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Thursday, August 31 By Ricky Zeller Pro Football Weekly | |||||||||||||||||
These are different days in New Orleans. After three years of the attention-grabbing antics and questionable talent evaluation of celebrity coach Mike Ditka, owner Tom Benson cleaned house. General manager Randy Mueller and head coach Jim Haslett have stepped into the void.
Haslett, the former defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh who served in the same capacity in New Orleans in 1996, has brought a businesslike attitude to the sideline. The team's veterans have faith in the coaching staff again. But the Saints are still a work in progress. When considering his offseason efforts, Mueller said it was like working in "an expansion setting." This is certainly a more talented team than the one that finished 3-13 in '99, but how much better is uncertain. Haslett's organization and discipline are positive steps, but the new coach's primary challenge is molding a roster full of new faces into a team. In Haslett's favor: Only one of the Saints' first 11 opponents finished above .500 last year, and the NFC West is relatively weak beyond St. Louis. If New Orleans can steal a few victories early, it will provide a shot of confidence for the rest of the season. The biggest problem: There is precious little depth, at every position. After already losing TE Cam Cleeland and CB Steve Israel, another major injury -- to Blake, RB Ricky Williams, or a starting offensive or defensive lineman -- will create problems the club doesn't have answers for. The line between another disappointing season and finishing as high as 8-8 is pretty thin.
Offense Grade: B+ Wide receivers: After they signed Blake, finding bigger wideouts who could run under his rainbows and make the tough catch in traffic became a priority for the Saints. New Orleans signed Kansas City's Joe Horn to handle the first assignment, and former Viking Reed will give the quarterback a rugged target on crossing routes and slants. Horn's a burner who is coming off his best year, though the Saints would like him to be more consistent. Reed is stoked to prove he hasn't lost a step after being pushed aside by Randy Moss in Minnesota. Ex-Bengal Willie Jackson has the size the West Coast offense requires and a history with Blake; a case could be made for Jackson being the most impressive receiver in camp. Keith Poole, who led the Saints with six touchdowns and a 19-yard average in '99, is the only holdover at the position. The tight end position took a blow with the season-ending injury to Cleeland, but Andrew Glover is an able replacement. The loss of the multitalented Cleeland, expected to be a major cog in the passing attack, drops this unit a letter grade. Grade: C Offensive linemen: When Mueller and Haslett evaluated the Saints before the free-agency period began, they were convinced the offensive line was the strength of the team. With three former No. 1 picks and three other well-paid veterans, the unit will live up to its billing if it can play up to the sum of its parts. Six-time Pro Bowl pick William Roaf is among the NFL's best at left tackle. Right tackle Kyle Turley is the enforcer of the offensive front. If the Saints ever become a consistent winner, the intense Turley also could start earning Pro Bowl honors. There isn't much depth behind either of the starting tackles. Chris Naeole, a No. 1 pick in '97, is the starter at right guard. Haslett loves his toughness, and Naeole evolved into a sturdy pro by the end of last year. Wally Williams and Jerry Fontenot were battling at center, and Williams can also play guard. Left guard Tom Ackerman, who signed a four-year, $8 million deal, completes a capable foursome on the interior. Grade: B+ Defense Defensive linemen: This is another group that only has to play up to its potential -- and stay healthy -- to rank among the NFL's most improved units. Right end Joe Johnson, a Pro Bowl pick in '98 before missing all of last season with a knee injury, has made a strong return. He'll team with top pick Darren Howard at left end. Howard is a 281-pound rookie from Kansas State with natural pass-rushing ability. After giving up 4.1 yards per carry in '99, the Saints signed the 320-pound Hand to a five-year, $20 million contract. Hand is one of the league's best at filling up running lanes and taking on two blockers. His presence allows La'Roi Glover, the Saints' leading sacker the last two years (181½), to move to right tackle and face fewer double teams. The key reserves are Willie Whitehead, who has gained 20 pounds after posting seven sacks last year, Jared Tomich and Uhuru Hamiter. Grade: B Linebackers: The Saints can probably match any team in the league at linebacker in terms of pure athleticism. Starters Mark Fields, Charlie Clemons and Keith Mitchell are all big, fast and aggressive. Fields has been on the cusp of stardom the last few seasons at weak-side linebacker, and he's healthy after playing with a back injury for most of '99. Mitchell led the team in tackles last year and also posted 31¼2 sacks and three interceptions. The wild card is Clemons, signed from St. Louis as a restricted free agent. Along with Hand, Clemons is a key in the Saints' run defense. At 6-2, 258 pounds, Clemons is an instinctive hitter with big-play potential as a pass rusher. But he has never started an NFL game and missed time in the preseason with a leg injury. The Saints signed veteran Darrin Smith to provide depth at all three positions. Grade: C+ Defensive backs: After Ashley Ambrose fled via free agency, Mueller signed Israel and Fred Thomas (Seattle) and traded for Dallas cornerback Kevin Mathis. Now that Israel is out for the season with a broken leg, Fred Weary is the unquestioned starter at right corner. The coaching staff has been pleased with Weary's development and believes he can be one of the secondary's top players if he remains aggressive. Alex Molden is the left corner. Molden has been one of Haslett's reclamation projects. Molden's confidence was shot after three years in Ditka's doghouse, but the former No. 1 pick has the ability to be a solid performer. Mathis has settled in at nickel cornerback, while Thomas hasn't shown much because of injuries. CFL export Shannon Garrett's stock has risen, and rookie Michael Hawthorne, the team's only corner over six feet, also could earn a roster spot. Sammy Knight, a playmaker and hitter, starts at safety along with Darren Perry. Rob Kelly suffered a broken leg in the first exhibition contest, but he should be back early in the season. Kelly brings speed at free safety, while Perry provides more experience and is a better tackler. Chris Oldham, a 10-year veteran, is Knight's backup and a contributor in the nickel defense. Grade: C Special teams Doug Brien has made at least 82.8 percent of his FG attempts every year he's been a Saint, and he is the active leader in FG percentage from 50-plus yards (14-of-20). The only thing he has lacked the last few years is opportunity. The Saints signed P Toby Gowin from the Cowboys, and he will be an upgrade over Tommy Barnhardt. Gowin will also handle the kickoff duties. The speedy Morton gives the Saints a viable threat on punts and kickoffs. He shook loose for a 77-yard TD on a punt return in the preseason vs. the Jets. Grade: B+ Material from Pro Football Weekly. Visit their website at http://www.profootballweekly.com |
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