NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints

2010 Record 11-5



Offense:

As long as you have Drew Brees you have a chance to win a lot of games. Even in a upstart NFC South. The only real change in the offense is that Reggie Bush is gone (he went to the Dolphins) and they drafted my boy Mark Ingram and signed Darren Sproles. Mark Ingram was the best runningback in the draft and the Saints got him for a steal when the Patriots traded their late 1st round pick. So the Saints now have a more complete backfield with Ingram, Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory. Mark Ingram is the complete package when it comes to runningbacks, he can run between the tackles, doesn't put the ball on the ground and can catch the ball. But the scariest part of the offense is the passing game and series of good wide receivers led by Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson. Also, TE Jimmy Graham could be a huge red zone target. I can really talk about this offense for days.



Defense:

Defense is more of a question. They improved it through the draft by first round pick Cameron Jordan along with free agent acquisition Shaun Rogers should help lock down the front while LB acquisitions Turk McBride, Clint Ingram and Will Herring should add depth to a ehh linebacking unit. The secondary still has some questions, but they can be good enough to keep the Saints in games. This defense is very similar to the Patriots of last year and bank on turnovers to keep them in the game, but with that comes certain games where you get torched.



Overall:

I love this team and even though Tampa Bay and Atlanta have got a lot better, I see the Saints retaking the NFC South.



13-3

Pats Better Safe(ty) Than Sorry?

The Patriots brought in a pair of safeties to work out for them Monday: Darren Sharper and Renaldo Hill. Sharper's 35 with health concerns. Although he's also a 5 time Pro-Bowler, who three times in his career hauled in 9 interceptions. He's a veteran free agent with 14 seasons under his belt and a Super Bowl ring on his finger.



Renaldo Hill doesn't bring the same pedigree. He's a veteran of 10 years, but he's been a bit of a journeyman, playing for Arizona, Oakland, Miami, and Denver. He's played in one career playoff game.



I'm not sold on Brandon Meriweather, and I don't think the Pats are either. He's got talent. But he wanders around too often. The Patriots' defense is based on all 11 guys doing their specific job. When that happens, the big plays (in theory) come. The Patriots don't like a guy going off on his own trying to force the big play to happen.



The Patriots' secondary also lacks experience. Chung looks sharp, but there isn't much leadership back there. Sharper, if healthy, can be effective in that role. Who knows how much he's be able to play, but at least with Sharper, you'd know what you'd get from him every down.



-The Commodore

Around The NFL (UPDATED)

The Saints locked up Darren Sproles. Great Move, he is basically Reggie Bush without the media attention. There will be hardly any setback in the offensive production from the Saints with Sproles taking over.

Roy Williams is going to the Bears. Now they will have an underachieving QB and an underachieving WR. Also both just had some marital problems so it's a good fit.

CB Jonathan Joseph went to Houston. Huge upgrade and does this mean they are out of the Awesome-hua mania. Still a nice piece.

The Falcons released wide receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive end Jamaal Anderson. It's about time, Jenkins sucked and with my boy Julio Jones there, he is no longer needed. Jamaal Anderson is just another bust defensive player.

Looks like Matt Light is coming back to the Patriots. Nice move figuring Solder will need some grooming.

***UPDATE***

- Ray Edwards has agreed to a five-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

- Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with former Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore.

- Vince Young has signed with the Eagles.

- Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran offensive tackle Flozell Adams.

Around The NFL (4 UPDATES)

The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms of a trade that would send former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush to Miami, according to FoxSports.com.

With the Saints gaining Mark Ingram and having pretty decent back ups (Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas). Miami has a few questions surrounding the RB situation Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown may not be back, so having a good receiving option can help alleviate some pressures.

The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a five-year, $41 million contract with wide receiver Sidney Rice, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

A 6-4 WR never would hurt whoever is playing QB for Seattle.

***UPDATE***

We will do the same thing we did yesterday and just keep updating this post with all the moves made around the NFL...

- SF have told Nate Clements that he will released after not being able to work out a contract. Could be a nice fall back option for whoever loses out on Asomugha.

- Cardinals continue to try to rebuild that offense line scooping up fomer Packers offensive lineman Daryn Colledge for 5 years 27.5 million.

- Most people seem to think the Viking will heavily go after Braylon Edwards now that they lost Sidney Rice to the Seahawks.

- Steve Smith will no longer asked to be traded out of Carolina, which I think is a huge mistake on his part. Even with their draft and resignings by the time they are good he will be all washed up.


***UPDATE 2***

- Redskins have reached an agreement with former Cowboys DE Stephen Bowen (5 years $27.5 million $12.5 signing bonus). This could mean Cullen Jenkins could be making his way back to the Packers.

- Arizona Cardinals have asked Joey Porter to take a pay cut from his $5.75 milliion salary. If he declines, he'll be released.

***UPDATE 3***

- Kevin Kolb is about to traded to the Cardinals for Rodgers-Cromartie and a draft choice (rumored to be a 2nd round pick).

- Saints have signed IT Jermon Bushrod to a 2 year deal.


***UPDATE 4***

- Bills have signed WE Brad Smith to a 4 year $15 million deal.

- Kolb is getting a 5 year deal from the Cardinals worth $63.5 million, $21 guaranteed.