Breaking Bad Trend 2012 New Orleans Saints

2012 New Orleans Saints
[Source: NewOrleansSaints.com]

Note: Starters; Rookies; Status Injured, Suspended, Uncertain

QB Drew Brees; Chase Daniel
FB Jed Collins; Korey Hall
RB Pierre Thomas; Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet

Only surprise here was that Saints kept two (2) fullbacks and that with Cadet sure to make the team as well; had predicted Hall would be cut in that scenario; we've got the best QB, FB, and RB corps in the league...

WR Marques Colston; Courtney Roby, Adrian Arrington
WR Lance Moore; Devery Henderson, Joe Morgan
TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Daniel Graham

Several big surprises; I've pulled for Arrington since the Saints traded back into the draft to get him and I thought he was as good as what we were getting out of First Round Bust from Tennessee Robert Meachem; this season, with the injury, I was very frustrated with Arrington and thought with Toon drafted, he was vulnerable - well good for him. Despite the fumbling Morgan showed that speed after a couple of five yard hitch routes that really just jumped out at you; and with Morgan making the team and Sproles as the primary return man on kickoffs and punt returns - I thought Roby was done - I don't mind being wrong when a guy gets to keep his job because he's done what was asked of him; Graham was also a surprise, but he can block and is a good veteran presence...

LT Jermon Bushrod; Charles Brown
LG Ben Grubbs; Eric Olsen
C Brian De La Puente
RG Jahri Evans
RT Zach Strief; Marcel Jones

Kind of what I expected; guess they gave up on Tennant - would like to get more insight on that; glad Tiller was kept on IR - he'll be another diamond in the rough found late for the Saints. Talent at Tackle is not overwhelming, our starters would be top shelf depth is how I look at it - but in today's salary cap world, you pick your poison; do not like how thin we are at Guard and Center, but we'll make adjustments if needed...

LDE Cam Jordan; Junior Galette
LDT Brodrick Bunkley; Akiem Hicks
RDT Sedrick Ellis; Tom Johnson, Tyrunn Walker
RDE Will Smith; Turk McBride, Martez Wilson

Only surprise was releasing Ayodelle and keeping Walker; hoping Martez Wilson is the breakout player of the year and Jordan can become the first rounder talent we had all hoped; preseason is what it is, but will we finally get a top twelve, respectable pass rush?!? This will be the biggest difference maker to the Saints going to the dance...

SLB Scott Shanle; Will Herring
MLB Curtis Lofton; Barrett Ruud
WLB David Hawthorne; Jonathan Casillas

Curious that with the Barrett Ruud signing that Humber isn't listed on depth chart; well I'm going on record to say that while Shanle is not the most gifted athlete, and many here have a target on his back, I'm glad for Shanle as he's a guy that brings his lunch pail and just works his @$$ off!

And I think the Spagnuolo schemes will show that Shanle's a good pro; If Vilma wins his appeal, I will be curious to see who becomes expendable in this corps. Never really sold on Casillas (injuries, gameplay disclipline), but I'm glad he's a Saint and will cheer him on...

LCB Jabari Greer; Johnny Patrick
SS Roman Harper; Rafael Bush
FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus
RCB Patrick Robinson; Corey White, Jerome Murphy

Marquis Johnson (knee) is a tough break, he showed promise; last season he was out with a lacerated spleen; Mack was eventurally cut for another former Ram, Murphy who is a big physical cornerback; now early on, thought that either Gumbs or Jerico Nelson had shown they have real pro potential. Not a big fan of Roman Harper's game, his liability in pass coverage and his overpaid salary slot; in fact, I think Malcolm Jenkins at Strong Safety and a more natural Free Safety would produce dramatic, positive results for this defense; yes, I too still miss Darren Sharper; but, after my days of watching Toi Cook, it's nice to have this talent at CB...

Update: We cut the man we got for Reggie Bush for another Bush?!? He's actually a solid safety...

P Thomas Morstead
K Garrett Hartley
LS Justin Drescher; Jed Collins
KR Darren Sproles
PR Darren Sproles

Gotta say, I was hoping to keep the old man; I know he's made some kicks, but I don't trust Hartley and if this team didn't have the best quarterback on the planet right now - he would have been released because of his shakiness in the 30-45 yard range...

Suspended/Reserve: DE Will Smith, LB Jon Vilma, Ramon Humber

Injured Reserve: DE Greg Romeus, LB Chris Chamberlain, RB Joe Banyard, S Jose Gumbs, OG Andrew Tiller, WR Nick Toon, OT Fenuki Tupou, CB Marquis Johnson, WR Chris Givens

Several of the guys on IR were wisely placed there; I really look forward to seeing Romeus, Tiller, Chamberlain, Toon, and Johnson play for the Black and Gold; got my balls busted by some for saying early on that Toon was headed to the IR, my butcher had the scoop and I kept faith and waited to be vindicated...

Practice Squad: S Jerico Nelson, G Ricky Henry, TE Michael Higgins, G Harland Gunn, WR Andy Tanner, DE Braylon Broughton, DB Nick Hixson, LB Ezra Butler.

After the first week, I suspect the Saints despite not having their GM will move to sign a veteran or two; they will wait until after Week 1 so the contract will not be guaranteed...