New Orleans Saints 2016 preview: Is this Drew Brees' last stand in New Orleans?
The defense’s attitude. Because it has to change after the Saints ranked second to last in the league the past two seasons, giving up 413.4 yards per game last year and essentially cancelling out their second-ranked offense. Rex Ryan was fired after 10 games and Dennis Allen was promoted to coordinator, and Allen is putting an emphasis on hustle and intensity rather than scheme. The Saints also brought back safety Roman Harper and signed linebacker James Laurinaitis to help lead the turnaround. So will the Saints be better on D? “I expect us to be, because it'll be hard not to be, right?" coach Sean Payton says. … What else is new? No Marques Colston. The Saints’ all-time leading receiver was let go after 10 seasons, leaving Brandin Cooks as the unquestioned No. 1 receiver after his first 1,000-yard season. The good news is nothing has changed with Drew Brees, who reportedly looks as good as ever. “There’s not a rep, a play where I’ve noticed something different,” Payton told NFL.com.
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For some reason, the Saints haven’t given a new contract to Brees, who’s entering the final year of his deal. Last time that happened, Brees passed for 5,476 yards and 46 TDs, and got $100 million. He’s 37 now, but still led the NFL in passing yards (4,870) last season. FANTASY SPIN
The running back has been plagued by injuries since being drafted out of Alabama in 2011. He’s played all 16 games just once and has yet to run for 1,000 yards in a season; he had 769 in 12 games last year. Brees needs teams to respect the run. FANTASY SPIN
The second-round pick out of Ohio State has shown an ability to make acrobatic catches — including the one-handed Odell Beckman Jr. ones — thanks to his size (6-3), athleticism and good hands, which he attributes to exercises he calls “hand yoga.”
Brees’ tight ends tend to eat well. We know that Brees helped turn Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham into fantasy superstars, but last year the Saints trotted out a 34-year-old journeyman in Ben Watson. It didn't matter. Watson registered career highs in yards, receptions and tied his career-best mark for touchdowns on his way to a true TE1 season. The Saints threw a lot of money at former Colts tight end Coby Fleener to provide Brees a more dynamic receiver at the position. Based on how much New Orleans throws, very few players around the league are locked into a more fantasy friendly role. Draft Fleener with confidence.
(All lines courtesy of Bovada.com, as of 8/31)
Season win total over/under: 7 (over -130, under EVEN)
Odds to win the Super Bowl: 75/1. Only the 49ers and Buccaneers have worse odds to win the NFC, let alone the Super Bowl. Let's pretend the Saints somehow overcome those odds and make it to the big game, though. In what universe could they possibly overcome any potential AFC foe with a defense that might once again rank among the worst in NFL history?
One thing we wish we could bet on: Drew Brees playing elsewhere next season. Brees will be looking for one more big contract after 2016. The Saints, meanwhile, need to start rebuilding as soon as possible. Handing Brees another big payday just doesn't make sense, even though he's the heart and soul of this team. As long as sentimentality doesn't get the best of the Saints, Brees should be free to play for a contender in 2017.
October 16, vs. Carolina
The NFC champs will give Drew Brees and Co. a good test in Week 6.
November 13, vs. Denver
The Super Bowl champs — and the NFL’s top defense — face off against an offense that was No. 2 in the league last year.
December 24, vs. Tampa Bay
A shootout with Jameis Winston on Christmas Eve sounds like the best gift a fan could get.
We say: 5-11
WhatIfSports simulation says: 5-11
-- Andre Vergara, D.J. Foster (fantasy), Andrew Lynch (betting)
