No Reason to be Afraid of the Saints

[Carolina Crazy V2]

The Saints have been hyped up as much as any other team since they reached the conference championship in the '06-'07 season where they were dismantled by the Bears.

The past two seasons, they have been ranked 6th and 7th in the ESPN preseason rankings. Many of you might not have realized that their seemingly great defensive pick-ups have not always turned out so great. This comment from Pat Yasinska before the 2008 season shows this:

Offense is loaded at the skill positions. Defensive overhaul must take hold for this team to contend. (PY)

As you can see, it did not take hold and the Saints defense finished among the worst in the league last year, even with one of the most powerful offenses in the league to hold the ball. After the team had been ranked 6th at the start of 2007, they were ranked 30th by Week 6 of the season. After Week 3 in '08, they peaked at a ranking of 16 by the end of the season.

5 out of the first 8 teams that the Saints play in 2009 were playoff teams in '08. All NFC South teams will have tough schedules in 2009 due to their matchups with the AFC and NFC East Divisions. The past two years the Saints have started out slow and it has resulted in 7-9 and 8-8 records.

Johnathan Sullivan (#6 pick in 2003)

While the Saints seemed to have drafted a perfect match with Malcolm Jenkins with the 14th pick in the draft, the Saints haven't exactly struck gold with their first round picks in their history. Jammal Brown and Will Smith might be the only guys that have lived up to expectations since 2002. This leads me to wonder if Jenkins could be another overhyped Saints rookie.

I just warn you all to think before worrying about all of the Saints 2009 defensive additions. They still don't have anyone that stands out on that defense. They really need someone to step up their play to lead this defense or it will be right back in the 20-30 range in defensive rankings.

CC

[Kyle82]

Here is what we'll do with the Aints once again:

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Yeah, but if Dan Morgan can stay healthy ... oh, who am I kidding.

[Kyle82]

Yeah, but if Dan Morgan can stay healthy ... oh, who am I kidding.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I agree the slow starts kill them. Oh and 2 of their starting DLine will probably be suspended for the first 4 games.

[dexterpyro]

the saints have a defense??? I am not worried about the aint yet. But if all there players live up to potential and hype then they might be good...

[Jangler]

Who?

[mantal]

I'll be worried about the Saints when they convince me I should be. So far, that hasn't happened...

[pantherclaw]

What is to be scared of?

Hint to the Saints, become a complete football team.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I'll be worried about the Saints when they convince me I should be. So far, that hasn't happened...

This is exactly the approach I've taken when, each year, the experts start saying that the Saints are not only the best in the division, but one of the best teams in the NFC.

The Saints certainly have the talent to make as much of a run as any team does. Whether or not they can do so remains to be seen.

[OneBadassCat]

I'm not even scared of their offense yea Brees is good, Bush dances around some, they've got Colston whos good, then they have the overrated Jeremy Shockey. Their offensive line isn't that great, save Jamal Brown.

[WilkinsonDonnie]

robert meachum is a bust

[AKPantherFan]

as long as they have brees they will be a 8-8 team, they put the right players around him and they might be serious contenders.

[PANTHER PRIDE 52]

It's true that the saints defence still ain't that great but they have added some good veteren cb's and db's in green and sharper and i think that jenkins will b good at that #3 cb position....but i could b wrong sharper is at or over 30yrs. Old and jenkins is a rookie so s.smith will have fun with them 2