how can the offense NOT take a step back?
Because we spread the ball around. Defenses had no clue who we were going to get the ball to. That's what I'm expecting more of this season. :9:
The strength of the wolf is the pack. This offense operates better and more effeciently when there is no target, when everyone is a target. We get that back this year. I think this offense will be better than last year and Brees will not be looked at as in decline. The key to this whole thing though is the o-line giving him time to check down and not force throws.
Target wise, the Saints under Brees have been pretty remarkably consistent. It usually consists of two main targeted receivers, with two strong secondarily targeted receivers also in the mix. Here are the top four and the number of targets they had going back to 2006.
2006– Bush 119, Colston 115, Joe Horn 59, Henderson 54
2007- Colston 144, Bush 99, Patton 88, Eric Johnson 64
2008- Moore 121, Colston 89, Shockey 72, Bush 72
2009- Colston 106, Henderson 83, Shockey 68, Bush 68
2010- Colston 133, Moore 95, Meachem 66, Henderson 61
2011- Graham 149, Sproles 111, Colston 107, Moore 73
2012- Graham 135, Colston 132, Moore 105, Sproles 104
2013- Graham 144, Colston 110, Sproles 89, Thomas 84
2014- Graham 124, Colston 99, Stills 85, Cooks 70
If the defense can hold teams to less than 30 points, and Payton is successful in his quest to be a run-first team, then the offensive stats will naturally come back to earth.
Payton's not stupid.. For every upgrade we make on the O-Line (Unger), we have a former Pro-Bowler that is steadily declining (Evans).
On the other hand, Jimmy Graham being gone is a blessing in my opinion. He was a terrible blocker.. his routes were sloppy.. he would get alligator arms if you hit him a couple of times.. he stayed injured.. and worst of all, his presence alone gave Drew this idea that he could "just throw it up" and Jimmy would go get it. Jimmy's size alone allowed Drew to do this some of the time, but I think that "get it near him" approach started to affect other receivers that need the ball to hit them in the facemask.
Payton is on record as saying that the scheme is not changing to a run first offense.