Rating: (0 votes - average)

On one side of the defensive backfield there are questions, albeit fairly mild ones.

Does Champ Bailey, a likely Hall of Fame inductee the day he becomes eligible for the vote, have sufficient bounce left in his soon-to-be 36-year-old legs after 15 NFL seasons, to be a starter at left cornerback?

Is Patrick Robinson, a former first-round pick who started all 16 games in 2012 and routinely has been working with the No. 1 defense in OTAs and minicamp, ready to step in and own the spot after having satisfactorily recovered from a patella injury and surgery that forced him to miss the final 14 regular-season games last season, and both playoff games?

What about Corey White, who started the final six regular-season games and both playoff games at left corner after Jabari Greer was lost to a season-ending injury?

And where does second-round pick Stanley Jean-Baptiste fit into the mix?

But whereas there are questions to the left, there’s nothing but an answer on the right.

Keenan Lewis, who attended O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans and came home to join the Saints as a free agent signee last year, was everything the Saints hoped he would be, and maybe a little more. Lewis proved to be a man-to-man corner that has the confidence and ability to accept the challenge of mirroring top NFL receivers.

And the expectation is that he’ll be even better this season, after intercepting four passes, defending nine and recording 40 tackles last season.

“Keenan Lewis, he’s a guy that started working as soon as the season was over,” secondary coach Wesley McGriff said. “There’s no day off for that young man. He’s a self-starter.

“He’s definitely got the talent, but he’s probably one of the most consistent guys that I’ve had an opportunity to be around in my entire career. The learning curve is off for him now, and he’s probably one of the best man-to-man cover guys in the National Football League.”

Said Lewis: “That’s big coming from your coaches, when they have confidence in you to line you up against any receiver they have in the league.”

Lewis, by all accounts, earned the confidence.

Read more: John DeShazier: There's no question about Keenan Lewis' role in Saints defense

halloween 65

This group of DB's should be the best we have had in a very long time, talent everywhere.

Beastmode

Champ, common sense he won't be much of a factor. I'm sure he'll make some plays and contribute but he's not going to be chasing down the Brandin Cooks of the NFL that's for sure. I hope to see him in the redzone where speed is less of a factor and instincts and experience are more critical. I think that is where he will definitely make money for us.

dizzle88

Signing keenan lewis will go down as one of the best FO moves in saints history when its all said and done, if you see him working out - his work ethic is insane, I like that he gets our DB's to join him in his workout routine aswell

Going to be an immense player for us for years to come

Rugby Saint II

Lewis is the man in the secondary right now I believe.

billyt81

Yea he's nearly as important as Drew Brees. Without Lewis all bets are off for the 2014 Saints defense.

RajunCajun23

Gotta say having to many good options at CB is a problem I am just fine with. I see potential in all these young guys and see a shutdown secondary this year.

whybag

I liked when he nearly came to blows with the staff because they couldn't let him on the field after that concussion test. Guy wants to win.

dizzle88

Definitely, that was the real indicator that this guy is a fighter, the passion he has for the game and for winning is unquestionable