Saints improved defense
 

Hattiesburg American - www.hattiesburgamerican.com - Hattiesburg, Miss. cornerback

Cornerback Randall Gay recently signed as a free agent, and will likely replace David in the secondary. That is, unless Mike McKenzie won't be able to recover from a severe knee injury he suffered late last season.

If that's the case, look for Gay and David to be the starting cornerbacks for the Saints next season.

Defensive end Bobby McCray signed recently to compete with standout ends Will Smith and Charles Grant.

McCray likely won't win a starting job, but he will provide depth and motivation for Smith and Grant to improve their performance.

The offense hasn't been completely ignored, as the Saints have signed former Pro Bowl quarterback Mark Brunell to serve as Drew Brees' backup.

Jaime Martin has served in that role the past two seasons, but he's a free agent and Brunell is a better quarterback than Martin.

Now, the Saints' plans could change (possibly dramatically) depending on what happens in the draft.

But as it stands right now, it appears as if the Saints have put themselves in position to return to the playoffs.