New Orleans Saints
2010 record: 11-5
Last playoff appearance: 2010, 11-5, L41-36 SEA
General Manager: Mickey Loomis (2002 – current)
Head Coach: Sean Payton (2006 – current, 49-31 record)
Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael Jr.
Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 24.0 PTS (11th) 372.5 YDS (6th) 277.6 PASS (3rd) 94.9 RUSH (28th)
DEF: 19.2 PTS (7th) 306.2 YDS (4th) 193.9 PASS (4th) 112.3 RUSH (16th)
Jeremy’s Outlook: The Saints had a surprisingly quick exit from the playoffs in January, but the team should still be considered a Super Bowl contender. First of all, I loved the Saints’ draft. I gave them an A grade in my draft coverage and feel that we’ll see immediate contributions from their two first rounders running back Mark Ingram and defensive end Cameron Jordan. In terms of roster turnover, there wasn’t much. The Saints re-signed a lot of players to keep their roster mainly intact. Of course, the big missing piece from the offense is Reggie Bush, but not to worry, Ingram and free agent pickup Darren Sproles should easily surpass Bush’s contributions. We all know what Drew Brees brings to the table. The passing game will be the biggest offensive threat the Saints have as long as Brees is playing. I am one of the many people who feel that tight end Jimmy Graham is primed to have a breakout season. That’s why I have him on both of my fantasy teams.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints got stronger up the middle…a whole lot stronger. The signings of defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin will help plug the middle of the line against the run. If the run defense does improve, the Saints could have a top 10 defense again. I feel Cameron Jordan will be an upgrade along the line as well. However, the secondary must create more turnovers, interceptions more specifically. The Saints finished dead last in the NFL in interceptions in 2010. Suffice it to say, but Gregg Williams’ defensive mind transforms this defense into a very good unit, and it will only get better this season.
Prediction: The Saints are looking even better on offense in 2011 with the additions of Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles, plus tight end Jimmy Graham’s expected progress. I expect the defense to be in the top 10 again, too. Looking through the Saints’ schedule, I have them ending up at 4-2 in the division. They have a pretty tough schedule (Packers, Bears, Texans, Colts, Giants, and potentially the Lions if they are going to break out like many people are predicting). I’m predicting the Saints will finish 12-4, which if you read my Falcons’ 2011 season preview, is the same record I predicted for Atlanta.
Projected Starters:
QB: Drew Brees
RB: Mark Ingram/Pierre Thomas
WR: Marques Colston
WR: Devery Henderson
WR: Lance Moore/Robert Meachem
TE: Jimmy Graham
OT: Jermon Bushrod
OG: Carl Nicks
C: Olin Kreutz
OG: Jahri Evans
OT: Zach Strief
DE: Cameron Jordan
DT: Sedrick Ellis
DT: Aubrayo Franklin/Shaun Rogers
DE: Will Smith (iStarter)
OLB: Will Herring
MLB: Jonathan Vilma
OLB: Scott Shanle
CB: Jabari Greer
SS: Roman Harper
FS: Malcolm Jenkins
CB: Tracy Porter
K: Garrett Hartley
P: Thomas Morstead
Fantasy Performers:
1. Drew Brees QB
2. Marques Colston WR
3. Mark Ingram RB
4. Pierre Thomas RB
5. Jimmy Graham TE
6. Lance Moore WR
2011 schedule:
1 Sep 08 at Packers 8:30 PM Tickets
2 Sep 18 vs. Bears 1:00 PM Tickets
3 Sep 25 vs. Texans 1:00 PM Tickets
4 Oct 02 at Jaguars 1:00 PM Tickets
5 Oct 09 at Panthers 1:00 PM Tickets
6 Oct 16 at Buccaneers 4:15 PM Tickets
7 Oct 23 vs. Colts 8:20 PM Tickets
8 Oct 30 at Rams 1:00 PM Tickets
9 Nov 06 vs. Buccaneers 1:00 PM Tickets
10 Nov 13 at Falcons 1:00 PM Tickets
11 Bye
12 Nov 28 vs. Giants 8:30 PM Tickets
13 Dec 04 vs. Lions 1:00 PM Tickets
14 Dec 11 at Titans 1:00 PM Tickets
15 Dec 18 at Vikings 1:00 PM Tickets
16 Dec 26 vs. Falcons 8:30 PM Tickets
17 Jan 01 vs. Panthers 1:00 PM Tickets
Re-signed:
DeShawn Wynn RB – 4 yrs, 1.7 million
Pierre Thomas RB – 4 yrs, 12 million
Lance Moore WR – 5 yrs, 20 million
Courtney Roby WR – 1 yr, 1.176 million
David Thomas TE – 1 yr
Tory Humphrey TE – 1 yr, 460,000
Zach Strief OT – 1 yr, 1.759 million
James Bushrod OT – 2 yrs, 9.5 million
Jeff Charleston DE – 1 yr, 1.101 million
Scott Shanle OLB – 2 yrs, 4 million
Danny Clark OLB
Leigh Torrence CB
Chris Reis SS – 1 yr, 1.101 million
Roman Harper SS – re-signed – 4 yrs, 28.5 million, 16 million guaranteed
Free agent acquisitions:
Darren Sproles RB (Chargers) – 4 yrs, 14 million
Alex Barron OT (Cowboys) – 1 yr (placed on IR)
Olin Kreutz C (Bears) – 1 yr, 2 million
Turk McBride DE (Lions)
Aubrayo Franklin NT (49ers) – 1 yr, 4 million
Shaun Rogers DT (Browns) - 1 yr
Will Herring LB (Seahawks) – 3 yrs
Fabian Washington CB (Ravens) – 1 yr
Free agent losses:
Jeremy Shockey TE – Signed by Panthers
Jonathan Goodwin C – signed by 49ers
Remi Ayodele DT – signed with Vikings
Randall Gay CB -
Anthony Hargrove DL – signed with Eagles
Usama Young FS – Signed by Browns
Trades:
Saints trade RB Reggie Bush to Dolphins for S Jonathan Amaya and an undisclosed draft pick
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft (overall draft grade: A): It’s unfortunate that the Saints had to give up next year’s number one in order to trade back into the first round for Mark Ingram, but I think it will pay off. I loved the Saints value picks in the first round in Ingram and Cameron Jordan. The Saints targeted needs and players they showed interest in prior to the draft. From the outside looking in, it appears they were able to address needs while going with players of great value (according to my board). Martez Wilson lacks good instincts for a linebacker, but his athleticism may shine through that. I like that value in the third and Greg Romeus in the seventh round. Romeus had injuries in 2010, but was one of the top defensive ends coming into the 2010 season. He could be huge for New Orleans if he gets past injuries.
Rd 1, Pick 24 (24) Cameron Jordan DL, California – Another huge faller on my board, but the Saints are the lucky ones. He’s a better prospect than Tyson Alualu last year (who made All-Rookie teams).
Grade: A+ Rated: 9
Rd 1, Pick 28 (28) Mark Ingram RB, Alabama – I don’t think his knee should have dropped him this far. I thought having him rated at 19 was holding him down a bit. Saints get two first round steals in my eyes and they’re no doubt the leaders for the best draft so far.
Grade: A+ Rated: 19
Rd 3, Pick 8 (72) Martez Wilson OLB, Illinois – Another great value here for the Saints as they pick up the “trash” left behind by other teams. Wilson does have questionable instincts, and that’s why teams may have passed on him. He has good athleticism.
Grade: A Rated: 41
Rd 3, Pick 24 (88) Johnny Patrick CB, Louisville – Another very good pick for the Saints. Good all-around corner, except for an aggravated assault arrest, but the charges were dropped.
Grade: A- Rated: 82
Rd 7, Pick 23 (226) Greg Romeus DE, Pittsburgh – injuries ruined his senior season. He was projected to be a first rounder, but injuries obviously took that away.
Grade: A+ Rated: 134
Rd 7, Pick 40 (243) Nate Bussey LB, Illinois – smallish outside linebacker but is aggressive.
Grade: C- Rated: NR
2010 Stat Leaders
Drew Brees 448-658 68.1% 4620 YDS 7.0 YPA 33 TD 22 INT 90.9 RTG
Chris Ivory 137 ATT 716 YDS 5.2 AVG 55 LNG 5 TD
Marques Colston 84 REC 1023 YDS 12.2 YPC 43 LNG 7 TD
Garrett Hartley 20-25 80.0% 52 LNG
Roman Harper 105 TCK
Sedrick Ellis 6 SCK
Malcolm Jenkins, Jabari Greer 2 INT
Out of Season Storylines
Saints pick Cameron Jordan and trade up into first round to pick Mark Ingram
Saints re-sign key players: Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, Jermon Bushrod, Roman Harper
Saints sign big men in the middle Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin