LSU’s new No. 18 hopes to make his mark
August 20, 2013Analysis: Appreciate Brees’ greatness while it’s still here
August 20, 2013
Barring unforeseen circumstances, only one man will coach the New Orleans Saints in the 2013-14 season – veteran leader Sean Payton.
The iconic Saints coach’s return is the primary storyline for New Orleans this year as the team looks to use its newfound normalcy to build on last year’s disappointing 7-9 season.
Through a series of training camp practices, the theme is the same in New Orleans: Everyone is happy to have the boss back in town.
“I think this time of the year, people are excited because the season is getting ready to start and there is some uniqueness to it because our whole team is intact, including the coaching staff,” Payton said in training camp. “It’s good to be back. I know I’m excited and our staff is, too.”
“To have Sean back and just to not have any distractions in the offseason is important,” safety Malcolm Jenkins added. “When Sean came back, he established that he wanted us to work out a little differently in the weight room and he really changed some things up. The pace has been changed and guys have been focused.
“We’re looking forward to the momentum that we have going into the season.”
The team that Payton returns to looks pretty similar to the one that he left following the 2011 season – a rarity in modern NFL.
Elite quarterback Drew Brees is back in New Orleans after another dynamite season in 2012.
The 34-year-old quarterback completed 422-of-670 passes a year ago for 5,177 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Those numbers can probably be replicated this season with weapons like Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Jimmy Graham back in the passing game.
Brees said he believes New Orleans has all of the pieces to be an offense that routinely posts crooked numbers on opponents.
“I still feel like we have all the pieces in place,” Brees said. “We have been in this system for eight years now. We have a strong comfort level with it. We have a lot of continuity up front with the offensive line. … We have running backs that have been here for a while. We have receivers that have been here for a while.
“So you have all of these pieces of the puzzle that you feel really good about, then you have to put in the work and fine tune to make sure you stay on top and make sure that you continue on with that edge that’s going to allow you to go out there and be successful.”
Brees mentioned the team’s halfbacks – they just might hold the key to New Orleans’ success.
The Saints return Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles in its loaded backfield.
But even with the depth and experience, New Orleans struggled to get yardage on the ground and ranked among the worst teams in the NFL in rushing offense in 2012-13.
The Saints averaged 98.6 yards on the ground last year – a number that was second to last in the NFC South this past season.
That number needs to be flipped for the Saints to return to prominence.
Brees and other players have recited countless times this offseason that during New Orleans’ Super Bowl season in 2009, the team was near the top of the NFL in rushing.
“We have a good stable of backs that can all do the job,” Brees said. “(They do) whatever you ask them to do.”
With New Orleans probably putting up points by the dozen, the team’s defense has a simple task for 2013: improvement.
The Saints had the worst statistical defense in NFL history a year ago – allowing more total yards than any other team ever has.
Because of that inept performance, Payton decided to fire first-year coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and hire veteran coordinator Rob Ryan to coach a defense that returns veterans like Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, Curtis Lofton, Roman Harper and Jenkins.
The Saints’ players have said throughout camp that they believe improvements are near.
Ryan sees it, as well.
He believes that the progress the team has made is impressive.
“I’ve been really impressed with how much these guys love football, how much they study and what quick learners they all are,” Ryan said. “It’s been really, really impressive.”
So with the pieces seemingly in place, New Orleans’ mission is to conquer a very competitive NFC South.
The Black and Gold will open its season at home against the defending division champion Atlanta Falcons.
They also play five other divisional games throughout their usual 16-game slate.
From there, New Orleans will play a very unforgiving schedule that pits the team against the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams.
But the boss is back in town and Brees said he and his teammates are on a mission to return to prominence after last year’s disappointments.
“I don’t think angry is the word, but we are very focused – just locked in,” Brees said. “I’m on a mission. Like I said, I walk into training camp and it’s all about football.
“There is nothing else swirling around, or at least nothing else that we are going to allow to distract us.”
No distractions – what a welcome sight.
Time will tell how the Saints fair in their return to normalcy.
But with Payton back on the sidelines, New Orleans believes that they have hope for a turnaround season – one that might lead the team to another deep playoff push.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees looks down the field during the team’s first preseason game of the season. The Saints believe that having coach Sean Payton back on the sidelines in 2013-14 will be a big boost. New Orleans is hopeful that the coach’s return will lead a turnaround that will push the Black and Gold back into playoff contention.
