A rapid fire look at the offense......

JOESAM2002 · 08-30-2003, 10:24 AM

A RAPID-FIRE LOOK AT THE SAINTS' OFFENSE

08/29/03

By Jeff Duncan

IRREPLACEABLE: Running back Deuce McAllister. The Saints' bell cow (or "cow bell," as Jim Haslett put it.) The Saints were 7-2 last season when McAllister rushed for 99 or more yards. After his ankle injury, the Saints dropped four of their final six games.

UNSUNG HERO: Fullback Terrelle Smith. Passionate blocker who does the dirty work in the running game. Smith knows his role. A true team player.

SUPER SUB: Tight end Boo Williams. A former wide receiver, he has improved every season and brings big-play ability to the tight end position. Five of his 33 receptions have gone for touchdowns.

KEY STAT: 2 -- The magic number for Aaron Brooks. When he throws two or more interceptions in a game, the Saints lose 84 percent of the time (2-12). When he throws one interception or none, they are 18-7.

DID YOU KNOW? Aaron Brooks' career passer efficiency rating of 79.4 is better than that of Donovan McNabb and Tim Couch, the Nos. 1 and 2 overall picks in the 1999 NFL draft. Brooks was a fourth-round pick (131st overall) of the Green Bay Packers that season:

Player, team G-GS Att Com. Pct. Yds. YPA Lg. TD Int. Rating

Daunte Culpepper,Vikings 44-43 1,389 865 62.3 10,402 7.5 78t 65 52 85.2

Aaron Brooks, Saints 40-37 1,280 708 55.3 8,918 7.0 64 62 43 79.4

Donovan McNabb, Eagles 54-48 1,639 932 56.9 9,835 6.0 70t 71 38 79.3

Tim Couch, Browns 52-51 1,511 905 59.9 9,812 6.5 79 57 61 74.8

IMPACT NEWCOMER: Tight End Ernie Conwell. One of the most versatile tight ends in the league, he should become a weapon for Brooks over the middle. Also a tremendous leader and team player who will help chemistry in the locker room.

SOMETHING SPECIAL: Kick returner Michael Lewis. Diminutive speedster goes from 0 to 60 faster than any player in the league. His breath-taking returns give the offense great field position and puts fear in opponents.

ON THE SPOT: Left tackle Wayne Gandy. The Saints are accustomed to high-quality play at left tackle. The veteran free agent must protect Aaron Brooks' blind side as well as William Roaf, then Kyle Turley, did for the past decade.

BREAKOUT SEASON: Right guard LeCharles Bentley. Should rebound from a preseason chest injury to be a force on the right side of the line. Is ready to challenge Larry Allen, Leonard Davis and Jermane Mayberry for a Pro Bowl berth.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO: It's a four-part plan: 1. McAllister and Brooks stay healthy for 16 games; 2. The offensive line meets expectations; 3. DontÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¨ Stallworth avoids a sophomore slump; 4. Ernie Conwell produces at tight end.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO: If McAllister and/or Brooks go down, things could get ugly. Their backups are unproven.

08-30-2003, 10:24 AM	#1
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	A rapid fire look at the offense...... A RAPID-FIRE LOOK AT THE SAINTS' OFFENSE 08/29/03 By Jeff Duncan IRREPLACEABLE: Running back Deuce McAllister. The Saints' bell cow (or "cow bell," as Jim Haslett put it.) The Saints were 7-2 last season when McAllister rushed for 99 or more yards. After his ankle injury, the Saints dropped four of their final six games. UNSUNG HERO: Fullback Terrelle Smith. Passionate blocker who does the dirty work in the running game. Smith knows his role. A true team player. SUPER SUB: Tight end Boo Williams. A former wide receiver, he has improved every season and brings big-play ability to the tight end position. Five of his 33 receptions have gone for touchdowns. KEY STAT: 2 -- The magic number for Aaron Brooks. When he throws two or more interceptions in a game, the Saints lose 84 percent of the time (2-12). When he throws one interception or none, they are 18-7. DID YOU KNOW? Aaron Brooks' career passer efficiency rating of 79.4 is better than that of Donovan McNabb and Tim Couch, the Nos. 1 and 2 overall picks in the 1999 NFL draft. Brooks was a fourth-round pick (131st overall) of the Green Bay Packers that season: Player, team G-GS Att Com. Pct. Yds. YPA Lg. TD Int. Rating Daunte Culpepper,Vikings 44-43 1,389 865 62.3 10,402 7.5 78t 65 52 85.2 Aaron Brooks, Saints 40-37 1,280 708 55.3 8,918 7.0 64 62 43 79.4 Donovan McNabb, Eagles 54-48 1,639 932 56.9 9,835 6.0 70t 71 38 79.3 Tim Couch, Browns 52-51 1,511 905 59.9 9,812 6.5 79 57 61 74.8 IMPACT NEWCOMER: Tight End Ernie Conwell. One of the most versatile tight ends in the league, he should become a weapon for Brooks over the middle. Also a tremendous leader and team player who will help chemistry in the locker room. SOMETHING SPECIAL: Kick returner Michael Lewis. Diminutive speedster goes from 0 to 60 faster than any player in the league. His breath-taking returns give the offense great field position and puts fear in opponents. ON THE SPOT: Left tackle Wayne Gandy. The Saints are accustomed to high-quality play at left tackle. The veteran free agent must protect Aaron Brooks' blind side as well as William Roaf, then Kyle Turley, did for the past decade. BREAKOUT SEASON: Right guard LeCharles Bentley. Should rebound from a preseason chest injury to be a force on the right side of the line. Is ready to challenge Larry Allen, Leonard Davis and Jermane Mayberry for a Pro Bowl berth. BEST-CASE SCENARIO: It's a four-part plan: 1. McAllister and Brooks stay healthy for 16 games; 2. The offensive line meets expectations; 3. DontÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¨ Stallworth avoids a sophomore slump; 4. Ernie Conwell produces at tight end. WORST-CASE SCENARIO: If McAllister and/or Brooks go down, things could get ugly. Their backups are unproven.