Saints 2010 Post Trade Deadline Recap

Well, the NFL trading deadline came and went, and NFL websites were buzzing with activity and discussion. Not discussion on last second trades, shifting the NFL landscape like many had hoped for, but with debate on the NFL's new take on big hits.

The Saints were one of many teams who haven't made many big changes since the start of the season, and that has some Saints fans a little anxious. The team is more or less the same team the Saints had last season, with just a few exceptions.

Scott Fujita signing with the Browns was probably the biggest loss the Saints suffered in the off season. Bobby McCray and Charles Grant were also notable players cut in the off season.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Saints didn't go through many changes. Jamal Brown was traded to the Redskins, and Mike Bell was cut.

Injuries have plagued this Saints team. I'm not one to give into superstitions and things of that nature, but I thought the Madden Curse had ended in 2009 when Larry Fitzgerald had avoided it. Maybe he angered the curse and now it is unrelentingly attacking the Saints. Thanks Fitz.

> Find New Orleans Saints jerseys & hats online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

Considering the injuries the Saints have gone through this season, it is a miracle they are even 4-2. Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Robert Meachem, PJ Hill, Chris Ivory, Lynell Hamilton, Darren Sharper, Roman Harper, Tracy Porter, Jabari Greer, Randall Gay, Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, Clint Ingram, Jonathan Casillas, and Will Smith. Have all been affected by an injury in one way or another. Some of the injuries required nothing more than taking it a little easy in practice, but when you have this many players having to take it easy, it can all add up.

The Saints started the season very, very sluggish. Winning their first 2 games by a 8 points combined. The Saints lost in week 3 to division rival Falcons. In week 4 they squeezed by the Panther, winning by 2 points. The Saints suffered their 2nd loss of the season in week 5 when the Cardinals beat then 30-20, in one of the Saints worst offensive performances since the Brees and Payton era began in 2006. The Saints finally got rolling in week 6 against division rival Bucs. Brees hooked up on a couple deep passes and rookie Chris Ivory rushed for over 150 yards. The defense stepped up also, keeping the Bucs to 6 points in the Saints 31-6 win.

With upcoming opponents including the Browns, Steelers and Panthers, the Saints best case scenario will be to go into their bye-week 7-2, however the Steelers are a great team, and 6-3 is a more realistic expectation. After the bye week the Saints will face the Seahawks, Cowboys, Bengals, Rams, Ravens, Falcons and Bucs. Assuming the Saints are 6-3 week 9, a final record of 10-6 is very doable for the re-ignited Saints.

By Tyler Douglass
ProFootball-fans.com New Orleans Saints Correspondent