Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints Get Their Swagger Back: Look Out NFL!

The Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints have been less than impressive for the start of the season.  Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sharper, and Tracy Porter all have been sidelined most of the season because of injuries. Despite not having the experience in the secondary, and lacking that explosive offensive threat, the Saints were able to find some magic today.

On the road today against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the Saints sent a clear message: they intended to turn things around after losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. On their first possession the Saints drove the ball 53 yards down the field before Drew Brees hit Lance Moore for a 41-yard TD pass.

On the very next possession, the Saints offense scored on a 42-yard pass to Robert Meachem to cap off an 80-yard drive. Drew Brees was back on rhythm, passing to seven different receivers for 263 yards. 

Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush may be the best running back combination in the NFL, but both are sidelined because of injuries. The most impressive accomplishment therefore was the Saints' ability to run the ball despite the lack of experience in the backfield.

Their offensive line pushed the Buccaneers defense all over the field, opening up running lanes for the Saints running backs. The rookie running back Chris Ivory became the first 100-yard rusher for the Saints this season.  On the Saints' final drive of the football game Ladell Betts ran in a 1-yard TD to give the New Orleans a 31-6 lead.  Chris Ivory with 15 rushes for 158 yards may have campaigned his way into the regular rotation despite the expected return of Pierre Thomas.

The defense also looked solid despite missing seven starters off the defense including Tracy Porter, Darren Sharper, and Will Smith. 5:35 minutes left in the game the Saints defense gave up their first and only score of the game. It was a 2-yard TD pass from Josh Freeman to Michael Spurlock.

Next week the New Orleans Saints return home and shouldn’t have a problem entertaining the home crowd against the 1-4 Cleveland Browns.