New Orleans Saints Think Tank: Week Six

First Things First

The undefeated New York Giants come to New Orleans this week to face the undefeated Saints, who are fresh off a bye week.

History tells us the Saints will lose this one but it has nothing to do with the competition.

The Saints haven't won a game following a bye since 2003.  Granted, the Giants could beat anybody, in any week.

Instead, the stat that's most interesting is Sean Payton's record following the bye week since becoming the Saints head coach.

The Saints under Payton are barely above the .500 mark following the bye week, compiling a 16-15 record since he became their coach in 2006.

That's a pretty ominous sign for a team that plays 6 of their final 10 games in NFC South Division.

But the Saints have never been 4-0 in that span and the NFC South certainly isn't what it used to be. 

Then again, these ARE the Saints we're talking about.  Nothing would surprise me.

Less Is More

There's a long-standing debate as to which methods are best when it comes to building a team: free agency or the draft?

There is no definitive answer, but as far the 2009 Saints are concerned, they'll take experience over youth as long as it continues to win them games.

New Orleans only had four draft picks in 2009, one of which was placed on IR before the season.

The result: Four wins and no losses.

Of the three remaining healthy rookies, two - punter, Thomas Morstead and defensive back, Malcolm Jenkins - could end up being special teams Pro Bowlers if their spectacular play continues.

The only other team with less picks in the 2009 draft than the Saints was the New York Jets, with three.  They're 3-2, and on top of the AFC East.

The Minnesota Vikings, who only had five picks, are 5-0.  

By sharp contrast, the Lions, Titans, and Cowboys had 10, 11, and 12 picks, respectively. 

They've combined for a dismal 4-11 record. 

So does a lack of draft picks translate directly to quicker success?  Of course not. 

Simple math tells us that the more draft picks you have, the more chances you have of potentially improving your team.

But so far this year, half the teams who are leading their divisions are doing so with only six draft choices or less (49ers had seven, but only recently signed their first overall pick, Michael Crabtree).

MV-Please

Saints fans don't want much.  That is to say they just want what everyone else wants: winners.

But for the higher-profile teams such as the Steelers, the Patriots, and the Giants to name a few, winning is expected.

The championships, Pro Bowls, and MVP awards are the cherries on top.

Drew Brees' name has been tossed around sports radio and TV shows as an MVP candidate for the past several years but the award consistently eludes him.

The knock on him is that he has the numbers, but not the wins.

With the help of a better surrounding cast this year, Brees may finally have both.  The problem is he picked exactly the wrong time to do it.

Peyton Manning is also undefeated, but boasts better stats in most passing categories while throwing for at least 300 yards in his first five games of the season - something he's never done in his career. 

And he's already won three MVPs. 

The good news is the Saints have another MVP candidate ready to throw his hat into the race.

Though he plays on the other side of the ball, Darren Sharper is a legit pick to walk away with the hardware himself, and I'm not just talking about the defensive variety.

Not since Lawrence Taylor in 1986 has a defensive player been named the overall MVP of the NFL. 

That's not likely to happen this year, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sharper finished in the top three of voting, especially if he continues his high level of play.

Playing Manning to Sharper's Brees is the Vikings' Jared Allen. 

But ask yourself this question: "If the season ended today, which defender would have a better shot at winning the overall MVP award? Sharper or Allen?"

If your answer is Sharper, then it goes without saying that he's also the frontrunner for the defensive MVP also.

The title of MVP has so many interpretations but mine goes as follows: The MVP should be awarded to the player who is most valuable to HIS team.

Now obviously by that criteria, Manning would win the award every year by definition.  That’s why you have to look at each case season by season.

For example, Tom Brady was lost for all of 2008 and the Patriots still won 11 games without him (which, by the way, cements my argument that Randy Moss should have been the MVP of '07).

The point is this: the Saints are one of only two teams in the NFL that can boast at least two potential MVP candidates, one for each side of the ball.  That’s got to count for something.

The Vikings - who have Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and Jared Allen - are the other.

For a Saints franchise whose crowning achievement is an appearance in one NFC championship game, their fans have learned not to expect too much.

Just some wins...and maybe a couple MVPs.