Franklin Dayton
August 9, 2016
To pay … or not to pay: That is the question for the Saints with Drew Brees
August 10, 2016
Every time the New Orleans Saints have taken a step forward in the past two seasons, they’ve found a way to take two steps back.
But with a retooled roster, a re-signed head coach and a quarterback about to enter into a contract year, many in Saints camp believe that this may be the year that things turn around after consecutive 7-9 seasons.
Hopes are high among Black and Gold players this summer as New Orleans gets set for it’s 50th anniversary campaign.
Saints players think the losing ways of the past two seasons are done and that 2016-17 has the opportunity to be great – a year where New Orleans will play in many high-stakes games.
“We think that we have the pieces,” Drew Brees said. “The last few years aren’t years what we believe define who we are or what we do. Every year is different, and we’re optimistic that it can be turned around. We’re hopeful. We think we’re doing the right things, preparing the right way and are putting ourselves in position to achieve our goals – all of our goals.”
For New Orleans, the offense and Brees are a large part of the team’s recipe for success.
The Saints were 7-9 for two straight seasons, yes.
But that’s not because of anything the guys scoring the touchdowns were doing wrong.
New Orleans has remained at the top of the league in virtually every offensive statistic in recent years – a staple for the team in the Sean Payton Era.
Last year, the Saints averaged 403.8 yards and 25.5 points per game – both figures which ranked in the top eight in the NFL.
Brees had a big hand in that success, tossing 428-of-627 passes for 4,870 yards and 32 touchdowns.
The 2016-17 season will be a contract year for Brees, assuming he and the Saints don’t reach an agreement on a new deal before the season starts.
Brees will be 38 when the season ends, but he has said multiple times that he believes he can perform at a high level for several more seasons.
Despite the contract talks looming, the quarterback said his sole focus is on the upcoming year.
“(We’re) watching this whole thing come together right now,” Brees said. “I think everybody is excited about that. When you get to camp, you shouldn’t be worried about a contract situation. You should be worried about football and how do I get the best out of myself and the team? That’s our focus now – it’s all on the team.”
The team with Brees is retooled, as well, and will feature a mix of both new weapons and seasoned veterans.
In the backfield, Mark Ingram is back after rushing for 769 yards and six touchdowns last season. Multi-dimensional back C.J. Spiller is also still on board and is reportedly healthy after a year filled with injuries.
On the edges, New Orleans will feature Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Brandon Coleman – players who combined for more than 180 catches in 2015-16.
“Our offense has weapons,” Snead said. “We have guys who can hurt opponents. We have ways to make opponents have to pick who they want to guard and it’s often not easy because there’s talented players to pick from.”
But New Orleans also tweaked their offense, as well.
In the offseason, the Saints signed former Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener to a high-dollar deal.
The team also spent a second-round pick on former Ohio State standout wide receiver Michael Thomas – a guy who is expected to fill the void left when stalwart playmaker Marques Colston was released.
Coach Sean Payton said Fleener gives the Saints a red zone weapon the team hasn’t had since Jimmy Graham.
As for Thomas? He’s been the talk of training camp because of several nice catches and nifty moves.
“He’s been real nice,” Cooks said of the rookie receiver. “He’s come in and the learning curve has been small. He’s polished, and he has chemistry with Drew and the guys. He’s been a nice fit.”
Defensively, the Saints are retooled after last season’s disastrous year, but the injury bug has already dealt the Black and Gold a tough blow.
New Orleans was historically bad at stopping opponents last season, letting up a league-worst 476 points and ranking among the worst in league history at yards allowed per game.
But there is renewed hope on that side of the ball with veteran coordinator Dennis Allen calling the shots and a roster that’s been tweaked with the additions of defensive tackle Nick Fairley, linebacker James Laurinaitis and safety Roman Harper.
The Saints also added players in the draft, using a first-round pick on defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and a second-rounder on safety Vonn Bell.
Allen said he’s hopeful those players can overcome the loss New Orleans sustained when linebacker/defensive end Hau’oli Kikaha went down in mini-camp with a torn ACL.
New Orleans also returns playmakers from last year like defensive end Cameron Jordan, linebacker Stephone Anthony and defensive backs Delvin Breaux, Keenan Lewis and Jairus Byrd.
“I like the mindset of the defense,” Allen said. “I like the way we have gone out and competed. Make no mistake about it: we go against one of the best offenses in the league every day when we go out here. So it’s great competition for us. It’s great work for us.”
So with the always-steady offense and the hopefully improved defense, New Orleans has a recipe it hopes will equate to something better than 7-9 when the dust settles on the year.
Jordan said he isn’t making any promises or predictions. But he said that he likes where things sit, adding that he thinks New Orleans has the opportunity to do big things.
“We’re progressing a little bit every day,” Jordan said. “It’s not all going to happen in an instant, but we’re putting in the time, doing the work and are committing ourselves to one another. We feel like this can be a good year.” •
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