New Orleans Saints — The team tried desperately this offseason to repair the damages left both mentally and physically the team experienced a year ago. After their debacle left them with the 2nd overall pick, they got busy in the offseason.

Their major signing was of former San Diego quarterback Drew Brees. Brees is a proven winner, though no one is sure if it is mainly due to the fact he played behind a great offensive line and had weapons like LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates at his disposal.

Either way, he enters a new city and a team with weapons like Deuce McAllister and uber-hyped Reggie Bush at his disposal. His receivers are also above average with Joe Horn playing second-fiddle to Donte Stallworth. However, he lost a quarterback’s best friend when he left for Saint-land: an offensive line.

The team took a hit when LeCharles Benltey left and Wayne Gandy’s trade.

But that wasn’t even the biggest story in New Orleans. Not by a long shot.

The pick of Reggie Bush after Houston let him slide (foolish by the Texans? We’ll see) was on everyone’s lips. No one didn’t hear of it, especially with analysts hyping him as a once-in-a-lifetime player and the next Gale Sayers. Those are difficult expectations to live up to, especially on a team with an already proven back in McAllister.

But Bush wound up putting on a Saints cap and holding up the jersey in front of a ton of viewers who questioned him. Putting up Q’s in hope of A’s like “How’s he going to handle a full load? He didn’t even do that in college,� and “How do we know he was that great... I mean, he played for college football’s best team with its best quarterback. How will he do with the Ain’ts?

Bush hopes to answer those questions in the ensuing seasons, but we may have to wait a year first. He’s still second to Deuce, but if an injury would occur, all eyes will be on New Orleans and watching the Promised One.

Quarterbacks — Drew Brees was the big acquisition and many wonder how he will handle his situation. He currently lacks sufficient protection, but the running game should help. His numbers could come near those he posted with San Diego, but if they do, it should be a few season’s time. After all, Aaron Brooks put up huge numbers, but was a different type of quarterback. Only time will tell, but until then expect a season with 3400 yards and 18-20 TD’s with 14+ INTs as well.

Running Backs — Deuce is proven but his injury last season questions durability issues. Will he make a complete season? If not, Bush is prepared to fill in but he himself wasn’t a full time back in college, so there are questions there as well. At some point in the season, expect Reggie to take the majority of the offense’s carries, due to either A: Incompetence by Deuce, B: Fan’s cheers (or jeers), C: Injury.

Wide Receivers — Joe Horn is declining but is still a good complementary receiver to Donte Stallworth. TE Zach Hilton is a good tight end, and wow is he tall. At 6'8 he is taller than 6'7 Jeremy Stevens and 3" taller than Antonio Gates. He is the tallest starting TE in the NFL to the best of my knowledge and will be a BIG target for Brees to throw too.

Defense — Awful. That’s how I’d describe this team that finished 28th in points allowed and 19 total turnovers (30th). But, there are bright spots on the team, such as their safeties, but even that is overshadowed by their linebacking group and defensive line that is responsible for the 2145 (134 per game) yards on the ground allowed, while the passing defense was vigilant, allowing a mere 178 yards per game (3rd). However, even that was clouded by the 20 touchdowns they gave up through the air, which finished them in the middle of the pack. This season may be better, but not by much... that’s for certain.

Grades
Offense — C
Defense — C-
Coaching — C+
Overall — C

Quick Picks — 6-10, 4th place

Wide Receivers — Joe Horn is declining but is still a good complementary receiver to Donte Stallworth.