2009-2010 NFL Team Previews: New Orleans Saints

2008-09 Record: 8-8, third in division

2009-10 Projection: 9-7, third in division

Quarterbacks

Drew Brees is certainly the highlight of this team. Last season his stats included more than 5,000 yards passing, 34 touchdowns, and 10 games of 300+ yards of total passing.

New Orleans was, by far, the league leader in passing yards, which gave them an extremely easy way to score points. Although the Saints are basically just an average team, this position is definitely not average.

The Saints also have the solid (for a backup) Joey Harrington behind Brees. Harrington, after several short, unsuccessful stints as the starting QB for bad teams, fits in well as a sturdy backup.

Grade: A+

Running backs

With the huge loss of stud HB Deuce McAllister, all the Saints were left with is young, speedy (yet injury-prone) Reggie Bush, who was used more for screen passes last year than for running plays.

Although he is quite versatile, Bush has trouble staying healthy. However, if he manages to play a full season, you could probably expect over 1,800 total yards of production.

But now the Saints have found their new sturdy back. Pierre Thomas, entering his third NFL season after attending Illinois, averaged nearly five yards per carry last year and finished the season with 625 yards and 12 TDs.

Thomas is now expected to fill the spot left by McAllister.

To fill up the final holes, New Orleans also acquired Patriots HB Heath Evans during the offseason.

Grade:A-

Wide receivers/tight ends

Receiving is a crucial part of the Saints' offense, as it is the second part of the important passing game.

The likely top option is Marques Colston, who managed 760 yards last season in just nine games (due to injury, he missed nearly half the season).

The second receiving slot will probably go to Lance Moore, a small yet reliable receiver coming off a breakout year of 928 yards and 10 TDs.

Coming in at third on the depth chart is Devery Henderson, the deep threat, who is just entering his prime years at 27.

The final starting receiver will almost certainly be Robert Meachem, a young receiver out of Tennessee who managed almost 300 yards and three touchdowns last season, despite being overshadowed by some of the Saints' more talented receivers.

One minor loss this offseason was David Patten, who made a small impact last year.

Finally, at tight end, New Orleans has one of the league's premier players with Jeremy Shockey, the former New York Giant and Super Bowl winner, who caught 50 passes for nearly 500 yards last year, despite not finding the end zone.

Grade: A-

Offensive line

The entire unit from last year will likely return, with Jammal Brown and Jonathan Stinchcomb at tackle, Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks at right and left guard, and Jonathan Goodwin at center. The group was decent yet unspectacular in the 08-09 season.

Grade: B

Defensive line

The Saints' defensive line is a somewhat reliable yet star-less unit. At the ends are Will Smith, a tackling specialist, and Charles Grant, who got three sacks last year, who may compete with Bobby McCray, the former Jaguar who had a respectable six sacks last year.

At the tackles, New Orleans starts two unexciting, inefficient tackles in Sedrick Ellis and Kendrick Clancy, which is definitely a weak spot.

New Orleans also received former Falcon DT Rod Coleman.

Grade: C

Linebackers and safeties

Jonathan Vilma returns at linebacker, which is a huge plus for the Saints' entire team. Vilma is a terrific MLB who had 132 tackles last year, one sack, and two strips. Not to mention he's also a great leader. His partners, Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle, are well-rounded linebackers as well, despite not having any one particular special talent.

However, the defensive backs unit has overcome a huge makeover this offseason. Mike McKenzie is gone, which is a huge loss for the Saints, and so is the future Chicago Bear safety Josh Bullocks. However, in replacement, is Jabari Greer, who was a Bill last year, and Leigh Torrence, who was re-signed recently.

At cornerback the Saints hope to turn around their 23rd-ranked pass defense by starting Malcolm Jenkins, who is a great player that will probably really improve the unit, and the other cornerback spot will go to either of the Saints newly signed undrafted rookies, Reggie Jones and Danny Gorrer.

Roman Harper, a sturdy strong safety with good size and is also entering his prime years, returns at SS and former Viking Darren Sharper will start at the free safety position.

As a whole, the Saints' linebackers and safeties may be able to hold their own, but in truth are just an average squad.

Grade: B

Special teams

Bush was excellent returning punts last year, posting three that went the distance and averaging over 13 yards per return. However, he is now much more important to the offensive scheme, and will probably not be quite as explosive as returner.

Kicker Garret Hartley was a perfect 13-for-13 last season, and 4-for-4 past 40 yards.  Young, solid punter Glenn Pakulak has good distance, even blasting a punt 70 yards last year. Competing with Pakulak is rookie Thomas Morstead, although it is unlikely he will win out the starting job.

Grade: A

The Saints have few weak spots. However, they also have a lack of stars once you look past the three main positions (QB, HB, WR/TE). Their playoff hopes this season will rely on how well a mediocre defense full of mostly unknown players can hold up against their tough schedule.