Who Will Be Saints' X-Factor?

Since the arrival of Drew Brees and Sean Payton in 2006, the New Orleans Saints have experienced great success. 

For a franchise and city remembered for fans wearing bags over their heads and decades of losing seasons, the free-agent signing of Brees may go down as the biggest in NFL history.  However, general manager Mickey Loomis has surrounded Brees with weapons throughout his tenure in New Orleans. Many will argue that Reggie Bush was the X-factor during the 2009 Super Bowl run, others may make an argument that it was Pierre Thomas. 

Whichever you choose, it was clear last season the Saints offense was missing that “spark” in the offense.  With the success the offense has achieved thus far this season, who will be the X-factor in 2011?

Darren Sproles

Reggie Bush’s arrival in the Big Easy in 2006 was met with excitement and admiration, and his departure was the exact opposite.  Bush never lived up to the hype coming out of college, and his controversial Twitter comments during the offseason angered many Saints fans.  Whether you loved him or hated him, Bush was a player defenses always had to account for. 

The Saints wasted no time worrying about the loss of Bush.  New Orleans picked up Darren Sproles through free agency in the offseason, and he’s already made a bigger impact than Bush did through all of last season.  He has already amassed 335 all purpose yards and two touchdowns. 

More importantly, Sproles has yet to fumble the ball this season, something Bush did often in New Orleans. 

Although the Saints lost in Green Bay, Sproles' 72-yard punt return for a touchdown was instrumental in the Saints' comeback.  He will be key to the Saints making a run in the playoffs this season.

Marques Colston

Marques Colston was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2006 draft, and he has been Brees' biggest weapon ever since.  Colston has recorded four 1,000-plus yard seasons since coming into the league.  He has led the Saints in receiving four of the past five seasons and has been a valuable weapon for Brees and the offense.

Colston’s most important contribution in past seasons has been his consistency in the red zone.  Colston has caught 40 touchdowns throughout his career, 30 of which have been caught in the red zone.  He is also the receiver Brees relies on most in clutch situations.  Colston is a big target in red zone situations, standing 6’4” and providing a physical presence for the otherwise finesse Saints offense. 

If he can stay healthy, Colston could be the reason the Saints return to the Super Bowl.

Jimmy Graham

The Saints picked up tight end Jimmy Graham in the third round of the 2010 draft.  He played in 15 games as a rookie, picking up 356 yards on 31 receptions and five touchdowns.  Graham was used more in the latter part of last season as he became more familiar with the offense.  His success and potential were the reasons the Saints parted ways with Jeremy Shockey.

Graham’s statistics fail to explain the value he brings to the offense.  Brees typically connects with Graham towards the beginning of drives and in third-down situations.  Last season, 21 of Graham’s 31 receptions were for first downs.  This season Graham has already caught 10 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Graham missed the playoff loss in Seattle last season due to injury, and his presence was missed in the short passing game.  He has the potential to be one of the greatest tight ends in years, and if he can stay healthy he will continue to be an integral part of the offense.

Devery Henderson

Devery Henderson is often overlooked in discussions about the Saints offense, but he is the strongest deep-threat weapon they possess.  Henderson has been a favorite target of Brees with the deep ball, having caught a pass of 60 yards or more in five of his eight seasons in the league. 

He was often criticized early in his career for dropped passes but has improved over the past few seasons.  Henderson also takes great care of the ball, having fumbled only twice in his career.

So far this season Henderson has nine catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns.  In Sunday’s 30-13 win against the Bears, Brees connected with Henderson for a 79-yard touchdown in the second quarter. 

Henderson has maintained his health through his career but has been inconsistent in his performance.  He has two solid seasons in 2008 and 2009 to his credit, otherwise he has been a mediocre receiver at best.  If Henderson can maintain his strong start to the season, the Saints offense will be tough to overcome.

Pierre Thomas

Outside of Brees, Pierre Thomas was the Saints' most important offensive weapon in 2009.  Thomas had a breakout year that season, running for 793 yards and six touchdowns.  More importantly, Thomas had his best games during the playoffs, scoring two of the team's four touchdowns in the NFC Championship game and the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter of the Super Bowl.

Thomas has struggled with injuries throughout his career.  He was bothered by an ankle injury last season and only played in six games.  Thus far this season, he has gained 72 yards on 14 carries and has yet to reach the end zone. 

If Thomas can completely rehab the ankle injury and return to form, the Saints may have the best backfield in the NFL. 

The X-Factor Is...?

It’s obvious that Brees has a multitude of weapons at his disposal on offense.  The Saints are deep at the running back position and have a talented group of receivers.  Add in Sean Payton’s play-calling ability and the leadership of Brees, and New Orleans is once again picked to win the NFC South in 2011.

So, who will the X-factor be during the 2011 season?  Only time will tell, but I believe the offense will go as far as the legs of Darren Sproles will take them.  Sproles is a multi-dimensional running back who can be used for screens or can carry the ball out of the backfield.  He is also an electrifying punt returner that rarely turns over the ball. 

The Saints front office made a wise decision dropping Reggie Bush for Darren Sproles.