TheDeuce

As I was sitting here thinking about the success this team has had this year. Of course the first thing that comes to my mind is that we have come "out of nowhere" to get ourselves atop the NFC South. There is still a lot of season to play, but I think it is really amazing that we have accomplished all of this with a team that nobody thought was any good. However, when you look at the offense, we have Brees locked up for a long time, Reggie for a long time, Deuce for a while, Horn for a few more years, Marques for a long time, and some pretty solid linemen. Think about how good our offense (who has so many new guys playing together for the first time) can be in the future. I really think that this unit can get even better when they have more experience together. The defense is another story. We have two very good bookends in Grant* and Will Smith. Scott Fujita is playing like he wants to go to Honolulu. Bullocks is still young and is only going to get better, but right now I think he's a very solid starter. MM still flashed signs of brilliance. Obviously, there are some holes in this defense. But think about what this team needs to do to get a lot better, which isn't much. We need another CB, another DT, and a good LB. That's three spots, which IMO, are the three things that are keeping us from being on the level with the Bears and the Colts. Our offense is so good, and our defense has been good enough usually. We don't have that many holes, but we do have that many options come this offseason. It is a little early to think about that, but I'm very very very excited for the long term success of this team.

TheDeuce

*From ESPNInsider:

Saints locking up Grant?
<Nov. 10> Nothing is imminent, but the Saints have quietly initiated talks with Grant about a long-term contract extension, writes ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. The team's first-round selection in the 2002 draft, Grant, 28, is in the final season of his original rookie contract and eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.
The overture by New Orleans officials is a sign that they feel Grant has sufficiently resurrected himself after a disastrously unproductive 2005 season (2½ sacks). A high-energy defensive end for most of his career, Grant registered 10 sacks in 2003 and 10½ in 2004 and played the run well, too.

lumm0x

Glad to hear they are moving on Grant. Sacks aside he's having a great year on the line in pass and run D. And he's been fired up the whole time. We have two top notch bookends and if Ninkovich returns to health hopefuly he can be an equally high motor back up.

ssmitty

take away the turnovers and we're 9-0..........
a little better defense and we're at least 8-1.........
brees knows exactly what the weaknesses of the cincy def is and will exploit them.
we need to be at 7-3......
thumbs up to brees to get it done............smitty

gandhi1007

I think Brees will handle his business as usual. My only worries are: Can our corners weather the storm that is "Ocho Cinco", T.J. Houshmanzadeh, & Chris Henry? ....and can we put lots of pressure on Palmer? Remember......the Bengals are an offense that can put up just as many points as we can. Just ask San Diego who was supposed to have one of the better defenses in the entire league (even without Barry Bonds protege, Shawne Merriman). That said.....we have "Dome Field Advantage" & that counts for something. I think we win in a shootout 34-31.

D_it_up

I don't know if you have noticed Chris Henry lately, but he looks like he has given up on his QB. After that play where he didn't even attempt for a high pass and was picked off two weeks ago, Palmer blasted him. Then the following week he drops and EASY pass in the endzone. Housyamama may not even know he is playing football this weekend after that pancake he was given last Sunday. Johnson may have to take over the receiving corps this weekend. It should be interesting.

gandhi1007

Hey D_it_up..... all that helps us, but what's really bad is ol' Ocho could probably beat McKenzie & Freddie Thomas if they were both covering him at the same time. One good fake & McKenzie's history & Freddie's just too old to cover Johnson. And that's not even counting the other 3 really good receivers Cincy has. I think our defense will make plays by putting pressure on Palmer with Levi Jones, etc... hurt. He'll have to get rid of it quick. That will help our secondary because the LB's will be helping against the short passes. I think we will win a very high scoring game. Maybe not as high as the S.D. vs. Cincy game, but high scoring none the less.

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______________________________
KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE!
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D_it_up

I agree with you gandhi. It's going to be like an old west shootout tomorrow. I think the running game will actually be our strength. I see Deuce busting off some big runs, and Bush may be able to break free for a couple as well. I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your Colston signature pic and put it on my Myspace profile. HA!

along

Your is right, We do have holes in our Defense.
If we can get lucky enough and get CB, another
DT, and a good LB.
Lookout NFL the Saints will be taking a couple
of Super-Bowls rings!!!