re: Bill Barnwell of ESPN doesn't really like the Saints offseason moves...

Realistic expectations are somewhere in that mediocre 7-9 to 9-7 range. It's about where we have been stuck the last couple of years with even horrible defenses. Even if there aren't any real improvements that's where I expect to be. If the defense is marginally improved, which isn't a given, then we can hope to push for at least 9 wins. If it shows real improvement, which I'm really not holding my breath for, then 10 wins should be possible.

People expecting this to be a 4 or 5 win team, which I have seen predicted recently are being beyond the pail pessimistic. I can't see that happening with a healthy Brees.