The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 10. Today, the New Orleans Saints.
Last year’s record: 7-9
Head coach: Sean Payton
Core players: Drew Brees (QB), Mark Ingram (RB), Marques Colston (WR), Jahri Evans (OG), Cameron Jordan (DE), Keenan Lewis (CB), Jairus Byrd (FS)
2015 is about… A slight change in strategy and reclaiming dominance over the division. In most seasons since 2006, the year Payton and Brees joined the organization, the Saints have been the team to beat in the NFC South and did so relying heavily on the passing game. However, with one of the best offensive lines and backfields in football, look for the Saints to mix it up and do more damage on the ground this season. It’s also about getting by on the other side of the ball. If they finish with one of the bottom five defences in the NFL like they did last year, success will be fleeting.
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They lost… Trading elite tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks was a major indication of the shift in strategy mentioned above. They also let deep threat Kenny Stills and pass-receiving running back Pierre Thomas go. Instead, they’ll rely on veteran Marques Colston and second-year standout Brandin Cooks. If Colston can stay healthy he’s a big body that can go up for balls, and Cooks looks tremendous in pre-season, but the loss of Graham limits what they can do in the red zone. The team also moved on from tackle machine Curtis Lofton, plus Junior Galette and the 22 sacks he racked up over the past two seasons. Keenan Lewis is expected to miss 4-6 weeks following hip surgery.
Yeah, but they got… C.J. Spiller. Mark Ingram is the running back the Saints will rely on most of the time, but Spiller, who will be used in passing situations, adds something the team hasn’t had since Darren Sproles – a dynamic, versatile back who’s also a threat on special teams. An overlooked aspect of the Jimmy Graham trade was the fact the Saints ended up with one of the best centres in the league in two-time Pro Bowler Max Unger. An improvement like that to an already stellar O-line, plus Spiller, softens the blow of losing Graham.
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will have some new toys to play with as linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha join the group. Some believe Kikaha was the best pure pass rusher in the 2015 draft class. The biggest addition on defence though was big, physical cornerback Brandon Browner. The former Patriot and Seahawk will have his work cut out for him in divisional games when he’s tasked with covering the likes of Julio Jones on the Falcons and Mike Evans on the Bucs in key divisional matchups. The Saints used the first-round pick they acquired from Seattle in the Graham trade to select middle linebacker Stephone Anthony. All indications through camp point to the Clemson product being a quality starter.
Growing from within: Look for Cooks to have a breakout campaign as Brees’s No. 1 weapon. He carved up the Patriots’ starters for 117 yards and a touchdown on four catches prompting Bill Belichick to say: “I’m glad we don’t have to play him twice a year and he’s not in our division. He’s a really good player.” Same goes for Ingram. The 25-year-old was the top running back taken off the board in 2011 (28th overall by the Saints) and he started rounding into form last season. This year he’ll aim to prove he’s an every-down back despite the addition of Spiller.
Why this team? Because a Pete Carmichael offence led by Brees can be dynamite when everything clicks. It will also be fun seeing if veteran Ben Watson and promising youngster Josh Hill can be reliable targets for Brees at the tight end position.
Why not? This might not be the air-it-out Saints you’re used to. Time is ticking down on Brees’s career and it could be tough for fans of his to watch him hand the ball off frequently. Plus, the defence leaves much to be desired.
Perfect for fans of… The Dallas Stars. The hockey team scored the second most goals in the NHL last season, but their defence sucked and they missed the playoffs. The Saints fit that high-scoring, sucky defence mould to a T.
How much hope? 7/10. Payton’s group is far from a Super Bowl favourite, but this division is so weak they could wind up with a home playoff game without picking up double-digit wins.
Will you be mocked for front-running? No. New Orleans is known for being such a happy city filled with lovely people. Who wouldn’t be glad to see them return to the post-season?
A Meme to Remember: There’s always hope when you’ve got a future Hall of Famer under centre working with one of the best coaches in the league.
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