Which Saints Players Are Most Important for a Playoff Run
As much as we'd not like to admit it, for the most part, the NFL is a player's league. For the now 10-5 New Orleans Saints to advance in the playoffs (assuming they make it), they will rely on their very talented personnel more so than their extremely accomplished coaching staff.
It can be argued that the Saints have persevered despite their coaching, especially on offense. Head coach Sean Payton, coming off a year-long suspension, has not had one of his better seasons.
His offense, at times, is highly predictable; he refuses to allow his squad to win off the strength of the run, doesn't vary the tempo and often puts his offense behind the proverbial eight ball with his incessant need to switch out personnel groupings on each play.
But even with that being said, the Saints have enough talent on both sides of the ball to be competitive with any team in the league, especially at home—as this season has shown. Let's take a look at the players that will be key to a successful playoff run.
Corner Keenan Lewis
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Having a player who can diminish the productivity of the opposition's best receiving threat is worth its weight in platinum. Keenan Lewis has been everything the Saints hoped for when they made him the class of last offseason's free agency.
Lewis is equally adept at off-man and zone coverage. His press technique is among the very best, and he's not afraid to stick his nose in on a charging running back. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan does a wonderful job putting him position in to succeed.
He'll rarely follow a threat into the slot, but he will shadow him on the edges where the sideline acts as an extra defender. If you're a receiver that works best in the short to intermediate part of the field, you may as well take the day off as Lewis will own you in that portion of the field.
But if you're a deep threat, chances are you will find success. Lewis can do a better job at locating the ball the further the play goes downfield. He often panics at what is referred to as "the moment of the truth" and fails to locate the ball in flight.
But those occurrences are few and far between. Lewis' statistical output of 44 tackles, 10 passes defensed and three interceptions doesn't scream superstar, but his value on the Saints defense is undeniable.
Lewis just needs to keep doing what he's done all season once the postseason gets underway.
Receiver Marques Colston
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For the Saints to advance in the playoffs they need more than one receiver who can take over a contest at any given time. Tight end, and we should use that term loosely, Jimmy Graham might be the biggest nightmare in the NFL.
He can beat any coverage imaginable and has done so over his brief career. But outside of Graham, the Saints don't have a player that has consistently stepped up and forced the defense to plan for him.
Veteran receiver Marques Colston used to be every bit the player Graham is, but this season has seen him go through stretches, especially against good competition, where he seems to be a shell of his former self.
When Colston is at his best, he's a chain mover that requires a double-team in the intermediate area of the field. He knows how to use his lengthy frame to shield defenders and has some seriously sticky hands.
When he's at his worst, he's relegated to the back of a milk carton. Lately we have seen the old Colston opposed to an old Colston as we saw for a stretch—in the first quarter of the season.
Colston has 69 receptions for 876 yards with five touchdowns thus far. If he's able to maintain that fountain of the youth, he may be the linchpin that gets the Saints over the top.
Defensive End Junior Galette
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This column expected hybrid defender Junior Galette to have a breakout season, and that's exactly what he did. "Baby Dwight Freeney" has turned heads this season behind a double-digit sack performance (10 so far).
Galette has consistently gone against the opposition's best lineman and delivered. He's proved himself to be equally adept against both the run and pass. Ryan's penchant for playing an even-front alignment allowed Galette to play as a down lineman and use his agility and leverage to his advantage.
Galette has a basketball-like spin move that he uses to set up a vast array of counter moves. He's also a high-motor act that can galvanize an entire defensive unit. There's no coincidence that when he's on his game, the Saints usually win.
He's that good.
Galette, along with fellow end Cameron Jordan and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks form a "triangle defense" that would make former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson proud. But Galette could stand on his own with the type of talent he has.
It doesn't hurt that he may not even be the best end on this team.
Now that's scary.
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Tight End Jimmy Graham
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It wouldn't be out of bounds, so to speak, to say that Graham may be the best player on this entire team. He's certainly its most effective. Thus far, despite dealing with a foot injury, Graham has 81 receptions for 1,144 yards and 15 TDs!
Leaving this force of competitive nature in single coverage is a form of football suicide. Even double-teams aren't enough to corral the 6'7", 265-pound beast of a hybrid player. Actually, it may be hard to call Graham a hybrid as he's more of a pure receiver than anything.
The Saints do a phenomenal job of moving Graham around, forcing the defense to declare coverage. This gives pre-snap indicators to quarterback Drew Brees and gives him the cleanest opportunity to operate.
Graham is a deep-ball nightmare as he usually finds himself matched up with linebackers and safeties. He's too fast for both and much too large for the average corner. The Saints brass needs to empty its collective wallet to make sure this guy remains a Saint for the duration of his career.
But for now, it just needs to sit back and watch him take this team to the Promised Land.
Defensive End Cameron Jordan
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"Killer" Cam Jordan is the best player on the entire defense. He's extremely stout at the point of attack, has one of the highest motors you'll ever see and may be the most powerful player in the NFL as an edge-rusher.
He looks like someone slipped a Saints shirt on a Mack Truck and wedged the gas pedal to the floor board. It's uncanny to see a 6'4", 287-pound defensive end wreaking havoc in that much space.
If the Saints are eventually able to run an odd-front alignment, having Jordan operate closer to the ball should be considered a crime.
It would be unfair.
He's great enough to be a Pro Bowler at end, but he has unique talent that could eventually make him a Hall of Fame candidate as an interior lineman. His versatility ensures that he will always have a favorable matchup.
Jordan is also superior in the run game where his size and power can redirect an offense. Jordan has 46 tackles, 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
If Jordan doesn't receive a dose of pineapple in his diet, as Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp says in reference to the Pro Bowl, that game should be considered more of a joke than it already is.
Jordan is paramount for success in the playoffs.
Quarterback Drew Brees
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Without "The General" Drew Brees, the Saints would be getting ready to play in the toilet bowl. It's hard to pinpoint another QB with as much put on his shoulders. Brees has to overcome coaching that rarely provides him with a consistent run game; he has to wait for personnel to shuffle in and out on every play and isn't afforded the ability to go to a no-huddle offense on the road.
A QB of much lesser ilk would end up being Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars) under those circumstances. Actually, Gabbert is Gabbert under those circumstances. So that lets you know how brilliant Brees has been in his career.
This season is no different as Brees has a 101.8 rating to go along with 35 TDs and 12 INTs. When you take into account he's only 219 yards away from another 5,000-yard season, you can plainly see how much he means to this offense.
Right now Brees is mired in a two-game slump, which has manifested itself into two straight losses. If Brees doesn't play well, the Saints virtually have no chance of advancing in the playoffs as they are one of a few teams that won't allow the run game to factor into the outcome.
Head coach Sean Payton wants to win through the air with the run game being an afterthought. This will ensure that the Brees-Payton era goes down as the best ever in regard to the pass. Now that last part was speculation, but make no mistake about it: Brees is joined at the hip with Payton.
So it bears repeating. Brees is the most important player for playoff success. But even he will only go as far as Payton's coaching reaches.
Well maybe this isn't a player's league after all?
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