NFL Camp Preview: New Orleans Saints
The Saint continue to remain competitive but failed to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season due to an inability to keep the other team out of the end zone. The Saints put up a league high 463 points and 6,531 yards of offense last year but gave up 393 points. The Saints did a bad job at protecting the football and for a third straight year under head coach Sean Payton the defense let them down again.
With defense being a priority this offseason the Saints spent what few draft picks they had on defense, let several veterans go, and signed a bunch of free agents hoping to re-shape the defense. Gone are veterans like Hollis Thomas, Brian Young, and Mike McKenzie and in are Rod Coleman, Jabari Greer, Pierson Prioleau, Darren Sharper, and Paul Spicer. Payton is hoping that the mix of younger talent and veteran players helps to recharge the defense and get the Saints over the hump and back into the postseason.
One can expect to see few changes in the high-powere offense led by Drew Brees although fans are starting to wonder if, or when, Reggie Bush is ever going to amount to anything more than a situational back. Three years after being one of the most hyped players coming out of college in recent memory he has yet to make a Pro Bowl or even register a 1,000 yard rushing season. Bush’s inability to establish himself as an elite back led to some speculation leading up to the draft that the Saints were seriously toying with the idea of taking Chris “Beanie” Wells or Knowshon Moreno with the 14th pick of the draft.
Key Veteran Additions – Heath Evans (FB), Jabari Greer (CB), Darren Sharper (S)
Darren Sharper was the biggest name acquisition for the Saints defense this spring. Sharper was once an elite safety in the league but has lost a step and no longer has the range he once did but he still has a knack for making plays in the secondary and is a very heady player that does not make many mistakes back there. He should bring some stability and leadership to a secondary that has had a tremendous amount of turnover during the Payton Era.
Greer is a solid corner who has excellent speed and quickness and should challenge for one of the starting corner jobs.
With the departure of Mike Karney, Heath Evans is expected to assume the starting fullback role.
Key Rookie Additions – Malcolm Jenkins (DB), Chip Vaughn (S), Stanley Arnoux (LB)
Leading up to the combine Malcolm Jenkins was considered a potential lockdown career for years to come in the NFL. Teams started to question that assessment after Jenkins posted rather pedestrian 40 yard dash times at the combine and OSU’s Pro Day workouts. There are now some who wonder whether he will have to transition to safety in the NFL. With the addition of Sharper and the presence of Roman Harper at strong safety Jenkins is expected to compete for a cornerback job for the time being. Jenkins is likely to start the year as the nickle back but do not be surprised if he challenges for a starting job some where in the secondary.
Chip Vaughn and Stanley Arnoux are not expected to be major contributers during the up-coming season. Vaughn has tremendous speed but lacks the instincts to play a lot in pass coverage right off. Arnoux has good speed as well but may need to bulk up a bit to get significant playing time in the NFL.
Key Position Battles
Who will be the starting running back for the Saints this season? Folks are growing weary of waiting for Bush to become the superstar he was expected to become coming out of USC and his job as the starting running back could be in jeopardy. Pierre Thomas had a breakout year when Deuce McAllister went down last season and he really excelled in games where he led the Saints in carries. Do not be surprised if Thomas becomes the primary ball carrier for the Saints this season as Bush does not seem to either have the ability or the interest in learning how to run the ball between the tackles in the NFL.
Who are the starting corners going to be? Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter are seen as the favorites heading into camp. Greer was signed away from Buffalo and Porter had a strong start last season before going down with an injury. The team liked what it saw in Porter prior to his injury and he is a good bet to win one of the jobs. Greer has never been anything special in Buffalo so do not be surprised if Jenkins beats him out for the other spot as long as he shows he can cover NFL-caliber receivers.
