GumboBC

Saints coach Jim Haslett's plan to reduce the offense has been misinterpreted as "dumbing down" the attack. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Saints are reducing the volume, not the sophistication. Haslett believes the excessive amount of plays and their wordy terminology had an adverse effect on the unit in recent years. The offense, in Haslett's mind, became a jack of all trades, master of none. He wants to establish an identity as a power-rushing, play-action passing team. He also thinks the new attack will cut down on the mental errors and negative plays such as penalties, sacks and turnovers that have hounded the unit in recent seasons because players will be thinking less and reacting more. . . .

The re-signing of strong safety Jay Bellamy to a three-year contract was one of the club's top offseason priorities. The 32-year-old veteran isn't the most athletic player at this stage of his career, but he's smart, competitive and understands coordinator Rick Venturi's scheme. Bellamy's return was critical for the defense. In addition to his strong play in run support, he is responsible for making the pre-snap alignment calls for the linebackers and defensive backs. . . .


One player who should benefit from new offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard is back-up running back Aaron Stecker. Sheppard values Stecker's versatility and playmaking ability and wants to utilize him more often in the weekly game plan. Stecker produced when called upon last season but didn't see much action after starter Deuce McAllister returned from an early-season ankle injury. Look for Stecker to see more time in the backfield with McAllister, where the Saints can isolate either of the pair in mismatches in the passing game.


DRAFT BUZZ: At No. 16, the Saints will select in the same general vicinity as the previous four seasons. Look for the team to follow a similar offseason game plan leading to draft day. It'll try to address its primary needs, which are right tackle and free safety, in free agency, which will afford the team the flexibility to take the best player available in the first round. This strategy has produced day one gems such as Deuce McAllister, LeCharles Bentley and Will Smith. Unless a "can't-miss" superstar such as McAllister falls into their lap, the Saints will likely take the highest-ranked defensive player available this year. They'd love to see a play-making linebacker, cornerback or safety slip through the cracks.

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