Preseason Primer

saintswhodi · 07-28-2005, 05:33 PM

http://www.nfl.com/teams/primer/NO

SEASON OUTLOOK

Over the last four seasons, the Saints have played exactly .500 ball. Therein lies the problem. The Saints possess some of the finest offensive players in the league, but as a unit, the defense was dead last in yards allowed.

Heading up the offense is fifth-year starter Aaron Brooks. He has thrown for more than 3,000 yards in the last four seasons and has plenty of weapons at his disposal. The offensive system is being simplified to reduce the number of errors by Brooks and to highlight the running game.

Deuce McAllister is a versatile back, Pro Bowler Joe Horn and his 11 touchdowns remain the top target in the receiving corps, and the emergence of Donte' Stallworth has allowed the Saints to let Jerome Pathon go in the offseason.

But the Saints have simply been stuck in neutral for the last four years. Getting to the playoffs will likely depend on whether the last-ranked defense improves and if Brooks can become the leader that this offense needs.

CAMP QUANDARIES

Deuce McAllister
Is this the year Deuce joins the elite?
McAllister is probably right on the verge of joining the elites. A powerful inside runner with the speed to take it outside as well, McAllister has rushed for over 1,000 yards per season for the last three years, but his production was limited to 1,074 yards due to a nagging ankle injury. He needs only 74 more yards to becoming the all-time leading rusher in Saints history, and with the upgrade to the offensive line and an offensive system that will run the ball more, look for the Deuce to be set loose in 2005.

Is the late-season burst in 2004 going to continue?
The Saints ended the 2004 season by reeling off a four-game winning streak. For that to continue into 2005, Brooks must take command of the simplified offensive system and improve on his consistency. But ultimately the defensive unit will have to come out strong to give the Saints a chance this season. The Saints' first four opponents this year combined for a 30-34 record last season.

What has been done to improve the defense?
The much-maligned defense actually improved over the final four games last season, helping New Orleans get to an 8-8 record. Free agent safety Dwight Smith, acquired from Tampa Bay has been brought in to help solidify the secondary and third-round pick Alfred Fincher is expected to compete with some veterans and possibly land a starting linebacker spot. But overall, not much help was brought in via the draft or free agency.

BlackandBlue · 07-28-2005, 05:44 PM

McAllister is probably right on the verge of joining the elites.

Do you think that if Deuce played for any other team, this little tidbit would never have been written?

duece4pres · 07-28-2005, 05:59 PM

Don't you love to read that BS. Deuce "MAY" join the elite this season! In my opinion, he already has.

saintswhodi · 07-28-2005, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by BlackandBlue

McAllister is probably right on the verge of joining the elites.

Do you think that if Deuce played for any other team, this little tidbit would never have been written?

Agreed. Another little nugget:

The offensive system is being simplified to reduce the number of errors by Brooks and to highlight the running game.

Even I will admit that's not the only reason, but it's still a good one. lol

papz · 07-28-2005, 07:27 PM

I also already considered him one of the elite backs in the league. Just because he has one down injury riddled year people downgrade him.

petejg24 · 07-29-2005, 12:26 AM

Elite he is now I agree. He will shut them up for good this year. Not only that he and the entire Saints organization, including us the fans, will be given the respect we have earned, when we shock them all and motor into Detroit.

RockyMountainSaint · 07-29-2005, 05:44 AM

I really believe Deuce can eclipse 2K yards if the rest of the team steps up.

God help me! I'm starting to drink the Kool-Aid! Or is it Johnny Walker?

Possibly it is that every city bus I pass has that slogan; "Have Faith!".

I have faith!

Geaux Saints!

RockyMountainSaint · 07-29-2005, 05:46 AM

btw Deuce is an elite Running Back.

I saw him recently and he looks physically like Ricky two years ago. Only taller. And he didn't keep his helmet on

. He's ripped!

Sully was there too. He just ate ALL of my son's cheese fries though. No joke.

See ya'll at camp later today!

BlackandBlue · 07-29-2005, 09:11 AM

Sully was there too. He just ate ALL of my son's cheese fries though.

LOL

4saintspirit · 07-29-2005, 09:30 AM

Deuce -- I think he will be the best RB in the league this year (barring injury). Strength and speed -- not many running backs have both -- Emitt Smith in his prime, Jim Brown are a couple I would compare him to.

As for the defense -- I think Smith is going to have a bigger impact than one imagines. He is going to allow the defense to be much more agressive knowing that they have a better chance of not getting burned because of it

07-28-2005, 05:33 PM	#1
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	Preseason Primer http://www.nfl.com/teams/primer/NO SEASON OUTLOOK Over the last four seasons, the Saints have played exactly .500 ball. Therein lies the problem. The Saints possess some of the finest offensive players in the league, but as a unit, the defense was dead last in yards allowed. Heading up the offense is fifth-year starter Aaron Brooks. He has thrown for more than 3,000 yards in the last four seasons and has plenty of weapons at his disposal. The offensive system is being simplified to reduce the number of errors by Brooks and to highlight the running game. Deuce McAllister is a versatile back, Pro Bowler Joe Horn and his 11 touchdowns remain the top target in the receiving corps, and the emergence of Donte' Stallworth has allowed the Saints to let Jerome Pathon go in the offseason. But the Saints have simply been stuck in neutral for the last four years. Getting to the playoffs will likely depend on whether the last-ranked defense improves and if Brooks can become the leader that this offense needs. CAMP QUANDARIES Deuce McAllister Is this the year Deuce joins the elite? McAllister is probably right on the verge of joining the elites. A powerful inside runner with the speed to take it outside as well, McAllister has rushed for over 1,000 yards per season for the last three years, but his production was limited to 1,074 yards due to a nagging ankle injury. He needs only 74 more yards to becoming the all-time leading rusher in Saints history, and with the upgrade to the offensive line and an offensive system that will run the ball more, look for the Deuce to be set loose in 2005. Is the late-season burst in 2004 going to continue? The Saints ended the 2004 season by reeling off a four-game winning streak. For that to continue into 2005, Brooks must take command of the simplified offensive system and improve on his consistency. But ultimately the defensive unit will have to come out strong to give the Saints a chance this season. The Saints' first four opponents this year combined for a 30-34 record last season. What has been done to improve the defense? The much-maligned defense actually improved over the final four games last season, helping New Orleans get to an 8-8 record. Free agent safety Dwight Smith, acquired from Tampa Bay has been brought in to help solidify the secondary and third-round pick Alfred Fincher is expected to compete with some veterans and possibly land a starting linebacker spot. But overall, not much help was brought in via the draft or free agency.

07-28-2005, 05:44 PM	#2
BlackandBlue Kinder, gentler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,889	RE: Preseason Primer McAllister is probably right on the verge of joining the elites. Do you think that if Deuce played for any other team, this little tidbit would never have been written?

07-28-2005, 07:01 PM	#4
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	Re: RE: Preseason Primer Originally Posted by BlackandBlue McAllister is probably right on the verge of joining the elites. Do you think that if Deuce played for any other team, this little tidbit would never have been written? Agreed. Another little nugget: The offensive system is being simplified to reduce the number of errors by Brooks and to highlight the running game. Even I will admit that's not the only reason, but it's still a good one. lol

07-28-2005, 07:27 PM	#5
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	RE: Re: RE: Preseason Primer I also already considered him one of the elite backs in the league. Just because he has one down injury riddled year people downgrade him.

07-29-2005, 12:26 AM	#6
petejg24 Registered Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lino Lakes, MN via Slidell Posts: 31	RE: Re: RE: Preseason Primer Elite he is now I agree. He will shut them up for good this year. Not only that he and the entire Saints organization, including us the fans, will be given the respect we have earned, when we shock them all and motor into Detroit.

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07-28-2005, 05:59 PM	#3
duece4pres Biloxi Bandit Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: biloxi, ms Posts: 293	Don't you love to read that BS. Deuce "MAY" join the elite this season! In my opinion, he already has.

07-29-2005, 05:44 AM	#7
RockyMountainSaint Mmm That Smell! Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Metairie Terrace Posts: 3,073	RE: Re: RE: Preseason Primer I really believe Deuce can eclipse 2K yards if the rest of the team steps up. God help me! I'm starting to drink the Kool-Aid! Or is it Johnny Walker? Possibly it is that every city bus I pass has that slogan; "Have Faith!". I have faith! Geaux Saints!

07-29-2005, 05:46 AM	#8
RockyMountainSaint Mmm That Smell! Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Metairie Terrace Posts: 3,073	RE: Re: RE: Preseason Primer btw Deuce is an elite Running Back. I saw him recently and he looks physically like Ricky two years ago. Only taller. And he didn't keep his helmet on . He's ripped! Sully was there too. He just ate ALL of my son's cheese fries though. No joke. See ya'll at camp later today!

07-29-2005, 09:11 AM	#9
BlackandBlue Kinder, gentler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,889	RE: Re: RE: Preseason Primer Sully was there too. He just ate ALL of my son's cheese fries though. LOL

07-29-2005, 09:30 AM	#10
4saintspirit 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 690	Deuce -- I think he will be the best RB in the league this year (barring injury). Strength and speed -- not many running backs have both -- Emitt Smith in his prime, Jim Brown are a couple I would compare him to. As for the defense -- I think Smith is going to have a bigger impact than one imagines. He is going to allow the defense to be much more agressive knowing that they have a better chance of not getting burned because of it
4saintspirit 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 690