Having two damn good backs with a O-line that can't block
for them is like having nothing.

17. New Orleans Saints

New coach, new system, new training camp site ... after one of the weirdest and most tragedy-filled seasons any team has ever endured, in which their city was almost wiped off the map, the Saints are looking to bounce back with the draft's biggest prize and one of the most impressive free agents. Up front, who will be creating lanes for Reggie Bush and Drew Brees? Center Jeff Faine, acquired from Cleveland in a draft-day trade, is a smart and quick player whose lack of prototypical size (291 pounds) has him getting overwhelmed by big men at times. 2004 Outland Trophy winner Jamaal Brown will be moving from right to left tackle this season, and the Saints will need Brown to continue his development. He has elite potential.

words/reading is one thing but performance is another...

Originally Posted by along

Having two damn good backs with a O-line that can't block
for them is like having nothing.

I wanted to give the OLine some love. I keep reading quotes like this one above or "the OLine is going to be Brees killed."

If we operate on the presumption that players can stay healthy, the 2006 Saints O-Line is not the disaster I keep reading about:

1) LT - Jamaal Brown. Moving from RT to LT doesn't mean the guy still isn't a stud. He has the skills to become a ProBowl LT in this league. It may take some time for him to gel, but he's going to give Abraham, Peppers, and Rice all they'll want to see. Clearly an upgrade over Gandy.

2) LG - Montrae Holland. You'd think this guy was a rookie or something. He's started 23 games in the position the last 2 years on a line that has done extremely well over that span.

3) C - Jeff Faine. Former 1st round pick. You should here how Cleveland fans are crying for him now that Bentley is hurt. He has two trouble spots: nose tackle and injuries. The NFC doesn't have many nose tackles. Let's hope that injuries don't visit him.

4) RG - Jermaine Mayberry. 10 year vet. Pro Bowl guard for Philly in 2002. Held the position down well last year.

5) RT - Well now here's the hole. Obviously since this was Brown's position last year, anyone else is going to be a downgrade. Stinchcomb can't seem to get well. Nesbit is a journeyman, and Strief is a promising rookie, but a rookie nontheless. It's unclear who is going to step up.

So barring injury, 4 of the 5 positions on the line are solid. FoxSports gives me some agreement in this article:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5794000

ranking the Saints' line 17th in the league. Believe me if the Saints can hold anywhere near that position, the offense will be spactacular. Here's the quote:

Originally Posted by FoxSports

17. New Orleans Saints

New coach, new system, new training camp site ... after one of the weirdest and most tragedy-filled seasons any team has ever endured, in which their city was almost wiped off the map, the Saints are looking to bounce back with the draft's biggest prize and one of the most impressive free agents. Up front, who will be creating lanes for Reggie Bush and Drew Brees? Center Jeff Faine, acquired from Cleveland in a draft-day trade, is a smart and quick player whose lack of prototypical size (291 pounds) has him getting overwhelmed by big men at times. 2004 Outland Trophy winner Jamaal Brown will be moving from right to left tackle this season, and the Saints will need Brown to continue his development. He has elite potential.

So I believe that while the line isn't perfect, it'll certainly be good enough to function in 2006.

SFIAH