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2008 Team Report: New Orleans Saints

Quarterbacks

Starter: Drew Brees
Backup(s): Mark Brunell

Starting QB: Drew Brees continued his fantasy dominance last season -- though things did get off to a rocky start -- posting 4,428 yards, 28 TDs and 18 interceptions to land at No. 4 among all signal-callers. His fourth-place finish marked his second consecutive appearance in the top five at his position (No. 2 during 2006) and the fourth straight year he was among the top 10 fantasy QBs in the land. Brees is a marquee talent who has thrown for more than 4,400 yards each season since arriving in New Orleans. He also hasn't missed a game in three years of NFL action making him one of the most durable talents in the league as well.

Backup QB: Mark Brunell landed in New Orleans during the offseason after carrying the torch for the Redskins offense during stretches of the last three seasons. He tossed for 1789 yards, eight TDs and four interceptions in 10 appearances during the regular season subbing for the injured Jason Campbell to start off 2006. At this point in his long career, Brunell is no more than an emergency stop-gap in fantasy football terms.

Running Backs

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

Starting RB: After Deuce McAllister blew out his ACL early in the third game of the regular season, Reggie Bush became the featured running back. Bush responded in lackluster fashion, with 157/581/4 rushing and 73/417/2 receiving before ending the season sidelined due to a torn PCL in his left knee. Obviously, Bush is much more valuable to fantasy owners in PPR leagues. The team would love to see a return to the one-two punch they fielded during 2006, but McAllister's recovery from ACL surgery means we still haven't seen if he can regain top form after his latest injury. While his yardage total sagged compared to his rookie campaign, Bush's 73 catches is excellent for a running back. However, his career average of 3.7 yards per carry will need to improve if he is going to join the upper tier of fantasy backs.

Backup RBs: Could the Deuce be loose again? McAllister delayed his $1 million roster bonus from March 15 to April 15 while the team assessed his recovery from ACL surgery, and then McAllister agreed to a restructured contract, the terms of which were not released, on April 14. Reportedly, the roster bonus became a performance-based bonus that protects the Saints from having to pay his full $4.7 million contract in the event that one or both of his reconstructed knees give out during 2008. McAllister has practiced and played in preseason game action, making it less likely one of the other backups will enjoy a larger-than-expected role. Few fantasy owners will forget what Pierre Thomas did in the final week of the 2008 season (105 yards rushing, 121 yards receiving, 1 TD) and that kind of talent is hard to keep off the field. For now, it appears he'll be a backup thanks to McAllister's health but Thomas could be incredibly valuable if given regular playing time. In McAllister's absence, veteran Aaron Stecker contributed 114/445/5 rushing (3.9 YPC) and 37/215/0 receiving. He gives the Saints a viable Plan C.

Fullback: Mike Karney is entering his fifth NFL season and is primarily a lead blocker for the Saints. Last season he carried the ball 11 times for 17 yards and 2 TDs with 13/78/0 receiving.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Marques Colston, David Patten
Backups: Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, Terrance Copper

Starting WRs: Marques Colston improved in almost all categories last season, seeing 143 targets for 98/1,202/11 en route to a No. 8 finish among all fantasy WRs. In just two seasons, he's amassed 168 catches, 2,240 yards and 19 TDs. He is Drew Brees' go-to guy making Colston a blue-chip, No. 1 fantasy WR by any measure. Who starts opposite Colston remains in flux. For now, it looks like veteran David Patten will resume the role he took over last year. Patten wound up as the No. 2 receiver on the team notching 88 targets for 54/792/3. Patten had four or more targets in 13 of the 16 games last season and gained 100-plus yards on three different occasions.

Backup WRs: The team has high hopes for second-year player Robert Meachem. After a wasted rookie campaign, the Saints are targeting Meachem to be their third WR. His main competition will be Devery Henderson, who was a disappointment in 2007 (only two games over 50 yards after seven in 2006). Henderson was third on the team in yardage with 42 targets yielding 20/409/3 for an outstanding average of 20.4 YPC. Henderson actually regressed somewhat from his 2006 campaign of 55 targets for 32/745/5 (23.3 YPC). He is the team's deep-threat, as you can see. Lance Moore led the Saints backup WRs with 50 targets for 32/302/2 in 2007. Terrance Copper chipped in at times with 22 opportunities yielding 15/126/2.

Tight Ends

Starters: Jeremy Shockey
Backups: Billy Miller, Mark Campbell

The Saints acquired 4-time Pro Bowler Jeremy Shockey from the New York Giants in a July trade. While Shockey is not without controversy, his offensive prowess cannot be underestimated. As long as he's healthy, Shockey is a lock for 60 catches and 600 yards in his sleep. He's one of the few tight ends in the league capable of catching a pass in traffic and going the distance on a deep seam. Injuries and attitude aside, he's a willing and able blocker, too. Don't forget that Sean Payton was calling plays in New York when Shockey emerged on the scene; Payton will know instantly how to make use of him. With Shockey aboard, the backup position is going to have to shake out in camp. The Saints released Eric Johnson at the start of camp, leaving Billy Miller and Mark Campbell to compete for the primary TE2 slot. Miller scored twice last year (38 targets for 27/328/2) but suffers from the fact he's not as punishing a blocker as Mark Campbell. Mark Campbell came over from Buffalo last year and rumbled to 18/164/0 on 29 targets.

Place Kicker

Martin Gramatica : The Olindo Mare experiment failed last year, and Gramatica joined the team for the final three games. He was perfect on all five field goal attempts, including a long of 55 yards, and was perfect on all eight PATs. Nonetheless, Gramatica is a long way removed from his first four years in the league when he was one of the better kickers in the NFL. The Saints were still looking for a permanent answer and drafted Mehlhaff in the 6th round this year. He is coming off a solid senior year at Wisconsin in which he hit 21 of 25 (84.0%) field goals and was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. He greatly improved his hang-time on kickoffs last year, to go along with the distance he always had. He remains focused on the field and does not get distracted. After a neck and neck camp competition, the playoff hopeful Saints opted for experience (Gramatica) over potential (Melhaff).

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Pierre Thomas; Aaron Stecker; Lance Moore; Tracy Porter; Terrance Copper; Reggie Bush

Last year, RB Pierre Thomas emerged as the lead kickoff returner (36 returns, 24.0 avg.). Potential backups once again include RB Aaron Stecker (6 returns, 22.8 avg.), WR Lance Moore (17 returns, 18.7 avg.), and WR Terrance Copper (2 returns, 24.5 avg.). Second round draft pick CB Tracy Porter had only one career kickoff return at Indiana; however the Saints will take a look at what he can do. RB Reggie Bush might be the team's most talented player, however they have kept him off kickoff returns so he can focus on offense and punt returns.

Punt Returners: Lance Moore; Reggie Bush; Tracy Porter

Reggie Bush's first NFL TD was on a punt return. He averaged 7.7 yards on 28 returns as a rookie. Last year he was more involved on offense and les involved on special teams averaging 4.0 yards on only three punt returns. This year the Saints would like to once again get him involved on punt returns. WR Lance Moore took over the lead role last year (20 returns, 9.3 avg.). Tracy Porter averaged 13.6 yards on 35 returns during his college career and scored once. The Saints ranked 27th in fantasy returns last year, and have not ranked in the top ten since the Michael "Beerman" Lewis' glory days.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Jammal Brown, LG Jamar Nesbit, C Jonathon Goodwin, RG Jahri Evans, RT Jon Stinchcomb
Key Backups: Matt Lehr, Zach Strief, Andy Alleman, Jermon Bushrod

Commentary coming soon.

Team Defense

After playing over its head in '06, the Saints defense was disappointing last season when they dropped to bottom-10 finishes in both points and yardage allowed. It didn't help that the team was only marginally better in generating turnovers with only 23 last year. Add it up and the Saints were not even a marginal option as a fantasy defense in '07. Things may be different in '08. The club added two potential major impact players this offseason. New MLB Jonathan Vilma was acquired from the Jets in a pre-draft trade and is a significant upgrade from Mark Simoneau. A healthy Vilma will make an impact on both the run and pass defense. The team also traded up to grab athletic DT Sedrick Ellis in the first round of the draft. If he plays to his scouting report, Ellis might be even more important to the fortune of this defense. There's potential here with solid veteran playmakers like DE Will Smith, OLB Scott Fujita and CB Mike McKenzie and up-and-coming SS Roman Harper. But it's best to take a wait-and-see approach before investing in them as more than a backup a fantasy option.

Defensive Line

Starters: LDE Charles Grant, NT Hollis Thomas, DT Sedrick Ellis [R], RDE Will Smith
Backups: DE Bobby McCray, DT Brian Young, DT Kendrick Clancy, DT Antwan Lake, DT Demario Pressley [R]

Starting DL: Grant and Smith return as one of the best pair of all-around ends in the league. Both are solid run supporters. Smith is more explosive in pass rush and should again provide the bulk of the pressure from the line. The Saints traded up to get Ellis in the first round and believe he can be a penetrating, disruptive tackle in the mold of La'Roi Glover. Thomas should again start in the nose tackle role.

Backup DL: McCray was signed away from Jacksonville this offseason and will see time as a situational pass rusher. He was inconsistent last year as an every down player after totaling double digit sacks in a part time role in 2006. Young, Clancy, Lake and Pressley will all compete in camp for playing time in a rotational role with Thomas and Ellis.

Linebackers

Starters: SLB Scott Fujita, MLB Jonathan Vilma, WLB Scott Shanle
Backups: LB Dan Morgan, LB Mark Simoneau, LB Troy Evans, LB Marvin Mitchell

Starting LBs: The Saints traded for Vilma this offseason, a significant upgrade to their linebacking unit. Vilma struggled in the Jets' 3-4 scheme and finished the 2007 season on IR with a knee injury. If his rehab progresses well, Vilma should return to his former active self. Fujita and Shanle should again provide steady play at the OLB spots. Fujita may be freed up to do more blitzing with Vilma on the field.

Backup LBs: The Saints are gambling that Morgan can avoid injury and contribute. He'll likely rotate in with Shanle on the weak side and could provide a huge boost if he remains healthy. Simoneau drops into a rotational role after the signing of Vilma and could be released if Evans and Mitchell prove able to handle more than special teams' roles.

Defensive Backs

Starters: LCB Mike McKenzie, SS Roman Harper, FS Josh Bullocks, RCB Randall Gay
Backups: CB Jason David, CB Usama Young, CB Tracy Porter [R], S Kevin Kaesviharn, CB Jason Craft, CB Aaron Glenn

Starting DBs: Gay was brought in during free agency to address the ongoing struggles at the corner position. He may not be much of an upgrade and will have to win a job in camp. McKenzie was inconsistent last season and the team will be looking for him to rebound. Harper returns as a physical strong safety with big play capability. Bullocks responded to a challenge from the coaching staff last season with his best year as a pro. He should keep Kevin Kaesviharn in a small role as a nickel and dime contributor.

Backup DBs: David struggled greatly as he tried to transition from a zone based scheme to the man coverage the Saints often use. He'll compete with Craft and Glenn for the third corner job. Young flew up draft boards last year with intriguing measurables, but didn't look the part on the field. There are rumors that his job could be in jeopardy this year, especially with second round pick Porter in the fold. Porter should win a starting job in time.

Last modified: 2008-08-31 10:00:42