Last Year:
Realists never believed that Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps would top the 7-gold medal record, just like NFL buffs never bought the chances of the New Orleans Saints becoming a true contender. The Aints could barely tread water through the first 5 weeks of the season totaling a 1-4 record. Watching such a gifted team float at .500 all season long was most discouraging. Even with a consistent season from Aaron Brooks, and 2000+ yards from Deuce McAllister, Louisiana?s team couldn?t string a win streak longer than 2 games. This is a sink or swim year for New Orleans because a bronze medal is no longer acceptable for a talent-filled team like this.
What we Learned from Last Year:
With so much young talent at critical positions last season, it is easy to understand why the New Orleans Saints were as constant as a high-schooler?s homework schedule.
A couple of seasons ago quarterback Aaron Brooks was lashed for being the root of the unsteadiness on the Saints squad, but he expelled that nonsense last year.
You disagree?
His report card shows 24 touchdowns and 8 interceptions which stood up top with the league leaders. His quarter-to-quarter play was the epitome of stability as his rating didn?t drop below 77.5. Brooks excelled in the red-zone, stacking his score to 101.1, with 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Boo ya.
The one knock that could be knocked, which is more of a critique of the whole team rather than Brooks particularly, is that he is simply a talented quarterback, not a prototypical leader. He?s not the Brett Favre/Peyton Manning type to which teammates feel accountable to when the going gets tough. He?s good, but he?s not a spark.
But that lends the question, is he supposed to be?
Is the onus on Aaron Brooks to be the Jake Delhomme and glue this team together, or is he more of a Trent Green that lies in the shadows while other athletes lead the team?
For all intents and purposes, the Saints displayed little passion on defense as well.
Allowing 140 yards per game on the ground was the root of the defensive problems, but it was not the isolated issue. Missing star rushing end Darren Howard and starting linebacker Sedrick Hodge was damaging, but what was more discouraging was the production, or lack thereof, from tackle Johnathan Sullivan and cornerback Dale Carter. The first was a rookie, but did not impair opposing running games as projected and the latter was given a big contract as a free agent to accomplish virtually nothing.
Underachievers were found on both sides of the ball with Dante Stallworth and Joe Horn representing the offense. While Horn?s cell phone antics were well highlighted in the media, considering he caught only 10 touchdown passes all year, 4 of which came in one game, his season totals are nothing to call home about. He wasn?t the only receiver with bad reception as for a second season in a row Dante Stallworth couldn?t remain healthy throughout. He has yet to tally more than 42 receptions or 600 yards in a season which is dispiriting numbers for a special talent.
When is Head Coach Jim Haslett going to get these boys to grow up?
What Has Changed?:
Like the big step from kindergarten to grade 1, play time is over for the New Orleans Saints. While transactions have been very calm this off-season the roster may need more of a mental change than a physical one.
While the Saints search for a leader in the locker room, management has taken steps towards developing maturity amongst this young ball club.
It?s time to grow up for the Saints as the clubhouse won?t see anymore dominoes, card games, or boom boxes in between workouts. Televisions show visuals of the team?s latest practice, or focal points from last season?s opposed to ESPN or MTV as it was in previous years. The new amendments are part of the Head Coach Jim Haslett and General Manager Mickey Loomis? plan to adult this team.
The Aints have a number of players with experience between 1-5 years in the NFL, and with limited veteran leadership, the team is desperate for some take-charge personalities.
"We just haven't had a lot of old hands around here, you know, but the pieces seem to be falling into place now," defensive end Darren Howard said.
The fiery and, at times, emotional Jim Haslett has inspired as much as possible off the field, but who will guide the team on it? Hopes are that the newly installed frame of mind will surface a head.
Even so, is this team past their ?A? starts and ?F? finishes? The Saints are typically a team that bolts out of the gates with a winning record, but once November hits they are N/A.
From shoulder to toe, the Saints are one of the most gifted teams in the NFL. Deuce McAllister is a unique blend of size and speed and is hazardous as a pass catcher as well. At receiver, Joe Horn has been the go-to guy, but he desperately needs Donte Stallworth?s incomparable speed to attract more than last year?s 25 receptions. Boo Williams is a sleeping tight-end that can truly x-factor this offense if the other pieces are in place.
In the past couple of seasons the Saints have cut ties with Grady Jackson, Joe Johnson, Norman Hand, and La?Roi Glover of the defensive line but the replacing young core is budding with prospective.
Charles Grant, Johnathan Sullivan and Will Smith are all first-round selections and along with Darren Howard, Willie Whitehead, and free agent addition Brian Young could, and I emphasize could, form one of the pressure cooking d-line?s in the league.
With the luxury of quarterback pressure, an above average secondary of Fred Thomas, Ashley Ambrose, Jason Craft, and Keyuo Craver will suffice.
The principal weakness, aside from underachieving of course, is the linebacking corps. One outside position is held by Derrick Rodgers, while the other is up for grabs between Sedrick Hodge and James Allen. Hodge is weak for his position, while Allen is often caught out of position. The middle role should be handed to rookie Courtney Watson out of Notre Dame. Hopefully the line can mask some backing inadequacies.
If the mood is truly serious, then a couple of early season wins will breed confidence and confidence should berth leadership. I?m sure they?ll give it the ?ol college try.
O/U 7.5:
Going into last season, the Panthers appeared to be the NFC South?s least, followed by New Orleans and Atlanta, with Tampa Bay receiving the highest regards. This season Carolina is deemed to be the South?s finest, followed by a virtual 3-way tie with the uncertainties of the other division members? potential. Anything can happen. The Saints play: SEA, SF, @STL, @ARZ, MIN, @OAK, @SD, KC, DEN, and @DAL.
Fantasy Sleeper:
While tight-ends like Tony G., Todd H., and Jeremy S. will be pulled off the board in the early rounds, take a look at Boo Williams as a late round steal. Though he has not dealt with the rigors of a full year, in the final 6 games of last season Boo had 29 receptions with 347 yards and 4 touchdowns. If Ernie Conwell was out of the way all season long his number would have looked much better.
Realists never believed that Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps would top the 7-gold medal record, just like NFL buffs never bought the chances of the New Orleans Saints becoming a true contender. The Aints could barely tread water through the first 5 weeks of the season totaling a 1-4 record. Watching such a gifted team float at .500 all season long was most discouraging. Even with a consistent season from Aaron Brooks, and 2000+ yards from Deuce McAllister, Louisiana?s team couldn?t string a win streak longer than 2 games. This is a sink or swim year for New Orleans because a bronze medal is no longer acceptable for a talent-filled team like this.
What we Learned from Last Year:
With so much young talent at critical positions last season, it is easy to understand why the New Orleans Saints were as constant as a high-schooler?s homework schedule.
A couple of seasons ago quarterback Aaron Brooks was lashed for being the root of the unsteadiness on the Saints squad, but he expelled that nonsense last year.
You disagree?
His report card shows 24 touchdowns and 8 interceptions which stood up top with the league leaders. His quarter-to-quarter play was the epitome of stability as his rating didn?t drop below 77.5. Brooks excelled in the red-zone, stacking his score to 101.1, with 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Boo ya.
The one knock that could be knocked, which is more of a critique of the whole team rather than Brooks particularly, is that he is simply a talented quarterback, not a prototypical leader. He?s not the Brett Favre/Peyton Manning type to which teammates feel accountable to when the going gets tough. He?s good, but he?s not a spark.
But that lends the question, is he supposed to be?
Is the onus on Aaron Brooks to be the Jake Delhomme and glue this team together, or is he more of a Trent Green that lies in the shadows while other athletes lead the team?
For all intents and purposes, the Saints displayed little passion on defense as well.
Allowing 140 yards per game on the ground was the root of the defensive problems, but it was not the isolated issue. Missing star rushing end Darren Howard and starting linebacker Sedrick Hodge was damaging, but what was more discouraging was the production, or lack thereof, from tackle Johnathan Sullivan and cornerback Dale Carter. The first was a rookie, but did not impair opposing running games as projected and the latter was given a big contract as a free agent to accomplish virtually nothing.
Underachievers were found on both sides of the ball with Dante Stallworth and Joe Horn representing the offense. While Horn?s cell phone antics were well highlighted in the media, considering he caught only 10 touchdown passes all year, 4 of which came in one game, his season totals are nothing to call home about. He wasn?t the only receiver with bad reception as for a second season in a row Dante Stallworth couldn?t remain healthy throughout. He has yet to tally more than 42 receptions or 600 yards in a season which is dispiriting numbers for a special talent.
When is Head Coach Jim Haslett going to get these boys to grow up?
What Has Changed?:
Like the big step from kindergarten to grade 1, play time is over for the New Orleans Saints. While transactions have been very calm this off-season the roster may need more of a mental change than a physical one.
While the Saints search for a leader in the locker room, management has taken steps towards developing maturity amongst this young ball club.
It?s time to grow up for the Saints as the clubhouse won?t see anymore dominoes, card games, or boom boxes in between workouts. Televisions show visuals of the team?s latest practice, or focal points from last season?s opposed to ESPN or MTV as it was in previous years. The new amendments are part of the Head Coach Jim Haslett and General Manager Mickey Loomis? plan to adult this team.
The Aints have a number of players with experience between 1-5 years in the NFL, and with limited veteran leadership, the team is desperate for some take-charge personalities.
"We just haven't had a lot of old hands around here, you know, but the pieces seem to be falling into place now," defensive end Darren Howard said.
The fiery and, at times, emotional Jim Haslett has inspired as much as possible off the field, but who will guide the team on it? Hopes are that the newly installed frame of mind will surface a head.
Even so, is this team past their ?A? starts and ?F? finishes? The Saints are typically a team that bolts out of the gates with a winning record, but once November hits they are N/A.
From shoulder to toe, the Saints are one of the most gifted teams in the NFL. Deuce McAllister is a unique blend of size and speed and is hazardous as a pass catcher as well. At receiver, Joe Horn has been the go-to guy, but he desperately needs Donte Stallworth?s incomparable speed to attract more than last year?s 25 receptions. Boo Williams is a sleeping tight-end that can truly x-factor this offense if the other pieces are in place.
In the past couple of seasons the Saints have cut ties with Grady Jackson, Joe Johnson, Norman Hand, and La?Roi Glover of the defensive line but the replacing young core is budding with prospective.
Charles Grant, Johnathan Sullivan and Will Smith are all first-round selections and along with Darren Howard, Willie Whitehead, and free agent addition Brian Young could, and I emphasize could, form one of the pressure cooking d-line?s in the league.
With the luxury of quarterback pressure, an above average secondary of Fred Thomas, Ashley Ambrose, Jason Craft, and Keyuo Craver will suffice.
The principal weakness, aside from underachieving of course, is the linebacking corps. One outside position is held by Derrick Rodgers, while the other is up for grabs between Sedrick Hodge and James Allen. Hodge is weak for his position, while Allen is often caught out of position. The middle role should be handed to rookie Courtney Watson out of Notre Dame. Hopefully the line can mask some backing inadequacies.
If the mood is truly serious, then a couple of early season wins will breed confidence and confidence should berth leadership. I?m sure they?ll give it the ?ol college try.
O/U 7.5:
Going into last season, the Panthers appeared to be the NFC South?s least, followed by New Orleans and Atlanta, with Tampa Bay receiving the highest regards. This season Carolina is deemed to be the South?s finest, followed by a virtual 3-way tie with the uncertainties of the other division members? potential. Anything can happen. The Saints play: SEA, SF, @STL, @ARZ, MIN, @OAK, @SD, KC, DEN, and @DAL.
Fantasy Sleeper:
While tight-ends like Tony G., Todd H., and Jeremy S. will be pulled off the board in the early rounds, take a look at Boo Williams as a late round steal. Though he has not dealt with the rigors of a full year, in the final 6 games of last season Boo had 29 receptions with 347 yards and 4 touchdowns. If Ernie Conwell was out of the way all season long his number would have looked much better.
