New Orleans Saints fans have been calling for head coach Jim Haslett's head for the past couple years now, and they may have gotten their wish had the Saints not caught fire at the end of the 2004 season and nearly snagged a wild card birth. Haslett hopes that mad dash in December carries into the beginning of 2005. If the Saints fail to make the playoffs once again, the embattled coach may not be so fortunate this time around.Strengths: The success of the New Orleans Saints begins and ends with star running back Deuce McAllister. Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
Management made a wise move on the eve of training camp by locking him up for the long term with a 7-year contract extension. Deuce McAllister is the definition of a "franchise back", and he should get back to being one of the top runners in the NFL after playing through ankle problems in 2004. The New Orleans Saints defense has been a major point of criticism the past couple years, but they have a strong defensive line, led by bookends Charles Grant and Darren Howard. You can also add 2nd year man Will Smith, who had 7 ? sacks himself, to the defensive end mix. Those three accounted for 29 of the team's 37 sacks in 2004, but the rest of the front seven will need to step up for these defense to be considered above average; way too many missed assignments and breakdowns last year. When quarterback Aaron Brooks is at his best, he and receiver Joe Horn are one of the deadliest combinations in the NFL. The Saints have the ability to put up points in bunches. Unfortunately, Brooks tends to make bad decisions at crucial moments in games, and as a team, the Saints turn the ball over way too much, putting added pressure to an already spotty defense. With McAllister back, hopefully the team will be able to control the ball better, and the D won't have to spend so much time on the field. Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
Dante Stallworth returns to start opposite Horn. The special teams are pretty solid. Kicker John Carney, punter Mitch Berger, and speedy return specialist Michael Lewis assume the same roles they held a season ago. Weaknesses: Defense, defense, defense. How this unit performs will tell if New Orleans makes a playoff run or if this organization runs Haslett out of town and once again starts over with a new coach. As talented as the front four is, the linebackers and secondary are just as poor. Safety Jay Bellamy is the only quality guy of those seven. The team attempted to upgrade last year by acquiring Mike McKenzie from the Packers before the trade deadline. McKenzie will pick off his fair share of passes, but his aggressiveness is also costly. Just to show you how weak this defense was, leading tackler Tebucky Jones is currently a second team player on the Miami Dolphins. The Saints failed to upgrade at linebacker, and Colby Bockwoldt looks to be the best of a mediocre bunch. Defensive coordinator Rick Venturi has been trying different combinations early in training camp. The only problem is they've had a rash of injuries. The New Orleans Saints offensive line was respectable in 2004, and they upgraded mightily by adding former Philadelphia Eagles mainstay Jermane Mayberry and the top tackle in the draft with 1st rounder Jammal Brown out of Oklahoma. If this new unit comes together early on, Deuce McAllister could have a huge season.Overall: This team looks a whole lot like the Oakland Raiders, except without Moss but with a better running back. The front four must continue to play outstanding, but unfortunately they can't cover downfield. The defense stepped up at the end of 2004 to save Haslett's job, but I can't see this group being strong all season, too many uncertainties. Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
If New Orleans can control the ball that'll help cover up the liabilities, but they can't afford to turn the ball over like they've done in the past.I can't see this team making the playoffs, and Haslett will most certainly be gone if they don't. Only one coach has won consistently here, Jim Mora, and we won't ask him what he thinks about the Saints chances at the playoffs.
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