OILFAN: First the negatives: I'm concerned with our front seven, and namely their ability to shut down the run. DT and OLB are weak points on the Saints, and frankly I'm surprised Payton didn't do more in the off-season to address these positions, especially OLB once Fujita signed in Cleveland. Jonathan Casillas was slated to take over the spot but is now on the IR after that final pre-season game against Tennessee. Teams were able to run on us decently last year(including Addai in the Super Bowl as I'm sure you remember), and I don't see how it'll be any different this year.
Also, with Sharper's injury and thus being replaced by 2nd year man(and first year converted S from CB) Malcolm Jenkins, there's definitely going to be a drop there. I have all the confidence in the word in Jenkins becoming a good S, but becoming one and being one now are 2 different things. Sharper helped us close out a lot of tight games last year with timely picks, so that's definitely going to hurt without him there(for the record though, as a whole I LOVE our secondary. Young, deep, and talented).
That aside, at the end of the day the Saints are essentially bringing back their entire starting roster from last year, so you've gotta like their chances. With Lance Moore finally healthy, Meachem finally finding his way the latter half of last year, TE Jimmy Graham drafted in the 4th round, and IMO a very underrated weapon in Heath Evans at FB back and healthy(Brees used him a lot at the start of last year before he went down. I felt it took away a big dimension in our offense when he couldn't sling it to the FB anymore when he got in trouble), this offence could legitimately be even better than last year's.
The Saints have holes like any other team, but I think they've got as good a shot as any to get to Dallas. Looking at the NFC, I still have to list the Saints as the favourites.
PS- The Saints: America's Game premieres tonight at 7pm on NFL Network. That'll definitely get me primed for tomorrow.
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