SmashMouth

METAIRIE, La. -- Here are the Love and hate observations from Saints camp.

Love

• Drew Brees. There is talk that he is now in the top tier of the league's passers, joining Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. He's close, but not there yet. One more Super Bowl victory or another record-breaking season might get him there. He's truly special in the way he runs the New Orleans offense. He is so good at going to the right guy, getting the ball out on time, that he makes it so tough for defenses.

• Sean Payton's play-calling. He is as aggressive as any coach in football. He isn't afraid to take chances. It helps that he has a player like Brees running things, but he is just as good at picking the right play at the right time. There's arrogance to being a great play caller, and Payton has it. You can't be scared. Payton never is, which is why he's tops in football when it comes to scheming up plays. Don't expect any letup from him.

• The interior of the offensive line might be the best in the NFL. Center Jonathan Goodwin has surprised with his play the past two years and guards Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans are the best pair in football. Evans is considered one of the best guards in football, but Nicks isn't far behind. Some Saints observers think he was the better of the two guards late last season. They are both maulers who excel in pass protection.

More here
Saints: Love and hate - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

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