New Orleans Saints:     

2013 RECORD: 11-5  

2012 RECORD: 7-9   

2011 RECORD: 13-3   

2010 RECORD: 11-5   

TEAM OVERVIEW: Sean Peyton returned from his one-year ban and the Saints rebounded with another season of stellar offensive play and at least some improvement defensively. They were not invincible, losing to Carolina even though the Panthers played a soft cover pass scheme, and losing badly to eventual Super Bowl champ Seattle. Still, New Orleans has to feel good about leaving bounty-gate behind, looking forward to even better results. It was noted in this spot last year that, “even an average defense could mean the playoffs in ’13”.  Additional improvement could make for a deeper run in ’14.

KEY STATS: The Saints and Drew Brees again eclipsed 5,000 pass yards and he threw for 39 TD’s. The run O was down but the Saints were still fourth in total offense. Like in NE, sacks allowed went up. The number is usually around 25-27 but last year hit 37. Of course, they typically sack others at around 30 per year and that figure rose to a top four number at 49. The overall yards allowed on D improved astronomically to fourth (306) but the run D was still high at 4.6. That still was a modest improvement over their 4.9 or greater figures from the previous three seasons. One strong stat was allowing opponents to convert just 35% of the time on 3rd down.  That helped lead them to a +5:21 time of possession figure.  Spread-wise, New Orleans dropped to 60-42 vs. the AFC but rose to 13-6 off a bye.  They improved to 10-20 in their final home game.   

2013 DRAFT REVIEW: New Orleans forfeited its second round pick due to Bounty-Gate. They traded to move up for good NT Jenkins, filling a huge hole. Jenkins had 21 tackles as a rookie. That type of move was missing in ’12. Along with DB and OT, this means the Saints addressed three of their top four needs right away. The Saints were unable to address LB needs but did get a WR that I felt was a great scheme fit.  New Orleans did address LB after the draft, selecting the rated Riddick (ranked 21st). Riddick had 12 tackles. CB Lewis (47 tackles) was added in free agency, but losing LT Bushrod was not a good thing.

1-15, S  Vaccaro: Productive with great vision.  Can cover.  Strong rookie year (79).

3-75, OT Armstead: This years’ #1 workout warrior!  A year away for sure.  Zone blocker.  Six starts!

3-82, DT Jenkins: Massive NT clogs middle, a new idea for Saints!  Fits if he keeps weight in check.

5-144, WR Stills: Fast, with great body control. Gets open.  Team fit.  32-20.0-5 as a rookie.

6-183, DE  R Johnson: Tarlton State DE/OLB went 50-10 ’12, and will be trained as an OLB here.  Nothing ’13.

2012 DRAFT REVISITED: I’ve previously commented on how the Saints blew the ’12 draft, mostly due to lethargy caused by Bounty-Gate.  Only Hicks and White played in ‘12, and only White had any starts (4). Hicks improved to 56-4.5 and White to 41 tackles.  WR Toon had just four catches. NR OG Tiller is gone and * rated OT M Jones is on the practice squad (IR in ’12).

TOP STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PRIOR TO THE DRAFT: Brees keys a pass attack that has been lights out the las.  The run D and the DL in general has continued to underperform since the Saints won the Super Bowl.

FREE AGENCY ANALYSIS AND STAFF NOTES: Other than a fringe OL signing the big news was getting a quality safety in Jarius Byrd. Paired with Kenny Vaccaro this unit looks great. Losing RB/return specialist Sproles, WR Moore, DL Coleman and Will Smith and safeties Jenkins and Harper makes this free agency period a net loss.  OT Brown left as well.

2014 DRAFT NEEDS: Run stoppers along the front seven on D, OC and OL depth, CB, extra pass rusher, WR. Perhaps second-year DT Jenkins can be the big body they need in the middle but even so there needs to be some upgrades along the DL and LB group. Drew Brees was sacked a career high 37 times. LT Armstead will learn on the job but help is needed to make sure there are no other setbacks. There is room for added depth with OT Brown leaving. The CB unit is thin and starting CB Robinson was hurt at the end of last year. This unit needs another star. The defense needs to add another sack artist with Will Smith gone and the LB’s not providing much help. It wouldn’t hurt to add an extra body to the mix at WR.  There is some depth behind one of my favorite all-time draftees, Marques Colston, but is there a solid 2^nd option?