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Ira Kaufman
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Posted Jul 15, 2008 by Ira Kaufman
Updated Jul 16, 2008 at 12:53 PM
The Saints appear to be the trendy pick to win the NFC South this fall, but there are real concerns in New Orleans about whether Sean Payton’s club can recapture its magical 2006 form.
An 0-4 start doomed New Orleans to a 7-9 finish last year and the defense was awful, yielding at least 31 points six times. The defense wasn’t very good in 2006 either, but the NFL’s No. 1 offense routinely bailed out the Saints as they reached the NFC title game at Soldier Field.
The Saints have made some significant defensive pickups, signing free agent LB Jonathan Vilma and drafting DT Sedrick Ellis, but the secondary is still lousy. DE Charles Grant, who underperformed last year, is facing legal woes and the retirement of free agent LB Dan Morgan doesn’t help.
Compounding the problem in New Orleans is the uncertainty surrounding RB Deuce McAllister, who was the offensive hammer in ‘06. While flashy Reggie Bush was more exciting, it was McAllister who provided the tough inside yards that opened things up for Bush and WR Marques Colston. McAllister is still recovering from a devastating knee injury that ripped the guts from Payton’s playbook in 2007.
Bush has already proven he is not a stellar No. 1 back, so if McAllister struggles, the burden will be heavy once again for Drew Brees, who led the league with 652 pass attempts. The defection of C Jeff Faine to Tampa hurts up front, where the Saints do an outstanding job protecting Brees.
Payton’s a sharp coach, but the Saints have some huge question marks, particularly on defense.
The Bucs boast the best defense in the division, by far, and Tampa Bay has done a nice job of retooling on the fly. The only returning defensive starters from 2006 are DT Chris Hovan, OLB Derrick Brooks, CB Ronde Barber and S Jermaine Phillips. That’s quite an overhaul in a short period of time for Monte Kiffin’s proud unit.
While the Falcons rebuild under a new coach and GM, Carolina faces a season of desperation.
Coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney survived a second straight disappointing season and the Panthers gambled in the draft by trading a future No. 1 pick to move up for T Jeff Otah. The Panthers have been a conservative organization, so the draft-day deal illustrates a new sense of urgency in Charlotte.
If QB Jake Delhomme returns fully from elbow surgery, the passing game should improve markedly, but the Panthers still don’t run effectively and a once-feared pass rush has withered away. DE Julius Peppers went AWOL, frustrating owner Jerry Richardson, who had hoped Peppers would embrace a more visible leadership role.
Add it all up and the Bucs have fewer issues than their division peers as they seek to become the first NFC South champion to repeat.
—Ira Kaufman
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Reader Comments
Por (ref813) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
James, we know exactly what we’re in for this year. A bunch of punk fans from LA annoying the hell out of us. That’s not going to make you any good. Good luck with your beat-up running back and his 2 inferior back-ups. We have 3 good back-ups and Caddy could be back after being on the PUP list. Our O-line is comparable to yours, while our D-line will be better. Our overall D will be much better. Bring on Brees since he’s all you’ve got. I only wish that I’d picked the Saints game over the Panthers after winning 2 tickets to any home game. I thought that I despised them more, but you Saints fans are beginning to make me rethink that.
Suggest removalPor (bucal) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
hey dah-wayne the URINAL Im impressed that not only can you spell your hometown,but you can count to two. but living close to miss.I know ya have to read things more than once to understand,and if you were any kind of fan of the sport,you would be on your teams website instead of practicing your addition on thios site.go flush yourself
Suggest removalPor (BigBucFan) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Hey Buc Fans, Do any of you guys or gals go to our Competition(or lack thereof)‘s websites? to make hateful stupid comments? or talk like an inbred idiot? or knock their team? I sure don’t. I doubt you do either. See we have class in Tampa Bay & the Suncoast. We win with class, we lose with class. We don’t go to your house, knock on your door, spit on your floor or act disrespectful. No, we don’t do that. We only come when you need help, when you need money. So, act like you were raised right & show some class. I hope you talk trash about the Bucs, & good about your team, in your hometown, on your websites. You need to get fired up because you’ll be hurtin after your Tampa Bay Bucwhoopin! Seeya, Go Bucs!!!
Suggest removalPor (Shawn Golan) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
No matter how hard all the Bucs and Saints fans yell about who’s gonna win the division, everyone has to accept that it’s going to be a tough run for whomever wins it. While I think Carolina is a solid team, the title should be between Tampa and N.O.
That said, Week 1 should be a good indicator of where the teams are at and who is “more ready” to take command. In my opinion, and this just an opinion, Tampa’s defense should have the edge over the Saints’ offense.
Suggest removalPor (todd) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I sure don’t BigBucFan !! I didn’t even think the other teams has a website you can post comments on. LOL
Suggest removalPor (todd) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Shawn Golan,
Thanks for your honesty. The Bucs WILL plant the Aints not once but twice this season. After we are done with them the 1st week thats what they have to look forward to the rest of the season. Same as last year Aints are going 7-9 again sorry guys.
Suggest removalPor (Chest Rockwell) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I hear all the smack by the Tampa fans. I see this is one of their local websites so I will try to be nice. My comments center not around either team but the fans. One Tampa commenter said we should act nice on their site. I remember several Tampa games in NO that i went to and the tampa fans(the ones i ran into) were anything but respectable. You can say what you want about Swampy, nasty, thuggish NO(LA), but when it comes down to it you are just reinforcing the stereotype that Florida(except MAYBE Miami) is a trailer park state. Hope your direct tv last long enough during the rain to see who the real LOSERS are.
Suggest removalPor (James Landry) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Hey Ref, if you think that all we have is Brees you’re nuts. We still have Colston and Meachem will show why he was chosen No.1 even with a knee injury. Sedrick Ellis is going to make a good defensive line even better. And Pierre Thomas will be a more than adequate subsitute for Deuce. You won’t be able to rely on any busted reverse tosses this year. And Bush will be used the way he’s supposed to this season. There’s no one on your team that can keep up with him, except maybe Galloway and he plays offense. You guys are are screwed this year.
Suggest removalPor (BigBucFan) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Chest Rockwell, please, get a clue. This just reinforces the point. No one here said anthing bad about New Orleans. Maybe stating some facts about their team. Truth hurts sometimes, but that’s how teams get better. The Bucs were really really bad in 06’, there I said it. Its true, but they also had like 14 players on I.R. Gradkowski did his best, Gruden could have done better, but he learned from his mistakes, so did Kiff. I don’t think we’re going back there anytime soon. The Bucs kicked a lot of butts last year. Not too shabby for “Florida Trailer Trash” as you say. The Bucs are one of the Deepest teams in the NFL. How many former Buc coaches are Head Coaches now? My Trailer isn’t leaving anytime soon. It’s on concrete piles.
Suggest removalPor (BigBucFan) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
James, I hope your right about your Saints getting better. I like good games & good competition. Reggie Bush beat the Bucs on one Punt return 2 years ago. The Buc D is loaded with speed. I think your D was weak, but will be better if large heads & egos don’t get in the way. I use to love to stop & eat at Landry’s Seafood on I-10 in them thar parts. Them’s some good viddles, especially when your hauling a doublewide from Texas to Florida. Fishin in the Achafalaya. I hear there’s some parts so deep they don’t even know for sure. Runnin deer with dogs. Oh ya!
Suggest removalPor (Chest Rockwell) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
BigBugFan,
Perhaps you are right. You didnt say anything about NO, but the entire states of MS, AL, and LA. Your in the south too buddy, i would knock the educational system too much. I hope your piles arent cinder blocks with no re-bar. If you think the best part of the Saints O-line went to tampa i am sure you beleive you guys got a bargain on the price as well. Is Caddilac gonna make it back? whatever. best of luck come september.
Suggest removalPor (OU812) on July 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Everyone has to just calm down and stop calling each other names. It does us no good to get all fired up about games in the past. The ultimate goal for all 32 teams each year is to win the Super Bowl. So, the only ones that are allowed to talk trash are the New York Giants fans. I’m a Saints fan and I hope my team wins it all, but until the season is over and the league crowns a new champion, everyone just needs to shut up and enjoy the greatest game ever created!
Suggest removalPor (idaho_buc_fan) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
hey calisaint,
first off, the buc nation is bigger than florida. i know the saints country is just a speck compared to us. i mean first of all bucs don’t suck like the saints do.
exibit A: super bowls bucs: 1 saints: 0
exibit B: the bucs actually won a NFC championship unlike the saints who didn’t even beat those dumb bears.
exibit C: we are going to win the NFC south again this year cause we got the BETTER team.
i am proud to be a bucs fan and i love my bucs and fellow buc fanatics. GO BUCS!!! SUPER BOWL BABY!! WOOOO
Suggest removalPor (James Landry) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Hey BigBucFan, don’t worry about my Saints. You guys will have way more competition than you all bargained for. We have a team that has something to prove this season. Last year was pretty bad. Left a sour taste in our mouths. But we’ll get better in a hurry this season starting with your Bucs.
Suggest removalPor (rick charlton) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I’ve followed the Buccs since 76. I think there much inproved over last year.I HOPE ANYWAY. It’ll probably be a good matchup this year between the BUCCS and the SAINTS. I just hope the Buccs prevail. GO BUCCS
Suggest removalPor (Shawn Golan) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Rick,
I think that’s really the “test” for Tampa this year - how much did we improve? Obviously, the defense was already good, and should be better in terms of consistent pass-rush. The offense, on the other hand, was something less than solid. Now, we had injuries and were breaking in a new QB - so I can accept the inconsistency. This year, there are no excuses. As long as we can avoid all the injuries and play up to our potential, we should be good enough to win the division and maybe even a game in the playoffs. But, Super Bowl - not bloody likely.
Suggest removalPor (CaliSaint) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Dont worry ladies, Ill be right here to post the first comment on Sep. 9th. Both teams will be good. This is what makes the NFL and America great, competition at its finest and the ability to voice our opinion. As mentioned before, I see a lot of Saints fans here. Much like all the ATL and Carolina Kittens sites. Everyone can agree that the Sanits are the best O in the division, hands down. Now if we can field a D….
Suggest removalPor (CaliSaint) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Last one, to BigBiucsFan…..Hows Sarasota? Lovely area….We have class in TB & The Sunset Coast?!..!? Paaalllleeeezzzzeeeee. Ive been to FLA dozens of times and lets be honest, the lower you get the more it begins to look like a 1st world country once again. Youve seen Deliverance right?
Suggest removalPor (CaliSaint) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Just saw the Bucal comment from Mobile, Alabama. Hey bro, I know how it is with the anger, Ive been to, or shall I saw through Alabama and if I had to live there I would be as angry as you. Probably more even. I know its tough when your stae cant boast One Professional team in ANY sport…..
Suggest removalPor (ref813) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
James, I see you’ve been running your mouth too much to read what I wrote. It’s pretty clear I’m comparing the teams and the only real advantage I could give your team was Brees. If Garcia had a stronger arm and was a few years younger, I wouldn’t even give you that. If he stays healthy, the advantage in that department will shrink. I don’t know how so many annoying Saints fans heard about an article on our team’s site, but I hope this doesn’t happen again. I don’t waste my time admiring your team’s site or N.O. newspaper sites. I guess jealousy will make you do senseless things.
Suggest removalPor (todd) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Chest Rockwell,
We don’t need Caddilac this season. We still have Graham,Dunn,Bennett.
Suggest removal“Graham and Dunn” each of them will have a 1000 yrds no sweat. And our special teams has improved tramindously. Our WR core has gotten stronger you won’t be double teaming Galloway anymore if anybody does they are a moron !! With the pick up of Antonio Bryant and our rookie 4.2 speedster in Dexter Jackson burning the DBs. And Paris Warren will be ready to go also with the sure hands of Ike Hillard and LAs own in Michael Clayton makeing an awesome come back.
YOU GUYS ARE TOAST !!!! And we have not 1 but 3 QBs that can get it done. “GO BUCS”
Por (Shawn Golan) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Don’t get me wrong, it really warms my football-loving heart to hear such zealous fans. It does! My only issue is this: why can’t anyone just admit that this is going to be tough for any team. Whether its the Bucs or Saints, or even the Panthers, the South is going to be a knife fight all the way. Each team has their strengths and weaknesses. In all reality, nobody is going to “stomp” anyone. Whomever wins the division is going to do it by 1 or 2 games, at most. I would be surprised if it comes down to division records or head to head.
2009 should be exciting through week 17…
Suggest removalPor (todd) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
The other three teams can bring knives to the knife fight but the BUCS are going to bring their cannons and blow your ##### out of the water.
Suggest removal“OH ITS TRUE” “ITS D&%N TRUE” !!!
Por (BigBucFan) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I think one thing we can all agree on is “We can’t wait for the Season to Start”. I am an NFL, Tampa Bay Bucs’ JUNKIE. I need to go to rehab. Sarasota is great, especially this time of year when everyone is gone. No Red Tide for 2+ years now and the Water has been Clear, Beaches are the Best, and I’ll be on the boat in about 102 minutes. May have to dodge a Few Storms, but that goes with the territory. SO EVERYBODY COME TO SARASOTA. You are welcome here. Bring your Jersey, Bring your Family, but don’t forget your Wallet. Good Luck to all NFC South Rivals. I’m with Todd though on the Bucs. I think they are going to Stomp some Butts. Seeya at Raymond James. Go Bucs!!!
Suggest removalPor (Saints are Better) on July 18, 2008 (Suggest removal)
ref813, memphis,
Suggest removalWhat? What are you smoking? I want some of that. Brees isn’t our only advantage. I’ll say this though, if we are able to have a running game, we will win the NFC south Forcing Brees to throw on every down will not win games. But if Deuce can play, we will be able to use our weapons appropriately. Just wait, Garcia is going to meet our new D line.
Did I hear…Dome Patrol!?! aren’t rivalries fun… Who Dat Nation!