Article: Five Teams That Could Shock The World
 

Browns, Raiders, Packers, Saints & Cardinals

http://www.sportznutz.com/nfl/articl...ould_shock.htm

New Orleans Saints

After bottoming out in every way imaginable in 2005, no team rebounded in a more positive manner since the season ended than the Saints. They brought in a respected young coach in Sean Payton, added a winning QB in Drew Brees, and somehow got their Christmas present early when RB/WR/KR/Unique offensive weapon Reggie Bush inexplicably fell into their laps in the draft. The Saints play in a tough division, but even without the recent acquisitions, the team has never lacked talent on either side of the ball. If it all clicks, look out - the Saints could feature a punishing defense with a high-octane offense that will make them a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs. Not to mention, can you imagine the frenzy that will exist in New Orleans if the Saints are contenders?

Defense? When did we get one of these?

RE: Article: Five Teams That Could Shock The World
 

Defense is what my brother and I have been arguing about the last week or so.

He desperatly wants to see the return of the Dome Patrol days of 1991 and 1992 when the Saints were the #1 defense in the league. His belief is that the run defense must be solid in order for the team to be effective.

I take a more holistic view of the defense. It was a bit better in 2005 overall. Middle of the pack. It was terrible in key indicators: scoring and turnovers.

But I believe that much of scoring and turnovers problems were attributable to the offense. The Saints were #2 last year in total giveaways with 43. OUCH! An NFL team cannot be successful giving the ball away that many times.

The way I see it, if the Saints' offense this year can simply cut down on the turnovers and penalties, they are going to be a much better football team right off the bat.

I don't have an answer as to how the defense is going to gel. There's simply too many questions that still exist in the middle of the defense to answer that. What's going to happen at tackle? MLB? WIll the safeties pan out. What about the corners? WIll McKenzie be healthy? Do we really have the #2 and #3 corners to compete with the types of receivers we'll be seeing this season? All questions that I frankly don't have an answer to.

But if the offense comes to play every week, then the defense will get its chance to get its act together over the course of the season. The offense has the edge players to be very successful this season. Its only question is whether or not we can put together a line that can put those skill players in positions to be successful.

SFIAH

RE: Article: Five Teams That Could Shock The World
 

OL is the concern not the weapons. The DT, LB and CB on the other side of the ball. We switch over to a 34 D in the next three years because we do not have much keeping us committed to a 43. Alot of one year deals and player contracts up next year leaves the window wide open for change. who knows maybe the DT will step up this year. then our LB will have a chance. If the safties can handle the over the top (mid to deep) coverage better then the CB will have a chance to minimize the damage they will cause.

RE: Article: Five Teams That Could Shock The World
 

At the moment our defence is as beatable as my 5th grade girlfriend. We need somebody to step up play and have a breakout type season.

RE: Article: Five Teams That Could Shock The World
 

Our problem is the OL. We need some players who are gonna hold up that line, we have so many youngsters that are just grabbing their NFL game...Hopefully they can play tight...