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The New Orleans Saints are evolving.

At their core, they haven't changed much since coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees arrived in 2006. The Saints are still led by a dynamic passing offense that toys with opponents inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where New Orleans was 8-0 last season.

But the Saints will win the NFC South this year because they might just have the best defense in the division, too. Adding three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd and future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey further bolstered a young defense that had a breakout year in 2013 under new coordinator Rob Ryan.

Meanwhile, New Orleans has also been embracing a more traditional run game while parting ways with offensive weapons like Darren Sproles and Lance Moore.

The Saints are showing a New England Patriots-like ability to keep adapting to stay on top.

"Everybody's always looking for ways to reinvent themselves, to improve themselves, without losing who they really are," said ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who believes New Orleans is doing just that.

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE AT ESPN

Jamessr

Good read..
thanks for posting

ScottF

on top, hmmm?

2 years ago we were 7-9.
we lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2010. We haven't been to the championship game since 2009

As for the 'core' , we have FIVE players left from the SB team, zero on defense.

Danno

Two years ago we didn't have Sean Payton.

We've been one of the winningest teams in the entire league over that span with Payton.

We were an eyelash away from the championship game in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

TheOak

25th ranked Defense.... Glad there was a turnover.

You know why we were 7-9.

Offense: since 2009
TE got a lot better
WR same
QB same
RB we shall see
O-line same or slight drop

Unless I'm counting incorrectly 2009 players still on offense are:

Brees
Colston
Evans
Strief
Meachem
Thomas
That's 6 and 1/2 the offense.