LKelley67

fort worth star telegram analysis-

Biggest need: The Saints ranked 32nd in total defense despite a front four with three first-round picks and Howard, a second-round choice. They now need to work on their linebacking corps, which is made up of a bunch of no-names.

Could use: LB Kendrell Bell, Steelers -- He missed 13 regular-season games with a groin injury, but had nine sacks his rookie season of 2001 and four in each of the next two seasons.
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why does this remind me of when everyone in the world said n.o. would move up to get marcus trufant, should have, but didn't.
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the tennesseean-
The Titans aren't the only team putting an offseason emphasis on reshaping their playbook.

After Mike McCarthy left the Saints as a coaching free agent to be offensive coordinator for the 49ers, Jim Haslett promoted Mike Sheppard. One of Sheppard's first tasks: an edit of the playbook.

The revised system is expected to look like the Steelers with a West Coast slant — more carries for Deuce McAllister and more passes that serve a ball-control philosophy.





''We want an offense that is efficient and fast-paced,'' Haslett said. ''I think our offense, our defense and our special teams have to complement one another. I think we got away from that the last couple of years.''

Sheppard will chop down some of the current 15-word play calls and the Saints will use less shifting and motion as well as fewer progressions.

Too many plays with too many options were at least partly responsible for the Saints' NFL-worst 1,141 penalty yards last season.
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did i miss these lines in NOLA?

[Edited on 28/2/2005 by LKelley67]

baronm

a guy I like is McCune..he is a linebacker that was in the army so he\'s a little older and he\'s a workout warrior-should be there in the third. maybe not a starter but definitly a guy you\'d like to have on your team.

LKelley67

i\'d like to officially start a rumor that says pease has hired the razoo\'s bouncers to get sullivan in line.

LKelley67

footballoutsiders.com (bold mine)-
New Orleans Saints
The Soft Parade
New Orleans has missed the playoffs for four straight years, a period in which they’ve been hamstrung by a soft defense – one that has not improved despite numerous high draft choices and free-agent signings.
The Saints have taken a defensive lineman in the first round of each of the past three drafts, and have also signed several free-agent defensive linemen, yet the team was 26th against the run last year according to DVOA. Moreover, while the Saints were stockpiling mediocre ends and tackles, they bypassed several corners in recent drafts and their pass defense suffered. Against No. 1 receivers, the Saints’ DVOA was 29th in the NFL.
On the other side of the ball, the Saints are wildly inconsistent, a trait personified by Deuce McAllister, a player who has always been one of the league leaders in long runs but also has lots of carries for little or no gain. Quarterback Aaron Brooks can make some of the best and worst plays or any NFL quarterback in the course of a single game.
Still, without any urgency from ownership to shake things up, don’t expect major turnover on the Bayou this offseason. In the win-now era of the modern NFL, it’s shocking that the Saints have chosen to stick with head coach Jim Haslett despite records of 8-8, 8-8, 9-7, and 7-9 in the past four seasons, none of which included a playoff berth. Perhaps more curious is the decision not to shake up the front office, considering the poor draft results.Spread the Cash Around
The biggest name on the Saints’ list of free agents is defensive end Darren Howard, who is expected to receive the franchise tag for the second straight season. Howard is the Saints’ best defensive player, but the team might be wise to invest the money it will pay him on a cornerback – although this year’s free-agent crop could be a weak one.
At some point, the Saints have to see if all those high choices can develop – Jonathan Sullivan, we’re talking to you – and spend some money on other areas of their defense.
New Orleans is in decent shape with the salary cap, even after the expected franchise tag for Howard, and should be able to pursue some veteran help for the offensive line along with the needed defensive backs. That includes not just a better corner, but likely a strong safety to replace 12-year veteran (and UFA) strong safety Jay Bellamy.

dvoa-
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef.php