TDC Forward Thinking - New Orleans Saints (1 Viewer)

[Waymer]

The Saints season was about as big a disaster as any season in the history of the NFL. No, 7-9 isn’t the end of the world, but from the moment 2011 ended things seemed doomed to fail in 2012. Drew Brees’ contract took longer to finalize than anyone wished, Sean Payton was suspended the entire season, and the team simply appeared to be lifeless all year.

So can the Saints take the steps to become a contender once again in 2013? We dive into that below.

2012 Predictions

2012 Record: 7-9

Alex’s Prediction: 10-6

Jamie’s Prediction: 12-4

What Went Right In 2012

There was plenty of good in the Saints season, but its worth praising a few of the “big uglies” for once. Guards Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs, as well as center Brian de la Puente, were a dominant force in the middle for the Saints — and the corps for protecting Drew Brees for years to come.

What Went Wrong In 2012

Defense. There’s nothing else you can even say when it comes to the Saints. All you need to know is the Saints allowed an NFL record for total yards. There’s a reason defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was let go after the season, and believe me, it wasn’t just about making a switch to the 3-4.

Most Interesting Stat

54. That’s the final total that Drew Brees recorded for consecutive games with a touchdown pass. The streak is impressive, but the reality is Tom Brady will almost assuredly break the record next season after just seven games.

3 Big Questions

1. Will the return of Sean Payton pay immediate dividends?
It’s hard not to imagine the mere presence of Sean Payton on the sideline making things better in New Orleans. Despite the greatness and leadership of guys like Drew Brees, the team was lost without Payton and it showed.

Read the rest at www.ThirdDownConversion.com.

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