New Orleans Saints First Quarter Report Card

Where to begin? Let's see...

Darren Sharper, defense, Drew Brees, Gregg Williams, Darren Sharper, special teams, Pierre Thomas, Who Dat, Marques Colston, Darren Sharper, running game, Mike Bell...

By the way, did I mention Darren Sharper?

You can see where I'm trying to go, but I'm still not sure where to start.

It's so much easier to analyze a team when they're losing. That's probably why I'm having such a hard time getting my thoughts in order. 

Saints writers aren't used to writing from ahead—it really is a funny feeling.

For all their efforts and improvements, the Saints get an all-around and well-deserved A. I can't imagine anyone can dispute that.

Offensively, the Saints picked up right where they left off last season, as Drew Brees had nine touchdown passes through the first two games. 

Brees hasn't thrown any since then, but he hasn't had to. 

For the first time since 2006, Brees has had the luxury or relying on a dominant running game—one that ranks second in the NFL going into week five, no less.

Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas have lived up to and even exceeded expectations, something Reggie Bush could (but hasn't seemed to) learn from. 

Regardless, the Saints have finally found what they've been looking for on offense for so long: balance.

For at least this four-game stretch, Brees may not be the offensive MVP of the team, and that's not a bad thing.

All of this is being done, by the way, without Pro Bowl left tackle Jamaal Brown.

And speaking of balance, enough cannot be said about the job that new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has done.

It was said all offseason—and really for the better part of two years—that if the Saints could just be average on defense, they would have a good shot at making the playoffs.

Well, not only is the defense above average, they're actually winning football games.

What was once a liability is now a vital asset.

Because of that, a team that was expected to be fighting for a wild-card spot is now a team that has found themselves in the middle of a Super Bowl debate.

We're used to giving all the credit to Sean Payton and Brees for the team's success, but the Williams/ Sharper pairing is quickly becoming the preferred coach/player duo in New Orleans.

Much like Payton and Brees, it's hard to know where one ends and the other begins. 

Besides being arguably the best free-agent pick-up in Saints history besides Brees himself, Sharper is making his case for defensive MVP of the league.

The Saints are tops in the NFL with ten interceptions, lead by Sharper's five—two of which were returned for touchdowns. 

To be perfectly frank, though, the turnaround is probably more Williams than Sharper.  Especially considering the Saints have yet to trail in a game all season. 

At least for once there's more praise being passed this time around instead of blame (sorry Jason David...but not really).

Even special teams have been getting their share of the love. The best part is it's mostly come on the shoulders of two rookies.

Defensive back Malcolm Jenkins was singlehandedly responsible for two forced turnovers on kickoffs that led to touchdowns.

And punter Thomas Morstead has been more than serviceable since taking over kickoff and punting duties. 

Morstead has been pivotal in winning the oft-overlooked field position game by averaging almost 44 yards a punt.

The Saints look to raise their GPA against another undefeated New York foe when the Giants come to town on Sunday. 

The last time these two teams faced off, the Saints pummeled the G-Men 30-7 at the Meadowlands in 2006. 

This game marks the first time that Eli Manning has played football on any level in the Superdome.