Carolina Panthers Versus The South Part One: The New Orleans Saints.....

[AKPantherFan]

The Panthers swept the Saints in 2008, dominating their intradivisional foe for seven of eight quarters. A fourth quarter defensive meltdown in week 17 nearly cost the Panthers the game and the division crown, but they rallied behind a Jake Delhomme game winning drive to escape the Super Dome with the win.

Offensively, the Saints remain much the same. They still have the best quarterback in the NFL in Drew Brees, and a talented corps of wide receivers in Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson.

Pierre Thomas is ready to establish himself as the best running back the Saints have had since the heyday of Deuce McAllister, allowing a healthy Reggie Bush to play all over the field and create matchup nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.

The Saints made key additions to their defensive secondary and coaching staff during the offseason. They used their first round draft pick to select Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State who will likely end up at Safety once the dust has settled in training camp.

The Saints also acquired Jabari Greer in free agency. He played mostly the nickel or dime position in Buffalo before an injury caused him to miss the final six games of the season.

Greer will add more options in a cornerback competition that could be kindly described as "wide open." Between him, Tracy Porter, Randall Gay, and Jason David, there's no one that jumps out immediately as a shut down corner, or even particularly good.

Making the decisions about who starts will be Greg Williams. Williams had great success as a defensive coordinator in Tennessee and at times in Washington, but faltered as a head coach in Buffalo and had middling results last year in Jacksonville.

On offense, the Panthers didn't have much trouble scoring against the Saints in 2008. They scored 63 points in two meetings and produced 829 yards of total offense. DeAngelo Williams was particularly effective, rushing for 244 yards. Jake Delhomme was only sacked twice in the two meetings and didn't throw an interception.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers shut down the potent Saints offense for seven quarters. In the fourth quarter of their second meeting, the Saints scored more than they had against the Panthers during the rest of the year combined. This was due to a number of things, mainly the disintegration of the defensive line due to injury.

more....

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/226575-panthers-versus-the-south-part-1-the-new-orleans-saints

[Saint J]

The defense is going to look totally different, there has been a total change there wth Williams and the players know it. The players seemed to have bought into Williams as Carolina's have to Meeks. I think it's going to be close to the 2000 unit that thrived on creating havoc in the backfield. Bobby McCray told the Times-Picayune that Williams would blitz himself if he could.

[Saint J]

that's fiz's article, btw.

[Jrock88]

the Saints D is still going to stink...looking forward to two more wins from New Orleans.

[Peppers90 NC]

Should be entertaining again this year. Is Brees really the best QB in the league? I guess if Brady is injured all year and Manning starts to decline, I suppose he is. Kinda premature to put him there at this point, but top 5 is not bad company. By week 8, I think we will get the same ole Saints we are accustomed to.

[Zod]

Just as an FYI, Dan Morgan seemed to think the Saints D was going to be much improved this season and had a very favorable impression of their DC.

[Fireball77]

I agree with him on both counts.

[QuasiYoda]

Just as an FYI, Dan Morgan seemed to think the Saints D was going to be much improved this season and had a very favorable impression of their DC.

Yes Gregg Williams is a respected was DC for the Titans when they went to Super Bowl. Also most of the offseason upgrades and all of their draft picks were on the defensive side (secondary in particular). (Punter defensive? then close to all) Much like the Panthers but the Saint had a first round pick to work with . . . That being said I am glad we got Otah with this years 1st round pick and I think we'll be glad we got Brown with next years.

[MadHatter]

I am telling you that the NFCS will be a three team log jam the entire season. The Panthers, Falcons, and Saints will all be solid teams. Any of the three could win the division this year.

The team that stays the healthiest out of the three will win it. The other two will likely miss the playoffs.

[dmo4455]

The saints defense will be much improved and i know they are gonna be in great physical shape...G. Williams demands a ton out of his defensive players and i think they will be up to the challenge this year. The one thing about that defense no matter who you are, if you dont produce or know what your doing, no matter who you are u won't play. Look for Charles Grant and Will Smith to have big years and Vilma to make a ton of plays in this new defense. Blitz, Blitz, Blitz and see if you can stop us is the saints gameplan....Offensively look for Pierre Thomas to get a bulk of the carries with Reggie Bush giving the offense a different kind of spark when he's in there. Drew Brees will have another stellar year and works as hard as anyone i've ever been around...Look for the Saints and the Panthers to battle it out for 1st place this year with the Falcons not far behind.

[Kyle82]

The Saints will be a tough team offensively this year....don't know about Brees being the best QB in the league...top 5 maybe.

This should be the year for Bush to prove to be a bust or not but if he stays healthy he should have an outstanding season.

[Zod]

Blitz, Blitz, Blitz and see if you can stop us is the saints gameplan....

Wonder if I should pick up Moose and start him then, should get plenty of quick outs.

[QuasiYoda]

I am telling you that the NFCS will be a three team log jam the entire season. The Panthers, Falcons, and Saints will all be solid teams. Any of the three could win the division this year.

The team that stays the healthiest out of the three will win it. The other two will likely miss the playoffs.

Well Said, Rep to you sir.

Brevity is the Soul of Wit . . . and it also makes for a nice post.

[DaCityKats]

every team but the bucs improved over the off season......i think 2 teams will come out the division and go to the playoffs.im sorry but until i see the saints d have changed im still going to think, they are the old saints d.