My Pierre Thomas Blog

The New Orleans Saints were the best team in football in 2009, as they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints will have the difficult challenge of coming back even stronger the next season, as teams will do whatever it takes to knock them off their throne. Without question there is enough talent on this team to get back to the Super Bowl this season, but it all depends on how much the players and coaches want to win it all again this season. Here is a look at what the Saints will bring to the table in 2010, plus a look at where they will finish the season in the NFC South.

Offense:

If quarterback Drew Brees comes in focused and ready to go, the offense should have no problems getting going this season. Brees threw for 4,388 yards with 34 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions and set the NFL record for completion percentage at 70.6%. If Brees puts up those kind of numbers again in 2010, there is no question that he deserves to be mentioned with the likes of Brady and Manning.

The Saints decided to stick with the running duo of Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. These guys don't have to put up huge numbers in the Saints offensive scheme, as Bush is primarily used as a pass catching back, while Thomas does most of the running between the tackles.

At wide receiver it might not matter who the Saints put out there with Brees at quarterback, but they do have some very talented guys on the field at this position. Devery Henderson and Marques Colston, are the two likely starters on the outside, but this team gets plenty of production from guys like Robert Meachem, Lance Moore, and tight end Jeremy Shockey.

The offensive line was pretty solid for the most part in 2009, and will start the season with the same group they had to finish the year. The key will be for left tackle Jermon Bushrod to continue to play well, as he did a very good job stepping in last season when starter Jammal Brown went down.

Defense:

The Saints decided to let defensive end Charles Grant go this offseason, but that won't be a problem as they went out and signed veteran defensive end Alex Brown, who played for the Bears last season and will give them a much needed pass rush opposite of Will Smith. In the middle Sedrick Ellis and Remi Ayodele are expected to start the season at the two tackle spots.

The Saints lost a key player in outside linebacker Scott Fujita this offseason, and will likely turn to third year pro Jo-Lonn Dunbar to take over his spot, as Scott Shanle returns at the other outside spot. The key to this group is Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who has really excelled in the Saints defensive scheme.

In the secondary the Saints had their struggles with staying healthy at the corner spots., as 2010 projected starters Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter missed 11 games combined. The Saints did use their first round pick on Patrick Robinson, who will compete with Randall Gay for the starting nickel job. A big key to the Saints offseason was bringing back veteran free safety Darren Sharper, who played a huge role in this team winning the Super Bowl last season. Roman Harper is back at strong safety, and was the only defensive back to start all 16 games last season.

Prediction - 1st NFC South: I am counting on Brees and head coach Sean Payton to make sure this team is ready to go when the season gets underway, and I think that if this team comes in focused they are still the best team in the NFC. If the Saints struggle, look for the Falcons to take over the top spot in the South.

For a complete look at the upcoming season, be sure to check out our 2010 NFL predictions. If you plan on betting the NFL this season, be sure to check out our live NFL odds page each and every week!

I have a feeling that when all is said and done we are going to end up with a number of newly famous New Orleans Saints players at the end of this season.

At present the Saints roster is full of unassuming team players who do not get national recognition at their position. That is sure to change if they continue to play in the same vein of form that has taken the Saints to 5 and 0.

Chief among them are the receiving corps, running backs and the totally unheralded Offensive line. So I hereby present to you my soon to be famous New Orleans Saints players. I only pray we can keep hold of them come years end:

1. Lance Moore - the Wes Welker of our receivers, the slot guy and 3rd down specialist. I've watched Moore's progress with great interest over the past year and a half more out of disbelief that the Saints scouts had unearthed yet another unheralded gem. I really like his selfless team play, a coach's dream.

2. Pierre Thomas - the undrafted 2007 free agent has been a real find and has helped balance the offence by powering the running game. An excellent inside runner he also has the speed to turn the corner and is another team first player.

3. Robert Meachem/Marques Colston - both have already posted good numbers in previous seasons so there is some level of awareness out there but I believe they will both end up with stellar numbers this season. Both are tall, strong and quick with good hands. Like the rest of the team they are more interested in doing their talking on the field than the media, a blessing for any cohesive play off bound contenders.

Needless to say I have left Drew Brees off this list as he already has some nationwide recognition. That said I still do not think that he gets the credit he deserves and a stellar season could see him widely accepted as the best QB in the league, a title he more than deserves in my wholly biased eyes.

Finally a big shout out to Jermon Bushrod, Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks, Jonathan Goodwin and Jon Stinchcomb, the offensive line who make it all happen around them. The way they handled the Giants front 7 on Sunday goes to show what a unit they have become. The pass protection has been flawless and they have helped establish the Saints as one of the leagues best running teams. Sadly these guys are never going to find the fame attached to the likes of Bush, Brees and Co. but if they continue playing as they have they could help make this the most famous New Orleans Saints team of all time. Here's hoping!

Peter Falconer is the author of the Saints NFL blog, dedicated to his love of the famous New Orleans Saints franchise.

Last week, Mark Sanchez became the first rookie QB since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to win his first three games. But "Sanchise" and the Jets have to travel to New Orleans to get their 4th win against their toughest opponent yet.

Jets on Offense

Thomas Jones has to be productive in order for the Jets to hold their own offensively. Jones had 107 yards and 2 TDs against the Texans in Week 1, but has been quiet ever since. If Jones can throw off the Saints' Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams' game plan of stopping the run early, New Orleans will have to respect New York's rushing attack more than they'd like to. This can set up the Jets' passing game and take some pressure off Sanchez, who will be truly tested on the road for the first time in his career.

Sanchez can put up some points if he finds the open lanes and trusts WR's Jerrico Cotchery and Chansi Stuckey to make plays. He should also use Leon Washington as a safety blanket in the passing attack. But the Saints' defense should not be taken lightly; New Orleans has allowed just 67.0 rushing yards per game this season. Look for former-Jet LB Jonathan Vilma to bring it against his former team. FS Darren Sharper already has 3 interceptions and 1 defensive TD this season, and he can really change the momentum of the game by picking off Sanchez. 

Saints on Offense

While Sanchez captures headlines with his 3-0 start, Drew Brees is quietly becoming one of the most accurate passers in the league. Brees' 118.1 passer rating and 9 touchdown passes are the most in the league right now. This game's classic match up will be between the coaches: Sean Payton's offense versus Rex Ryan's defense. The Jets got the best of the 3 veteran QBs they've faced so far, allowing just 256 yards of total offense per game. But the Saints have been an offensive powerhouse.

One thing that makes them so hard to defend is Brees' ability to spread the field with different options, lead by receivers Marques Colston and Devery Henderson. Brees should target the Jets' CB Lito Sheopard, who was out last week with a strained quad. The Saints can also grind the ball with RB's Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell. But the x-factor in New Orleans' offense against the Jets has to be Reggie Bush. While the Jets are busy blitzing Brees and trying to shut down the inside run, Bush can be dangerous if he gets the ball in open field. Brees should look to isolate Bush against LB's and secondary by throwing him quick screens and pitches. If Sean Payton's offense runs as smoothly as it has been, the Saints can quickly bring the Jets back to earth.

Prediction

New Orleans    33

NYJ        24

The Chicago Bears (7-6, 6-6-1 ATS) deal with the NFL's best offense when they host the surging New Orleans Saints (7-6, 9-4 ATS) on Thursday Night Football.

Public bettors don't seem too concerned about the Bears' predicament: About 64% of wagers on the spread have come in on Chicago as slight early favorites. That type of action could move the line in the Bears' direction before kickoff, although the numbers could change once wise guys start weighing in on the matchup.

The Saints maintained their stake in the NFC postseason picture with a huge 29-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, as New Orleans covered as 3-point home favorites. Running back Pierre Thomas' 5-yard touchdown run with 5:54 remaining put the Saints ahead for good, while the teams played over the 51.5-point total.

Thomas finished with 102 yards on 16 carries for the Big Easy, who got 106 all-purpose yards with a score from Reggie Bush. Quarterback Drew Brees was an uncharacteristically quiet 18-of-32 for 230 yards with two touchdowns, as the Saints relied on a running game that put up 184 yards - by far a season-high for New Orleans, winners of three of its last four games (4-0 ATS).

The Saints' potent attack could prove problematic for the Bears, who are ranked 28th in the league against the pass at 234.2 yards per game. Behind Brees, New Orleans is first in total offense (405.9 yards per game), first in passing yards per game (310.2), and third in points scored (28.2 PPG). What has kept the Saints from doing even better than their profitable 9-4 ATS record would suggest has been the running game, which is near the bottom of the league at 95.7 yards per game.

Enter Thomas, who is hitting his stride following almost two seasons as the Saints' No. 3 back. The undrafted RB had the best game of his short career in New Orleans' 33-25 loss at Chicago (-1) last December 30, rushing for 105 yards on 20 attempts while hauling in 12 balls for 121 yards through the air with a TD.

It's not as if Thomas has to be the second coming of LaDainian Tomlinson for the Saints. If Thomas can combine with Bush to give New Orleans backers some balance like they did last week against the Falcons, life gets a lot easier for Brees and suddenly New Orleans is one of the league's best teams.

Like the Saints, the Bears are on the outside looking in at the NFC playoff picture, although both teams are potentially a few wins away from grabbing a wild card spot. Chicago is coming off a 23-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Soldier Field, as the Bears rolled to the bank as 6.5-point faves.

QB Kyle Orton was 20-of-34 for 219 yards with two TD passes and an interception, while Devin Hester caught five passes for 80 yards for Chicago. The Bears managed to cruise despite an off-game from RB Matt Forte, who has become Chicago's main offensive weapon in light of Orton's overall poor play since spraining his ankle last month. Forte was held to only 69 yards rushing on 21 attempts, although the Bears defense made up for it by holding the Jaguars to only 159 yards through the air.

New Orleans is dealing with some injuries that might not heal by Thursday night. Cornerback Randall Gay left in the first quarter against Atlanta with a concussion, and is listed as questionable for the game against Chicago. Kick returner Courtney Roby could also sit out after heading for the trainer's table in the third quarter after suffering a right ankle injury.

Outside of Gay and Roby, the bigger question is whether defensive end Will Smith and RB Deuce McAllister will suit up after playing against the Falcons on appeal from the NFLPA. Both Smith and McAllister were handed a four-game suspension for violating the league's anti-doping policy last week, but were cleared to play on Sunday after a federal judge ruled he needed more time to review their respective cases.

Dennis Reynolds

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