Health, Lack of Depth Loom Large for Saints D-Line

To their credit, the New Orleans Saints have not stood still this off-season.

Recognizing that Super Bowl dreams could only be fulfilled with a defensive overhaul, the Saints acquired several new players through the draft and free agency and figure to have as many as seven new starters in 2009. 

The defense, at least, has the potential to be an improvement from a 2008 unit that ranked 23rd in total yards allowed and 26th in points allowed.  Even a mediocre defense could mean two to three more wins for a team that can light up the scoreboard with any one. 

Barring anything close to an Apocolypse (injury to Pro Bowl Quarterback Drew Brees), the offense should remain explosive.  

I do expect improvement on the defensive side of the ball for the Saints... enough to lift them in to the playoffs and challenge for a division title in a very competitive NFC South.  Success, however, could teeter on the brink of disappointment based on the health and production of the defensive line. 

Changes in secondary personnel will likely mean better coverage, but the best DB's in the NFL can only cover for so long.  There has to be a push up front and that remains a big question for New Orleans.

Depth is already thin on the d-line after off-season moves and the possible loss its two best players for four games.  Starting defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith are appealing suspensions for testing positive for a banned substance.

Ends Bobby McCray and Paul Spicer, both of whom have been servicable to this point in their careers, will be called upon to be some thing closer to spectacular.  2008 first-round draft choice Sedrick Ellis showed some flashes of brilliance at Tackle in his rookie season but will need to develop into a consistent force in stopping the run and pressuring opposing passers up the middle. 

If these guys can perform at a high level and stay healthy, the season becomes an exciting one.

Of course, when depth is an issue, health can also become one. 

The Saints will spend the 2009 season a key injury or two away from having to scramble to outscore teams again. 

Coach Payton is hoping that the training staff is about as busy as the Maytag repairman.