AsylumGuido

Cam Jordan's right about Bucs, NFC South race; five breakout DBs

Bucky Brooks
NFL.COM ANALYST

But first, a look at why Cam Jordan's fearless remarks about the NFC South race are well-founded ...

Think the New Orleans Saints are about to hand over the NFC South reins to the Tom Brady-infused Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Think again, according to Cam Jordan.

Asked about the new-look Bucs on NFL Network's Good Morning Football this past Monday, the Pro Bowl defensive end responded thusly, with a wry smile:

"I do know we have to step up our game, we have to elevate. I mean, they've got the second-greatest quarterback in all times, right behind Drew Brees, and now we've got a head-to-head two times a year. We've got our work cut out for us. And then, of course, they have additions. You know, you bring in (Rob) Gronkowski and LeSean McCoy, you already had two 1,000-yard receivers in (Chris) Godwin and Mike Evans. I mean, this is a team that's fighting for second place."

Well alright!

Jordan was obviously having fun poking at his division rivals, but his words clearly reflect how confident the loaded Saints feel heading into the 2020 season. And rightfully so. Considering New Orleans has claimed back-to-back-to-back NFC South titles, posting a 13-5 division mark in the process, it is easy to understand why Cam and Co. aren't threatened by TB12's arrival in Tampa. The Saints have owned the South in recent years, winning the division title last season by a whopping six games, and it's hard to imagine them relinquishing their crown in 2020 with a Super Bowl-caliber roster.

Offensively, the return of Drew Brees ensures Sean Payton can utilize every page of his voluminous playbook to feed the ball to Michael Thomas on the perimeter. The 2019 Offensive Player of the Year set an NFL record with 149 receptions, and his 1,725 receiving yards were the seventh-highest single-season mark in league history. He essentially carried the 2019 Saints' offense, as injuries plagued Brees and Alvin Kamara. With Nos. 9 and 41 back in business, the Saints can attack defenses with a more balanced approach -- especially now that they have a quality WR2 lining up opposite Thomas on the perimeter.

Emmanuel Sanders came over from San Francisco in free agency to give Thomas a high-end playmaker on the opposite side of the field. This is no small addition. The 2019 Saints' second-leading wide receiver? Ted Ginn Jr. with 30 catches for 421 yards, totals that were 119 catches and 1,423 yards shy of Thomas' figures. That's a Grand Canyon-sized gap between the WR1 and WR2 -- a gap that Sanders will significantly close. The 11th-year pro is a productive pass catcher with a Ph.D. in route-running and playmaking ability. Sanders creates separation from defenders down the field by sprinkling a variety of stop-start moves and shake-and-bake maneuvers into his routes. New Orleans saw firsthand how dynamic Sanders can be in last season's 48-46 home loss to San Francisco, when he torched the Saints with seven catches for 157 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing a 35-yard touchdown pass for good measure:

Sanders spun Saints defenders around like tops on that day, displaying the kind of big-play ability New Orleans sorely lacked opposite Thomas. With Sanders joining Thomas, Kamara and Jared Cook in the starting lineup, Brees now has a full complement of weapons at his disposal. Opposing defenses will be spread quite thin.

In terms of New Orleans' own defense, the Saints brought back Malcolm Jenkins after the 32-year-old's six-season stint in Philadelphia. Jenkins, New Orleans' first-round pick back in 2009, not only brings leadership and experience, but he gives the Saints a matchup weapon to deploy against big-bodied tight ends (like Gronk). With Jenkins also comfortable hovering around the box as an extra defender against the run or as a surprise pass rusher off the edge, Dennis Allen's defense could feature more chameleon looks.

One thing that hasn't been discussed much, but could play a pivotal role in the Saints' attempt at a fourth straight division title: the re-emergence of Janoris Jenkins. After being released by the New York Giants in December, "Jackrabbit" was claimed off waivers by New Orleans -- and the veteran solidified the cornerback spot opposite Marshon Lattimore down the stretch. Jenkins finished the season with five interceptions and 16 pass breakups (in New York/New Orleans), displaying "shadowing" skills in designated matchups. His ability to snuff out quicker receivers gives Allen the option to employ a traditional scheme (cornerbacks align right and left) or play matchups (based on the size/skills of the WR1 and WR2) with his top two cover men.

In a division with a number of explosive pass-catching duos (Evans/Godwin, Julio Jones/Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore/Robby Anderson), the presence of two capable CBs is crucial. Jenkins completes the Saints' secondary and shores up one of the unit's biggest holes from the past few seasons.

Jordan has certainly noticed the roster upgrades, fueling his confidence as the 2020 season approaches. While everyone's spent most of the offseason talking about the Brady Bucs, the Saints remain the class of the NFC South -- and Jordan isn't shy about letting the football world know it.

Read the rest here ...

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

Rugby Saint II

On paper we are the best team out there. We'll see how we finish after any Covid cases diminish our roster.

AsylumGuido

I seriously doubt COVID is going to diminish any rosters that are smart, and then it will only be temporary. As I have pointed out before, the protocols that the players are working under are ten times more stringent than what any of us live under. How many times have you (in general, not you Rugby) been tested for COVID? Me neither. These guys are getting tested daily with immediate results. They are less likely than any of us, including the players that opted out, to contract anything ... including a cold or a regular flu.

Rugby Saint II

I've had two Covid tests. One test before I went scuba diving in the Bahamas and then when I got back. The funny thing is the Bahamas are doing way better with Covid than we are and I felt dirty coming back to the US.

I have a barefoot rugby tournament at the Flora-Bama and I'm not sure if I'm doing it this year. It depends on where we are at with the virus in November. I sure do miss rugby. Mobile is already running practices.