NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints

2010 Record 11-5



Offense:

As long as you have Drew Brees you have a chance to win a lot of games. Even in a upstart NFC South. The only real change in the offense is that Reggie Bush is gone (he went to the Dolphins) and they drafted my boy Mark Ingram and signed Darren Sproles. Mark Ingram was the best runningback in the draft and the Saints got him for a steal when the Patriots traded their late 1st round pick. So the Saints now have a more complete backfield with Ingram, Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory. Mark Ingram is the complete package when it comes to runningbacks, he can run between the tackles, doesn't put the ball on the ground and can catch the ball. But the scariest part of the offense is the passing game and series of good wide receivers led by Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson. Also, TE Jimmy Graham could be a huge red zone target. I can really talk about this offense for days.



Defense:

Defense is more of a question. They improved it through the draft by first round pick Cameron Jordan along with free agent acquisition Shaun Rogers should help lock down the front while LB acquisitions Turk McBride, Clint Ingram and Will Herring should add depth to a ehh linebacking unit. The secondary still has some questions, but they can be good enough to keep the Saints in games. This defense is very similar to the Patriots of last year and bank on turnovers to keep them in the game, but with that comes certain games where you get torched.



Overall:

I love this team and even though Tampa Bay and Atlanta have got a lot better, I see the Saints retaking the NFC South.



13-3

Pats Better Safe(ty) Than Sorry?

The Patriots brought in a pair of safeties to work out for them Monday: Darren Sharper and Renaldo Hill. Sharper's 35 with health concerns. Although he's also a 5 time Pro-Bowler, who three times in his career hauled in 9 interceptions. He's a veteran free agent with 14 seasons under his belt and a Super Bowl ring on his finger.



Renaldo Hill doesn't bring the same pedigree. He's a veteran of 10 years, but he's been a bit of a journeyman, playing for Arizona, Oakland, Miami, and Denver. He's played in one career playoff game.



I'm not sold on Brandon Meriweather, and I don't think the Pats are either. He's got talent. But he wanders around too often. The Patriots' defense is based on all 11 guys doing their specific job. When that happens, the big plays (in theory) come. The Patriots don't like a guy going off on his own trying to force the big play to happen.



The Patriots' secondary also lacks experience. Chung looks sharp, but there isn't much leadership back there. Sharper, if healthy, can be effective in that role. Who knows how much he's be able to play, but at least with Sharper, you'd know what you'd get from him every down.



-The Commodore

Around The NFL (UPDATED)

The Saints locked up Darren Sproles. Great Move, he is basically Reggie Bush without the media attention. There will be hardly any setback in the offensive production from the Saints with Sproles taking over.

Roy Williams is going to the Bears. Now they will have an underachieving QB and an underachieving WR. Also both just had some marital problems so it's a good fit.

CB Jonathan Joseph went to Houston. Huge upgrade and does this mean they are out of the Awesome-hua mania. Still a nice piece.

The Falcons released wide receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive end Jamaal Anderson. It's about time, Jenkins sucked and with my boy Julio Jones there, he is no longer needed. Jamaal Anderson is just another bust defensive player.

Looks like Matt Light is coming back to the Patriots. Nice move figuring Solder will need some grooming.

***UPDATE***

- Ray Edwards has agreed to a five-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

- Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with former Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore.

- Vince Young has signed with the Eagles.

- Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran offensive tackle Flozell Adams.

Around The NFL (4 UPDATES)

The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms of a trade that would send former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush to Miami, according to FoxSports.com.

With the Saints gaining Mark Ingram and having pretty decent back ups (Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas). Miami has a few questions surrounding the RB situation Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown may not be back, so having a good receiving option can help alleviate some pressures.

The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a five-year, $41 million contract with wide receiver Sidney Rice, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

A 6-4 WR never would hurt whoever is playing QB for Seattle.

***UPDATE***

We will do the same thing we did yesterday and just keep updating this post with all the moves made around the NFL...

- SF have told Nate Clements that he will released after not being able to work out a contract. Could be a nice fall back option for whoever loses out on Asomugha.

- Cardinals continue to try to rebuild that offense line scooping up fomer Packers offensive lineman Daryn Colledge for 5 years 27.5 million.

- Most people seem to think the Viking will heavily go after Braylon Edwards now that they lost Sidney Rice to the Seahawks.

- Steve Smith will no longer asked to be traded out of Carolina, which I think is a huge mistake on his part. Even with their draft and resignings by the time they are good he will be all washed up.


***UPDATE 2***

- Redskins have reached an agreement with former Cowboys DE Stephen Bowen (5 years $27.5 million $12.5 signing bonus). This could mean Cullen Jenkins could be making his way back to the Packers.

- Arizona Cardinals have asked Joey Porter to take a pay cut from his $5.75 milliion salary. If he declines, he'll be released.

***UPDATE 3***

- Kevin Kolb is about to traded to the Cardinals for Rodgers-Cromartie and a draft choice (rumored to be a 2nd round pick).

- Saints have signed IT Jermon Bushrod to a 2 year deal.


***UPDATE 4***

- Bills have signed WE Brad Smith to a 4 year $15 million deal.

- Kolb is getting a 5 year deal from the Cardinals worth $63.5 million, $21 guaranteed.

Cry me a river why don't you

"Everybody complaining about the lockout! Shoot I'm making the most of it! Vacation, rest, relaxing, appearances here and there! I'm good!" he wrote. "Right about now we would be slaving in 100 degree heat, practicing twice a day, while putting our bodies at risk for nothing."
Then he wrote

"FYI last tweet was a joke! Relax people damn it's called sense of humor! Cry me a river why don't you..."

Anyone who's upset at Reggie Bush's tweets and are reading deeper into it, needs to fucking chill. Our whole world needs to discuss and try to find a deeper meaning in every tweet, word and everything that people say that they take things out of context. Reggie Bush's sarcasm was just that. It wasn't anything about his work ethic or his mentality, it's a shitty situation, why shouldn't he be able to laugh at it.

Also, I hate that people go after him for using the word slaving. When he said that I'm sure his intention wasn't meant to belittle slavery. If you have ever been down south and specifically New Orleans it fucking sucks in the summer. It's a million degrees and the humidity matches it. Thinking about 2 a day practices in that type of environment makes me sweat.

If I were the Saints this would have zero influence on me. He will have an unbelievable year with Mark Ingram being the featured back. People need to chill out and lay off people some times. At least he's not trying to get all political (I'm looking in your direction Rashard)

Day 1 Winners and Losers

Winners:
New Orleans Saints:
Filthy draft. First the pick up DE from Cal Cameron Jordan and then they got a gift from the Patriots and selected the best RB in the draft in Mark Ingram from Alabama. They fill two holes in their roster. They strengthen their D Line and then will have a lot to work with at rb with Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram.

Carolina Panthers:
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
I was hesitant to like this pick, but I completely flip flopped on this. I think this kid is the real deal and will win this team some ball games. He's big, athletic and has a cannon. He's not your typical athletic QB who looks to run before pass, he passes pretty well. The Panthers have a lot of holes, but their future looks brighter with Newton behind center.

Baltimore Ravens:
Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
The only reason he fell was due to off field issues, but this kid is 1A to Patrick Peterson. He's big at 6'2 and just as athletic as Peterson. The Ravens needed some defensive backfield help and got a big time player in Smith. I was really hoping he would fall to the Steelers.

Losers:
New England Patriots:
They had 2 picks to fill pretty glaring needs. I like Nate Solder the OL out of Colorado. He is huge and could be really good. Plus with Logan Mankins drama coming up and Matt Light retiring (maybe) but he's a project. Anthony Costonzo out of BC and Danny Watkins from Baylor have higher ceilings than Solder. I understand the position they pick, just not the player. I think they will really regret trading that second pick for New Orleans 2nd pick and next years 1st. They had 2 players they could have drafted that would have filled huge holes in Mark Ingram or Muhammed Wilkerson the DE from Temple. This was a big swing and miss for the Patriots and they will be haunted about this for years.

Minnesota Vikings:
With the 12th pick they select Christian Ponder. Yea.... really? I know the Vikings needed a QB but this is a reach of epic proportions. If I were to reach on a QB I would have taken Andy Dalton, Ryan Mallet and even Colin Kaepernick over Ponder. I don't get it, they could have drafted Robert Quinn the DE from UNC or Mike Pouncey the G from Florida.

San Fransisco 49ers:
I think Aldon Smith was a little high. Cam Jordan, Nick Fairley or even JJ Watt would have better selections.

Fuck the Whole Pick By Pick, The Draft Is Tomorrow

DP's Picks:
24. NO: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
25. Sea: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
26. Balt: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
27. Atl: Bruce Carter, OLB, UNC
28. NE: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
29. Chi: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
30. NYJ: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
31. Pitt: Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
32. GB: Marcus Cannon, OL, TCU

BMack's Picks:
24. NO: Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona
Fills the need at DE for the Saints, and adds a good pass rusher to a team that really needs one.

25. Sea: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
I like Mallet a lot, but with all the questions surrounding being a booze bag and what not I think Seattle takes a pass. I also like Locker a lot and if Seattle can bring back Matt Hasselbeck for one more year I think he could be real good.

26. Balt: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Ravens need to improve thier defensive backfield, and Smith could end up being the 2nd best CB in this draft.

27. Atl: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Was projected to be a top 15 pick last year, but dropped in this years rankings (nerve damage/5 less sack then 2010), could be a steal this late in the first round.

28. NE: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Dude is huge (6-foot-8 319 pounds), and the Patriots could be very thin on the OL depending on what happens with the CBA/free agency.

29. Chi: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
The Bears have to find a way to protect Cutler, this is a good start,

30. NYJ: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Big, strong pass rusher is exactly what the Jets need, but what makes him special is he is great against the run.

31. Pitt: Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
Not a sexy pick, but lets be honest the Steelers have to find a way to protect Big Ben.

32. GB: Justin Houston, LB, Georgia
Gives the Packers another OLB pass rushing option other then just Matthews. Houston is also versitle, and could eventually be a DE, another need for the Packers.