Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
How much does the 37-year-old Drew Brees still have left in the tank?
He hasn’t been slowing down too much, but it’s the New Orleans Saints’ defense which has been the problem the last few years.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen took over for Rob Ryan midway through the season last year and looks to turn around a group that’s been near the NFL basement over recent years, including 31st last year. Allen is the fifth defensive coordinator in the Sean Payton era.
With Brees still having the ability to pick apart the opposition, if the defense can even be a top 20 unit, that might be enough to get the Saints back into the playoff picture.
Grading the Roster
QBs- Drew Brees (8.4), Luke McCown (7.2)
RBs- Mark Ingram (7.5), C.J. Spiller (7.3), Tim Hightower (7.3)
WRs- Brandin Cooks (7.6), Willie Snead (7.4), Michael Thomas (7.2), Brandon Coleman (7.2)
TEs- Coby Fleener (7.3), Josh Hill (7.2)
Ts- Terron Armstead (8.1), Zach Strief (7.4), Andrus Peat (7.2)
Gs- Senio Kelemete (7.2), Tim Lelito (7.3), Cyril Lemon (7)
Cs- Max Unger (7.7), Jack Allen (7)
DEs- Cam Jordan (8), Paul Kruger (7.3), Kasim Edebali (7.2), Bobby Richardson (7.2), Obum Gwacham (7.1)
DTs-Nick Fairley (7.3), Tyeler Davison (7.2), John Jenkins (7.2), Sheldon Rankins (7.3),
OLBs- Stephone Anthony (7.4), Dannell Ellerbe (7.2), Craig Robertson (7.3), Michael Mauti (7.2)
ILBs- James Laurinaitis (7.3), Nathan Stupar (7.2)
CBs- Delvin Breaux (7.6), P.J. Williams (7.2), Cortland Finnegan(7.2), Damian Swann (7.2)
Ss- Jairus Byrd (7.6), Kenny Vaccaro (7.5), Vonn Bell (7.2)
K- Kai Forbath (7.3)
P- Thomas Morstead (7.4)
KR- C.J. Spiller (7.4)
PR- C.J. Spiller (7.4)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.389 (13/32)
Offense- 7.46 (8/32)
Defense- 7.312 (30/32)
Quarterbacks- 7.8 (7/32)
Running Backs- 7.37 (14/32)
Receivers- 7.32 (26/32)
Offensive Line- 7.36 (15/32)
Defensive Line- 7.32 (15/16)
Linebackers- 7.27 (15/16)
Secondary- 7.36 (18/32)
Special Teams- 7.38
Coaches- 7.4
PREDICTION– 6-10 (4th NFC South)
QUARTERBACKS
Brees has always been very accurate up the seams and when you think of the back-shoulder throw, you think of Brees, but the age has begun to show with his arm strength. He just can’t get it out there the way he used to and his arm strength was never elite to begin with.
Brees still has that lightning-quick release and can still maneuver in the pocket beautifully. Despite the “limitations” he still threw for 4,870 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Luke McCown saw some time last year and second-year signal caller Garrett Grayson is the third-stringer.
RUNNING BACKS
A shoulder injury ended his campaign after 12 weeks, but Mark Ingram still put up 1,174 total yards prior to it. He’s become a three-down back. Ingram has a good combination of speed and power.
C.J. Spiller was a disappointment after signing as a free agent, with a knee issue limiting him to 351 yards from scrimmage. He’s got speed and is a home-run threat when he’s on his game, but has shown too much inconsistency.
RECEIVERS
There’s promise in the receiving core despite the release of Marques Colston last year.
Entering his third season, Brandin Cooks is attempting to break out. He gets in and out of his breaks quickly and is tough to bring down in the open field due to his elusiveness.
The unknown Willie Snead broke out and nearly cracked the 1,000-yard barrier. He’s a precise route runner with rock-solid hands. He’s tough over the middle and can line out wide or in the slot.
Second-round rookie Michael Thomas was solid during the preseason and Brandon Coleman presents another option.
Coby Fleener was signed during the offseason to give Brees a safety valve at tight end, something he missed last year with the departure of Jimmy Graham. He’s a solid red-zone threat. Josh Hill is the blocking tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Left tackle Terron Armstead is extremely athletic, physically gifted and very light on his feet. The guy posted a 4.71 40 at the combine in 2013. I don’t think any tackle has taken a bigger leap forward the last two years than Armstead.
Where Armstead uses his physical tools is in his recovery, using his quick feet and body control to regain position. He also times his punch very well and has the tendency of stopping a bull rusher right in his tracks. Armstead isn’t as great in the running game, which is why I don’t have him higher, but does showcase the power at the point of attack. Veteran Zach Strief has been a mainstay at right tackle.
Center Max Unger is a great run blocker. He plays with good footwork and uses his hands effectively when hooking and sealing. He’s an ok pass protecter, but Unger tends to get overpowered and knocked off balance. It’s interesting that the Saints traded for him because they like to focus their protections in the middle with their guards and centers.
Last year’s first-round pick Andrus Peat has been kicked inside to play right guard and Tim Lelito is the left guard.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Cam Jordan, who recorded 10 sacks last year is versatile, can play outside and jump inside. He was one of the bright spots on the Saints’ much-maligned defense.
He’s not a speed demon by any means, but his lower-body strength and power in general is among the best out of the defensive ends. Jordan’s bull rush is exceptional and he uses his powerful hands to easily shed blocks and get after the quarterback. Jordan also uses that power effectively in run defense, penetrating into the backfield using that strength. The recently released Paul Kruger from the Cleveland Browns appears like he’ll start at the left defensive end spot.
Nick Fairley and Tyeler Davison are the starters at defensive tackle. First-round pick Sheldon Rankins is out until October due to a broken fibula.
LINEBACKERS
The promising Stephone Anthony was moved to the strongside linebacker spot following the acquisition of James Laurinaitis, who was released by the St. Louis Rams. Hau’oli Kikaha showed a lot of promise like Anthony, but is out for the season due to an ACL tear.
Anthony has good speed, which helps him in both run defense and in pass coverage. He can cover tight ends up the seam and has the range to chase down running backs in the screen game. The one weakness, Anthony needs to wrap up better and clean up those 15 missed tackles from last year. Dannell Ellerbe is the starter at weakside linebacker.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Breakout cornerback Delvin Breaux didn’t look so great at first, but improved as the season went along. He used his length to his advantage by breaking up passes at the catch point. He was also reliable as a run defender.
The emergence of Breaux made it a lot easier to part with both Brandon Browner and Keenan Lewis. Last year’s third-rounder P.J. Williams will be the other starter and Damian Swann is a solid nickel corner.
Safety Jairus Byrd had 22 interceptions over his first five seasons in Buffalo, but has just one in two years with New Orleans. Byrd spends a lot of time in single-high looks as a center fielder. Although he’s not over last physical or fast, he has great range and instincts. He breaks on underneath patterns real well. Byrd isn’t a thumper in run defense, but he’s a willing and able tackler.
Kenny Vaccaro had a strong season a year ago and will start alongside Byrd. Using his quickness and instincts, Vaccaro is a natural playing in the box as a run defender. Second-round safety Vonn Bell was considered to be one of the best coverage safeties in the NFL Draft.
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TEAM PREVIEWS
AFC East: Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | San Diego Chargers | Oakland Raiders
NFC West: Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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NFL PLAYER RANKINGS