New Orleans Saints: This Is The One

THE New Orleans Saints head into the 2009 season a team on the edge. The previous two campaigns have contained a heady mix of excitement and entertainment but have both ended with bitter disappointment.

The Saints haven't made the playoffs since that spellbinding season of 2006, where almost everything they touched turned Black and Gold.

The team has really underachieved in the last two seasons especially on defense under the now departed Gary Gibbs.

Head Coach Sean Payton made the brave call to axe Gibbs and bring in former Washington Redskins Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams who had most recently been in Jacksonville.

It is believed that Payton took a substantial pay cut to bring Williams in. Through all is faults from a coaching standpoint his dedication to the cause is undoubted.

This really has to be the year the Saints awaken from their two year slumber. The talent on both sides of the ball, man for man is unrivalled in the NFC South.

Drew Brees is a top 3 quarterback but even he needs to step it up this season. His passing record on the road does not scream elite.

The statistic of the Saints not winning a game after trailing in the 3rd quarter under Payton is baffling and ridiculous in equal measures. That really has to change in 09.

I believe the Saints will be considerably better on D this season and a healthy Dan Morgan could be the difference between 8 - 8 and 10 -6.

The team cannot worry about any team divisional or otherwise. This season has to be about righting the wrongs of the previous two campaigns. Every player has to go in with a siege mentality and realise they could be legends if they bring a Superbowl back to the "Big Easy".

The schedule is tough no doubt about it but if this team are as good as they look on paper they will not not encounter a team who will outclass them in the NFL. I'm sure there is a part of Payton that wished he rung the changes a year previous.

If you listen to Saints representatives they talk about a "window of opportunity" with this team, in particular General Manager Mickey Loomis often trots the saying out at any available chance.

2009 really is the Saints time for glory. If this season is another letdown i can feel that window closing very shortly.