re: Can't contain myself any longer. Saints built for a deep run into the postseason

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1. The defense wasn't good, but it was better, especially with the pass rush (100+ QB hits in 2016 compared to 64 in 2015). If the Saints would have converted 4 of those hits to sacks, which could easily be more of a coverage issue, they'd be 13th in the NFL in total sacks.

2. The Saints were decimated at corner. There is no reason to believe that PJ isn't a full go going into 2017. Lattimore, Breaux, Williams, and Moore could easily be one of the better units in the league. Compare this to last years Ken Crawley, B.W. Webb, and Sterling Moore unit.

3. They upgraded from literal dead weight (Kruger) at DE opposite of Cam with Okafor, a young DE who was 5th in pass rush efficiency in 2016 and already has an 8 sack season under his belt. In addition, we may be adding a healthy Kikaha as well. Anything out of rookie Trey Hendrickson will be an added bonus. The Saints were 19th in QB hurries while Rankins was out and 9th when Rankins returned. Cam, Fairley, Rankins, and Okafor should be a VERY respectable unit.

4. We are DEEP at LB and S. We had two starting caliber NFL linebackers on the roster last year. Now we have 4 (Klein, Ellerbe, Robertson, Anzalone). Stupar and Teo provide good depth.

The 3 safety set could be strong with Williams/Bell, Bush (upgrade over Byrd), and Vaccaro.

5. Our offense was the best it's been since 2013 scoring close to 30 ppg. The only weaknesses were Armstead being hurt every other week and the complete lack of a 3rd down pass catching back. With the addition of Kamara (stud) and Ramczyk, our last two holes on offense are filled.

6. Potentially dominant running game with Ingram, AD, and Kamara versus Ingram, Hightower, and Cadet. Saints may finally be able to sustain long drives and keep the D off the field.

7. Special teams - Ted Ginn or Kamara will be running kicks back instead of Travaris Cadet. Will Lutz found his stride down the stretch and as long as he corrects his trajectory will be one of the better kickers in the NFL.

8. Overhauled coaching staff

9. At Quarterback from Purdue! Dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

This is a superbowl caliber roster. I personally guarantee the Saints will make the playoffs. If they don't I will gladly accept a ban for the 2018 season.

Floor is 11-5 but I'm seeing 12-4 or 13-3

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1 like jim mora said "coulda, woulda, shoulda", until I actually "see" improvement here I cant do more then hope its better this year and I don't see any change in QB pressures this year

2 hard to believe things can ever be as bad as last year, if lattimore can stay healthy I think we greatly improve here which "should" get us a few more coverage sacks and 3 and outs.

3 I see the changes here as positive but im not sure if they got "really good" here but they should at least be at "average of the league good"

4 well you are jumping the gun, we first need to see if Anzalone makes the team and the same goes for Teo. I think that Klein, Ellerbe, Robertson, and Stupar will be solid for us. with the safeties we will have to see how that shakes out, but I think it may be about a wash or just slightly improved. I don't think they were that bad, they were just hurt all the time.

5 we should see an improved offense now with the additions.

6 I don't see AP as being THAT big a difference maker but we shall see, he will definitely contribute to taking some pressure off of drew.

7 - 9 I agree with

overall, I am optimistic but being realistic im not ready to project payoffs, they "should" be able to do that, but im thinking they may be looking at doing it with a 9-7 or 10-6 record. I think tampa is young and talented and steadily improving year after year and may be ready to compete for the division this year so its not just about us being better then Atlanta and Carolina to get us into to the playoffs.

I'm as optimistic as anyone else.
I convince myself the saints will win the super bowl every off season without exception.
BUT to debate your first bullet point - there were numerous games last season I came away convinced the saints pass rush was the absolute worst pass rush of any team in NFL history.
I think they are going to improve this season but the "qb hit" numbers from last year tell a lie. If there was a stat for the amount of third downs where the qb had over 5 seconds to chill in the pocket and complete a pass, the saints would have set the high water mark.
But I'm hopeful improved interior line play , some new pass rushers , less injuries , and better coaching can have a big impact.

"The Saints were 9th in the NFL in QB hurries when Rankins returned"


There are extended plays in every NFL game, not just Saints games


Also, Okafor is a big upgrade over Kruger. Also, we drafted another DE for depth.


No way anyone in here is gonna argue Rankins, Fairley, and Cam are below average pass rushers

The darkening of the gold is legit


But I wasn't sure of the collars outside of the Thomas tweet

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Cooks did have success, but he wasn't the primary receiving focus. It's the THREAT of the deep ball on the play, not the actual completions, that stretch it.

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Cooks is a good player and it sucks that he went to New England. Should have traded him to a crap team. But when you look at his production nearly 43% of his yards came in 3 games. The other 13 games he was held fairy in check and in some games he even disappeared. Big physical corners give him trouble.

Must.not.upvote.breauxmo









frick it, did it anyway

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Stopped reading when I saw that AnalZone was misspelled.

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good. take your stupidity and go elsewhere.

ily man

Bmo what do you think of rookie impact?

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For those expecting a big impact from their rookie class:

Only 26 rookies in 2016 graded as above average starters @PFF

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I'd be surprised if Marcus Williams doesn't play over Rafael Bush(at FS) in our 4-2-5 defense. I think Bush backs up Bell at SS & Williams at FS. If Vaccaro goes down...we probably just play with 2 safeties, b/c no other Safety can do what he does around the LOS(we would need to play 3 LB's to successfully stop the run, & hope for the best against the pass). Jordan is our best player on defense, but Vaccaro might be the most important player to our defense being successful. He stops the run as good as a LB(covers good around the LOS & is a good blitzer), & let's us have 4 other DB's on the field for max production against the pass.

Our 4-2-5 defense
D-Line - Jordan, Fairley, Rankins/Davison(1st down & obvious running situations), Onyemata/Okafor/Kikaha/Hendrickson
LB - Ellerbe(hopefully he stays healthy), Robertson
DB - Vaccaro, Bell(hopefully he takes the next step), Marcus Williams, Lattimore, Breaux(hopefully he stays healthy)
We need to stay healthy & have our young guys step up. Lot of 'ifs", but the potential is certainly there. I assume Klein is in the game at MLB when we run a 4-3(either Bell or Marcus Williams would come out of the game in this situation).

I think Lattimore, Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, & Kamara all get plenty of playing time this year. Even though it's less likely...we may even get lucky & get production from Analzone, Hendrickson, or Muhammad this year as well.

Better talent & better coaching than last year. Hopefully better injury luck as well. I'm excited about this year.