The New Orleans Saints Are Serious

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Saints are serving notice to the rest of the NFL.  After two games, the Saints carved up the Detroit Lions and followed-up that thrashing with a butt-whooping of the "dangerous" Philadelphia defense.  Many will say that Donovan McNabb was not playing.  True.  However, the Saints' offense was not playing against McNabb's offense, it was the Eagles' defense that received the onslaught from Brees and the potent "Money Makers" in the Saints.  Get this one fact.  Over the past two games, their most dangerous "Money Maker", Reggie Bush, has been quieted to one touchdown.  If Bush ever gets on track, the league will be in for serious trouble.

Mike Bell, the Saints leading rusher, was injured on Sunday with a MCL sprain.  The good news for the Saints is the fact they have Pierre Thomas, which should be back to 100% next weekend, and Reggie Bush to share the running back duties.  Not to mention, the bruising 235 lb. running back, Lynell Hamilton, to step in as the third running back for New Orleans against the Bills.

If the Saints maintain a balanced attack of pass-to-run that has contributed to their success these past two weeks, we should expect to see them compete for the Super Bowl title in February 2010.  Drew Brees and Sean Payton have cooked-up a great "gumbo" of plays and schemes for the Saints to excel this season.  Not to mention, Gregg Willliams' defense appears to on track to support the offense.  Yes, the defense gave up a few long plays to Kevin Kolb led Eagles, but most of those plays were not  factor until the later stages of the game.  Kolb threw for over 300 yards, most in the 4th quarter while playing from behind, but the Saints' defense forced him into committing three turnovers.  This has been the most improved element of their play since the preseason.  The defense is averaging 3 take-aways per game.  That is a solid performance for any NFL team's defense.

Expect the Saints' defense to continue is improvement under the guidance of Williams.  However, what is totally scary is the "Payton-Brees" connection and their dynamic offense that will improve over the next few months before the playoffs.

Most critics will still consider the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Giants and Cowboys as the NFL's elite, but the Saints are staking their claim at the top spot.  So, watch out NFL, these 2009 Saints are serious.

Kyle T. Mosley

SaintsNews.net

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