The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 8. Today, the New Orleans Saints.
Last year’s record: 7-9
Head coach: Sean Payton
Core players: Drew Brees (QB), Cameron Jordan (DE), Jairus Byrd (FS), Terron Armstead (LT), Max Unger (C), Brandin Cooks (WR), Mark Ingram (RB)
2016 is about… Answering the question: What does Drew Brees have left in the tank? The answer could be “more than you might think,” but it’s more likely “not quite enough to carry the Saints to the playoffs.” Although his yardage and touchdown totals have slightly decreased in each of the last five years, Brees is still one of the top quarterbacks in football. He has plenty of weapons to work with and a top-notch offensive line to protect him. If the defence isn’t a rank slice of Swiss cheese like it was last season (they allowed the second most yards and most points in 2015), the Saints have a chance to stay afloat in the NFC South.
They lost… Brandon Browner. He was coming off perhaps his worst season as a pro so they might not miss the giant corner all too much—especially if former CFLer Delvin Breaux continues to improve.
Marques Colston was a favourite target of Brees for about a decade, but age caught up with him and now he’s a free agent simply hoping to extend his playing career with another team. Tight end Benjamin Watson had a career year in 2015 but joined the Ravens in free agency. (Sadly, the 35-year-old tore his right Achilles tendon and will miss the season.) Offensive guard Jahri Evans is another veteran the team parted ways with. His play had declined the last two seasons after a string of six consecutive Pro Bowls.
But they got… James Laurinaitis, who is coming off a career low 109 tackles. Think about that for a second. The linebacker is a tackling machine and thinks the game well despite his run-stopping ability being subpar compared to many of his peers. His veteran presence could help the likes of youngster Stephone Anthony.
Coby Fleener, in theory, is an upgrade over Watson at tight end. Andrew Luck’s Stanford pal had some impressive games with the Colts whenever he wasn’t sharing the spotlight with Dwayne Allen, but he has reportedly had trouble learning and adjusting to the Saints’ playbook. Fleener, along with rookie wide out Michael Thomas, joins Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Mark Ingram as playmakers Brees can work with.
The Saints had only five draft picks in 2016, but one of them was 12th-overall pick Sheldon Rankins. The defensive tackle should be a force as an interior pass rusher. Unfortunately, Saints fans won’t be able to see what he’s capable of until midway through the season. He broke the fibula in his left leg during a mid-August practice.
Since Rankins is out, veteran Nick Fairley will be counted on to start on the d-line. GM Mickey Loomis also acquired Paul Kruger and Chris McCain in trades to bolster what was an inadequate pass rush.
Safety Vonn Bell, selected in the second round, looks like he could be a real player for the Saints—perhaps as early as this season. He won’t start right away with Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro there but his play in training camp has impressed the coaching staff. Bell made headlines when he said he thinks he can be better than Cardinals star Tyrann Mathieu, so a lack of confidence is not an issue.
Growing from within… When your team essentially survives on the strength of your quarterback, like the Saints do, you need to do everything in your power to protect that asset. Luckily, Brees’s blindside is protected by Terron Armstead. The outstanding left tackle was a steal taken in the third round in 2013. He missed a lot of time in training camp dealing with an undisclosed injury. The Saints need him healthy, or else their offence takes a major hit—and so might Brees.
On the defensive side of the ball, Stephone Anthony led all rookies in tackles last year and he needs to step his game up in his sophomore season. He is moving from middle linebacker to the strong side, which means his snap count will probably decrease. Still, he’s one of the only promising young defensive players in New Orleans.
Why this team? Because there’s no reason this offence shouldn’t be dangerous if they can stay healthy. Mark Ingram is one of the most underrated running backs in football and when he’s in the backfield the Saints are a well-rounded unit.
Why not this team? Despite some minor improvements on defence, the pass rush and the front seven as a whole leaves much to be desired.
How much hope? 5.7/10: This really isn’t a much different team than the 7-9 group we saw last year.
