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The New Orleans Saints are in an unfamiliar position today: near the top of the NFL rushing rankings.

That's right, your high-flying, pass-happy, run-challenged Saints are the second-best running team through three games.
Bet you didn't expect that when you poured your bowl of corn flakes this morning.
The Saints have rushed for 512 yards in three games, following Sunday's 222-yard stampede of the Bills. Saints runners are averaging a healthy 5 yards a carry.
Compare that to a year ago, when the Saints gained a meager 244 yards on the ground and averaged a mere 3.4 yards a carry through three games.
It has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the Saints' surprising 3-0 start.
In fact, you could make a case that the running game, more so than the defense, is the most improved aspect of this year's Saints team.
"You start with the fundamentals; guys are blocking well and we're hitting our landmarks and protecting the ball as well," Saints Coach Sean Payton said Monday. "There's no earth-shattering secrets. It still gets back to blocking and protecting the football and the landmarks by the runners. I feel like we've improved on all of those things."
Credit the offensive line, an unassuming and underappreciated group of young veterans who have been the most overlooked group in the Saints' heady start.
Their dirty work in the fourth quarter, often against eight- and nine-man defensive fronts, has allowed the Saints to close out all three wins.
And they've done all of this without Pro Bowl left tackle Jammal Brown. In his place, Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief have ably manned the most important position on the front wall. Guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks have been called by some scouts as the best young duo in the league, and they're playing like it. Steady vets Jonathan Goodwin and Jon Stinchcomb aren't flashy, but they rarely make mistakes.
Despite ranking among the league leaders in pass protection each year, they've only sent one player (Brown) to the Pro Bowl. They don't have a catchy name like the Hogs or superstar talent like Orlando Pace, Steve Hutchinson or Jon Ogden.
The group, however, features a nice blend of experience, youth and talent. It's their second consecutive season of starting together, so the improvement should not be a surprise.
The line has endured its share of criticism. They've been labeled a finesse unit because of the offensive emphasis on passing and well-documented struggles in short-yardage rushing situations.
But the unit has flexed its collective muscle this season and might be ready to shed the label.
The Bills basically dared the Saints to beat them on the ground. Their strategy to slow the Saints' offense was to employ a scheme with five defensive backs in a lot of three-deep coverage.
The Saints responded by running the ball down the Bills' throats. Twenty-two of their 34 offensive plays in the second half were runs. They averaged 6 yards on those carries. They closed out the Bills with three consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Nine of their 14 plays on those series were runs.
"It felt good to be able to run the ball the way we did (on Sunday)," right guard Jahri Evans said. "Coach told us we needed to get a hat on a hat, and we stuck with it and were able to wear them down."
"As the game went on, they began opening up holes," Payton said. "We gave up some hurries in protection, but we did a good job and were able to rush the ball, especially in the second half to close out a team."
The Saints highest final rushing ranking was No. 8 in 2000. For most of the past decade they've routinely finished in the bottom half of the league.
But injuries to bell-cow back Deuce McAllister derailed the Saints' attack the past two seasons. They ranked 28th in rushing yards per game both seasons.
Intent on improving their ground game, the Saints simplified their rushing attack in the offseason, focusing their efforts on a few bread-and-butter plays.
They also elected to stick with their current stable of backs instead of pursuing a high-profile free agent (Edgerrin James).
The strategy has paid off. The Saints have received production from every back they've plugged into the lineup. Reggie Bush, Mike Bell, Lynell Hamilton and Pierre Thomas have all taken their turns toting the rock with equal aplomb.
Bell has rushed for 229 yards and averaged a healthy 5.1 yards a carry. Thomas made the most of his first extended action of the season, rambling for a career-high 126 yards on 14 carries in the second half at Buffalo. He averaged 9.0 yards a carry despite battling the flu and a balky right knee. Bush and Hamilton have added 111 and 24 yards, respectively.
There might not be a complete package like McAllister on the roster, but the stable has an impressive array of skills and talent.
"I think it's a versatile (group of backs); they have different skill sets, and I do like the fact that we have some young players in that room," Payton said. "I said in the spring that we felt pretty confident that some of our answers might be in the building, and again it's early in the season, but I'm pleased with how that position group has come along."
The Saints are going to need another strong rushing effort this week against the New York Jets. Coach Rex Ryan's bunch likes to swarm the line of scrimmage and attack the quarterback. The Saints will need a balanced attack to keep Gang Green at bay.
For the first time in a while, the Saints look like they're up to the task. Thanks to the play of the offensive line, the Saints have changed the 'F' word from finesse to finish.

O-Line Game Ball !!!!!

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