The following is an article from The Times-Picayune (via Nola.com) writer Peter Finney on the progress of the Saints thus far in training camp. I am getting excited for a big year for the black and gold!
JACKSON, MISS. -- It's a given the Saints have a decent shot to win the NFC South this season for an obvious reason.
Drew Brees is the best quarterback in the division.
By a long completion.
On a golden 97-degree Saturday afternoon, No. 9 was throwing 'em to the left, to the right, and up the gut.
As was the case last year, there was a drop here and there, but the message was the same: Brees is back, as good as ever.
The question is, as it always has been, since Coach Sean Payton's ballclub finished a disappointing 7-9 a year ago: Will a defense that ranked third to last in the league last season get a little closer to the offense, simply to give the offense a better chance to turn "Ls" into "Ws?"
The coach said "yes," the defense will be closer, more effective, that is, if his eyes aren't failing him.
"I think we'll be a lot better in the secondary," Payton said. "A lot better."
And, he suggested, he feels they'll be more effective in the other two areas, at linebacker and up front, because of one word: Quickness.
There were signs of this Saturday, when the No.1s faced one another during a 10-play stretch. There was the kind of up-front penetration that was not evident last year, at least on a consistent basis.
While it was evident in a scrimmage, remember, it was a measuring stick based on a mere 10 plays, not four quarters.
We will not get a real answer until we're well into September to determine if a defense that last year gave up 245 yards per game, 32 touchdown passes, and 54 completions of 20 yards or better has made significant strides.
As far as mini measuring sticks go, the most impressive one Saturday belonged to Skyler Green, the onetime LSU hero trying to win his NFL letter as a kick returner/wide receiver.
On Saturday, Green came up with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 46-yard reception, a nice catch, but perhaps not as impressive as a sideline grab he made that was erased for his foot being a whisker out of bounds.
In no particular order, here's a rundown on some of the training camp positives.
Robert Meachem: The camp performance by the wide receiver has been what Payton expected last year from a top pick whose rookie season was clouded by injury. He has been running routes and making catches, not like someone who spent his rookie year as a spectator, rather like someone who played to his resume coming out of college.
Sedrick Ellis: This year's No.1 pick was late reporting, but quick in establishing himself as a force up the middle.
Jonathan Vilma: The prized free-agent middle linebacker, still in recovery mode after offseason surgery, has done enough in camp to suggest he's on schedule to move into a starting role.
Bobby McCray: Lured from the Jaguars by a sweet financial deal, the guy's quickness off the corner suggests it was money well spent. If the up-tick continues, he has the makings of a defensive force.
Jermon Bushrod: A huge (6 feet 5, 315 pounds) pick last year at offensive tackle, he has made steady strides as the backup to Jammal Brown at a position critical in protecting the quarterback.
Carl Nicks: Another large body (6-5, 343), the rookie offensive lineman had the draft credentials to go higher than Round 5, where the Saints felt he was a steal. He hasn't done anything yet to suggest he won't be.
Adrian Arrington: Another rookie, a seventh-round pick the Saints traded back into the draft to land, he has shown, so far, he may have the qualities to join the deep pool of receivers Payton has collected.
Usama Young: A third-round pick last year, who contributed primarily on special teams during his rookie season, has been impressive in coverage at a position in need of all the help it can muster.
So stay tuned.
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