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Written by wrigleyville
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Monday, 07 January 2008 |
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 The 2007 Saints were pretty much a headache from the start. I'm used to it...been so for many moons now. The picture to the left pretty much sums up the season: big plays crippling the defense, which always seemed to be on it's knees in mercy (see Simoneau, Mark), and the offense not being able to be tough enough to ram the football down the opponent's throat after Deuce went down with his 19th ACL, MCL, or PCL injury. Take your pick...it's a game of roullette. Sean Payton is a very good coach. But, I must admit, I think he had a sophomore slump in 2007. My biggest complaint will be the lack of use of Pierre Thomas after Deuce's injury in Week 3 against Tennessee. Payton decided, and rightfully so, to use Reggie Bush as the feature back for the foreseeable future. It became immediately apparent that Bush wasn't ready or tough enough for the full workload of an every-down back in the NFL. Pierre Thomas, an undrafted free agent out of Illinois, outplayed Reggie Bush, a second overall pick in the 2006 Draft, in only one game (against Chicago, Week 17). In fact, Thomas looked better than Bush ever has, at least in the full-time RB's role. Payton failed to show fortitude on many third-and-short situations. Many times than not, he opted to play action to a tight-end flare pattern two yards short of the marker (especially frustrating considering these were many situations where he was in four-down territory). Let's be real...Drew Brees' birthmark is better than many NFC quarterbacks. The Saints are set there, except an upgrade at back-up over the statue of Jamie Martin's corpse is probably a good idea. Deuce is rehabbing hard to recover from his injury and there is seemingly a mutual desire for him to return and retire a Saint. He and Bush will most probably return to their tandem rotation next year, with Pierre Thomas probably taking over Aaron Stecker's role as a backup to Deuce. Marques Colston should be a Pro Bowler this year. I made the case here. However, fellow receivers David Patten, Devery Henderson and Terrance Copper are free agents in 2008. Patten may be retained, hopefully only in a limited role next year. Copper may also be retained, if and only if for his solid special teams play. Devery is a former LSU Tiger, and I have a personal affinity for my fellow alumni. He's too inconsistent and his departure will sadly be welcomed. Ernest Wilford of the Jags and Roydell Williams of the Titans would be welcome additions to a fairly shallow corps. Eric Johnson was signed to a one-year deal to play tight end, and hopefully he's out as well. Billy Miller outplayed him, and will probably return to his back-up role. Hopefully, a tight-end will emerge in the draft. The offensive line was the best in the NFL, only giving up 14 sacks all year. Center Jeff Faine, back-up center Jonathan Goodwin, and starting guard Jamar Nesbit are impending free agents and should all be brought back to protect Brees and open up holes for Deuce and the rest. The defense was terrible. I don't want to bore you with the stats, but they were abysmal. They couldn't get any pressure on the quarterback, even when they blitzed. The front four were fairly solid against the run, but Charles Grant and Will Smith didn't apply pressure from the ends and they better improve next year. Brian Young is a solid tackle, but another big guy in the middle would be a giant upgrade with Hollis Thomas aging and getting ever fatter. The linebackers, save for Scott Fajita, should all be let go. Mark Simoneau only had 70 tackles at the Mike while starting all 16 games. Scott Shanle is serviceable on the outside, but an upgrade along the lines of Lance Briggs proportions would do the trick. Roman Harper is a good, young safety and should keep his starter's role for 2008. Josh Bullocks is terrible in pass coverage and Kevin Kaesviharn should have taken his place after the first couple games in 2007. Mike McKenzie is the best cornerback to put on a Saints uniform in many years. However, that's as far as it goes. Jason David is an awful man-coverage corner, and the Saints will heavily upgrade the corner position, especially with the knee injury McKenzie sustained in the Eagles game (Week 16). Look for the Saints to throw all kinds of money at Asante Samuel and possibly even Marcus Trufant in the offseason, as well as use the Draft to solidify and add depth. Olindo Mare was terrible kicking field goals, but was pretty solid putting the ball in the endzone for touchbacks. After his injury sidelined him for the year, Martin Grammatica was signed and stole the show. Look for a competition next year between the two. Steve Weatherford is a very good punter, and started well against Chicago kicking away from Hester. However, his one punt directly at Hester...well, turned out bad. He should return. Finishing 7-9 isn't all bad, if you can overlook the failure to make the playoffs and bring a Super Bowl win to a city that has only hosted visiting teams in the 'Dome. The Saints pick 10th in this year's Draft, and they should use it on defense, defense, defense. Receivers, defensive tackle and corners will be persued free agency and the Saints should use the Draft to get a beast at middle linebacker and depth at the defensive positions. It'll be an interesting offseason. It will be Payton's third year in New Orleans, and we'll just have to wait and see how things shake out. I'm optimistic...you pretty much have to be, being a Saints/Cubs fan all balled into one. Guh. Labels: New Orleans Saints
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