NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints

by Rupert, The Ghosts of Wayne Fontes

Without question, the New Orleans Saints were the feel good team in sports for 2006. Given the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, they became the cliché superheroes known as America’s team. Since I happen to be a sucker for a cheesy feel-good sports story line, I figured that I ring in the 2007 Saints season with a little cheesy, feel-good, but still pretty cool theme of my own. Without further ado, the 2007 New Orleans Saints NFL Preview as told through Phil Collins and Genesis lyrics.

Give me just one more night, oh just one more night (Last Season)

The screenplay was written and waiting on Disney CEO Bob Iger’s desk, but the season ended just one game too soon. The storybook Saints' season was cut just short as they made it against all odds to the NFC championship game, but lost to the Bears. The Superbowl ending would have to wait.

Regardless, nobody can take anything away from New Orleans as this was a team whose city and entire country rallied behind them in the wake of a terrible disaster leaving residents homeless, jobless, and hopeless with nothing to live for… except the Saints. OK, maybe I’m a little too wrapped up in the whole Disney theme here, but you get the point. A 10-6 finish and a trip to the NFC Championship with a rookie coach, free agent quarterback, rookie running back, and a natural disaster of a scope our country has never seen is nothing to take lightly. Now, it’s time to move forward to 2007 and see if the momentum will continue.

We got a groovy kind of love (The Offense)

The backfield situation in the Big Easy is nothing short of fascinating. You take one of the biggest rising stars in all of sports and put him in the position to threaten the job of the wise old sage veteran, who would have predicted a perfect match? The backfield of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister is one of the best backfields by committee in the history of the game. Bush should continue to progress at running the ball in the NFL, while his pass catching is arguably already the best in the league. Deuce adds the power game and still has good speed.

Brees proved that his shoulder injury was not a concern last season, but he also dislocated his elbow in the Pro Bowl last season. Nevertheless, all indications point positive for Brees again in 2007. The WR corps is a little iffy. Most experts are writing off the loss of Joe Horn, but not me. Horn is always a threat and took heat off of the #2 and #3. Marques Colston had a marvelous rookie year, but now that he is no longer a secret 7th round flash in the pan, it remains to be seen if he will continue to produce or pull a Michael Clayton in his sophomore season. As a featured #1, he might not have the follow-up season that his rookie season would predict. Devery Henderson is a speedster and a legitimate deep threat. Robert Meacham reached a deal and is reporting to camp, so he might surprise in the 3rd WR slot. Otherwise, the perennially mediocre, David Patten of New England fame, will likely get the starting job. The TE position is up for grabs between free agent signee Eric Johnson and big blocking wonder, Mark Campbell.

As for the cattle, the offensive line is a solid unit. The Saints caught a couple nice breaks in ’06 when they lost coveted center LeCharles Bentley, but picked up Jeff Faine on a draft day trade with the Browns. Bentley ended up injured for the season, while Faine developed into a clear leader of the cohesive unit. Pro-Bowler Jammal Brown anchors the left side at the tackle spot and pleasant surprise Jahri Evans received all-rookie honors at right guard. Jamar Nesbit and Jon Stinchcomb are veteran linemen with 5 and 9 year tenures respectively. Overall, this is a solid A- offensive line and is not a problem area.

So hang in long enough, you’ll do it, Hang in long enough (Defense)

I would put the Saints in the “bend, but don’t break camp.” The defensive line anchors the boat with superstars at both ends. Will Smith transitioned well from rapper/movie star as he recorded a career high 10.5 sacks in 2006. Charles Grant works from the other side and is always a leader on the defense. The rest of the interior consists of Brian Young, Willie Whitehead, and Hollis Thomas, all of whom hover right around 300 pounds proving solid run support.

The linebacker and defensive backfield looks a little suspect as there has been a good deal of personnel turnover. The linebacker crew has improved since Payton brought Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle from his Dallas days (as well as defensive coordinator, Gary Gibbs). The Saints hope to fill a hole with Cincinnati acquisition, Brian Simmons. Simmons is a 9-year veteran and should be a decent starter. As for the D backs, New Orleans paid a pretty penny for strong safety, Kevin Kaevsviharn, another Cincinnati pickup. Another acquisition, Jason David from the Colts, is expected to start. This squad has really transitioned a lot, so if there is one area of real concern for New Orleans this season, this is it.

On a side note, you gotta wonder if the renown positive attitude of New Orleans is going to be affected by bringing in guys from notoriously poorly behaved Cincinnati defense.

Oh think twice, it’s just another day for you, You and me in paradise (Coaching staff)

Sean Payton, the head coach for the Saints just stopped pinching himself in time to start camp. His 2006 season was a dream come true, coaching a team many analysts picked to finish last in the NFC South, compiling an impressive 10-6 regular season record, making it to the NFC Championship game, and ultimately earning Coach of the Year accolades.

The Saints team looks to have the personnel it needs to keep it every bit as competitive, but this will be a tough situation for Payton & Company to keep the motivation running high. Despite falling short of the Super Bowl, this team has been treated like royalty, so I expect Super Bowl-like attitudes to show up, making a difficult scenario for the coaching staff. The chemistry of the 2006 team was something special, but success breeds attitudes and attitudes breed problems, so Payton has his work cut out for him yet again in ‘07.

Payton’s second in commands, Gary Gibbs as defensive coordinator and Doug Marrone as offensive coordinator took a chance on working with a rookie head coach and now find themselves part of one of the most revered coaching staffs in the NFL. Both have been integral in the success of the Saints, so I would not be surprised to see either in a head coaching job in the not-too-distant future.

Got the whole thing down by numbers, All those numbers! Give me guidance! O lord I need that now. (Fantasy Impact)

Forget about Bush, Brees, Colston, and McAllister for a second. I’m giving you an early Christmas present right here, Eric Johnson. Johnson is a prime time receiver at tight end who caught 82 passes in 2004 with the 49ers. Plus, we all know how Drew Brees loves his big targets, like Colston and Antonio Gates. I debated long and hard whether to let everyone in on this one, but I figured at least this way I can say everyone stole my sleeper. That said, this should be about a tenth rounder. He disappeared from the radar since ’04, because he’s an injury case. He doesn’t have the starting job yet, so do not go blindly into this pick, but I suspect he’ll win it before long. The other TEs in New Orleans are primarily blockers.

Alright, now we can talk about the big names. Bush in the first round? I’m not going there. He’s a great second rounder, but I never take a committee backfield guy in the first round. You can’t count on the consistency. It’s big weeks and goose egg weeks for all committee guys. You’re better off taking Peyton over a committee RB in the first round. Also, if receptions don't score in your league, knock him to the 3rd round.

Brees, Colston, and McAllister are all about the value. Brees I would say anywhere from the third round down is a steal, McAllister fourth and down, and Colston is sixth and down. I love all 3 of these guys, but don’t pull the trigger to quick on any of them. Colston is going to be solid, but Johnson will take away his underneath looks and without the TE tag he had last season, he’s just a solid fantasy WR. I wouldn’t recommend expending a high pick on him. As for Devery Henderson, throw him on the roster in one of the last rounds if he’s on the board as he’s always a threat for a big play, but consistency is too much of an issue here to expect more than that. Finally, if you’re thinking about Robert Meacham, I’d wait and see if he gets a starting job before wasting a pick on him.

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord... (Intangibles)

What do you expect when you combine a colossal natural disaster with a bunch of displaced drunks? Obviously, bad ass NFL Football fans. I don’t know why everyone acted so surprised that the Saints fans were bringing their A-game last season. Shit, if you lived in the dome where your team played for a week, wouldn’t you feel like cheering for the damn team?

This season, the schedule looks grueling for the Fleur-de-lis. Out of conference games include Indy, Chicago, Seattle, Philly, and Seattle. Thus, it will be interesting to see if the fans can keep up the intensity or if it was rooted in tragedy and a one time affair. It’s gonna be tough to keep those spirits up with a few more losses on the dance card than last season.

I wish it would rain, rain down on me now (Off the Field Antics)

The Saints are relatively well behaved franchise relatively speaking particularly given their location. In 2006, Jammal Brown as arrested for beating his wife, but that barely makes the local news these days. If you aren’t killing somebody, screwing sluts on a boat cruise, or making it rain a minimum of 81k, you’re looking at a slap on the wrist. The real question will be if the Saints cannot match the success of last season, how will fans react? Should the fans turn on them, it might drive players into the alcoholic abyss of the New Orleans seedy underbelly. Be forewarned Saints fans. New Orleans is a powder keg for NFL Football players, stay positive.

She seems to have an invisible touch yeah, She reaches in, and grabs right hold of your heart (Cheerleaders)

The Saintsations! Those marketing executives never cease to amaze do they? They must have ruled out some really awful names if the Saintsations was the best available choice. Nevertheless, despite the dumb name and metallic gold and black unis, the Saintsations are a decent squad, but nothing special. If I was giving grades, the Saintsations are about a C+. In the words of INXS, we need a new Saintsation. Sorry, I’m going haywire with the 80s lyrics today. You can check out the individual members of the squad here. I’m particularly partial towards Emily (left), but this is a relative value play as her competition is pretty weak.

Billy, Billy don't you lose my number (Overall Prediction)

The Saints are good for a playoff berth and a soft 9-7 regular season finish. The conference looks weak with Atlanta and Tampa Bay in relative shambles and Carolina looking to continue to struggle with the run. The wins will come from beating a lot of bad teams, but the out-of-conference games will prove the real test.

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