Will the real Saints please stand up?

By Chris Cluff  |   Sunday, September 30, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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Will the real New Orleans Saints please stand up?

Are they the team that shocked the NFL in 2006 by going 10-6 and advancing to the NFC title game? Or are they the group that has stunned everyone this year by opening 0-3?

They have gone from nearly Super Saints to almost Aint's again in just eight months. How did that happen?

For starters, they had a much tougher start to the season this time - thanks to their success in 2006. Last year, they opened 3-0 with wins over Cleveland, Green Bay and Atlanta - teams that finished a combined 19-29. This year, the Saints have lost in horrific fashion - by a combined score of 103-38 - to Indianapolis, Tampa Bay and Tennessee. Those teams are 9-2.

Last year, the Saints' offense was the best in the league. Right now, it ranks 24th.

Last year, the Saints' defense ranked 11th. Right now, it too is 24th.

Last year, the Saints averaged 7.98 yards per pass attempt - second in the league. This year, they are averaging 5.21 - last in the league.

Last year, the Saints threw the ball 580 times. This year, they are on pace to chuck it around 693 times, which would break the NFL record.

Last year, their run-pass ratio was 472-580. This year, it is 68-130. A lot of that is thanks to the fact that the Saints have fallen so far behind that they have had to throw to try to catch up. But they also have been guilty of ignoring the run early in the game.

If Deuce McAllister were healthy, they would have the built-in resolution to their offensive struggles. But now that he is out for the season, they will have to rely a lot more on Reggie Bush and hope Aaron Stecker can provide some interior punch. Because the only way the Saints will snap out of this early funk is to rediscover the offensive balance they displayed in 2006. They need to draw safeties into the box to open up passing lanes downfield so Drew Brees can connect on deeper throws.

The defense, meanwhile, needs to figure out how to stop big passing plays. They are surrendering nearly 10 yards per attempt and have given up seven touchdown passes in three games. Losing cornerback Jason David doesn't help, although he had his struggles (three touchdown passes surrendered against Indianapolis) before he was hurt against Tennessee.

With tough games coming up against Carolina, which swept New Orleans last season, and Seattle, it looks like the best the Saints are going to be able to do this year is 8-8. And it could be a lot worse.

It's pretty obvious the Saints are not the club that made a surprise playoff run last season. But are they really as bad as the first three games have shown?

Will the real New Orleans Saints please stand up?

Unwrap the enigma that is the New Orleans Saints at RealFootball365.com
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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