Offseason Game Plan: New Orleans Saints
 

Head coach Jim Haslett is fortunate that the Saints brain trust believes in stability, or else he might be looking for work following three straight seasons sans a playoff appearance. How close are the Saints to taking that next step? Judging from last year's results, they are about one kick away. But we won't dwell on the "River City Relay" and subsequent missed PAT; poor John Carney has suffered enough. Surprisingly, Carney isn't looking for work either. In fact, all of the key offensive pieces are still in place, from quarterback Aaron Brooks to running back Deuce McAllister (a.k.a. "The Bourbon Street Bruiser"), to wide receiver Joe Horn, to tight end Boo Williams. So with a little help on defense, they should be right back in the thick of things in the NFC South in 2004, right?

Actually, they'll probably be picked to finish last in the division that includes the last two Super Bowl champions and a Falcons team that will have No. 7 back for a full season.

If you think Joe Horn was ticked off when he was fined $30,000 for Joe Horn's cell phone incident…if you think Joe Horn was mad as hell when they fired Joe Horn's receivers' coach and mentor Hubbard Alexander at the end of the season…well then what's going to happen if they struggle to match last year's 8-8 mark?


For the rest of this article, click here:



http://www.fanball.com/fb/article.cfm/ID.2330

Offseason Game Plan: New Orleans Saints
 

And it begins again. \'Experts\' predicting mediocrity and a third or fourth place finish in the division.