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Dated Aug 22

Sean Payton is back in control -- and it shows. The Saints seemed to lose some of their edge when Payton was forced to sit out last season. Now that he's back, the swagger is back. That's a good thing.

Oh, he also happens to be the best play-caller in the league.

The addition of Rob Ryan to run the defense will also bring a swagger to that side of the ball. Ryan can be bombastic, and he might like himself more than anybody, but if he can improve the defense the Saints will be special. He has to manufacture a pass rush in a division where it is needed.

Keep an eye on Cameron Jordan and Akeim Hicks, two second-year players who could prove to be stars on defense down the road.

Offense:
What's not to like about an offense run by Drew Brees with Payton calling plays? The Saints will again be a fast-paced, attack-style offense. The key is Brees, who is as good as any passer at knowing where he's going before the snap. He is so smart.

He has a nice group of targets, led by Marques Colston, Lance Moore and tight end Jimmy Graham. They do need another receiver to emerge and the loss of Joe Morgan will hurt. But Nick Toon and rookie Kenny Stills have impressed some already.

The running game will again be by committee, and although the Saints say they want to run it more, I can't imagine that happening.

The line should be good again inside, but there are questions at tackle, especially left tackle. That's Brees' backside, which matters, even if he's one of the best at feeling pressure.

As long as Payton and Brees are together, you won't have to worry about the offense.
Defense:

Ryan will change the Saints to a 3-4 look, which is his style of defense. But in that defense you must have good outside rushers. The Saints don't unless a young player steps up and emerges. They lost Victor Butler to a torn ACL, and Ryan was counting on him to be one of his pass rushers.

The down three will be good, led by Hicks and Jordan. They should help improve the run defense.

The secondary is still a question, although the addition of free-agent corner Keenan Lewis and the drafting of safety Kenny Vaccaro (first round) should help fix that. Pressure would help too.

Ryan had a tendency to over-think things at times. That has hurt in the past. He needs to cut down on some of his exotic schemes and just let his players play.

Final thoughts:

The Saints missed the playoffs last season without Payton. That won't happen again. With Payton back, the Saints will again push for the division title. If Ryan can get the defense to improve by 10 spots in the rankings, they could very well be back in the Super Bowl. That's a big if.

2013 NFL season preview: New Orleans Saints - CBSSports.com

If you follow the link they both make 16 game picks... Both Prisco and Brinson have us going 11-6

Essentially Losses are picked to be against Falcons, Buccs, Seahawks, Carolina, Patriots, Rams

Boutte

We'll start off 4-0. That should help. And what a great game to start the season off with! I'm getting nervous already.

homerj07

So they have us beating SF but losing to the Pats and the Rams?

Ok only because we play the Rams like we play Washington - like we are trying to lose.

SaintnDE

I don't dislike the Rams in anyway, but i HATE when we play them. For some reason, they just have our number. We play like school kids on a play ground in those games...I can't figure it out.

Danno

Rob Ryans main problem, but I think Payton will re-focus him when necessary.