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2007 Team Report: New Orleans Saints

Quarterbacks

Starter: Drew Brees
Backup(s): Jamie Martin

Starting QB: What an incredible 2006 season for Drew Brees. It was one of the league's best stories; Brees battling back from shoulder surgery to become the leader of one of the NFL's best offenses. Brees threw for 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns a year ago, cementing himself in as one of the best quarterbacks in the game today. At only 6'1", there was some concern coming out of college he wasn't tall enough, but he has put that to rest with laser vision and very accurate throws. He has had three straight top-12 fantasy seasons and has looked sharp again this preseason.

Backup QB: Jamie Martin is a 37-year-old veteran quarterback that has thrown only 541 passes in his career. However, he has a career completion percentage of 65.6 percent and his experience makes him a nice second option coming off the bench.

Running Backs

Starter: Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush
Backup(s): Aaron Stecker, Pierre Thomas
Fullback(s): Mike Karney

Starting RB: The Saints are blessed with not one, but two outstanding starting running backs. Deuce McAllister is only 28 years old and is in the prime of his career. He runs hard and, with his great size, is very difficult to bring down with one hit. Last year, Reggie Bush struggled early but really came on toward the end. He is one of the NFL's best open field runners. Bush finished with eight touchdowns last year and is the perfect compliment to McAllister with his speed and ankle-breaking quickness.

Backup RBs: Aaron Stecker is a seven-year veteran running back that is nothing more than an adequate fill-in player for a game or two if injuries strike. Pierre Thomas was a surprising choice to round out the RB stable because it meant departing ways with 4th round rookie Antonio Pittman.

Fullback: Karney is your prototypical NFL fullback with great size, super blocking ability and little in the way of skills running with the football in his hands. He has averaged just 2.6 YPC in his career.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Marques Colston, Devery Henderson
Backups: Terrence Copper, Robert Meachem [R], David Patten, Lance Moore

Starting WRs: How does a receiver with Marques Colston's blend of size, speed, and cutting ability fall to the seventh round? Colston had one of the finest rookie seasons in NFL history a year ago when he caught 70 passes for 1,038 yards and scored eight times in just 12 full games. At 6'4" and 223 pounds, the receiver from Hofstra is a super talent and has further upside. The other starting spot isn't cemented yet, but the clubhouse leader is definitely third-year receiver Devery Henderson. Henderson had five touchdowns last year and averaged an impressive 23.3 YPR. He finished as the 34th-best fantasy WR last year despite missing three games.

Backup WRs: Terrence Copper and David Patten have both had their moments in the NFL and can certainly step in and do a decent job if called upon. But they're both being pushed by a number of younger receivers. The best known is, of course, rookie Robert Meachem from Tennessee. He has incredible quickness and the skills to make defenders look foolish once the ball is in his hands. He could develop into a terrific NFL receiver but must prove he can be consistent and play with more intensity. For now, Meachem is pretty far down the depth chart thanks to the play of Patten, Copper and Lance Moore.

Tight Ends

Starters: Eric Johnson
Backups: Mark Campbell, Billy Miller, John Owens

The tight end position was one of the weakest aspects of the Saints offense last year. After just one touchdown to a tight end last year, the club attempted to address the situation by signing Eric Johnson. Johnson is a solid tight end, who caught 82 passes during the 2004 season with the 49ers; but he has been plagued with injuries throughout his career. Mark Campbell could end up starting because of his blocking ability. Billy Miller, a poor man's Eric Johnson, may not make the team but seems to have the leg up if the Saints opt to keep three tight ends on the active roster.

Place Kicker

Olindo Mare : Last year John Carney hit a career high 92.0% on FGs, but the Saints' concern over his kickoffs and range led them to bring in Billy Cundiff to handle those roles the latter part of the year. They wanted only one kicker to handle both jobs this year, so they traded for Mare and subsequently released Carney during the offseason. Despite many productive years in Miami, Mare's relationship with Dolphins' management had grown strained, and culminated in a poor outing in 2006 in which he missed ten FG attempts. Always very solid on kickoffs, last year was one of his best with a 65.6 yard average and 24 touchbacks. CAMP UPDATE: HC Sean Payton discussed kicker Olindo Mare's work since joining the Saints, "Mare has done well. You just keep looking for consistency when it comes to accuracy. He has a strong leg. He's done a solid job so far."

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Aaron Stecker; Lance Moore; Pierre Thomas

Aaron Stecker will return kicks and try to use the open-field ability he's shown as a tailback in a new venue; the return game. Lance Moore and Pierre Thomas will back him up; and Moore in particular is an accomplished returner in his own right.

Punt Returners: Reggie Bush; Lance Moore

Reggie Bush's first NFL TD was on a punt return. Going back to his college years at USC, he has now scored at least one punt return TD in three consecutive years. He averaged 7.7 yards on 28 returns as a rookie last year. He shared time with Michael Lewis last year, so he could see more returns this year now that Lewis is gone. WR Lance Moore proved to be a capable backup last year (6 returns, 7.5 avg.), and could factor into the mix again this year.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Jammal Brown, LG Jamar Nesbit, C Jeff Faine, RG Jahri Evans, RT Jon Stinchcomb
Key Backups: Jonathon Goodwin, Zach Strief, Andy Alleman [R]

Everybody knew that Jammal Brown was a very talented tackle and last year he became dominant. He was simply incredible and is still coming into his own. He may be considered the best young lineman in the NFL today. Jeff Faine was able to stay on the field in 2006 and had a very strong season. Jon Stinchcomb is another player who was healthy and a pleasant surprise for the Saints. This unit came together in a big way a season ago, and the fact the starting five returns intact can only mean another explosive offensive year in New Orleans.

Team Defense

The 2006 New Orleans team defense finished in the upper third of the league in total yards and points allowed and sacks. If not for the second worst number of takeaways in the league, the Saints could have been one of the best fantasy defenses of 2006. Last year's new coaching staff, including HC Sean Payton and DC Gary Gibbs transformed an unimpressive overall unit to an over-achiever after bringing in some veteran talent to anchor the linebacker corps. The Saints should welcome back second year strong safety Roman Harper, who showed some big play capability last year before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Expect the Saints to remain solid in yards and points allowed in 2007. The sacks and turnovers should improve enough to keep them a solid play against good matchups but likely not enough to be an every week option.

Defensive Line

Starters: LDE Charles Grant, RDE Will Smith, DT Brian Young, NT Kendrick Clancy
Backups: DE Rob Ninkovich [R], DE Josh Cooper, DT Hollis Thomas, DT Antwan Lake

Starting DL: Charles Grant rebounded with a solid season after a difficult 2005. He is one of the best run stopping strong side ends in the league. The Saints hope his pass rush will return to pre-2005 levels in 2007. Will Smith reached double digit sacks for the first time in his three year career last season and is entering the prime of his career. He should again provide solid pass rush and run support on the open end. Brian Young had a solid year. Although he remains an inconsistent run stopper in the middle, he took advantage of his surrounding cast to make a career high six sacks last year. He'll miss time in camp with a broken foot. Kendrick Clancy was signed in early June after he was released by the Cardinals when he refused to take a pay cut. Clancy has been very impressive with the first team while Brian Young has been out with a foot injury. He could make it difficult for Young to get his usual number of snaps when healthy.

Backup DL: Rob Ninkovich was very impressive during the 2006 pre-season. He saw time as a situational rusher in the first three games before tearing an ACL. If healthy, he'll be an asset on the line. Hollis Thomas can be a disruptive force and anchor the line when healthy, but at his age that's easier said than done. Antwan Lake has struggled in limited time.

Linebackers

Starters: WLB Scott Shanle, MLB Mark Simoneau, SLB Scott Fujita
Backups: LB Alfred Fincher, LB Brian Simmons, LB Troy Evans

Starting LBs: After a number of seasons of mediocre linebacker play, the 2006 group exceeded expectations. Led by Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle, the Saint run defense was much improved and both players provided a boost as blitzers. Shanle took advantage of his first season in a full time role with a team high 74 solo tackles and four sacks during the regular season. Fujita provided a complete effort, using his range and instincts to anchor the unit on the strong side and make plays in coverage and pass rush. Both Shanle and Fujita should provide consistent all-around OLB play again in 2007. Although the Saints signed Brian Simmons in free agency, Mark Simoneau's stellar offseason has allowed him to keep the MLB job midway through camp.

Backup LBs: Brian Simmons is providing veteran depth for now. If he can remain healthy, he may have a bigger role by midseason if Mark Simoneau cannot hold up. Alfred Fincher was unable to take advantage of a wide open competition for the MLB job again in 2006. At this point in his career, he's unlikely to become more than a special teams player. Troy Evans rounds out the LB unit as another versatile backer and special teams player. He spent the last five seasons as a reserve with the Texans.

Defensive Backs

Starters: RCB Jason David, LCB Mike McKenzie, SS Roman Harper, FS Josh Bullocks
Backups: CB Usama Young, CB Fred Thomas, CB Jason Craft, S Kevin Kaesviharn, S Jay Bellamy

Starting DBs: Mike McKenzie, while inconsistent, was clearly the Saints' best corner over the past two seasons. He was better last year than in 2005. The Saints addressed a glaring need at the other corner position by signing RFA Jason David to a contract just before the draft that Indianapolis chose not to match. David played well in spurts in Indianapolis but isn't a shutdown corner. He has shown good instincts and ball skills in his short career, totaling eight interceptions and 34 passes defended in less than full time duty over three years. Strong safety Roman Harper was off to a promising regular season start before a torn ACL ruined his rookie season. Recent reports have his rehab on schedule. It may be mid-season before he returns to form but he should provide a physical presence in run support and solid coverage and pass rush ability. Kevin Kaesviharn will rotate with Josh Bullocks at FS. Kaesviharn can get himself out of position at times and isn't the strongest tackler but has some big play ability in coverage and developed an ability to succeed on the delayed blitz last year.

Backup DBs: Fred Thomas and Jason Craft were below average corners last year and will probably be replaced by Jason David and third round draft pick Usama Young in the lineup and nickel packages this year. Young, who wasn't invited to the combine, shot up draft boards after an impressive pro day and good game tape. He is raw in coverage but has the athleticism to become an above-average corner in time. He'll compete with Thomas and Craft for snaps in the nickel. Jay Bellamy remains on the roster as veteran depth.

Last modified: 2007-09-02 22:12:18