New Orleans Saints NFL Preview 2010: Defending Champs Have Target on Their Backs

The New Orleans Saints will have a tough road to repeat as Super Bowl Champions in the 2010 NFL season. Drew Brees and his explosive offense may have to adjust their attack to stay ahead of the game. The New Orleans offense under the tutelage of head coach Sean Payton gives the defense many different looks as the drive down the field.

The offense is considered a West Coast hybrid as they change from tight two tight end sets to full spread offense with four receivers and Reggie Bush out of the backfield as the fifth receiver. Brees has many options to target and the New Orleans Saints offense has been a focus of every NFC defensive coordinator in the off season.

Drew Brees is the Most Intimidating QB in the NFL

Drew Brees may be soft spoken and laid back off the field but NFL defenses have nightmares preparing for the most accurate NFL passer they will face. Brees is a master in the pocket and his quick and deadly accurate passing shreds NFL secondaries on a weekly basis.

Brees has been injury free since his rotator cuff injury that landed him in New Orleans in 2006 and New Orleans has not addressed the possibility of Brees going down to injury during the grueling 16 game NFL season. New Orleans back up for Brees at quarterback in the 2010 NFL season will be either Chase Daniel or Patrick Ramsey. Most likely Daniel will get the number two spot and Sean Canfield was drafted By New Orleans in the April NFL Draft.

Running Back Position is Key Element to New Orleans Offensive Success

The running back position was a key to Drew Brees success in the 2009 NFL season and he is never reluctant to give credit. Pierre Thomas will remain the main back out of the New Orleans backfield this year. Thomas is a a good mix of an elusive back and and running back that can gain yards after initial contact. Thomas is unafraid of running straight ahead but can also get to the outside and click off some yards with his acceleration.

Reggie Bush is still the one of the most exciting backs in the NFL but his inconsistency can cause problems. Bush was much more consistent in the 2009 NFL season but it remains to be seen if his off field issues will affect him on the field of play, Bush is the best at catching a pass and creating yardage up field with his quick and fluid moves.

Wide Receivers Get All They Can Handle From Drew Brees

There isn't much argument among the receivers on the New Orleans Saints when it comes to spreading the ball around. Marques Colston is the premiere receiver on the Saints. He is the typical number one NFL receiver. Colson is bigger than most defensive backs and is not afraid to wrestle the ball away from a defender. Colston combines his gritt with excellent acceleration at the point of the catch.

Devery Henderson is the streaker for Drew Brees. Henderson can get down field quicker than any cornerback and burns the corners several times a game. The number three and four receivers will be Lance Moore and Robert Meachem.

Moore will be returning from injury in the 2010 NFL season and looks to get back to his number three receiver spot that Meachem assumed in his absence. Meachem is unafraid to grab balls across the middle and should see plenty of time when New Orleans is in the red zone.

Saints Defense Allowed Many Points but Also Grabbed Many Turnovers

Gregg Williams, the defensive coordinator for New Orleans, is the epitome of a riverboat gambler. He sends his defense to blitz early and often and although they get burned, Williams makes sure they get in their pops. Or as Williams calls them, "Remember me shots."

New Orleans gave up 28 points to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, in the NFL Conference Championship game but they came up with the key interception to get to the Super Bowl. New Orleans defense relied on their high powered offense to bail them out of several games in the 2009 NFL season. New Orleans most embarrassing defensive perfomance was to an anemic Washington Redskins offense. New Orleans won 33-30 in overtime.

Secondary Has Key Addition of Patrick Robinson Via NFL Draft

The New Orleans secondary suffered abuse during the 2009 NFL season and the addition of rookie shutdown corner, Patrick Robinson from Florida State, will be a player to watch. New Orleans secondary was much improved last year but they now have tremendous depth at the position. Robinson has forced Malcom Jenkins over to strong safety where he will compete with Darren Sharper. Early in camp, Sharper is feeling the heat from Jenkins.

Jabari Greer will hold down the fort on the left side corner and is gaining a reputation as one of the leagues better shut down corners. Meanwhile the right side will be a combination of rookie Robinson and Tracy Porter. Porter was serviceable on the right side so it is a given Robinson will see plenty of time.

Defending Super Bowl Champs New Orleans 10-1 to Repeat According to Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has made the New Orleans Saints a 10-1 shot to repeat as the NFL Super Bowl Champs. The Hilton has also set the New Orleans over under total wins at 10.5 wins and the Saints odds to win the NFC South are 2-3.

New Orleans should win 11 games with their tougher schedule and if their defense is as opportunistic as it was in the 2009 NFL Playoffs they should make the NFL Conference Championship game. The defense is the key for New Orleans to make it back to the Super Bowl. Relying on and creating turnovers is great but it leads to points for the opponent when a safety or defensive back gambles and fails.

sources:
www.yahoosports.com Pro Football Weekly.
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com
www.espn.go.com player profiles.
Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Over/Under totals and Picks.
Odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl..