Stealth Mode: How The Underdog Saints Will Dominate The NFL...Again!

Despite being defending Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints did not start the season holding the consensus #1 ranking.  Despite Drew Brees' masterful Super Bowl MVP performance, completing 32 of his 39 passes for 288 yards with two touchdowns, the Saints quarterback has quickly become an afterthought. 

I say, "Thanks."  The 2009 Saints seemed to operate better from under the radar any way, and the 2010 Saints are arguably a better team.

The consummate underdog Saints are primed to go to another Super Bowl.  Taking a 6-3 record into a much needed bye week places the Saints comfortably among the contenders.  Because of a few reasons mentioned later, the Saints are in a position to go on a streak, resembling their 13 game stretch to begin last season.  "Stealth" is how I'll describe the Saints because it just sounds cooler than "under the radar."

It can't be denied that the Saints haven't looked much like an NFL powerhouse, and bears only a vague resemblance to last year's championship squad.  Last season the Saints averaged an NFL leading 31.9(1st) points per game and 403(1st) yards per game on offense.  Their average margin of victory was 11 points and offensive dominance was their identity.

This season the Saints average 22.9(15th) points per game, while gaining 370 yards per game(7th).  The defense, however, in it's second year under the tutelage of Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, is third overall and first against the pass.  It appears the Saints have adopted a whole new identity for their title defense, effectively entering their 2010 version, new and improved stealth mode.

With ugly losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, the Saints were quickly brushed aside as suffering from a Super Bowl hangover or falling prey to the typical NFC South first-to-last syndrome.  Once again, the New Orleans Saints have been written off and left for dead.  Through 10 weeks, the Saints have quietly evolved into the league's best kept secret, and just like last season, the Saints will again shock the world!

Despite having key injuries on both sides of the ball, the Saints have emerged from the first half of the season, and into their bye week, with a 6-3 record and once again are in contention for the NFC title.  Pro Bowl free safety Darren Sharper started the season on the "Physically Unable to Perform" list, requiring a minimum six week absence.  Starting cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer have both missed games due to injury, and starting outside linebacker Scott Shanle has also missed playing time.

Beginning in preseason, the running back corps has been completely decimated.  Running back Lynell Hamilton was set to see significant playing time in rotation with starters Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.  Thought by many to be poised for a breakout year, Hamilton was lost in preseason to a torn ACL injury.

Reggie Bush, the league's most dangerous all-purpose player, suffered a fractured fibula in a week two victory at the San Francisco 49ers.  Bush is officially a game time decision against the Seattle Seahawks tomorrow in the Superdome.  Pierre Thomas, the Saints' leading rusher over the past two seasons, suffered a mysterious ankle sprain and hasn't played since week three.

One silver lining is that during the first half of the season several players have emerged as formidable stand-ins and playmakers in their own right.  Wide receiver Lance Moore has reemerged as a serious receiving threat from the slot with 5 touchdowns, while Marques Colston has also returned to form.  Sure-handed rookie tight end Jimmy Graham (6' 6", 260, 4.53), has shown great promise when in for Jeremy Shockey as well as on special teams.

Hard-running rookie Chris Ivory averages 4.9 yards per carry and serves as a reliable short yardage back.  In the week six victory over the Buccaneers, Ivory rushed for 158 yards on 15 carries and earned the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.  Running back Julius Jones was acquired to fill an injury void at running back, but his solid play will likely keep him around a while.  The other silver lining has been the consistent outstanding play of the defensive unit and the emergence of players in key positions.

Last season's first round pick, cornerback/safety Malcolm Jenkins, has shown that he can handle the starting job at free safety, while this season's first round pick, cornerback Patrick Robinson, has proved to be a quick study and solid player.  Backup cornerback Leigh Torrence even made his first career interception in a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in week eight.  Strong safety Roman Harper, who led the 2009 Saints in tackles, is quietly having a Pro Bowl caliber season and recorded his first interception since 2007.

The acquisition of veteran outside linebacker Danny Clark has proved to be a wise decision, as he is a perfect fit for Gregg Williams defense.  On two consecutive plays, he blew up the Steelers backfield causing a chain reaction that stuffed the Steelers at the goal line.  His consistent play has secured him a starting job that became shaky with the loss of Jonathan Casillas.

Players are now returning from injury while the offense is once again firing on all cylinders, and the defense is still ranked third overall.  Although Pierre Thomas will likely be out a couple more weeks, the return of Reggie Bush should bring the offense much closer to its 2009 form.  How will the pundits see the remainder of the season playing out for the Saints?  Will the Saints remain under the radar?  Let's hope so.

Here's what I see: The potent Saints offense has gotten into a rhythm and has shown glimpses of last season's dominance.  Ranked seventh in total offense, the Saints are tied with the Falcons for first in third down conversion percentage with 48%. 

The third ranked defense, however, will continue to be this season's "X" factor.  Gregg Williams' sophisticated defensive schemes have been mastered by the players, who now play faster and more instinctively.  Additional packages have been installed, causing even greater confusion for opposing offenses.

Each week it seems a different team is crowned "Best In the NFL," but the attention will soon be back on the defending champions as the Saints run the table en route to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. 

Drew Brees is still the league's most accurate passer, completing 69.8% of his passes, and the defense is ranked fourth in scoring defense.  That combination is only partial evidence that the Saints are better than last season.

Consistent improvement while somehow remaining in stealth mode has become the modus operandi for the Saints, and being "under the radar" is par for the course.  So by the time anyone really gets a firm grasp of what's happening, the Saints will have won a second consecutive Super Bowl Championship and be celebrating a "Who Dat Two Dat" on Bourbon Street!