I think this season has a better chance of resembling 2006 than being a down year (1 Viewer)

[Mississippi Saints Fan]

Yeah this is my biggest concern. If the D stinks we'll look back and think we should've seen it coming. It was already going to be hard to replace T Rex, Rankins, and Malcom Brown but then Onyemata had to go off and get himself suspended for a third of the season.

At least we have Ryan Nielsen. He's going to get the best out his guys. Let's just hope their best is good enough.

Those first three guys you mentioned, I think the Saints felt strongly about our other guys to not have re-signed at least one of them. We have 4 DEs that in theory could all ball out. It's a matter of who is the hungriest. The DT position would have been okay probably, but the Onyemata deal hurt. Hopefully we manage for a little while without him. Corner is anyone's guess. I'm not exactly sure what our plan was all along, but I don't think it worked out like they had envisioned, and now that Latt will probably miss time, it's really worrisome.

 

[saint_drago]

Those first three guys you mentioned, I think the Saints felt strongly about our other guys to not have re-signed at least one of them. We have 4 DEs that in theory could all ball out. It's a matter of who is the hungriest. The DT position would have been okay probably, but the Onyemata deal hurt. Hopefully we manage for a little while without him. Corner is anyone's guess. I'm not exactly sure what our plan was all along, but I don't think it worked out like they had envisioned, and now that Latt will probably miss time, it's really worrisome.

Yeah for them too let those guys walk they must have a lot of faith in Tuttle, Roach, Dav, and Granderson.

They brought in Tanoh Kpassagnon and I'm hearing good things about Jalen Dalton. We do have youth on our side and we've seen them produce in a rotational role. Hopefully these young guys come in hungry and ready to make a name for themselves.

 

[dutar76]

If nothing else, we should be damn good in the pass rush department if reports from camp verify in the season. Cam, Dav, Turner, Granderson.... geez. Not having Onyemata is going to hurt, but our NASCAR should be awesome.

And don't forget, the most important thing to have for success in the NFL is OL. Our OL should be tops again. Pair that with what might be the best RB room in the league and even with a passing game that "might" not be elite... We should score points and win games.

The one thing that worries me some is that CB2 position. We've seen in the past that it's hard to field a defense where THAT position is an ATM for the QB anytime he needs a first down. That being said, I do like our approach. Bring in several CBs and let them compete. If we get into the season and nobody's stepped up and that position is hurting us... start fishing for a trade.

 

[tim martin]

Defensive line is also a huge question mark. The entire middle of the line is basically gone, Cam needs to prove last year was an anomaly and not the start of hitting the age wall, and one of Davenport/Turner needs to produce significantly more than 2 sacks in a season.

100% agree. Dline is the key to the whole season I think. Need 35-40 sacks and a lot of pressures and we can go far

 

[Co-Ray]

I read the thread title and thought, yes that is a great thought. It totally could be. Thank you for the ray of sunshine. I seriously appreciate it. I love this take take!!

 

[meily]

I think win or lose it will be an exciting season as th biggest story will be who emerges as the heir apparent and if he's actually on the roster.

 

[Outbackjack]

We are 1 legit CB away from having a super bowl contending team. If the Front Office really thinks this is a super bowl caliber team, then they absolutely have to get one via trade.

Adebo might be that guy.
He’s a first round talent.
Went 2nd only because of the unknown for taking a year off.

 

[saintsfan78]

Many are just sort of writing it off for the obvious reasons (Brees gone, Thomas out for a while, some suspensions, etc).

But the reality is.....on paper....we've still got a lot of talent and have shown an ability to get by with band aids for a while, at least during the regular seasons.

At this point, I really don't have any major aspirations for the team beyond seeing them get to the playoffs, but I'm also not thinking "immediate rebuild" either.

It took until August.....but I'm finally legitimately interested in seeing if Payton can get Winston turned around this season.

A 8-8 season would be a success for the saints. Should be entertaining with Winston throwing the ball all over the field leading to feast and famine game to game and 25+ interceptions/ 30 TD's. No way this receiver group threatens most teams on the schedule with Kamara getting 60 receptions.

 

[saintsfan78]

We are 1 legit CB away from having a super bowl contending team. If the Front Office really thinks this is a super bowl caliber team, then they absolutely have to get one via trade.

Our receiver talent is at the bottom of our division, cant make up for that.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

Adebo might be that guy.
He’s a first round talent.
Went 2nd only because of the unknown for taking a year off.

3rd. I agree tho with your point.

Our receiver talent is at the bottom of our division, cant make up for that.

Agreed. We are not one corner away this season, imo.

 

[SaintsBrazil]

This season feels more like a "What If?" to me. What if Sean Payton coached your daddy's Saints?

 

[whodaresaydat]

I think a lot of people are having higher expectations than they should.. I just hope if we do suck/tank the fans don't turn on payton and remember who we lost on the team. We have lost a lot of talent esp, brees.

It comes off to me a lot think winston is magically better than brees because of his arm and the deep pass. Let's not forget brees owns the most yards (and did it not being a huge deep passer), was one of the best accurate passers, and for the most part put up some of the best qb ratings. Little do people forget how great he truely was. If winston doesn't produce on even half the brees level, I can see a lot of fans turning on the guy. Not because it will be his fault, but because their expectations are set high. Just my two cents.

 

[NeverGiveUP2]

Many are just sort of writing it off for the obvious reasons (Brees gone, Thomas out for a while, some suspensions, etc).

But the reality is.....on paper....we've still got a lot of talent and have shown an ability to get by with band aids for a while, at least during the regular seasons.

At this point, I really don't have any major aspirations for the team beyond seeing them get to the playoffs, but I'm also not thinking "immediate rebuild" either.

It took until August.....but I'm finally legitimately interested in seeing if Payton can get Winston turned around this season.

Great post and I am feeling the same way. I think the offense is going to be very good. Let me explain.
I think we are going to start the season as a ground and pound team with 3 very good RBs. One of whom is great. I think we will win games in the beginning 24-20ish. That will get Jameis comfortable. Then teams will try to stack the line and somewhere around game 4 or 5 SP will unleash the full offense.

Defense? Just not sure yet. That’s why I think we will emphasize the running game early on.

Gonna be an interesting year to be sure

 

[saintsmarchin]

For this team to be great 1 of 2 things must happen

Kamara has to have a Adrian Peterson record setting year
Winston has to limit his INTs to roughly 20-25, with a lot less fumbles.

imo

best case scenario: 10-7

 

[Hedon James]

Great post and I am feeling the same way. I think the offense is going to be very good. Let me explain.
I think we are going to start the season as a ground and pound team with 3 very good RBs. One of whom is great. I think we will win games in the beginning 24-20ish. That will get Jameis comfortable. Then teams will try to stack the line and somewhere around game 4 or 5 SP will unleash the full offense.

Defense? Just not sure yet. That’s why I think we will emphasize the running game early on.

Gonna be an interesting year to be sure

100% in agreement with Never!

Question marks in the middle of the DL make our D suspect to the run; question marks at CB (especially during a Latt absence) and durability of Kwon makes our D suspect against the pass. Best way to protect against that is to keep them off the field with long, sustained drives by the O.

Question marks at QB and WR, and possibly even TE, make our passing game suspect in the O. However, we have one of the best OLs in the league, and possibly the best 1-2 RB tandem, with a LOT of RB depth. Until the passing game gels, makes perfect sense to lean HEAVY on the run game until the passing game emerges. Added benefit, long sustained drives increase our TOP and keep the defense off the field (see above). Let's not forget, CSP had his new QB on a "pitch count" early in the 2006 season, to protect him and to gauge his progress. I expect CSP will have his 2021 QB on a "pitch count" early in the season, for a similar reason (although not medically-related).

I believe this is what our Saints will look like for the first 4 games +/-. After that, it all depends on how things are shaking out...