The email began innocent enough... excitement for Greg Williams

about Williams and the cap...

BUDDON:

a lot of this is hype from a times pic writer, but you can't help but get excited about gregg williams:

http://blog.nola.com/jeffduncan/2009/01/gregg_williams_excited_to_join.html

Interestingly,

He said every position will play an important role, but four spots are especially critical to the system: middle linebacker, nickel back and both safety spots. That's why he said he would begin his evaluation process from the back of the defense and move forward, linebackers to linemen.

I'd say we're getting a new safety somewhere along the way.


SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

Yea, it sounds like it, and we definitely need one, but who? If we make a FA acquisition, who do we let go? If we draft a young safety, can we really start him from the get-go? And who would we take at 14 now anyway?

I have no idea how this is going to play out

BUDDON:

check out the list of cap figures:

http://blog.nola.com/jeffduncan/2009/01/saints_2009_salary_cap_breakdo.html

At 2.2M, Patten is almost definitely a goner. And Deuce too probably.


SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

You still take a hit when you cut someone though, so even though we are cutting some guys, we are still going to be on the hook for some of that. Plus, we have a lot of backloaded contracts that are going to count more against the cap than they did last year. Even though we have some FA's who likely won't be re-signed, I still don't see how we get any big name guys. Jeff Duncan said it as well - we are not going to make any big acquisitions unless we give some guys up.

DUNCAN:

All of this = Saints F.I.T.B.

BUDDON:

Yeah, that's true. For cap purposes, the signing bonus is pro-rated over the term of the contract. When you cut the guy, you take a hit for any amount of the signing bonus that has not already been accounted for. The fact that a contract is backloaded in subsequent years doesn't hurt you for cap purposes. It just makes the player more appealing to cut, e.g. David Patten.

We're probably not going to get a Nnamdi, Peppers, or Haynesworth-type guy; the Saints just don't do that, even when we do have the cap room. But Atogwe? He's a possiblity.

SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

I meant, We have backloaded contracts on guys we are not cutting, which is part of the reason we are in so much trouble.



about the draft (i.e. William Moore, S Mizzou) and Reggie...

BUDDON:

about the USC LB's at the Senior Bowl:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3847707&categoryid=2564308

here is the scouting report on william moore.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=23877&draftyear=2009

My takeaways:

- ballhawk

- pussy, doesn't hit

- injury prone

SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

sounds like Bullocks. THat's exactly what the report on him was

BUDDON:

yep. combine that with his play on an overrated team/conference, and i'm not a big fan.

"while he is fairly reliable as an open-field tackler, he does not play with a mean streak and he lacks power as a hitter. He will get erased too easily when teams run at him and he rarely supports with reckless abandon."

DUNCAN:

yeah this guy is worthless

THE DOWG:

yeah under coach payton we play such a tough brand of football that i can't imagine drafting a guy whose description sounds very much like the guy that sean payton has tried to make centerpiece of our offense the last three years (maybe he will finally figure it out that reggie isn't like the LT of two years ago .....but rather like gil fenerty without the heart)

SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

puh-leeze dude

Your hatred for all things Reggie has completely blinded you to what the guy can do. From now on, any time I see the word "Reggie" in something you write, I'm just going to skip that paragraph and assume it says "waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa reggie booooooooosh, waaaaaaaaaaa. I thought you were going to be marshall Faulk, LT and Brandon Jacobs all in one. waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. why didnt you win us the superbowl reggie? waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

THE DOWG:

now that's what i am talking about!!! a little heat into the board....of course, you misinterpreted what the dowg said....i didn't criticize reggie; i criticized his head coach for how he used reggie. i think you'll agree with me, counselor, that reggie's best year was his first when he was used as a complement to a different style running back....or the lightning part of a "thunder and lightning" package...or the "change of pace"....or the "left-jab after the big right hook" or whatever the hell you, fine counselor, would want to say

but now he is somehow expected to be those guys that you mentioned "all in one"...and all saints fans, even ones who sit closely and comfortably to the field in the club section, would readily admit that mr. bush cannot possibly be expected to thunder, lightning, and driving rainfall all in one..it is simply not a part of his makeup and it is counterproductive to what makes him special. after all, who on this fine email list would dare to say that mr. bush has been "special" the past 2 years like he was his first....any takers gentleman?

in fact, dude, if you ask the father of 2 among us, he will tell you that i am in fact a reggie apologist.

VERN:

I got 2 kids??? btw, I'm referring to my son as "Loadhalt" now. I just love the name.

...ask Ducan.

I'm not getting into the Reggie stuff. Been there, done that.

I will, however, refute your collective bashing of William Moore. The dude is a starting safety in the NFL. Bullocks isn't. You guys are making judgement calls on that one page of an "assesment." Have you even seen the dude play? Maybe he will be underwhelming in the NFL... but I saw the guy play in two games this year, didn't know who the hell he was, and each time I said to myself, "wow" ...on several occasions. I hardly think 2 games of watching a college safety play is sufficient reason for a judgement call, but neither is a one-page ESPN scouting report. Let's just wait and see after the combine what people are saying. If he does begin to "rise," I think there is a very good chance that we draft the dude. And if that turns out to be the case, I will be excited about it.

SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

I really don't think Payton is asking Reggie to be an all-in-one type of back. BUT, I think Payton has to run him up the middle from time to time to keep defenses honest. And it was starting to work. He had a huge carry right up the gut against Carolina just before getting hurt.

It's easy to bash Payton's play-calling. It's actually fashionable lately. But repeat this to yourself 3 times - We have the best offense in football.

Now, even I will acknowledge that some of those stats are skewed because of games where we threw up points in garbage time like it was going out of style. But, we are easily top 5 in the league, and whether you like it or not, Payton's play calling plays a role in it.

And here is the thing about his play calling - He can't win. Either he runs it on 3rd and 1 and we can't pick it up and everyone throws a fit because he ran the play everyone just knew he would run, or he tries something tricky and everyone gets pissed because he's "overthinking" it, or he gets the ball to Reggie in the flat and everyone gets mad because "we always go to Reggie" and everyone amazingly knew that would happen too.

Newsflash - Sean P is a good coach and a good play caller and the Saints offense will again be dominant next year. The season is in the hands of the Front Office (and whoever they can bring in via free agency and the draft) and Greg Williams.

As for Moore... I have never seen the dude play - all I'm saying is, that was the scouting report on Bullocks. Bullocks was labeled a ball-hawk, not extremely fast, and not a big hitter, a guy who just made plays. Well, we have all see the plays Josh Bullocks makes for the Saints, and they typically involve him making the good ole college try at tackling a wide receiver who beat him deep.

VERN:

Please... let's step back for a minute and place things in proper perspective.

Not knowing that Coslton, Nesbit, Goodwin, Bush, Patton, Cambell, Ellis, Thomas, Grant, McKenzie, Porter, and Gay would ALL miss signifigant time injured, a 10-6 record last year would have been a comfortably accurate prediction -- and we went 8-8 (off by 2 games). Not to mention guys like Shockey, Deuce, Bullocks (ok -- yay!), and Smith ALL reportedly played the season with signifigant injuries. That's 16 starters (out of 22!!!) that either missed signifigant time or played hurt. Now, I know all teams suffer injuries and all teams have guys that play hurt; but, none had that many. We all must say that this affected chemistry (both offensively and defensively). We must take this into consideration when proclaiming the "status" of our team and projecting for next season.

Why am I saying all this?

Because I think we are supporting a culture that suggest we have to nail the perfect pick in this draft, or we have to go get upgrades in FA -- supporting it with a certain sense of urgency, because we've missed the playoffs for 2 years in a row, and people are starting to question Payton and Loomis' decisions (both in game decisions and off-season ones). I urge you to step back and look at the big picture. We NEED a lot less than most people think. We already have a championship core. We just need them to stay healthy. Sure, I hope we continue (as Payton and Loomis' past track record suggests) to make good, in some case great, draft decisions. But I don't think 2009 is in the hands of Loomis, or the scouts, or Greg Williams. I think it's in the hands of the players we already got -- they just need to stay healthy... trade their vaginas in for a set of balls, so to speak. Ok, that's somewhat inaccurate -- we really we just need a few good breaks instead of an alarming number of bad ones). If 6-7 people get hurt or play injured in '09, we'll be ok; if 16 do again, we'll be in trouble again, no matter what decisions we make this offseason. There should be a sense of urgency this offseason -- to stay healthy, not win the FA lottery. I trust that our Front Office will continue it's alarming success rate in the draft and FA -- no matter if it's big splashes or small ones.

We may have gone 8-8 last year, but it wasn't because Payton couldn't call a play to pick up one yard on third down; it wasn't because Payton talked Loomis into trading for Shockey; it wasn't because Jason David and Usama Young couldn't cover a nine-route; and it wasn't because Gary Gibbs was a bad D-Coordinator. It was because Deuce didn't return as the same RB he was in '06, and it was because Colston missed half the year, and it was because Shockey played with a sac on his ass, and it was because Porter and McKenzie were not there to do their job, and it was because to many people were injured for Gary Gibbs to effectively do his.

SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

I agree with this:

"We may have gone 8-8 last year, but it wasn't because Payton couldn't call a play to pick up one yard on third down; it wasn't because Payton talked Loomis into trading for Shockey; it wasn't because Jason David and Usama Young couldn't cover a nine-route; and it wasn't because Gary Gibbs was a bad D-Coordinator. It was because Deuce didn't return as the same RB he was in '06, and it was because Colston missed half the year, and it was because Shockey played with a sac on his ass, and it was because Porter and McKenzie were not there to do their job, and it was because to many people were injured for Gary Gibbs to effectively do his."

And I also think we just failed to show up to 2 of our most important games - Atlanta (the first time) and Carolina (the first time). Both pathetic showings.

On the other hand, we keep Hester from getting behind us and Smith from catching that prayer Delhomme threw into triple coverage, and we should be 10-6.

So while I agree with everything you said, Scott, I also think sometimes it just boils down to the fact that winning teams win, and losing teams lose. At no point was this more obvious than when the Pats went 11-5 without the best qb in the league.

So maybe we just need a little, or maybe we need an entirely new attitude, culture, scheme, personnel, etc... After seeing what the Cardinals have done this year, I just don't know anymore.

VERN:

I think this year's cardinals team is alot like our '06 Saints team. Just a good (not great) regular season (the cardinals were boosted by the fact that they play in the least difficult division in professional sports). Then, both teams got hot at the end. The difference is, that the Cardinals lucked out with having Philly come to their house (playing home in a Dome). Had the giants beat Philly in the Divisional Playoffs, Arizona would have gone to NY and perhaps been derailed with bad weather conditions.

If you remember in 2006, Seattle almost beat Chicago in the Divisional Playoffs. Had that happened we would have hosted Seattle in the Dome. Unfortunately, we had to travel to Chicago and play in conditions hardly catered to efficiency in the passing game.

I think we are the type of team that needs to have homefield advantage in the Playoffs, or at least not have to play in horrible conditions. Arizona got lucky -- the furthest north they had to go was Carolina and the conditions weren't bad in that game (cooler temperatures, but no rain or snow). Now they go to Tampa for the Superbowl -- I doubt that will be an ice bowl :)

I think our "attitude" is good as long as people realize the real reason(s) behind the Saints not meeting expectations. When media, fans, etc. start the ignorant murmurs that we have a bad coach who makes bad decisions, and begin to question a general manager who has had perhaps the best 3 year FA / drafting stretch I can think of, that will inevitably affect the attitude inside the locker room (because the players listen to all of that b.s.). The fact is that if another coach had to deal with the injuries this team had in 2008, a road stretch that kept the team away from the Dome for 48 days, two kickers who single-handedly lost games for us by missing multiple FG's, they would be lucky to sniff an 800 record, especially when you consider that all 3 teams in our division posted an 800 record or better.

I love Payton's coaching this past year because he didn't utter one excuse about anything. He kept plugging in players, coaching others up, and moving forward. He controlled what he could control and didn't make excuses for what he couldn't. I think that's the attitude and culture you want in a head coach, and I think it's present in most of our personell (certainly our QB).

I judge people based on how they handle issues when things are going good, but how they react when things are going bad. If Payton can lead us to a 800 record while dealing with the most unfortunate stretch of occurrences he has had to deal with in his short coaching career, I think he grades out rather well.

I still love the dude, and I still think we will win with him. Moreover, I don't think Loomis was lying (or being naive) when he said that he thinks the team will win a championship with this head coach and QB. It would be foolish to guarantee anything, but I think if we stay healthy, we are not just a good team, but a very good team.

... just saying, vern ;)

BUDDON:


i think atogwe would be nice b/c he's the best player available at the most obvious position of need, and the draft that is relatively weak at that position. but i don't want to dismantle our team to get him. we need to re-sign vilma, stinchcomb, evans, and moore. we don't need patten, devery, or deuce. if we can do all of that and make enough cap room to get atogwe, i'd be thrilled. if not, we need to figure out how to address that position in another way.
i'm not part of this loser's lament. i like our team, our coach, and our qb; and i think we are close. i do think that we will only be close for as long as brees is in his prime, which is probably 3-4 more years. i'm prepared for some dark years after that; but if we can get 1 superbowl, just one, i'd embrace those dark years like big bird embraces tickle me elmo (inside joke -- Section123SaintsFan is referred to as Big Bird... long story).

THE DOWG:

gentleman with all of this talk i know there is certainly one man smiling.....his name is tom benson cuz he knows that the bumper stickers with the fresh company slogans are being put on the cars for next year. for a team that has been horribly disappointing the past two seasons, i would think yall are talking about the patriots here. notice that no matter how you spin it.....we are still holding onto the same nonsense that we have been saying since the ditka years..."we are really really close"

and i know it's different, and payton is better, and gibbs sucked, and injuries and blah blah blah...but the bottom line is that we could have had these very same conversations when blondie was our coach....and possibly the only reason we now spend a little more and hire better coordinators and are threfore a prettier football team is because ole TB aint gettin any younger, and he probably sees his Super Bowl dreams fading into the sunset and has a sense if urgency in his life (and BTW..there was one more team who put more guys on IR than us this year, and they are the 11-5 New England Patriots.....and I believe one of those guys was not just a rookie, or a mild contributor, or a guy whose name sounds really good when you cite it.....he was kind of important to them)

so fire away helm and green, but i am tired of watching us beat up on poor teams and lose to anyone floating around .500 and then spinning it to say "we were really close" (check out the teams we beat and the ones we lost to this year....it's kinda telling).

BUDDON:

hey, at least it's not the haslett days when we'd beat the super bowl champion rams and lose to the 1-15 bengals in the same year!

SECTION123SAINTSFAN:

Great stat dude, but let me get this straight - we beat more bad teams than good teams, and we lost to more good teams than bad teams? And taking that a step further, if I dare, we were better than bad teams and worse than good teams?

WOW

In other news, the sun came up this morning, taxes are due on April 15, and there is still no cure for cancer.

Now look, I'm not trying to be a dick (it just happens....), but I don't care that we mostly beat the teams we were supposed to beat and lost to the ones we were supposed to lose to. Every season for every single NFL team that is even close to a contender comes down to a few plays. You just have to put the right guys in the right spots and hope it works out. Every team is always a year away (see: the Dolphins, Falcons, and Cardinals this season). Don't try to crush our hope because we have been close before and not gotten it. We're close again, and the difference this time, is that I believe in this staff and this team, and you wanna know why??

Because We aint talkin Aaron Brooks and Jeff Blake - we talkin Drew Brees.

And that's enough for me.

Moosedenied's NFC South Preview Part 4: New Orleans Saints

This is GrandMaster Wang's final installment of his 4-part series detailing the NFC South. He saved the best for last. Enjoy...

There’s no denying that the Saints sucked ass in 2007. They were terrible. 2006 was a fluke resulting from nobody taking them seriously. 2007 exposed the Saints for what they are, a slightly-below-average team with a great QB, exactly one legit wideout, no running game and no defense whatsoever.

So why is it that I’m about to deny all of that?

Could it be because it’s bullshit?

Or is it because I’m a homer? Actually, it’s plenty of both. But let’s focus on the former. Read it all...

Moosedenied's NFC South Preview Part 3: Tampa Bay Bucanneers

By Grandmaster Wang / Moosedenied.com...

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. For the Tampa Bay Bucs, last year was one of those times.

Oh, they were good too. They were about as good defensively as the Saints were offensively. That in and of itself qualifies as pretty "lucky", given that half their defense remembers the Taft administration and the other half doesn’t remember the Reagan administration.

But even more than that, Zeus must really have a boner for Fabulous Jeff, a guy who was spanked by Grover Cleveland on two non-consecutive occasions. Either that or Hera was really trying to stick it to Ganymede. Read it all...

Moosedenied's NFC South Preview Part 2: Carolina Panthers

As countless 2008 NFL season preview magazines hit the racks, we would like to bring you some analysis from one of our favorite sites, moosedenied.com. For those that are unfamiliar with GrandMaster Wang's writing, take it from us when we tell you the man is talented. Perhaps a bit bold at times, but very talented. He is in the midst of previewing the NFC South for the upcoming 2008 season. Check out what he says about the Carolina Panthers in Part 2 of his preview:

Last year at QB, the Pants started Jake Delhomme, David Carr, Matt Moore, Vinny Testaverde, Rodney Peete, Dameyune Craig, Jack Trudeau, Frank Reich, Steve Beuerlein, and Steve Bono. It got so bad, they were pretty close to calling Chris Weinke. Yikes.

But this year? Jake’s back, bitches! With one of those stringy, impossible-to-chew parts from a Bojangles™ Brand drumstick grafted onto his throwing elbow. And Jeff Otah! And Jonathan Stewart! And the Pants are going to RESTORE THE ROAR this fall! Or something. Right? Read it all...

Moosedenied's NFC South Preview Part 1: Atlanta Falcons

As countless 2008 NFL season preview magazines hit the racks, we would like to bring you some analysis from one of our favorite sites, moosedenied.com. For those that are unfamiliar with GrandMaster Wang's writing, take it from us when we tell you the man is talented. Perhaps a bit bold at times, but very talented. He is in the midst of previewing the NFC South for the upcoming 2008 season. Check out what he says about the Atlanta Falcons in Part 1 of his preview:

This just in: The Falcons still blow.

But hey, five to eight years from now? Watch out, bitches! Atlanta’s got themselves a brand spankin’ new "face of the franchise" in the form of… another overrated ACC quarterback with two first names.

There have been rumors that the selection of Matt Ryan was a big misunderstanding in the first place. Evidently the Falcons’ rep actually told Herr Goodell that they wanted to select Glenn Dorsey, but Goodell thought he said "The Next Ken Dorsey." ...Read it all.

Fantasy Love / Hate: Wide Receivers

Currently, I play in 4 leagues: a dynasty league, a customized keeper league (easily my favorite), a "normal" league, and an auction league. In the coming weeks I will give you 3 players from each position that I love and hate heading in to the 2008 season. Here's what I said about running backs. At first I wanted to write about my thoughts on every player, but for now, I thought it best to limit myself. Admittedly, it's a little early. Players' roles are sure to change as we move through training camps around the league, but this should serve to get the ball rolling as you begin to think who you want to target.

Some people I love/hate will be taken in the first round, some people will be taken much later. This is not a ranking, but merely my suggestion if a certain player is being overvalued or undervalued relative to his early suggested draft position by other major publications. And as always, I will try not to present the obvious -- that will be left to everyone else.

So here it goes:

Wide Receivers I Love (i.e. think are undervalued):

1.) Braylon Edwards (BROWNS) -- Last year, he made the jump in to elite status, and this year, nothing is changing. Cleveland has stuck with Derrick Anderson over Brady Quinn, and Edwards should continue to flourish and build upon his 1,289 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns in '07. And that's not even why I like him. Edwards finished as the #3 fantasy wideout last season in ESPN's standard scoring format, behind only Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. However, early projections aren't treating him as such. Many are grouping Edwards in an early-middle tier that includes Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Smith, etc. That said, Edwards should be available a round (possibly two) after guys like Moss, Owens, and Wayne get picked; and, he has a very good chance of posting numbers equal to or better than the numbers the "big three" put up. Cleveland's offensive line is one of the better lines in the NFL and, even if Jamal Lewis isn't great again, Anderson will have all the time he needs to find Edwards early and often. Also, Stallworth's presence as a deep threat should only serve to occupy opposing secondaries so they cannot consistently double-team Edwards -- they will be forced to respect Stallworth's speed by keeping a safety over the top. While others waste a first rounder on one of the "big three," you can afford to wait until the 2nd or 3rd to get a guy who has a realistic shot at ending 2008 as the best wide-receiver in fantasy football. Besides, who are you people that take wide receivers in the first round? It's bad form.

2.) Chad Johnson (BENGALS) -- Do I like Chad? No. Would I want him on the Saints roster? Never. Do I think he needs to grow up? You know it. But will he be on any of my fantasy teams this year? Absolutely. Chad Johnson's value has never been lower... and never will be. I was reading several listings of various WR rankings, and nearly all of them had Johnson's teammate, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, ranked ahead of the disgruntled wide receiver. I actually have T.J. in my keeper league, but couldn't help laughing at the fact that other "experts" projected him ahead of Johnson for 2008. We all know that Johnson had an off-year last year; yet he still managed to finish as the 6th-best wide reciever in ESPN's standard scoring format (one spot ahead of Houshyourmama). Last year, Johnson was tabbed by nearly every publication as a top 5 wideout, now he's not even breaking the top ten. It's happened before with Owens and Moss -- there fantasy stock has dropped because of their on-field antics -- and now it's happening with Chad Johnson. Johnson is still one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL, he still has one of the best QB's throwing the ball to him, and he still has the benefit of playing with a very good offense line. Now you tell me that I can get him for half the price? Thanks... I'll take him.

3.) David Patten (SAINTS) -- Ok, how many people's eyebrows are raised right now? If you're confused, let me explain. I think David Patten has a good chance of being the 2008 "light" version of Wes Welker. The Saints were the only team to throw more than the New England Patriots did last season -- Brees attempted a mind-boggling 652 passes in '07. Even if running back Deuce McAlister returns to health, past experience says Sean Payton will continue to call passes and Drew Bress will continue to chunk it. So why not like the #2 option for a team that is likely to lead the league in pass attempts? Last year, despite only landing a starting job midway through the season, Patten managed to finish ahead of Amani Toomer and Donte Stallworth (and just behind receivers such as Donald Driver, Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, and Laveranues Coles). Now, Patten will start alongside Marques Colston from day one. We all know how good a potent offense's #2 receiver can be (see Wes Welker, T.J. Housh, and Reggie Wayne -- although he's now the Colts #1.) Admittedly, at 33 years-old, Patten will never be as good as the aforementioned wide receivers, but that doesn't mean he can't help your fantasy team. After settling in to the starting role last season, Patten finished with 54 catches, 792 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Assuming he keeps the #2 role all season (which I think he will), it's not hard to envision a campaign with 70 catches, 1000 yards, and 6 touchdowns (that's just 16 more catches, 208 more yards, and 3 more touchdowns from last year). Don't be scared off by the rumors saying that Robert Meachem will take the #2 role this year -- it's very unlikely he will do so. He did not play one down last year. In 2008, which is basically his rookie season, Meachem may pass up Devery Henderson as Drew Brees' third option, but he shouldn't threaten Patten's hold on the starting spot opposite Colston. Down the stretch, Brees developed a trust in the veteran receiver which figures only to be enhanced with a second off-season of work together. And get the real reason I love Patten: he's getting no respect in fantasy rankings. ESPN.com has Patten ranked #56 in it's WR rankings for 2008. If you buy what I'm selling, that's way too low. I think he's going to finish in the top 30 and wouldn't be shocked if he rose higher than that. That's starter material as a borderline #2 fantasy wideout, and if you're in a league that starts 3 WR's, he's a no brainer as your #3 WR. While others start taking mid to late-round flyers on Bernard Berrian, Donte Stallworth, and Patrick Crayton, you sit tight and wait for Patten. You will be glad you did.

Wide Receivers I hate (i.e. think are overvalued):

1.) Greg Jennings (PACKERS) -- In hoping to land the next Braylon Edwards, many fantasy football experts will undoubtedly tab a pool of young wide-receivers that have the potential to take a huge leap into "elite" status in 2008. Among them, you're certain to hear names including Greg Jennings, Santonio Holmes, and Brandon Marshall. Unfortunately, for Jennings, he is the least likely too emerge a stud in 2008. In fact, I think he will digress significantly this season. Last year, you may be surprised to know that Jennings didn't lead his team in receptions (he only had 53 catches to Donald Driver's 82), nor did he eclipse 1,000 yards receiving (he only had 920 yards to Driver's 1,048). Amazingly, he was able to finish last year as the #11 overall WR in standard soring formats (I would bet he didn't fare as well in PPR leagues). So how did he do it? One reason -- touchdowns. In 2007, Jennings caught a ton of them. In fact, out of Favre's 28 touchdown passes last year, 12 went to Jennings. Unfortunately for Jennings, Favre retired this off-season and Green Bay has moved on to Aaron Rodgers (...recently, reports indicate that Favre may return, which could send this entire analysis down the pipe, but for now let's assume that Favre remains retired or plays somewhere besides Green Bay in 2008). Rodgers will be hard pressed to throw for 20 touchdowns, much less 28, and Jennings will likely not see the same percentage of them. If you follow, that puts him around 6-7 touchdowns at best. Even if he gets the same amount of catches and yards, his numbers would read 53, 920, and 7. Hardly numbers worthy of the draft pick you will need to forfeit to acquire him. After Jennings goes, wait another 2 rounds and take Driver. He's a better route-runner, will probably finish with better numbers than Jennings, and most importantly, you're getting a better value.

2.) Larry Fitzgerald (CARDINALS) -- This one is a little tougher to call because I believe that Fitz is one of the most talented (perhaps the most talented) young receiver in the NFL. Out of all the young studs scattered around NFL rosters, Fitzgerald reminds me most of Jerry Rice. He's not the fastest or tallest, but he's got the best hands and is, perhaps, the smartest (call it receiving I.Q.). I don't want this to look like a "man crush," so let me tell you why I don't like him. Part of what made Jerry Rice great was the fact that he had the luxury of working with two of the finest QB's in NFL history in Joe Montana and Steve Young. Unfortunately for Fitzgerald, he will be expected to catch passes from Matt Leinart in 2008. Early rumblings out of Arizona are that Leinart, not Kurt Warner, will start and get every opportunity to succeed (he was, afterall, a top 10 pick, and top 10 picks are not easily cast aside). However, this won't be Leinart's first crack at the starting job. Last year, he started the first 4 games of the season. Fitzgerald's numbers in those games? 312 yards and NO touchdowns. Meanwhile, Anquan Boldin, Arizona's other stud WR, found the endzone 3 times during that span. Even if Warner replaces Leinart again (which is a favorable possibility to many), there's no guarantee that he will remain healthy enough to complete the entire season -- at 37-years-old, Warner is more brittle than ever. The other issue Fitzgerald must deal with is losing touches to Boldin. If the Cardinals had a QB like Manning, Brees, Brady, Romo, or Palmer, I would not worry about the ball being spread around; but when two great WR's are fighting for touches from a below average QB (which, at this stage of his development, Leinart is), there could be a problem. Don't believe me that the quarterback doesn't make the receiver? Just ask Roy Williams and Randy Moss. Neither Williams nor Calvin Johnson finished in the top 30 in fantasy points last year. Moss, on the other hand, flourished with Tom Brady, after a two year hiatus in Oakland when he was catching passes from Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter. The bottom line is that Fitzgerald has too many issues working against him for me to justify the early pick needed to put him on my fantasy roster. There are just safer options out there.

3.) Marvin Harrison (COLTS) -- From a not-so-obvious receiver I hate (Fitzgerald), to a bit more reasonable assumption: stay away from Marvin Harrison. Surely, someone in your draft will see Harrison sitting there in the third or fourth round, and say to himself, "Didn't someone draft that guy in the first or second round last year? I know he got hurt, but I'm going to take a shot on him. If he returns to form, I'm getting a steal!" Then, whoever that loser is will draft him. Don't be that guy. Hearing the selection, some other guy sitting quietly in the corner is sure to draw a line through ESPN.com's 24-ranked WR, smile, and say, "Man, that's risky." Please... be that guy. When older WR's fall from grace, they do so in a hurry. Harrison's 13 years in the league were a thing of beauty, but he'll be 36 by the time the 2008 season rolls around, and more likely than not, his run is over. If you don't believe me, then believe Harrison's own team... They didn't draft Anthony Gonzales in the first round (two years ago) to be a life-time "slot" receiver. At the end of last season, in Week 14, Gonzales had 6 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns at Baltimore. In Week 15, Gonzales followed that up with 7 catches for 86 yards and 1 touchdown. Consider the torch passed. Matthew Berry (ESPN's senior director of fantasy) said it best when referring to Harrison's 2008 outlook: "I think he's done. And I'm not willing to waste a reasonably high draft pick to find out if I'm wrong."

Bullocks Out, Kaesviharn In?

Who Dat News: ProFootballTalk reported last week that Kevin Kaesviharn has overtaken Josh Bullocks (as Bullocks has been recovering from a knee injury) in the battle to become the team's starting free safety. Here's what the article said:

With Saints FS Josh Bullocks out for OTAs while on the mend from knee surgery, Kevin Kaesviharn has moved ahead in the race to become the team’s starting free safety, the way we hear it. Bullocks is the incumbent at the position and has started 43 of the 46 games he has played in during his three seasons in the league, but his performance has been inconsistent, particularly in coverage. Missing a large chunk of time that could have been spent working on eliminating mistakes that plagued him in the past didn’t help his cause as he enters his contract year. Kaesviharn started three games last season, his first with New Orleans, but sources say he looks like the more dependable option at this point and is penciled in as the starter next to SS Roman Harper, who also has encountered consistency issues. Competition throughout the Saints’ secondary should last through training camp and the preseason as defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs tries to improve his unit’s pass defense, which ranked 30th in the league last season.

WhoDatSay: The issue I have with this report is that (as usual) ProFootballTalk doesn't cite its source. Was it a ball boy at minicamp who saw Kaesviharn running with the ones and came to an extreme conclusion? Or was it an insider in the Saints' personnel department who actually knows head coach Sean Payton's and defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs' intentions?

I know, I know, they are just looking out for the integrity of their source so they continue to be "looped in" to valuable news. I'm just bitter that they get more hits than us.

As far as the Saints' starting free safety position, here's what I think....

Bullocks is in the final year of his rookie contract. He has all the incentive in the world to be on the field this season and perform. Problem is, Bullocks had knee surgery early in the offseason and hasn't recovered yet. So, OBVIOUSLY, Kaesviharn is getting first team reps until Bullocks is healthy -- and when Bullocks is healthy, it's his job again... or is it?

When the Saints brought it Kaesviharn last season, the expectation was that he challenge Josh Bullocks for the starting free-safety job. However, much like Brian Simmons in his competition with Mark Simoneau at middle linebacker, Kaesviharn could never unseat Bullocks until the end of the season (and only then because Bullocks was forced out with a quad injury). The question is, why? Was Bullocks' play that good? I think not. Was Kaesviharn slow to pick up the defense? Possibly. Did it even matter who was starting, because our RCB (Jason David) was THAT bad? Probably so.

However, unlike Simmons at middle linebacker (all hail Vilma!), Kaesviharn is still around. Right now, the reality is that HE is getting all the reps at free safety, not Bullocks. In the meantime, Bullocks is doing nothing to dispell the public notion that he is inconsistent and unreliable in the secondary (ok -- that's being nice -- public perception is that he sucks). In this case, perception is reality.

Frustrating for Saints fans is that Mickey Loomis and the Saints front office is sending us mixed messages. They made no attempt this offseason (in the draft or in free agency) to upgrade the FS position. Then, after the draft, Loomis commented that the team liked what they had in Bullocks and went as far as to say that "Josh has been a good player for us."

Come on boss, are you serious?

Loomis is not serious. He was just being smart in addressing the media. Imagine the stir it would have caused if when asked about Bullocks Loomis said, "Josh is really not that good a player. It's a shame, he has all the tangibles needed to be a successful free safety in this league, but he just sucks. I don't know what else to say. He's like a fast chicken with his head cut off. Next year, he will not be with us."

If Loomis were serious with his above-mentioned claim, it would be Josh Bullocks' contract (and not Will Smith's, Jahri Evans', or Marques Colston's contract) that the team would be trying to get re-worked. But there has been no such mention of any contract extension for the free safety who has started 43 of the last 46 games after being selected as a second-round pick in 2005 -- and there will be no mention of one.

Because the Saints are not sure Kaesviharn is the better option (and because Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis are just good men), they will not publicly say it; but trust me, Bullocks will not be on the team unless he takes a pay cut next year. Maybe Kaesviharn will not either, as someone from the outside (via free agency or the draft) should and probably will be brought in to upgrade that position.

In 2008, the better player will start the season at free safety. And right now, while Josh Bullocks does his best Cam Cleeland and Donte Stallworth imitation from the sideline, that player is Kevin Kaesviharn.

Fantasy Love / Hate: Running Backs

Due to the fact that Saints training camp is still a month out, I thought it would be good to get a jump start on fantasy football.

Currently, I play in 4 leagues: a dynasty league, a customized keeper league (easily my favorite), a "normal" league, and an auction league. In the coming weeks I will give you 3 players from each position that I love and hate heading in to the 2008 season. At first I wanted to write about my thoughts on every player, but for now, I thought it best to limit myself. Admittedly, it's a little early. Players' roles are sure to change as we move through training camps around the league and committee approaches will be clearer then, but this should serve to get the ball rolling as you begin to think who you want to target.

Some people I love/hate will be taken in the first round, some people will be taken much later. This is not a ranking, but merely my suggestion if a certain player is being overvalued or undervalued relative to his early suggested draft position by other major publications. And as always, I will rarely present the obvious -- that will be left to everyone else. I'm going to dig deep baby!

So here it goes:

Running Backs I Love (i.e. think are undervalued):

1.) Joseph Addai (COLTS) -- No, this has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a rabid LSU fan. Largely speaking the two top ranked RB's heading in to the 2008 season are L.T. for his past efforts and A.P. for his obvious potential. However, I have concerns about each. Addai is the running back I want. He is entering his 3rd year in Tom Moore's offense and Payton Manning trusts him immensely. The reason Addai was able to succeed as a rookie was because he excelled in pass protection. That hasn't changed and as a result Addai will stay on the field early and often. Sure, the Colts signed Dominic Rhodes to a one year deal after Oakland released him -- why wouldn't they -- he knows the offense and will be asked (along with Mike Hart) to spell Addai. Neither is a threat to Addai as a primary ball carrier, but each will ensure Joe is fresh until the end. Top that off with the fact that the Colts are less likely to sit their players at the end of the year (see Patriots / Giants week 17 matchup for confirmation) and Addai is primed to be your #1 ball carrier. Most fantasy owners will drool at the opportunity to take L.T. or A.P. with the first or second pick (and others will love to have Westbrook or Jackson at #3), but give me the # 4 overall, and I will gladly pluck Addai and add him to my roster.

2.) Maurice Jones-Drew (JAGUARS) -- Admittedly, I hated this guy last year and wanted nothing to do with him. I was right -- he still was involved in a time share with Taylor and I just wasn't certain that he was the real deal. Well one year later, I am. Jones-Drew is proof that big things come in small packages. I usually hate small backs in fantasy because I think they are less likely to get the goal-line carries. For some reason, the little jaguar is different. He's like a balling ball with legs, yet (amazingly) he still has the top-end speed to hit the homerun. Goal-line carries: check. Homerun ability: check. Excellent pass-catcher: check. Good O-line: check. Fragile Fred: check. Fred Taylor made many dumb owners look intelligent last year when he held up and produced at an elite level in his time-share with MJJ. He won't do it again. Either this year or next, Fred will be out of the NFL, and MJJ will be a top 5 fantasy back.

3.) Selvin Young (BRONCOS) -- Ok, I know this one is bound to get quite a few raised eyebrows, but hear me out. Last year, Shanahan had done something he never had done before. He signed a quality starting RB in free agency named Travis Henry. At the time, Henry was coming off a banner year in which he rejuvenated his career with the Tennessee Titans. The experts said he would be the perfect fit for Denver's one-cut, zone-blocking scheme. Unfortunately for Henry, he is now out of a job, as Selvin Young proved more productive and reliable. I know all of you will say that to gamble with a Bronco back is madness -- they can never be counted on, right? Well maybe this time you can. Even Shanahan knows when he's being too cute. Sure, he signed Michael Pittman as veteran insurance and Pittman may see the field on third downs. But I just have a feeling that Shanahan is finally ready to stop his annual game of musical running backs. You and I both know that no one will touch Selvin in the early rounds because of the perceived risk (and certainly there is some there). But if I told you he has a great chance to be the most consistent back Denver has had since Clinton Portis, would you not "steal him" in round 4? I would.... and I will.


Running Backs I hate (i.e. think are overvalued):

1.) LaDanian Tomlinson (CHARGERS) -- Let me explain. Heading in to last year, I had Larry Johnson in my Keeper league. Because of the wear and tear he had from the previous 2 seasons (and admittedly for a few other reasons), I chose to trade him. In my three other leagues, I privately declared that, under no circumstances, would I draft him or Rudi Johnson (I figured Rudi, too, was due for an injury). How do you think that decision turned out? Larry Johnson went away, Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson (whom I acquired with the #1 overall pick I received in the L.J. trade) joined my team. For what it's worth, I finished 3rd. The guy I traded with actually finished 2nd, but it had nothing to do with Larry Johnson -- he actually rode Braylon Edwards (who he grabbed with my 2nd-round pick that he received from me in the same trade) and Jamal Lewis into and through the playoffs. The trade actually helped both of us, but I bet if he had to do it over again, my friend would not have given away the rights to Peterson and Randy Moss for a guy who had so much mileage.

With that in mind, let's get back to why I hate Tomlinson this year. Fantasy Football is all about value, and L.T.'s will never be any higher. In every league, he should be no worst than the #2 overall pick, and for good reason. Take a look at his production since 2001.

2007 G -16 Att -315 Yds -1474 Td's - 15
2006 G -16 Att -348 Yds -1815 Td's - 28
2005 G -16 Att -339 Yds -1462 Td's - 18
2004 G -15 Att -339 Yds -1335 Td's - 17
2003 G -16 Att -313 Yds -1645 Td's - 13
2002 G -16 Att -372 Yds -1683 Td's - 14
2001 G -16 Att -339 Yds -1236 Td's - 10

Totals: G-111 Att-2365 Yds-10650 Td's-115

Certainly, that's incredible. Tomlinson has rattled off 7 straight years of elite production. However, with that production comes mileage, and in Tomlinson's case, a ton of it. Since 2001 his legs have accrued 10,650 yards on 2,365 carries without a single injury... until last years' playoffs. Tomlinson, like all of the other great ones before him, will hit a wall. Will it be this year? or next? My bet is that it will be one or the other. Drafting him #1 overall with the expectation that he will be the bedrock of your team is risky business. If you get the #1 overall pick, what should you do? Trade back to 3 or 4 and draft Addai -- trust me.

2.) Larry Johnson (CHIEFS) -- I hated him last year, and I hate him again this season. What's changed? He still has Brody Croyle behind center which means another season of constant 8 and 9 man fronts. Sure, Branden Albert will help the O-line, but the unit will still be one of the worst in the NFL. At least they brought in Jamal Charles as a change of pace back to spell Johnson, but that hardly indicates a return to glory for L.J.. His ceiling will be 1200 yards and 8 touchdowns this year. For someone that's projected to be a top-10 back, that's pathetic. The chiefs offense of 3 years ago is a distant memory, and so is L.J.'s status as an elite fantasy back.

3.) Jonathan Stewart (PANTHERS) -- Many expect this rookie to come in and, by the end of the year, stake claim to Carolina's running back position. Out of all the rookies I would draft (McFadden, Mendenhall, Forte, Smith), Stewart is the last. It's not so much that I don't trust him, although he still is limited with the foot injury. It's that I think John Fox is a moron. I truly believe he is one of the most unintelligent coaches in the NFL. Every year, Fox changes his mind about what type of running attack he wants to have. Two years ago, it was a "pound it" philosophy. Then when he realized that D. Foster and D. Williams couldn't handle the role as a between-the-tackles runner, he ditched his power running game for a "zone-blocking" scheme. Then when Foster stunk it up again, he decided to go back to his "power" running style of offense that made him successful when Stephen Davis was there (and he drafted Stewart and Jeff Otah to help in that regard). Problem is, that even with Otah, the Panthers' O-line still isn't very good. What's more cause for concern is that Fox has publicly stated that he wants his new "power back" to return kicks, too. Even if Stewart beats out Williams for the lions' share of the carries, I'll save my late-round flyer or early keeper/dynasty-league pick on someone else.

Next week I will look at wide-receivers and will tell you why Greg Jennings coming out party will be alot like Michael Clayton's... one and done.

If anyone has fantasy football thoughts or questions you would like us to post or answer, send an e-mail to whodatsayteam@gmail.com.

Can Reggie Bush be great in '08?

By Eddie Griffin, Bleacher Report.

Will Reggie Bush be known more for his girl’s ass than his NFL talents?

The upcoming NFL season could prove pivotal toward answering that question.

While Bush’s girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, does have a wonderful posterior, I highly doubt he would be content being known as “that NFL player Kim Kardashian is with.”

Despite being behind only Peyton Manning in NFL endorsement deals, and despite being drafted No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2006, Bush’s illustrious star has slowly dimmed to such a point that another lackluster season could potentially lead to Bush’s star-power fizzling out. Full Story

Ranking the Big Uglies

A powerful and deep O-Line is perhaps the greatest foundation of a football team. You fantasy freaks may want to read this. A great QB is nothing, a talented running back is worthless, a fast wide-receiver is inept -- all without the protection, room, and time their offensive line affords them. So, how does the Saints line stack up against others in the league?

Matthew Williamson of Scouts Inc examined all 32 offensive lines and ranks them here. The Saints come in at #9. Here's what he had to say about the top ten -- admittedly, Cleveland at #1 was a surprise...

So which team has the best offensive line in the league? Scouts Inc. breaks them down Nos. 1 through 32.

1. Cleveland Browns
While most NFL teams have about four linemen who are truly starting caliber, the Browns have seven or eight. Not only are they deep, but they arguably have the best left side in the NFL with LG Eric Steinbach and LT Joe Thomas. Entering his second season, Thomas is talented enough to potentially be recognized as the best lineman in the game before the end of the 2008 season. He is a great athlete, has ideal size (6-foot-6, 313 pounds) and the passion to bury his opponent. As a rookie, he wasn't overwhelmed by the speed and size of the game at this level, and now he's had an entire offseason to properly prepare. At 6-6, Steinbach is tall for a guard and lacks ideal bulk, but he is very quick, smart and athletic. He consistently gets under the pads of his opponents, works hard to finish and is tremendous in space. The rest of the group isn't too shabby and made QB Derek Anderson look exceptional last year. The pass protection is impeccable. Ryan Tucker will miss time to start the season, but Cleveland shouldn't miss a beat in his absence. Center Hank Fraley is a tough guy in the middle of the line and does a fine job making the line calls. After a great season in 2007, this group will be even better in 2008.

2. Dallas Cowboys
Adding 6-6, 366-pound Leonard Davis to an already stable offensive line was a great move that paid off in a big way last year. A bit of a washout at tackle, Davis proved to be an exceptional guard, and the Cowboys ran behind him when they needed a tough yard. Center Andre Gurode doesn't get the credit he deserves as one of the best pivotmen in the game today. Getting to QB Tony Romo is very difficult against a group that not only pass protects well, but also holds its own as run-blockers. LT Flozell Adams had his best season, but he signed a new contract in the offseason and will need to keep his intensity up after the big payday. RT Marc Colombo is the weakest link among the starters and could be pushed for playing time if he doesn't play better in training camp. Still, this is a tough group that's coached by Hudson Houch, who is one of the best line coaches in the league and has a knack for getting the most out of his players.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Everyone on the planet knew that Minnesota was going to run the football last year, and what did they do? They ran it as well as anyone in the league, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The lack of a passing game cannot be attributed to the Vikings' front five, but this unit is better at run blocking than pass protection. There simply isn't a better offensive lineman in the game than Steve Hutchinson, and his presence on this unit cannot be overstated. The rest of the crew is very solid, but Hutchinson is a superstar. Keep an eye on Bryant McKinnie's legal situation, though, as the Vikes do not have another left tackle to fall back on. McKinnie is more inconsistent than many realize, but playing next to Hutchinson can mask some problems. It is also conceivable that the right side of the line played over its head last year and could come back to earth, but the tandem of RG Anthony Herrera and RT Ryan Cook does have great size and some nastiness.

4. New England Patriots
How do you think Tom Brady was able to stand in the pocket all day and wait for his fantastic receivers to get open? This line is terrific. Last year New England only allowed 21 sacks, even though Brady threw it nearly 600 times. The line's ability to pass block was obvious, but for some reason, the Patriots' ability to open holes in the run game went under the radar. With all the star power on New England's offense, Logan Mankins is easy to forget, but he is one of the top guards in the league. There are some concerns about this group, however. Guard Stephen Neal is coming off shoulder surgery, OT Nick Kaczur -- the weakest link among the starters -- is dealing with off-the-field issues and the last game this group played was not its finest. While OT Matt Light had a good season and is a very good player, pure speed-rushers give him all that he can handle. But for all these problems, this group still had three Pro Bowl representatives last year and is one of the best out there.

5. Indianapolis Colts
Howard Mudd is among the best line coaches in the NFL, and his group of linemen consistently plays at a high level year after year. The Colts put a premium on left tackle and require an exceptional athlete to protect Peyton Manning's blind side, but they otherwise get by with intelligent, hard-working, fundamentally sound grinders who play very well within the system. The group is well-conditioned and handles assignments effectively. LT Tony Ugoh should be noticeably better in his second season. Center Jeff Saturday keeps it all together, and as evidenced by Indianapolis drafting three centers in this past draft, the organization fears for life after Saturday. Saturday is tough, technically sound and excels at handling the line calls in conjunction with Manning. The Colts lost Jake Scott, but he will probably be replaced by rookie Mike Pollak, who is also slated to be Saturday's heir some day. Charlie Johnson could factor in at guard or as a valuable sixth man. It's no secret that this group does a great job of keeping Manning clean in the pocket, but it is also proficient in the run game, executing Indianapolis' zone-stretch scheme. At the same time, it should not be overlooked that the many weapons on the Colts' roster and Manning's uncanny pocket presence help to make this line's job a little easier.

6. San Diego Chargers
This group struggled to start the 2007 season without C Nick Hardwick in the lineup. Unfortunately for San Diego, it will start the 2008 season without Hardwick, who is coming off foot surgery. However, this is a very good group overall. LT Marcus McNeill started slowly last season, but rebounded quickly. At 6-foot-7, 336 pounds, he has tremendous size, long arms and good athletic ability. McNeill and LG Kris Dielman make up one of the best left sides in the league, and this duo can be dominant at times. There are some concerns on the right side, however, as RG Mike Goff is starting to slow down with age and RT Jeromey Clary, who was a pleasant surprise last year, still needs to further prove himself. This group is better at pass blocking than run blocking, and the Chargers might look to throw more next season.

7. New York Giants
Chris Snee is the best player on this offensive line, but overall, it isn't a group loaded with big names. However, these guys produce as a unit and are well-coached, tough and reliable. An above-average pass-blocking group, it is simply an exceptional run-blocking line and paved the way for New York's backs to average a whopping 4.6 yards per carry in 2007. With the ability to consistently gain chunks of yardage on the ground, perhaps the Giants' Super Bowl run shouldn't have been all that surprising. Many felt that David Diehl was a guard playing out of position at left tackle and that speed rushers would have their way with him. Diehl proved his doubters wrong and did an admirable job of protecting Eli Manning's blind side on the edge. The depth here isn't ideal, but this is a line that can be counted on.

8. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a solid but underrated set of starting tackles in Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton. Both players are smart, tough and highly effective. They also seem to play their best against top competition. On the interior, the Packers are young and deep -- qualities that will lead to excellent overall competition for playing time. At 6-foot-2, 295 pounds, Scott Wells isn't real big, but he is one of the better centers in the league and an exceptional technician. The interior is also athletic, fitting well with the Packers' zone-blocking principles. There may not have been a better pass-blocking line in the league last year, and this group got better in the run game as the season progressed. There should be very little drop-off in 2008.

9. New Orleans Saints
The Saints allowed a measly 16 sacks last year despite Drew Brees' 652 pass attempts. Brees, who is exceptional at feeling the rush and getting the ball out quickly, deserves some of the credit, but obviously, his protection was exceptional as well. However, the Saints didn't do nearly as good a job opening holes for the running backs, who averaged just 3.7 yards per rush. This stark contrast obviously puts a ton of pressure on Brees and the Saints' passing game, but that group has stepped up quite well. Still, to be an elite offense, New Orleans is going to have to run the ball with more consistency. Jammal Brown is one of the top left tackles in the league, but the Saints lost Jeff Faine to division rival Tampa Bay. Jonathan Goodwin, who is bigger and more powerful at the point of attack, will take over at center, but overall, this is a downgrade, and Faine's nasty edge and leadership will be missed. Keep an eye on underrated RG Jahri Evans. He has a chance to develop into one of the best guards in the game today.

10. Philadelphia Eagles
Guard Shawn Andrews and tackle Jon Runyan make up one of the best right sides in the league, and the Eagles can count on them to move their opponent in short yardage and crucial situations. Runyan, who played much of last season with a cracked tailbone, is as tough as they come, and Andrews is versatile enough to kick out to tackle if needed. This is a much better run blocking than pass blocking group, but some of those issues can be attributed to Donovan McNabb's immobility early last season as he nursed his ailing knee. The Eagles' tackles also are getting up in age and not as quick out of their stances as they once were. Still, this is a mauling line that can move bodies, and although it is against his DNA, coach Andy Reid would be wise to incorporate more power running into this offense, which is notorious for throwing the ball. There is some healthy competitiveness and position versatility within this group as well, but there is not a true left tackle of the future. An injury to LT William Thomas could be a major problem.

WhoDatSay.com reader Kris Nichols had this breakdown of the Saints O-line:

With some new faces the Oline will be very competitive this year so here is my analysis of how it breaks down.

Tackle -- at Left tackle all reports are that Jamaal Brown is looking better now than he has since he has been in the NFL which is saying something, so we should expect him back in the probowl this January. Right Tackle has the chance for a good competition to develop. Incumbent starter Jon Stinchcomb will have a battle to hold off 3rd year player Zach Strief who has slimed down from 349 pounds to a svelte 325 and has gained some speed and agility to go along with his huge frame and long arms.

The other Tackle is Jermon Bushrod who was drafted last year in the 4th round, while he won't be pushing for a starting spot look for him to contribute more with more experience in the system now.

Guard -- Left Guard this is another area that I expect to have some competition this year. Right now Jamar Nesbit is the starter but he could be pushed by 2nd year man Andy Alleman or 5th round pick Carl Nicks who won't stay on the sidelines for too long this year. Alleman who is a former DT is very athletic and intelligent and Nicks is also very athletic considering his size 6-4 341 pounds. Right Guard we have a very underrated player in Jahri Evans who should be looking at his first probowl coming up in January.

Center -- With the departure of Jeff Faine to the Bucs the starting job falls to Jonathan Goodwin, don't worry Goodwin is an intelligent athletic player who has earned the right to be called a starter while he doesn't have the finesse of Faine in the passing game he will be a much better drive blocker on running plays. The other center is Matt Lehr who I think will be the odd man out at the end of camp, especially with the questions about steroids flaring up again and now the guy who pointed the finger out him has been found dead. (Makes you wonder about Lehr if he had anything to do with that).

Overall the Saints have made some improvements on the line and with the younger players getting better and more experience look for another season as the lowest number of sacks given up and some much needed improvement in the run game.
-- Kris Nichols