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| Andrew Perna & The RGM New Orleans Saints Board. 24th April, 2008 - 12:14 pm
 Here at RealGM our hearts beat thanks to the thousands upon thousands of posters that frequent our forums on a daily basis. With the NFL season still months from kicking off, but the ever-important NFL Draft just a few days away, what better time than now to check in with the people who care about football even more than some of the players on the field?
2007 Record: 7-9
Additions: Mark Brunell, QB, Randall Gay, CB, Dan Morgan, LB,
Subtractions: Jeff Faine, C (TB), Olindo Mare, K, (SEA), Matt McCoy, LB, (TB)
Draft Picks: 10th
The Answers
1. What was the best thing(s) that happened in 2007?
NO-KG-AI: It’s hard to say, but I guess watching the team reel off some wins despite injuries and poor playcalling.
kingofthecourt67: The four-game winning streak that came after dropping the first four.
2. What was the worst thing that happened in 2007?
NO-KG-AI: Deuce McAllister's injury was devastating, as was the collapse of our run-blocking and Jason David in general.
kingofthecourt67: The losses to teams that we should have beaten, such as St. Louis.
3. Who had a breakout season?
NO-KG-AI: Mike McKenzie was phenomenal this year. It’s hard to find anyone who played above their expectations though, but maybe Pierre Thomas.
kingofthecourt67: Thomas, but it was more of a breakout game.
4. Who was the biggest disappointment?
NO-KG-AI: David (also known as ‘I give up more yards than blown coverage’), Sean Payton and his stubborn playcalling, and three-fifths of our offensive line for collapsing on virtually every running play.
kingofthecourt67: David. He allowed way too many big plays.
5. How could the team have been more successful?
NO-KG-AI: A little bit more consistency from the defensive backs and better tackling, linebackers, and run-blocking.
kingofthecourt67: A healthy Deuce, which would have put less pressure on Drew Brees.
6. What do you make of the team’s offseason progress at this point?
NO-KG-AI: I really like what we are doing. We grabbed an impact linebacker, some depth at cornerback, and some nice solid rotation players. All without really overspending.
kingofthecourt67: I’m extremely happy with the Vilma signing, but there are no guarantees since he's coming off injury. Gay was a nice signing too, but we'll have to wait and see how he does, as well.
7. Where are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
NO-KG-AI: Another cornerback, an outside linebacker, help on the offensive line, and a defensive tackle.
kingofthecourt67: A lineman or an outside linebacker. Also, a cornerback if he is the best value when we come up to pick.
8. Who do you hope the team drafts with their first pick?
NO-KG-AI: Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Leodis McKelvin, or Keith Rivers...in that order.
kingofthecourt67: Ellis, Dorsey, Rivers, or McKelvin, in that order.
9. Which player will be on the hot seat in 2008?
NO-KG-AI: Reggie Bush. If the line is made strong enough where he isn't blown up in the backfield every play, there is no reason he shouldn't make the Pro Bowl.
kingofthecourt67: Bush had a poor season last year, but with Deuce back healthy not as much of the load will be on him, and he'll be utilized like he was his rookie season.
10. What are the realistic expectations for 2008 at this point?
NO-KG-AI: I want to see how the rest of the offseason shapes up, but with good health and the addition of two maulers on the offensive line, we should vault right back into the elite of the NFC.
kingofthecourt67: If McKenzie and Deuce are healthy, I don't see why we can't compete for the division crown and make a deep playoff run, but it's still too early too tell.
Surf over to RealGM’s NFL forums to weigh in on your favorite team as we continue to hold ‘Summit’ conversations on each of the league’s thirty-two teams.
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