JOESAM2002

A RAPID-FIRE LOOK AT THE SAINTS' OFFENSE



08/29/03

By Jeff Duncan


IRREPLACEABLE: Running back Deuce McAllister. The Saints' bell cow (or "cow bell," as Jim Haslett put it.) The Saints were 7-2 last season when McAllister rushed for 99 or more yards. After his ankle injury, the Saints dropped four of their final six games.

UNSUNG HERO: Fullback Terrelle Smith. Passionate blocker who does the dirty work in the running game. Smith knows his role. A true team player.

SUPER SUB: Tight end Boo Williams. A former wide receiver, he has improved every season and brings big-play ability to the tight end position. Five of his 33 receptions have gone for touchdowns.

KEY STAT: 2 -- The magic number for Aaron Brooks. When he throws two or more interceptions in a game, the Saints lose 84 percent of the time (2-12). When he throws one interception or none, they are 18-7.


DID YOU KNOW? Aaron Brooks' career passer efficiency rating of 79.4 is better than that of Donovan McNabb and Tim Couch, the Nos. 1 and 2 overall picks in the 1999 NFL draft. Brooks was a fourth-round pick (131st overall) of the Green Bay Packers that season:

Player, team G-GS Att Com. Pct. Yds. YPA Lg. TD Int. Rating

Daunte Culpepper,Vikings 44-43 1,389 865 62.3 10,402 7.5 78t 65 52 85.2

Aaron Brooks, Saints 40-37 1,280 708 55.3 8,918 7.0 64 62 43 79.4

Donovan McNabb, Eagles 54-48 1,639 932 56.9 9,835 6.0 70t 71 38 79.3

Tim Couch, Browns 52-51 1,511 905 59.9 9,812 6.5 79 57 61 74.8

IMPACT NEWCOMER: Tight End Ernie Conwell. One of the most versatile tight ends in the league, he should become a weapon for Brooks over the middle. Also a tremendous leader and team player who will help chemistry in the locker room.

SOMETHING SPECIAL: Kick returner Michael Lewis. Diminutive speedster goes from 0 to 60 faster than any player in the league. His breath-taking returns give the offense great field position and puts fear in opponents.

ON THE SPOT: Left tackle Wayne Gandy. The Saints are accustomed to high-quality play at left tackle. The veteran free agent must protect Aaron Brooks' blind side as well as William Roaf, then Kyle Turley, did for the past decade.

BREAKOUT SEASON: Right guard LeCharles Bentley. Should rebound from a preseason chest injury to be a force on the right side of the line. Is ready to challenge Larry Allen, Leonard Davis and Jermane Mayberry for a Pro Bowl berth.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO: It's a four-part plan: 1. McAllister and Brooks stay healthy for 16 games; 2. The offensive line meets expectations; 3. Dontè Stallworth avoids a sophomore slump; 4. Ernie Conwell produces at tight end.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO: If McAllister and/or Brooks go down, things could get ugly. Their backups are unproven.

BillyCarpenter1

That\'s pretty impressive for preseason. Oh, wait. That\'s regular season stats.

WhoDat

I\'ll give Brooks props for being ahead of McNabb in career passer efficiency rating - that\'s pretty impressive.

However, Couch isn\'t even the starter in Cleveland anymore. That comparison doesn\'t impress me any more than comparing Brooks to Ryan Leaf. And let\'s not get too excited here. It is a good sign and a nice stat, but Brooks is not the quarterback that McNabb is - that\'s not debatable.