Manster

These are in not type of order
-The team will not be riding the emotional high that it had last year playing back in NO after a year away.
-Bush was first used as a decoy then used as a weapon later in the season teams are going to prepare for him more meaning he will need more touches to get the same results of last year.
-The LB core need some upgrade and Simons if healthy is only a slight up grade
-Fred Thomas was burnt more times than Roy Williams was last year and the team is hoping on Jason Davis a Tampa 2 cover corner to be able to play man defense or Usama Young a rookie corner in need of a lot of development
-Sean Payton granted he did well last year but he also had some big mistakes. The NFC championship game he gave up too early on the run. Also the only reason they were in that game is after Payton made a big mistake against the Eagles, calling a toss play while trying to run out the clock, the eagles turned around and did a bigger one by punting with less than 2 minuets left in the game.

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InToX

Though I agree with most defensive points, I do not necessarily agree on the emotional high point or the Reggie Bush point.

For one, I believe it was some number like 22+ players were new to the Saints coming into this season. And although I'm sure they got caught up in the excitement of the Saints returning, it wasn't nearly as powerful to them as it was to the players that were there during Katrina.
Now lets look at all the new starters than weren't on the team for Katrina:
Drew Brees, Reggie Bush(even though he isn't techinically the starter), Scott Fujita, Shanle, Simoneu(Sp), Roman Harper, Jahri Evans, Marques Colston, Hollis Thomas

That is 10 out of 22 starters that were completely new to the team, and no offense to them, they just did not understand Katrina.

Bush on the other hand, was not just a decoy in the beginning. The fact is, Bush did not produce much in the beginning, but it is not because he didn;'t get the touches, its because he was still getting a grip on the game. He became more of a weapon later because he started picking up the game.

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Professor

that punting crap pissed me off


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If Tampa misses a 63-Yd FG against the EAGLES, then
they would have Calvin Johnson.

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InToX

That was ridiculous. I was at the game, and as soon as I saw the punting unit out, I knew the game was over. The Eagles hadn't stopped Deuce all day.

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Professor

thanks for that salt brother, I would have done the same,

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BeastJacobs

Lol, that was almost as sad as the Giants getting the ball on the Eagles 40 yard line multiple times and not scoring once.

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BU54

Lets see, they're in a division with the Falcons,Buccs and Panthers. Through process of elimination I think it's fair to say the Falcons and Buccs aren't much of a threat so that leaves the Panthers?
I say Saints win the division again.

Here's how I have it.

Saints
Panthers
Buccs
Falcons

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Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7
Then Brett Favre Retired...

ball in the baskett

ya that punt was crap

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bell man

that's why they play the game. this is not a prediction, but for all we know the falcons could take the division. right now the saints are primed for success. any team can have it's day come sunday.

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these aren't the same old AINTS, they are the NEW orlean saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BU54

Especially if Vick is suspended for the season.

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Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7
Then Brett Favre Retired...