2009 New Orleans Saints Football Preview

2008 Record: 8-8, Fourth NFC South

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Head Coach: Sean Payton; Fourth year

Key Additions: CB Jabari Greer FB Heath Evans, S Darren Sharper, S Pierson Prioleau, DE Paul Spicer

Key Losses: RB Deuce McAllister, LB Dan Morgan, CB Mike McKenzie, FB Mike Karney, DT Hollis Thomas

1st Round Draft Picks: Malcolm Jenkins – Defensive Back

2nd Round Draft Picks: -

2009 New Orleans Saints Schedule

New Orleans Saints 2008 NFL Season in Review

The 2008 New Orleans Saints were a team stuck in mediocrity and inconsistency. They went the entire year basically trading a win for a loss every week, finishing with an 8-8 record. The club only had one two game losing streak, but only had one two game winning streak. The offense was sensational however, lighting up the league for 463 points to rank first in the NFL. Drew Brees passed for over 300 yards per game en route to a 5,000 yard season but the rushing attack, bogged down with injuries, only finished 28 th in the league in yardage.

Reggie Bush had an up and down season, at times emerging as a more consistent and explosive threat but still only finishing with a 3.8 yards per carry average in only 10 games of action. Jeremy Shockey failed to make the impact the Saints had hoped for, and also missed a good chunk of action. Wide receiver Marques Colston also missed a handful of games. The defense was porous, surrendering 393 points to finish 26 th in the league. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma was a bright spot, producing over 130 tackles.

New Orleans Saints 2009 NFL Season Preview

The 2009 NFL season could potentially be a make or break year for Saints coach Sean Payton. Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but can be put up enough points to make up for a lacking running game and a sub par defensive unit? New defensive coordinator Greg Williams hopes to eliminate the second problem with a more aggressive and effective scheme.

2009 New Orleans Saints Offense:

The Saints are led by Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees, who is coming off of an absolutely phenomenal 2008 season. He threw for more than 5,000 yards and put the ball in the end zone 34 times. This year he hopes to have a healthier offensive arsenal to boot. If Jeremy Shockey is healthy and plays consistently, and Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Lance Moore all keep catching the ball, the Saints could lead the league in scoring once again.

The X factor is of course Reggie Bush, and an already struggling running attack may be worse in 2009 with running back Deuce McAllister possibly not returning to the club. This means that Pierre Thomas and Bush will see increased carries in the ground game, but either way the offense starts and ends with Brees and his strong aerial attack.

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2009 New Orleans Saints Defense:

The Saints have brought in a lot of defensive backfield players to help strengthen a unit that ranked 23 rd in passing yardage allowed. This includes first round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins and free agent acquisitions Jabari Greer, Pierson Prioleau and Darren Sharper. New defensive coordinator Greg Williams is bringing a hopefully upgraded scheme and mindset, as well as a few favorites from the Jaguars squad he coached last season. This includes Prioleau and defensive end Paul Spicer. Spicer should provide a needed boost to the pass rush. The play of the linebackers, led by Jonathan Vilma, should improve with improvements to the backfield and the line, and will need to if the club's defense is going to be a strength instead of a liability.

2009 New Orleans Saints Prediction: Fourth NFC South

By Jake Emen
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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