SaintFanInATLHELL

I haven't posted much. Got a new job that's keeping me busy. I've been hanging out here reading threads and view the interesting avatars.

With the Saints, I've been following the offseason on and off. Saw three of the four preseason games (The Texans game did not record on my DVR).

So it's a holiday and I was watching Mike and Mike in the Morning on the Especially Stupid Prediction Network. Since it's the first week of the season of course the hosts (Casillias and Adam Schefter) are doing their predictions. I know it's gay. But I'm half listening. So Casillias points out that 14 years in a row in the NFL there are at least 5 new playoff teams and who will it be in the NFC? They run down division by division and get to the NFC South. Basic rundown:

Atlanta: Shefter says definitely will make the playoffs and most likely win the NFC South.

New Orleans: "Maybe."

Maybe? MAYBE??!!! WTF??!!

Now I'm fired up. We're talking about the Super Bowl Champions here. And I know that SB champions have struggled the next year. But the 2010 Saints are not the usual SB champions:

1) The Saints come back virtually intact both with players and coaching staff.

2) We have the best QB in the division, conference, and league. Period. Not subject to discussion.

3) The Saints offensive line may end up being the NFC pro bowl line: all 5 linemen.

4) All of Brees weapons are healthy. Bush is ready. Moore is healthy at the beginning of the year. PT23 is still one of the most effective backs in the league. Wynn/Ivory/Graham/Arrington will provide Brees/Payton new blood and new wrinkles to work with and even more for D coordinators to think about. And remember Brees' favorite guy is the open jersey the same color that he is wearing.

5) Now to the defense. The line is improved. Brown will improve run support and bring a rush presence to the other side of the line. The D-Tackle rotation has another year of seasoning.

6) The Saints may have the best starting corners in the conference. Robinson strengthens the depth and by midseason there will be little dropoff at the 3rd corner spot.

7) At safety, Jenkins may not be the playmaker that Sharper is legend for. But he'll bring speed and tackling ability to the position. And Sharper will be available down the stretch.

8) The LB position is decidedly weak right now. Losing Casillas was a blow. Not having Ingram for 6 weeks (and however much longer after that for him to be game ready) is a problem. But Vilma and Shanle (who I still have nightmares of him in coverage, sigh) still form 2/3s of a SB champion LB core.

9) Juniah and GW are wild cards.

Let's summarize. Not much change. Still #1 offense. Lots of defensive weapons to attack the QB and defend the pass, which with our offense is exactly what will force opposing teams to do. Over 500 points last year (that's 30+ PPG average). No reason to think this year is going to be any different considering the given factors.

Now the 'clowns. Frankly I haven't paid too much attention, even though I live in enemy territory:

1) Matt Ryan is still a 3rd year QB. And he hasn't looked good.

2) Not much improvement on the O-line.

3) The 'clowns spent all their free agent dollars on Robinson. Last I heard he cannot stay healthy.
The rest of the secondary is absolutely awful.

4) No new faces to rush the passer. Block Abraham, no rush.

I won't even bother to go any further on the 'clowns.

We didn't get worse. Other than Turner getting healthy, the 'clowns didn't get much better. Unless there's some secret weapon that I missed in the offseason, I just cannot see them being much better than last year. And we were 4-5 games better than them last year and a sweep.

So thanks Adam Schefter. Thanks to your supercillious prediction that the Falcons make the playoffs and win the NFC South in 2010, and the Saints are a maybe...

I'M READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

WHO DAT!

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.