed themselves in the bottom of the NFC South Division. The two things that were holding them back were consistency in the running game and ability to stop big passing plays on defense. Going into the 2009 NFL Draft the Saints were looking to address those concerns even though they only had on pick in the first three rounds.
The big questions on most people’s minds were whether or not the team would take a running back or a cornerback with the #14 pick. Surprising to some, the Saints opted to go defense and passed on running back Chris Wells, whom many scouts thought could add some power to their already potent offensive attack.
#14: Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State – Jenkins was the top-rated defensive back on most team’s draft boards and should help the Saints at least slow down opposing passing attacks. He has the size (6’ 204 lbs) and innate skills to make a difference, but his ability to play cornerback has been in question due to his unimpressive forty time (4.54). Although he may be destined to play nickelback early on in his career and free safety later on, he may turn out to be a pro-bowl caliber player who could be a leader on the Saints defense as he was in college. Don’t count him out of the running for a starting cornerback spot either as he has all the intangibles to overcome his lack of measurables.
#116: Safety Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest – Vaughn will most likely be expected to contribute on special teams for the majority of his career while being a backup at safety. He does not seem to have an ability to make big plays while defending the pass but he could help against the run with his size (6’ 1” 220 lbs) and hard-hitting ability.
#118: Linebacker Stanley Arnoux, Wake Forest – Arnoux started 42 games in college and leaves with over 250 tackles to his credit. He may never be a great starter but should be a quality special teams guy who adds quality depth to the roster. What more can you really ask for in a fourth round pick?
#164: Punter Thomas Morestead, Southern Methodist – This is another pick with the defense in mind as Morestead is a quality punter with a 43.4 yard career average and a solid handle on ball placement. If he pans out he could help the defense get into position to stop opposing offenses in their own red zone. New Orleans is one of those teams that is on the cusp of greatness. Even though they did not get the running back of their dreams in the draft, they have some options for that position available on their roster and in free agency.
The plan for the offseason was to improve the defense and they have made moves to do just that. Whether or not it pans out remains to be seen, but if the trend of the worst team in their division becoming the best the following year continues then the Saints should be right in position to make a playoff run. Nobody will be surprised if they are in the NFC Championship game come January.
The New Orleans Saints 2009 NFL Draft Review
The New Orleans Saints, a team with a good offense and a less than stellar defense, went into this draft with very few picks and ended up with even fewer picks and few players. However, those players they did choose will help them out in some of their weakest areas on the team. The following is a look at the players that the Saints drafted and a final grade on their draft.
Malcolm Jenkins-CB-Ohio State 1st (14th)
The Saints needed help at the cornerback position and they got good help by drafting Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins. While some feel that Jenkins may project to safety in the NFL (which wouldn’t be all that bad for the Saints) there is going to be a use for him on this team and now their pass defense has gotten better thanks to his arrival. Jenkins should be a starter right out the gate and help improve a Saint’s pass defense that was terrible last season.
Chip Vaughan-S-Wake Forest-4 (116)
Another hole that the Saints had, at least in terms of depth, came when the Saints selected Chip Vaughan in the fourth round. Vaughan could quite possibly be a starter in his first year but will need to sit a bit and pick up the defense. He was very productive in college but didn’t make as many big plays as some might have liked to see but he will help out in the secondary and on special teams.
Stanley Arnoux-ILB-Wake Forest 4 (118)
Staying with defense, the Saints decided to get some help at inside linebacker and chose Arnoux, who incidentally partnered with first round pick Aaron Curry at Wake Forest. The Saints not only needed help at the inside linebacker but they also need help on special teams and Arnoux could be just the guy they were looking for. He will most likely end up providing some backup help and contribute on special teams right away and could quite possibly move into a starting role at inside linebacker in the future. For the Saints, this may be their steal of this year’s draft.
Thomas Morstead-P-Southern Methodist 5th (164)
After some wheeling and dealing with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Saints landed a much needed punter to help them out on special teams. He will surely compete for a roster spot and the possibility of him kicking off could very easily earn him a roster spot.
Overall Grade: C+
The reason why the Saints get a C here is that they didn’t manage to fill some of their bigger needs such as a true in between the tackles running back and some help on the offensive line. They did get a boost on defense however so they should be better there but it may be at the sacrifice of their running game. It’s a good thing that they have a strong passing attack.
