The Ultimate Sports Blog's
2015-16 NFL Preview
2014-15 Record: 7-9
Last Playoff Win: 2013 Wild Card vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Playoff Appearance: 2013 Divisional vs. Seattle Seahawks
Last Super Bowl Win: XLIV vs. Indianapolis Colts (2009)
Last Super Bowl Appearance: XLIV vs. Indianapolis Colts (2009)
Head Coach:
Sean Payton (80-48 all-time in New Orleans, 6-4 in playoffs)
Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael
Defensive Coordinator: Rob Ryan
2014-15 Team Leaders:
Passing Yards: Drew Brees (4,952 yards, 69.2% completions, 33 TD's, 17 INT's, 97.0 QB rating)
Rushing Yards: Mark Ingram (226 attempts, 964 yards, 9 TD's)
Receiving Yards: Kenny Stills (63 receptions, 931 yards, 3 TD's)
Tackles: Curtis Lofton (145 tackles)
Interceptions: Kenny Vaccaro/Corey White/Keenan Lewis/Patrick Robinson/Pierre Warren (2 interceptions)
2014-15 Team Rankings:
Passing Offense: 3rd in NFL
Rushing Offense: 13th in NFL
Points Per Game: 9th in NFL
Least Points Allowed Per Game: 28th in NFL
2014-15 Potential Starters:
Purpe - Elite Starter
Blue - Above Average Starter
Green - Average Starter
Orange - Below Average Starter
Grey - Rookie
Red - Disgusting, Awful, Horrible, E.J. Manuel
Offense:
QB: Drew Brees
RB: Mark Ingram
WR: Marques Colston
WR: Brandin Cooks
TE: Benjamin Watson
C: Max Unger
OG: Jahri Evans
OG: Tim Lelito
OT: Zach Strief
OT: Terron Armstead
Defense:
DE: Akiem Hicks
DE: Kevin Williams
DT: John Jenkins
LB: David Hawthorne
LB: Cameron Jordan
LB: Dannell Ellerbe
LB: Anthony Spencer
CB: Keenan Lewis
CB: Brandon Browner
FS: Jairus Byrd
SS: Kenny Vaccaro
2014-15 Schedule:
(September 13) vs. @ Arizona Cardinals
(September 20) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(September 27) vs. @ Carolina Panthers
(October 4) vs. Dallas Cowboys
(October 11) vs. @ Philadelphia Eagles
(October 15) vs. Atlanta Falcons
(October 25) vs. @ Indianapolis Colts
(November 1) vs. New York Giants
(November 8) vs. Tennessee Titans
(November 15) vs. @ Washington Redskins
(November 22) BYE WEEK
(November 29) vs. @ Houston Texans
(December 6) vs. Carolina Panthers
(December 13) vs. @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(December 21) vs. Detroit Lions
(December 27) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
(January 3) vs. @ Atlanta Falcons
Overlook: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The once powerful New Orleans Saints (who have pretty much been a juggernaut since Sean Payton took over) just don't look the same anymore. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly their problem is these days, but something is amiss. When you look at the Saints roster, there really isn't a whole lot to like outside of their quarterback who has been consistently fantastic for what seems like forever now. Outside of Drew Brees though, there isn't an elite player on this team, and I don't know if Saints fans are quite aware of this or not...but the team doesn't look that great on paper.
The offensive side of the ball is definitely the strength of this New Orleans team. Brees is their only elite player and even though he doesn't have the best weapons in the league to work with, he usually makes everyone around him better. Mark Ingram struggled in the early stages of his career, but he looks to have started coming around and could have a pretty good year this season. The Saints offensive line isn't bad and the run blocking should improve with Jimmy Graham out of town and Max Unger in. Saints fans are really hoping that Brandin Cooks potential starts to show this season because if not, it could be a long year for anyone who owns Brees in fantasy. Who are his weapons outside of Cooks? He has none.
On the defensive side of the ball, things really start to get disgusting. The Saints were horrible last season allowing the 28th most points in the league and going from 4th to 31st in the league in yards allowed. I don't expect much improvement from this unit this season. There are no really good players on this defense, but there are some guys who could break out this year (Kenny Vaccaro for example) and New Orleans needs that in the worst way. Don't be surprised if this is the last year that we see Rob Ryan in New Orleans. He just doesn't have much to work with from this unit.
So, what should we expect from this year's Saints team? Not much. I think 5-8 wins is their ceiling. They COULD win a division crown I suppose (the NFC South is still not a great division), but I would be shocked if they even contended for one. However, anything is possible when you have one of the best quarterbacks and head coaches in the league working together. So I guess there's always at least a glitter of hope for Saints fans. That's more than what some other fans of certain NFL teams can say.
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