New Orleans Saints 2018 (LONG) (1 Viewer)

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January 14th, 2018. Minneapolis, Minnesota. New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings. The Saints lead 24-23 with 10 seconds remaining. Vikings ball on their own 38. Spread formation, Keenum in the gun. He drops back, rolls out, and heaves a pass to the sideline headed for Stephon Diggs. Ken Crawley is a step behind in coverage but has Marcus Williams helping over the top. It should be a catch and tackle and time expires. The Saints are headed to the NFC Championship game right? Wrong. Marcus Williams made a rookie mistake and went for a big hit and whiffed, tripping up Crawley while Stephon Diggs waltzed into the end zone. As a fan I was crushed, see this is the 2nd time the Saints have ripped my heart out on my birthday, the other time? See Davis, Vernon. But that is beside the point. When Diggs strolled into the end zone two things were created: 'The Minneapolis Miracle' and the most hungry team heading into 2018, your New Orleans Saints.

2017 was a surprise season, no one thought much about the Saints, especially after an 0-2 start, but after a win in Carolina and a shutout of the Dolphins in London the team won 8 straight, eventually finishing 11-5 and NFC South champs. They went on to win their wild card game, capping a 3 game sweep of the rival Panthers. It was a great ride until the 'miracle' happened. The 2017 Saints were led by their strong running game and stout defense, two areas that are rarely strengths on Sean Payton's Saints teams. Although Brees had his lowest statistical season in years he was very efficient. Brees completed 72.0% of his passes, which is an NFL record, while throwing for 22 touchdowns against only 8 interceptions. The success can be attributed to two areas: Coaching changes and the 2017 draft class.

Sean Payton has been heavily criticised for years for being overly loyal to some of his assistant coaches, even when those coaches continued to have their position groups struggle. Longtime linebackers coach/assistant head coach Joe Vitt was fired for the first time in his career that has spanned over three decades. Defensive line coach Bill Johnson was fired after eight seasons with the team. Special teams coach Greg McMahon and his assistant Stan Kwan were also terminated after long tenures with the squad. Wide receivers coach John Morton accepted a promotion to become the New York Jets offensive coordinator. The team also let go defensive assistant James Willis.

Tight End Coach and former Saints Tight End Dan Campbell took over as assistant coach, while keeping his position as tight end coach. Mike Nolan, son of former Saints head coach Dick Nolan was hired to coach the linebackers. Ryan Nielsen was hired away from N.C. State to become the defensive line coach. Bradford Banta came on as the new special teams coach, hiring Kevin O'Dea as his assistant. Mike Westhoff would join the Saints as a special teams consultant. Former Saint cornerback Leigh Torrence would join the team as a defensive assistant, working under former Saint cornerback and pro bowler turned secondary coach Aaron Glenn. Curtis Johnson returned to his hometown to become the receivers coach again. Johnson gained prominence during his first tenure as the Saints receivers coach, helping the Saints win their first Superbowl in 2009. Sean Payton did keep a good portion of his staff around also. Dennis Allen remained the defensive coordinator. Pete Carmichael stayed on as offensive coordinator. Joel Thomas remains as running backs coach, and Dan Rousher still oversees the offensive line. Former Saint defensive tackle Brian Young also remained on staff as a defensive assistant/pass rush coach.

The Saints also made some key moves in free agency signing linebacker AJ Klein and wide reciever Ted Ginn Jr away from the rival Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Chase Daniel was signed to back up Brees again. Daniel spent the 1st four years of his career backing up Brees before leaving for stops in Kansas City and Philadelphia. Right guard Larry Warford was signed away from the Lions to fill in the gap left at right guard by the departure of longtime Saint Jahri Evans. The Saints took a one year flyer on the talented but oft-injured defensive end Alex Okafor, formerly of the Cardinals. Linebacker Manti Teo signed a two year deal to be reunited with former position coach Mike Nolan. Rafael Bush also returned to the Saints after a two year stint with Detroit. Adrian Peterson was signed with the Saints hoping he had something left in the tank to offer to the team.

Brandin Cooks expressed disappointment with his role on the team, wanting to be the man in this offense. Sean Payton could not find a way to placate this situation and signing Ginn sealed Cooks' fate. The Saints traded Cooks to the Patriots for their 1st round pick (31st overall). At the time many Saints fans were disappointed with the trade ultimately viewing the team lost value for Cooks whom they drafted 20th overall in 2014. Sean Payton knew what he was doing at the time and felt that who he thought would be available at 31 would be just as valuable if not more valuable than Cooks. Payton was also glad to be rid of a potential locker room cancer.

The Saints needed to have a good draft coming off of a third straight 7-9 season. They did not have a good draft, they had a historically great one. With the 11th overall pick the Saints selected cornerback Marshon Lattimore, the eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year. Lattimore went on to record 5 interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, all the while locking down the opposing team's number one receiver. He didn't allow a touchdown the entire season. Next, with the 31st overall pick, acquired from New England in the Cooks trade the Saints selected right tackle Ryan Ramzyck. The Saints did not originally plan to pick Ramzyck, they were ready to draft Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster before San Francisco traded up to the 30th pick. Foster even said he was on the phone with the Saints and hung up in their face when the 49ers called him. Ramzyck was the consolation prize, and boy the Saints came out smelling like roses with their plan b. Ramzyck started every game as a rookie and rarely missed a snap. Ramzyck already looks like the best right tackle in the NFL and should man the right side for New Orleans for the next decade. In the second round with the 42nd overall pick the Saints selected free safety Marcus Williams. Some people will only remember Williams for the Minneapolis Miracle, but he had a stellar rookie season. Williams was great in coverage, not allowing hardly any big plays over the top, and also showing Pro-bowl caliber play-making ability with four interceptions and another one in the playoffs. The Saints went into the third round with two picks in the round but they know neither pick was high enough to draft the player they really coveted. Sean Payton made a call to 49ers who held the 67th overall pick, and traded them a 2nd rounder in 2018, and the 229th pick in the 7th round of 2017. With the 67th pick the Saints selected runningback Alvin Kamara. Kamara would go on to be an absolute steal, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Kamara rushed for 728 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Kamara also notched 81 catches for 826 yards and 5 touchdowns, also adding a 106 kickoff return touchdown. This was extremely impressive seeing as Kamara was 1B to Mark Ingram's 1A in the running back committee. Kamara and Ingram became the first runningback duo to each gain over 1500 all purpose yards. Kamara and Lattimore became the 2nd duo and 1st in 40 years to win Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year. With their second 3rd round pick at 76 overall the Saints selected linebacker Alex Anzalone. Anzalone looked solid, becoming an opening day starter before going down with a season ending injury during a week 4 shutout of Miami. The last 3rd round pick came at 103 overall, the Saints went with Florida Atlantic defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson had a solid rookie season for the limited amount of snaps he played, totaling 13 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. He also tipped a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Marshon Lattimore. The Saints did not have another pick until the 6th round, this would also be their final pick of the draft at 196 overall. With this pick the Saints selected Miami defensive end Al-Quaddin Muhammad. Sean Payton knew Muhammad was a talented but raw prospect, after being out of football for a year. He only played in four games and made only one tackle, but it is a testament to Muhammad that he was able to stay on the active roster all season, there are a lot of players that would have been cut at least once if they were in Muhammad's situation, on a team as talented as the Saints. So in summary the Saints drafted four major contributors who are all starters, if Anzalone didn't get hurt it would have been five starters. Hendrickson also made contributions and Muhammad stayed on the roster. No matter what it is a successful draft if all of your picks make the opening day active roster and stay there. To get two Rookie of the Year players and two others who could have won the awards then you have a historically good draft. If Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramzyck, Marcus Williams, and Alvin Kamara keep up at this pace you could maybe compare this class with the 74 Steelers class of wide reciever Lynn Swann, linebacker Jack Lambert, wide receiver John Stallworth, and center Mike Webster, all 4 being hall of famers. That 74 Steelers draft class is the greatest of all time, the Saints 2017 class has the potential to equal it or even best it.

In 2018 those draft picks are all hitting their second year, the coaching staff and front office personell have experienced zero turnover, and the additions the Saints have made to the roster out-weigh the losses. The first move the Saints made was signing safety Kurt Coleman after he was released by the Panthers. Coleman will step in right away as the 3rd safety and should be a major upgrade in coverage from Kenny Vacarro. Cornerback Patrick Robinson rejoined the Saints after stints with the Chargers, Colts, and defending champion Eagles. Robinson is coming off of a season where he graded out as the top slot corner in football. He will also man the slot this time in New Orleans with Lattimore and Crawley guarding the boundaries. The Saints had a pretty decent linebacker corps in 2017 but lacked a supreme athlete, this led them to sign linebacker Demario Davis away from the New York Jets. Davis was the league's leading tackler in 2017 and can do it all, cover, rush the passer, and tackle (obviously). Davis has the talent to be the best linebacker to don black and gold since Jonathan Vilma. The Saints then agreed to terms with quarterback Tom Savage. Savage was the worst starting quarterback in the league year after taking over for the injured Deshaun Watson in Houston. The Saints hope Savage never has to take a snap, and is only here as a veteran clipboard holder to Brees. The Saints continued their reunion tour signing offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod away from the Dolphins. Bushrod was the Saints starting left tackle from 2009-12 before leaving in free agency. He returns to the team he won a ring with as a backup swing lineman, capable of playing every position but center. Tight end Ben Watson returns to the Saints after leaving the team two years prior for a short stint in Baltimore. While Watson is in the twilight of his career, he did have his best season in 2015 with Brees as his quarterback. He is currently expected to start and should be an upgrade on Fleener in both the passing game and run blocking. The Saints were able to sign away restricted free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith away from the Chicago Bears on a two year deal. The Saints believe that Meredith will regain his form, as he looked primed for a breakout season in 2017 before tearing his acl. Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate were also signed at the start of training camp.

Senio Kelemente, Kenny Vacarro, Willie Snead, Rafael Bush, Jonathan Freeny, and Chase Daniel have all joined other teams. Delvin Breaux returned to the CFL, while Brandon Coleman and Coby Fleener remain free agents.

The 2018 draft was an exciting one for the Saints. It was a chance to add the finishing touches to one of the best rosters in the NFL. With the 14th overall pick the Saints selected defensive end Marcus Davenport out of the University of Texas San Antonio. Davenport is a small school athletic freak who not only dominated lesser competition but also dominated in the Senior Bowl. New Orleans didn't have another pick until the 3rd round due to the trade up for Alvin Kamara in 2017. So with the 91st pick in the draft the Saints selected wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith from the University of Central Florida. As of right now Smith is fourth on the depth chart behind Thomas, Ginn, and Meredith, but is starting to turn heads in training camp. Smith shouldn't worry, in Sean Payton's offense he will see his fair share of targets. In the 4th round with the 127th pick the Saints selected right tackle Rick Leonard. As of right now Leonard looks to be a project as he is overmatched so far throughout training camp. With pick 164 in the 5th round the Saints went with safety Natrell Jamerson from Wisconsin. Jamerson looks to become a key special teams player to start his career. Boston College cornerback Kamrin Moore was selected with the 189th pick in round 6. This is the pick the Saints received from Arizona in the Adrian Peterson trade. Like Jamerson, Moore will have to earn his stripes on special teams to begin his career in New Orleans. With their original 6th round pick at 201 overall the Saints selected Louisiana Tech runningback and Baton Rouge native Boston Scott. The Saints hope that they can get a mixture of Darren Sproles and Michael Turner out of the diminutive 5'8 205 pound back. Right now he looks like the favorite to be the Saints third runningback behind Ingram and Kamara. He should see a good bit of work the first four weeks while Ingram serves his suspension. Finally in the 7th round with pick 245 the Saints go with New Orleans native and former LSU Tiger center Will Clapp. Clapp was very versatile at LSU, at one point having played all 5 positions on the offensive line. The Saints hope he can come in and immediately replace Senio Kelemente as the teams primary backup interior lineman.

2018 Subtractions:
Safety Kenny Vacarro - Titans

Guard Senio Kelemente - Texans

Reciever Willie Snead - Ravens

Safety Rafael Bush - Bills

Linebacker Jonathan Freeny - Lions

Quarterback Chase Daniel - Bears

Cornerback Delvin Breaux - CFL

Tight End Coby Fleener - Free Agent

Reciever Brandon Coleman - Free Agent

Linebacker Michael Mauti - Free Agent

2018 Additions:
Safety Kurt Coleman - Panthers

Cornerback Patrick Robinson - Eagles

Linebacker Demario Davis - Jets

Quarterback Tom Savage - Texans

Guard Jermon Bushrod - Dolphins

Tight End Ben Watson - Ravens

Receiver Cameron Meredith - Bears

Reciever Michael Floyd - Vikings

Reciever Brandon Tate - Free Agent

Defensive End Marcus Davenport - Draft 1st University of Texas San Antonio

Reciever Tre'Quan Smith - Draft 3rd University of Central Florida

Right Tackle Rick Leonard - Draft 4th Florida State

Safety Natrell Jamerson - Draft 5th Wisconsin

Cornerback Kamrin Moore - Draft 6th (From Arz) Boston College

Runningback Boston Scott - Draft 6th Lousiaiana Tech

Center Will Clapp - Draft 7th LSU


This 2018 Saints team looks to have improved on its weaknesses from 2017, which now puts them in the ranks of championship contenders. There are a good bit of pundits picking the Saints to win the Superbowl this year, I agree they are definately a contender there is just one weakness from last year I would like to see get addressed. The Saints defense got gashed when teams ran up the middle quite a bit last season and I believe that is due to a lack of a true nose tackle, I know Tyeler Davison is a capable nose tackle but he is undersized at only 310 pounds give or take 5 pounds. Personally I would like to bring Jonathan Hankins into camp, it's just hard to imagine somebody of his caliber would still be available, is it a money issue or something else? If it is money he will eventually balk to get on somebodies roster, I would hope that roster would be the Saints. If Hankins can still play at the level he did in New York than the Saints could field the best defensive line in football. Also as a side note it would be pretty cool to have our two starting defensive tackles with the names of Rankins and Hankins. But in all seriousness Hankins could provide that big body we desperately needed in the middle of our d-line last year. I'm also interested in a few undrafted free agents, reciever Keith Kirkwood, tight end Deon Yelder, defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth, quarterback JT Barrett, and 2017 UDFA Dan Arnold. Jay Bromley is also another lesser known veteran I would like to see more about.

In 2018 the Saints head into the season as one of the favorites in the NFC but they face a very tough schedule. Like every year we have to play in the toughest division in football; think what you may, but Atlanta, Carolina, and Tampa Bay have teams capable of making a playoff run. The Saints also get all of the NFC's division champions, they get a visit from the re-stocked Rams, a highly anticipated rematch against the Vikings in Minnesota, and finally the defending champion Eagles will pay a visit to the SuperDome. The Saints also have the misfortune of playing the Browns and Redskins, two teams that Payton and Brees struggle with for some odd reason, albeit both are home games. Also the Saints have a tilt in Baltimore against the Ravens, the only team Brees has never beaten. This isn't even including road games against a revamped Giants team, a November weather game in Cincinnati, and a Thursday night showdown in Dallas. Oh yeah the last quarter of the season has Pittsburgh in between our two tilts with Carolina in weeks 15 and 17. That is a brutal schedule. But alas this could very well be the greatest team the Saints have ever fielded, even better than the 2009 or 2011 squads. The Saints have the potential to finish top 5 in offense, defense and special teams. I could see anywhere between 10-6 and 14-2. If the Saints can obtain home field advantage throughout the playoffs I cannot see any team coming into the Dome and walking away with a playoff victory. I also think that if the Saints make the Superbowl there is no team in the AFC capable of handling us in Atlanta. I am personally picking the Saints to win the Superbowl over the Patriots 35-24. As far as awards go I won't make any predictions but if the Saints end up on the 14-2 side of the spectrum there is a 90 percent chance Brees wins his first MVP.

All in all it should be a fun ride, and it is a good time to be a Saints fan right now. Let's all hope that the Saints can avoid the injury bug and make another big run this year. Everything is in place to do big things this year, the talent, the coaching, the attitude, and continuity in the orginization. Let's hope Tom Benson is doing a heavenly Benson Boogie this February. I know the entire orginization definately wants to win it all even more to honor the late great champion Tom 'Mr. B' Benson. Cheers to the 2018 season.
 
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I had to delete this part because 1) I was over the 20,000 character limit, and 2) it meshed the least with the rest of the post.


I don't think the Saints are going to make any major trades this year even with a few superstars possibly being made available. Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack, and Rob Gronkowski could all possibly be available for the right price due to their current situations, but I don't think Payton would bite on any. Aaron Donald would be the most expensive in terms of picks and salary and unless the front office can get really creative on cap structure over the next 3 years I don't see the Saints parting with the capital the Rams would ask for. Khalil Mack is a much more obvious NO than Aaron Donald. We are not about to pay a kings ransom to Oakland for Mack and then sign him to a massive deal when we just drafted Marcus Davenport, re-signed Alex Okafor, and just spent a 3rd round pick last year on Trey Hendrickson. Also the second best defensive end in the NFL is already on the Saints roster, see: Jordan, Cameron. Rob Gronkowski is the most likely trade target for the Saints and I still think that is very unlikely. Gronk could probably be acquired for a 2nd and a 5th in next year's draft but I just can't see Payton trading for a player that rarely plays a full season at that cost. The only way this happens is if Watson is hurt or completely finished and our tight end position is a black hole. I just don't know if I like Gronks behavior around what seems to be a very well disciplined team. Being in New Orleans wouldn't help quell Gronks' party boy antics either. I wouldn't want him laying a cheap shot on Desmond Trufant or Vernon Hargraves either, like he did to TreDavious White.
 
Great write up.

One thing that is extremely impressive about this team is depth. The Saints have dealt with a lot of injuries the past few years. Also with the weaknesses at CB, LB and DE the past few seasons we have accrued some very impressive depth across the roster while addressing the positions. With the exception of DT, TE and QB this team is deep. Combine the depth, character and drive of this team and I see a team that can overcome a lot of adversity during the season.
 
Good read. I read it all, and am amazed at how many FA's we've added in the past 2 years. Despite the buzz about our 2016, 17, and 18 drafts, we've packed in a lot of FA's that can really play.
 
Well I fell in love with my own article so much I paid $9 to make it an ad on the Saints fan page I created Facebook. So I actually paid money to support my article and this wonderful website. Thank you Saintsreport for being the best sports forum on the web.
 
Man you must of been bored the last few days lol. Another super long post, but it was a great read. Props to you for the work. I’ll repsond with a long detailed response as well lol.

Yes all we did was take a team that was already one of the best in football and made it even better.

Trading out Brandon Coleman & Willie Snead for Cameron Meredith & Tre’Quan Smith was an upgrade for sure. We also brought in vets Michael Floyd & Brandon Tate. Floyd will challenge TLL for that 5th WR spot. Tate is just a return guy like we used to have in Courtney Roby. We brought back a great leader & locker room guy at tight end to replace Coby Fleener in Ben Watson. The one spot I don’t think we got better in his replacement was bringing in Jermon Bushrod to replace Senio Kelemente. Hopefully Boston Scott can give us some of what we lost with Darren Sproles being a smaller, fast back that can do things on the ground as well as through the air. We also brought in backs Terrence West & Shane Vereen to possibly fill the void left by Mark Ingram’s 4 game suspension for PEDs. I’m not sure about the rookie offensive lineman in Rick Leonard & Will Clapp. We brought back Dan Arnold and moved him to tight end. We also gave Deon Yelder a 100,000 signing bonus which is unheard of for an UDFA. Hopefully one of those guys can bring some fresh/new blood at the tight end position since our starter is pretty long in the tooth and our 3rd guy is a glorified extra offensive lineman.

Bringing in Demario Davis at MIKE to move Manti Te’o to backup was an upgrade and gave us more quality depth there. Patrick Robinson was brought in to replace Kenny Vaccaro kind of in that he will cover the slot receiver with Kurt Coleman coming in to play the safety spot Vaccaro vacated. PRob was the best nickel/slot corner last year with the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Marcus Davenport will hopefully finally give us that beast pass rushing defensive end we have been wanting opposite Cam Jordan for years. If not Alex Okafor & Trey Hendrickson will provide great depth till he is ready to be that player. Natrel Jamerson should be a good special teams player until he’s ready to contribute on defense. Not sure about Kamrin Moore though.
 
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Man you must of been bored the last few days lol. Another super long post, but it was a great read. Props to you for the work. I’ll repsond with a long detailed response as well lol.

Yes all we did was take a team that was already one of the best in football and made it even better.

Trading out Brandon Coleman & Willie Snead for Cameron Meredith & Tre’Quan Smith was an upgrade for sure. We also brought in vets Michael Floyd & Brandon Tate. Floyd will challenge TLL for that 5th WR spot. Tate is just a return guy like we used to have in Courtney Roby. We brought back a great leader & locker room guy at tight end to replace Coby Fleener in Ben Watson. The one spot I don’t think we got better in his replacement was bringing in Jermon Bushrod to replace Senio Kelemente. Hopefully Boston Scott can give us some of what we lost with Darren Sproles being a smaller, fast back that can do things on the ground as well as through the air. We also brought in backs Terrence West & Shane Vereen to possibly fill the void left by Mark Ingram’s 4 game suspension for PEDs. I’m not sure about the rookie offensive lineman in Rick Leonard & Will Clapp. We brought back Dan Arnold and moved him to tight end. We also gave Deon Yelder a 100,000 signing bonus which is unheard of for an UDFA. Hopefully one of those guys can bring some fresh/new blood at the tight end position since our starter is pretty long in the tooth and our 3rd guy is a glorified extra offensive lineman.

Bringing in Demario Davis at MIKE to move Manti Te’o to backup was an upgrade and gave us more quality depth there. Patrick Robinson was brought in to replace Kenny Vaccaro kind of in that he will cover the slot receiver with Kurt Coleman coming in to play the safety spot Vaccaro vacated. PRob was the best nickel/slot corner last year with the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Marcus Davenport will hopefully finally give us that beast pass rushing defensive end we have been wanting opposite Cam Jordan for years. If not Alex Okafor & Trey Hendrickson will provide great depth till he is ready to be that player. Natrel Jamerson should be a good special teams player until he’s ready to contribute on defense. Not sure about Kamrin Moore though.

I'm not going to lie man, I love writing about the Saints it's a passion of mine, but I am trying to get a sports writing career off of the ground. I can't afford to go to college for a journalism degree so I'm starting here. I created a Saints fan page on Facebook and copied the link to this post on the page. I wound up paying $25 to have it sponsored on Facebook across the region for the next 2 weeks. I'm trying to support myself and bring Saintsreport traffic. I am eternally grateful to anyone who likes the page.
All in all it is still a labor of love.
 
I may be wrong, but I can see some pretty lop-sided victories for us, especially if this Defense can create turnovers.
 
Man you must of been bored the last few days lol. Another super long post, but it was a great read. Props to you for the work. I’ll repsond with a long detailed response as well lol.
Bringing in Demario Davis at MIKE to move Manti Te’o to backup was an upgrade and gave us more quality depth there.

My eyes could be deceiving me but Te'o has been positioned almost exclusively at MIKE while Davis is at WILL.

Can anyone who has attended camp thus far confirm this?
 

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