NFL Two-A-Days: New Orleans Saints 2010 Season Preview

After previewing every other NFL team, my last preview is for the New Orleans Saints. I would like to warn you, I am a Falcons fan. This idea originated from ESPN's Mike & Mike.

1.) Is Drew Brees the NFL's best QB or passer?

I am not sure about the best, Peyton Manning has to be on top right now. After him, I'd say Brees is at number two. Last season, he set an NFL record for completion percentage and led the Saints to the top ranked offense in the league. Brees is not the prototypical size for a QB, but has all the heart and leadership.

2.) Is Pierre Thomas the Saints most important running back?

He led the team in rushing with 793 in 147 attempts. Now Eagle Mike Bell had more rushing attempts with 172. Reggie Bush has turned into more of a receiver than anything else. So yes, Pierre Thomas is the Saints best and most important back.

3.) Has former first round pick Robert Meachem finally emerged as the team's best wide receiver?

I still would consider Marques Colston as the number one wide out, but does this even matter? In this offense, there isn't really a receiver that stands out. The Saints like to spread the ball out to a ton of different weapons. Devery Henderson is the deep threat and Meachem is can create big plays as well. Lance Moore is a possesion wide receiver and will get the screens and dump-offs. Reggie Bush is a guy who Sean Payton just wants to get open is space. Jeremy Shockey is a matchup problem and a big security blanket for Drew Brees. This maybe the deepest receiving core in the NFL. 

4.) Can New Orleans' defense duplicate last year's opportunistic showing?

Greg Williams came in and changed the defense to an aggressive, chaotic 4-3 scheme. 

Will Smith led the team with 13 sacks. The entire team had 35 sacks, enough to be tied for 13th in the league. This team wasn't too great against the run in 2009. Sedrick Ellis is very inconsistent and cannot be depended on as a regular run stuffer. Remi Ayodele starts beside Ellis, but Ayodele doesn't bring a top tier run stuffer to the mix either.

The linebacking core is very solid with Jonathan Vilma being the best. Vilma fits well into the defense as he makes a lot of plays. Scott Shandle is solid enough to hold down his spot and the other spot is undecided for now.

The secondary was the unit that made this defense work. Darren Sharper had nine picks and returned three of them for six. Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer both had great seasons and added to the playmaking ability of Sharper. I'm not sure if Darren Sharper can have such a great year again, which would cause a slip up for this unit.

5.) The New Orleans Saints record will be...

Somehow, I know some Saints fans will not be too happy. 11-5, second in the NFC South.