Drew Brees, Saints Look Ahead to 2009

The New Orleans Saints look to put a disappointing 2008 season in the rear view mirror.

The 2008 Saints, even with injuries to running back Reggie Bush, tight end Jeremy Shockey and wide receiver Marques Colston, put an impressive offense on the field.  

Quarterback Drew Brees, the AP Offensive Player of the Year, fell only yards short of breaking Dan Marino's passing yards record.  Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore and even Garrett Hartley showed they are ready to contribute at an elite level.

New Orleans’ defense improved slightly with the additions of defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and cornerback Tracy Porter through the draft. Free agency also assisted the defense in getting better, adding linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive end Bobby McCray and cornerback Randall Gay. Even with those key additions, the Saints’ defense was one of the worst in the league.

There will be changes however. Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs was not retained and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron returned to college ball.  

This weekend, head coach Sean Payton is scheduled to meet with Gregg Williams, former Buffalo Bills head coach and current defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Williams would be an improvement on the sideline.  However, a defense that surrendered more than 24 points a game and more than 221 yards a game through the air needs more than a new philosophy on defense.

If Vilma is resigned, the front seven will be good enough to produce wins if they work together with the prolific offense. Cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Mike McKenzie should start if healthy, which would be a plus for the ailing defense. Nickel and dime backs Randall Gay and Usama Young should be productive as well, if the system is right.

That leaves the safety position, and sadly, there isn’t an NFL-caliber safety anywhere on the roster.

For the Saints to improve on defense in 2009, again, it starts with resigning Vilma. If he is not a Saint next season, then the linebacker position will become a priority as well.

Currently, the Saints hold the 14th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. Will USC’s Taylor Mays be available?  If not, Missouri's William Moore projects as the next best Safety on the board.

If Mays is not available and it proves too early to waste the pick and the Saints cannot trade down for Moore, look at Linebackers Brian Cushing of USC or James Laurinitis of Ohio State as possible picks. Even speed rushing Defensive Ends Tyson Jackson of LSU or Brian Orakpo of Texas are possibilities. If the right defensive tackle is there like Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy or Boston College’s B.J. Raji, don’t be surprised to see the Saints go for the best defensive player on the board.

In order to get Shockey, the Saints traded their second and fifth round picks, so their first round pick must be a home run. After the 14th pick, the Saints don’t select again until Day 2 in the fourth round. They only have four picks in the entire draft.

This is a big offseason for the Saints. While the pieces are there on offense, the secondary must be improved for the Saints to be considered a legitimate playoff contending team.