Saints look to regain playoff form

By Randy Savoie  |   Wednesday, September 03, 2008  |  Comments( 8 )

New Orleans Saints
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The atmosphere had an ominous feel just hours before the Saints kicked off their final preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at the Louisiana Superdome last Thursday.

Earlier in the day, news had spread across the city that Hurricane Gustav, a storm with the potential to develop into a Category 5, appeared to be taking aim at New Orleans.

A local band, "Connections," performed the Al Green classic, "Let's Stay Together," as some old ladies in Drew Brees jerseys swayed in front of the stage. A few people sipped "Big Ass Beers,'' as they are called by those vendors who sell them. They laughed loudly and obnoxiously and talked football.

Others were not smiling, though. The cheerful slogans on their shirts -- "I Believe," "God's Team" -- did not match the somber looks on their faces. No one wanted to contemplate a repeat of three years ago when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans with one cruel punch to the gut. The sparse crowd had come to find on this sweltering night the kind of escapism that only football can offer.

After the Saints' 14-10 loss to Miami, Sean Payton devoted the majority of his post-game press conference to laying out the team's emergency preparedness plan; it included a trip to Indianapolis to get ready for the season opener against Tampa Bay. I had planned to ask about the condition of Adrian Arrington's turf toe, but the timing seemed inappropriate. So, I sat silently and took copious notes.

It wasn't until 9:05 Monday night that Lt. Gen. Russell Honore assured the nation on CNN that New Orleans had dodged a bullet. You could hear the collective sigh of relief all the way to the Florida panhandle, where I took refuge. The bad news: Three more storms were brewing in distant waters.

Turning to football, some random thoughts:

- The Saints will remain a contender as long as Brees -- one of the NFL's best quarterbacks -- is healthy and in his prime. Should Brees go down, the Saints have a nice backup option in veteran Mark Brunell, a three-time Pro Bowler who represents a significant upgrade from last year's No. 2, Jamie Martin. At 37, Brunell has a stronger arm than Brees.

- As Deuce McAllister goes, so will the Saints' running game go in 2008. McAllister showed signs of his former self against the Dolphins, and a McAllister reemergence will allow the Saints to use Reggie Bush more creatively. Bush never looked comfortable in the role of featured back after McAllister's early season knee injury last year.

- Jeremy Shockey will provide a target at tight end that Brees has not had since Antonio Gates in San Diego. Shockey's ability to draw double coverage will free up elite-caliber wideout Marques Colston to have another 1,000-yard season. What's more, Shockey is an excellent run blocker; just ask Tiki Barber. Look for Shockey to spring Bush off the edge for some ESPN highlight sprints.

- New Orleans is deep and talented at receiver with Colston, David Patten, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Terrance Copper and Lance Moore. There was some speculation that Meachem, who enjoyed an excellent preseason, may cost the inconsistent Henderson his roster spot. However, Payton quickly quelled those rumors by saying Meachem still has a ways to go.

- The Saints' penchant for giving up the big play in 2007 has been well-documented in those glossy preseason magazines that we all buy and barely read. As a result, general manager Mickey Loomis and Payton were aggressive during the offseason in acquiring middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma via trade on the eve of free agency. They also added speedy defensive end Bobby McCray and former New England cornerback Randall Gay. Also, New Orleans devoted its first two draft picks to defense, selecting tackle Sedrick Ellis and CB Tracy Porter.

- New Orleans was aware of McCray's pass-rushing ability -- he is the fastest defensive lineman on the team; what they might not have known was that he's a great run stopper. On obvious passing downs, look for DT Charles Grant to slide inside next to Ellis with McCray and Will Smith occupying the outside. A formidable front four to say the least.

- Former USC star Ellis is being called the next Warren Sapp by some of his teammates. Vilma, who looked like an All-Pro in training camp, hopes to remind New Orleans fans of the legendary Sam Mills, the leader of the Saints' "Dome Patrol" defense back when the team had a dominant stop unit under Jim Mora.

- Corner Mike McKenzie, recovering from a late-season knee injury, is far and away the best player in an otherwise pedestrian secondary. Look for either Gay or Porter to start opposite McKenzie. Porter got the nod against Miami. However, Gay has the swagger of being a former Patriot. Safeties Roman Harper and Kevin Kaesviharn are adequate at safety. Kaesviharn beat out last year's starting free safety, Josh Bullocks, with an excellent preseason performance.

My guess is that New Orleans' revamped front seven will provide enough pass rush to protect an average defensive backfield and allow the Saints to battle it out with the Giants, Cowboys and Seahawks for NFC supremacy.

That and a $5 bill will buy you coffee and beignets at Cafe' du Monde.

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