2008 predictions
 

im confident in the saints this year....im pretty much expecting a 10-6 season...after looking at the schedule tho i just dont see who will beat us....i do this every year and im usually wrong when i predict an outcome this early but....why not.....what do u guys think our record will be this season?

Re: 2008 predictions
 

the schedule......
New Orleans Saints - 2008 Schedule

Re: 2008 predictions
 

REGULAR SEASON
Sep 07 vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 12:00PM (W)
FOX

Sep 14 @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS 12:00PM (W)
FOX

Sep 21 @ DENVER BRONCOS 3:05PM (L)
FOX

Sep 28 vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 12:00PM (W)
FOX

Oct 06 vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS 7:30PM (W)
ESPN

Oct 12 vs. OAKLAND RAIDERS 12:00PM (W)
CBS

Oct 19 @ CAROLINA PANTHERS 12:00PM (L)
FOX

Oct 26 vs. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 12:00PM (L)
CBS

Nov 02 BYE


Nov 09 @ ATLANTA FALCONS 12:00PM (L)
FOX

Nov 16 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 12:00PM (W)
FOX

Nov 24 vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS 7:30PM (W)
ESPN

Nov 30 @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 12:00PM (L)
FOX

Dec 07 vs. ATLANTA FALCONS 12:00PM (W)
FOX

Dec 11 @ CHICAGO BEARS 7:15PM (W)
NFLN

Dec 21 @ DETROIT LIONS 12:00PM (W)
FOX

Dec 28 vs. CAROLINA PANTHERS 12:00PM (W)
FOX

_____________________________

Final Record: 11-5
Division: Saints, Bucs, Panthers, Falcons

Re: 2008 predictions
 

lol @ losing to the Falcons or Panters or Broncos or Chargers.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

I don't think we sweep the falcons and panthers...i felt the best chance we had was at home...san diego is like the colts game last year that we were expecting to win and the denver game is in mile high...i'll throw in the thin air as an advantage to the broncos but the saints could win...I do agree with you there

Re: 2008 predictions
 

12-4. Division championship. First-round bye. Losing in the NFC Championship game again.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

the falcons are trash, how would the panthers beat us?

we could have beaten the colts if we had a decent defense. we had no idea how bad jason david would be.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Tell you what....if we sweep the falcons and panthers (i am all for that of course)...I will post on this board that ricky in kenner is a god amongst men and i will give him the props he deserves...i just don't think it will be likely that we sweep...but this is just my two cents so take it for whatever it's worth

Re: 2008 predictions
 

i'm bookmarking this page and screenshotting it, i want my props next year =P.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

you're on :)

Re: 2008 predictions
 

I'll one up you. 13-3 and a Superbowl win.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

btw I'll say 11-5 super bowl loss

Re: 2008 predictions
 

10-6 again.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

11-5.....

Re: 2008 predictions
 

I'm going with 10-6 & we will win the division.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

is the consensus that we will win the division?

Re: 2008 predictions
 

That is always first and foremost the most important goal. I say yes.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Originally Posted by CantonLegend http://blackandgold.com/forums/bngfo...s/viewpost.gif
is the consensus that we will win the division?


The Saints have the premier quarterback of the whole conference. Aint no one better than Brees in the NFC. This offense is superbad and may have gotten better over the off-season with the draft.

I can not wait to see the Saints defense next year. I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm but dadgum am I ready for the 2008 season to begin.

Our NFC South rivals?

The Falcons have a long way to go (sorry peanut).

The Bucs have a pretty good defense again but their offense is average. Can 40 year old Garcia still hit 40 year old Galloway? Can Ernest Graham be a great RB?

The Panthers are rebuilding. Can Delhomme give them one more good year? Will Stewart bring their running game back to respectability? Their defense seems to be on the decline..

Yes, the Saints will win the division.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

agreed Saints will win the division, anybody think we can take the NFC, I am still unsure and will be doing my homework before I make a decision.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

I always think at the beginning of the season, that the Saints can atleast win against the teams that didn't go to the playoffs the previous season. So I am thinking 11-5, but I hope they go undefeated at 19-0.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

The teams we may lose to are the Chargers, Redskins, and the Packers. As for our division ATL is a joke to me so we sweep them. We probably split wins with Carolina. As iceshack 149 said about the Bucs their getting older but their defense is good so we split wins or sweep them. So I predict the saints go 11-5 or 12-4. And my decision is final says the Great and Powerful King of Donuts.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Where do you see 6 losses?

As usual the season is divided up into 4 groups:

Division: 6 games
AFC (the west next year): 4 games
NFC other division (the North next year): 4 games
NFC same standing (3rd): 2 games

My expectations:

5-1 division (split with TB, beat everyone else)
3-1 AFC (Chargers are tough and it's in London)
3-1 NFC North (Green Bay or Minnesota but not both)
2-0 same standing (payback to Washington, SF no chance)
-----

13-3 Division champs, #1 seed in the playoffs, NFC championship game in the SuperDome and playing in the SuperBowl in Tampa.

Now find me those other 3 losses.

SFIAH

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Sorry I do not think we are there as team yet. I see at least two games lost on melt downs alone. Then there is always the surprise team that puts together that unbelievable season.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Gosh, trying to predict the Saints is like trying to predict what type of mood your wife is going to be in. In both cases you just hope for the best and expect the worse.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

The offense hasn't changed over the last 2 years. So we can work on some consistent offensive expectations:

1) Move the ball at will
2) A few too many turnovers.

The two question marks are red zone efficiency and the consistency of the running game.

But we can sfaely say that the offense will hold their own.

Our defense only has to do is the two things all defenses need to do: get off the field on third down and create turnovers.

How do you do that? Stop the run and rush the passer.

Stop the run: The Saints got better at it last year. They have plugged in a MLB that a Pro Bowler in the 4-3 when healthy and a DT that has a good possibility of being ROY. A good run defense got a whole lot better.

Rush the passer: Smith, a healthy Grant, and McCray will be huge. Ellis will finally create that inside pocket push that the Saints have been missing for a while. Opposing QBs will no longer be thinking about picking up their dry cleaning while they survey the field. 50 sacks is actually possible with this defensive line.

The defense is going to be a whole lot better really quickly. Think something along the lines of Tennesee's defense last year with Haynesworth in the middle. Tennesee was a team that won 10 games in a tough division with a QB that threw for 9TDs all year.

The defense and offense will complement each other greatly next year. The offense will put pressure on the opposing offense to keep up. The defense will be in a position of strength to shut down the passing game from the line.

All offseason Euph and I have been calling for the Saints to shore up the middle of the defense. Guess what? THEY DID IT! :D This defense isn't going to give up 32 TDs in the air. Or be dragging on the field in the 4th quarter.

This Saints team will steamroll the patsies. And there are a ton of them in the 3 divisions that we play next year.

All the tough games are against teams that will have top 10 defenses next year. ID them and you'll know what games will be a scrap. Off the top of my head: Tampa, Minnesota, Green Bay, San Diego. That's it.

That's where I identified our possible losses.

Things are looking up. Our defense can finally stop the run and rush the passer from the front 7.

And that's going to make all the difference.

SFIAH

Re: 2008 predictions
 

SFIAH, I understand where you are coming from, but your prediction post sounds like my thinking every single year. There is a major difference between expectations and reality though. The reality is, we will lose some games, probably more than three. This time of year especially my expectations are always beyond reality. We have many new pieces and while the cards look like they are in our favor, I'll do my best to just wait and see the end result on the field. Hopefully at the end of this year instead of asking what we can do to improve we will be asking if the patriots ever secured that 19-0 trademark since we will need it. :)

Re: 2008 predictions
 

I'd like to make my predictions after camp and a couple pre-season games.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

10-6 and a division title... I don't see us making the Superbowl though. Just a gut feeling but I don't see us making one until 2 or 3 years down the road... but we will make one.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

I've been a Saints fan since they took George Rogers over Lawrence Taylor. So, I've been accustomed to disappointments year after year. There is quite a bit of optimism for 2008. I have seen improvements especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, there are still question marks in a few places.
One, will Deuce McAllister be anything near his former self? If not, will the Saints give the ball consistantly to Pierre Thomas? Without the running game, it puts a lot of pressure on Brees and the receivers. I have all the confidence in the world in Colston, Patton, Cambell, and I think Arrington is going to be a big surprise. But, you can't put the load all on them. The Saints need to run the ball. If the Saints decide to give the wrecking ball they drafted, Nicks, a chance at guard, we'll see what happens. There just wasn't enough of a running game last year to keep defenses honest.
Two, will the players the Saints picked up for defense pan out? Will Vilma return to pro bowl form? Can Dan Morgan even get a few games under his belt before he gets his bell rung again? Will everyone put too much pressure on Sedric Ellis to perform at Rookie of the Year level? Who will man the OLB position opposite Fujita? Will the secondary perform much better now that the front seven will be able to take away from the time that opposing QB's have to throw the ball? There are a lot of questions on the defense. We just have to hope that the team can perform up to their potential. We can't expect miracles from them. Just a slight improvement over last year.
With that said, the record last year was 7-9. If the defensive changes were enough, I can see the Saints finishing either 9-7 or 10-6. Don't get me wrong, I've really excited about this years team. I have all the hope in the world of them finishing 11-5 or 12-4. I just don't see that happening. The running game is too big of a question mark, and the defense, while improved, is still a mystery.
You Gotta Believe!
Geaux Saints!!!!!!

Re: 2008 predictions
 

thats a long post but i agree with almost all of it....our defense has improved 100%....on paper....there is no telling whether morgan or vilma will come back and there is no guarentee that our CBs that we picked up will help at all....Gay is a cover 2 corner and aaron glenn isnt exactly devin hester....ellis has a lot of pressure too....hes not going to step in immediately and be the push we need...it'll take a few games at least....and if we dont pick up a running back this offseason i think we need to take into consideration splitting carries with all 4 backs again....duece cant handle the load ne more by himself.....losses happen regardless of how well we play on any given sunday but i think we have a good team....i think we go 10-6 and a wildcard berth

Re: 2008 predictions
 

There have been quite a few bright spots since that time too.
[quote[
There is quite a bit of optimism for 2008. I have seen improvements especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, there are still question marks in a few places.
One, will Deuce McAllister be anything near his former self? If not, will the Saints give the ball consistantly to Pierre Thomas? [/quote]

This Saints team under Payton doesn't give the ball consistently to anyone in the run game. For all the talk of Deuce being his former self, in 2006 Deuce only ran for 1057 yards on 244 carries. That's an average of 15 carries per game for 66 yards per game.

This Saints offense isn't going to rush for a ton of yards. What they need to be able to do is to be consistent in the run game.

The Saints have three offensive indicators of success: The number of passes Brees throws, the number of turnovers, and the yards per carry. When the Saints have positive results in those areas, the offense does well. Keep Brees' passes around 35, the number of turnovers to 1, and the YPC a shade above 4 and everything is fine.

So does that mean 30 rushes? Nope. Does that mean Deuce or PT23, or Bush needs to gain 1500 yards in a season? Nope. It just means that when the Saints rush thhe ball they need to be productive and not turn the ball over.

Each one of the 4 backs that we have on staff have done it on occasion. The issue is consistency.

If Deuce gets 10 rushes per game for 45 yards, gets 3 first downs, and doesn't turn the ball over, then he's been productive. But that's only 700 yards for the season.

I agree to a point. The running game needs to serve as a counterbalance to the passing game, which is the engine that makes the offense go. If you don't rush productively, then the defense puts in their dime, and rushes the passer, making life tough on Brees and the receivers.

But it only needs to be productive, not explosive. You rush the ball 20 times for 90 yards, and that's enough to make the defense have to defend the run.

Again I agree to a point. Reggie in the backfield made it easier to key on him. Motion him out and keeping another back in the backfield forces a safety or LB out of the box. If you don't account for Reggie, then he burns you.

The other aspect of a productive running game is setting up play action. If a defense knows that you're simply going to wave the ball at the back, then they'll start to ignore the threat of the rush.

The Saints have 4 guys that showed the potential of being productive. I hope that PT23 gets a lot more time on the field so that Deuce can be available when we need him.

The guy is young and can play in a 4-3. He had nearly 300 tackles in 2 years in the Jets 4-3. His injury was freakish and the doctors say that he can fully recover.

There's no reason to think that he can't.

Now let's talk about Morgan. By the time he hits the field again, his last concussion will have been 2 years in the past. It was an Achilles tendon injury that kept him out last year.

Also he'll be playing the Will LB. Many of those tackles that he used to make in the Mike will now go to Vilma.

All Ellis has to do is be himself. His agility and strength will create havoc in the middle of the line. Dude may only get 1 sack all year. But if he facilitates Smith, Grant, and McCray getting 40 among them, then he'll have served the defense well.

Morgan presumably. Shanlee if not. Getting 53 off the field was infinitely more critical than the Will.

Of course! Less balls going over the top will mean less double moves, and less toast.

I expect them to be in the top 15 in yards and scoring, hopefully in the top 10. There will be a vast improvement.

I do believe. I believe that the defense will be tons better. That the offense will be more productive becayse they won't be playing from behind all the time. That PT23 and Deuce will create enough of a running game (along with Reggies occasional contributions) to keep the offense on schedule.

I have my hopes way up. I hope that you can do the same.

SFIAH

Re: 2008 predictions
 

1. 13-3 regular season.
2. The Dome Patrol is Back.
3. No team can run on us.
4. We're ranked 5th in total defense but 12th against the pass.
5. We beat the Redskins in the NFC Championship.
6. We beat the Jaguars in the Superbowl 31-17.

Now, suck on that for a while!

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Despite having a sub par draft last year (in my opinion) my hopes for the Saints were through the roof last year at this time. I've set myself up like this so many times over the years like many on this board have done and when the expectations aren't met I lose more years off my life.

I am exited for the 08 season. Admittedly too excited. I'm intoxicated on kool-aid. Maybe I'll sober up over the next few months.

Looks like another deep thought discussion hosted by JKool. Tempered enthusiasm vs unbridled excitement.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Hmm... I'm not sure what I had to do with it...

SFIAH, nice analysis!

I'm kind of with lynwood on this one. It is very hard to make much of a prediction on this at least until we know who is going to make the roster.

As of now, it seems pretty safe to say that the improvements we've made and what we have from last year looks VERY good compared to our division rivals.

All said, as of right now, I'm pretty convinced by SFIAH. 13-3 seems like a very good possibility. I always like to throw in an extra loss or two, just to be on the safe side. It looks pretty hard to deny that we'll be the division champs, though.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

You and Hagan have been doing a good job of defining and debating things lately. That's what I meant. Sorry if it appeared as a belittling comment.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Sfiah :cool3: nice post.
iceshack149 belittling comment :confused:
the draft does appear to be a bust in 2007 but I think this year we will get a better idea how good or how bad the draft was.
the OL is going to evolve in the next 3 years, IMO, from a pass blocking unit that needed creative play calling to make the run work. To a unit that dares you to stop them. I like the depth of this group, well on paper. Now I want them on the field to see if I can really stomach them. LT is the last ingredient I think we need.

Re: 2008 predictions
 

Ice, I didn't feel belittled at all. I just didn't want to get credit for something I hadn't done.

So many great discussions going on now! I couldn't be more pleased.