Year of the Saints

by: sakuraluna | Total views: 99 | Word Count: 1029 | View PDF | Print View

 by: Corey LeBlanc

Well Saints
fans the beginning of football season is almost upon us. With the start
of training camp, it's time to take a look at the upcoming season.
Saints fans have become familiar with the high expectations early and
the depressing let downs late into the season. There have been too many
seasons, for the comfort of Saints fans, that have ended with the
Saints looking from the outside in on the playoffs. Every year we
flutter to find an excuse for our all too early elimination from
contention. This is something Saints fans have dealt with since the
inaugural season back in 1967.

Every year we ask ourselves
the same questions, "When will it be our turn to bask in the glory of a
title?" or "What would have happened if a few plays or injuries had
went another way?" and sigh to ourselves "Next year will be our year!".
With all the short comings of this organization you begin to wonder if
it will ever happen. Do the Saints really have a chance at a title? The
answer to that question would be "YES!". I mean why not, every team has
a chance right? If you don't think so look back at the Carolina
Panthers not even a year ago. Sure they didn't win it all but can you
say they didn't have a chance. Well I bet you would have a said they
didn't a year ago. Did anyone think the New England Patriots would win
it all in 2001-02 against the mighty Rams? Mighty Rams? Did you think
you'd hear that before the '99 season? The truth be told, everyone in
the NFL has opportunity to make a run. It's up to the players, coaches,
and yes fans! So is this finally the year of the Saints? Are there
reasons for faith, well lets take a look.

Led by 4th year
starter Aaron Brooks the Saints' offense has shown flashes of
greatness. Brooks has shown poise at a position that needs it most.
Aside from a case of the fumbles last year, Brooks showed improvement
in his ability to run the offense, as he posted a career best 88.8
quarterback rating and threw for 24 touchdowns to only 8 interceptions
despite a injury plagued year that limited both Joe Horn and Donte'
Stallworth. With all the negatives put on Brooks you have to take a
long look back to a certain Mr. Manning to find a better Saints
quarterback. Aaron has posted some of the best passing numbers in
Saints history since becoming the starter and ranks in the team's top
five in every major passing category, including: Net yards passing
(8,918, fourth), pass attempts (1,280, fourth) completions (708,
fourth), completion percentage (55.3, fifth), touchdowns (62, third)
and passer rating (79.4, second). He has thrown for over 300 yards five
times since emerging as the team leader in 2000 in relief of injured
starter Jeff Blake in Week 11 (vs. Oakland, 11/19/00).

Striving
to not have a repeat of year's past wideout Donte' Stallworth has
worked on his conditioning in the offseason to prevent the nagging
injuries, along with improving his work ethic to develop himself into a
real force for 2004 and if he CAN stay healthy look for great things
from this speedy receiver. Horn, despite rumors of a possible trade,
returns as one of NFL's most prolific receivers since signing with New
Orleans in 2000 adding to one of the league's best receiving cores.
Another bright spot for the New Orleans offense was the emergence of
tight-end Boo Williams who in replacement of the injured Ernie Conwell
proved to be the tight-end Haslett and company has been looking for
since their arrival in New Orleans. To add to this already thrilling
group unit, "Deuce is loose" and has been since getting the starting
nod in 2002. McAllister has emerged as on one of the leagues, arguably,
top 5 runningbacks. One thing however there is no argument about is
that Deuce is one of the league's most dangerous threats and is one of
the major keys to New Orleans success in 2004. He gives the Saints a
valuable asset whether it be through running the ball, receiving, or
blocking. All areas McAllister has mastered over his still young
career. Deuce has eclipsed the 1000 yard mark in each of his two
seasons as the Saints starter, having his best in 2003 with 1,641 yards
rushing, reaching the 100+ mark in 9 consecutive games and his second
consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.

The Saints' defense is
one of the teams biggest question marks coming into the training camp.
After a failure with the "lunch bunch theory" coach Haslett look to
speed and a nonstop motor on defensive line with the free agent pick up
of DT Brian Young and the drafting of Ohio State defensive end Will
Smith with the 18th overall pick in April's draft. With the offseason
addition of defensive line coach John Pease the Saints' defensive line
look to be improved. The main area's of concern going into the
offseason, however were at the linebacker and cornerback spots. Haslett
and crew hope that the drafting of MLB Courtney Watson and the
development of second year linebacker Cie Grant fill the needs at
linebacker. The Saints also went out and picked up CB Jason Craft and
New Orleans Voodoo standout Monty Montgomery give them the depth needed
to be successful at stopping the pass. There have also been reports the
5th year man Fahkir Brown has improved dramatically and could vie for a
starting spot during training camp. There are still too many question
marks on defense that should be answered during training camp and
preseason.

After all has been said the question still
remains. Is this the Saints year? Well only time can tell but with the
surplus of young talented players you definitely can't rule them out.
Regardless of the overall outcome of this season, it should be a fun
exciting ride. So get your jersey's out of the closet, pull out the
Mardi Gra beads, and start the chants of "WHO DAT!" because it's
football time in the Big Easy!

About the Author

I am just getting started and I am a HUGE New Orleans Saints Fan!

cjleblanc2000@msn.com

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