THOSE OLD SAINTS

For the first time that I can ever remember, the New Orleans Saints have done something that makes everyone in the Big Easy cringe when thinking about this upcoming season. Unlike in 2003, when the Saints traded for Jonathan Sullivan, the Saints actually have a bonafide stud. Sullivan was without a doubt, a sorry reaction to the Saints wanting Dwayne Robertson who got swiped up by the Jets. From watching Ellis on video, his middle pressure will immediately help the Saints pass rush. Now hopefully, we won't have The Luke McNown's of the world having almost 10 minutes to find 52 year old Galloway down the middle. Is it me or does Galloway get all of his highlights for the year against the Saints? As bad as Jason David was last year and TRUST ME, he was horrible, you have to wonder if David would have only been terrible instead of horrible if he had some small resemblance of a pass rush. The Saints were tied for 19th in sacks last year with a total of 32 and 28th in interceptions with a total of 13. In the NFL last year, of the teams that had less sacks than the Saints, only one team made the playoffs and that was Indy and that is because Dwight Freeney missed 7 games. The Giants led the league in sacks and GUESS WHAT? They won the Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!! Look, I am not asking for a Ravens defense or A Steel Curtain. All I am asking for is a defense that may win a game or two for us by creating some resemblance of a turnover. If our defense wins 2 more games last year, we go 9-7, possibly win the NFC SOUTH and possibly make the playoffs. I predicted 9-7 last year but I thought we would miss the playoffs even with that record. I would have been wrong. Although our defense still has some questions in the secondary and at linebacker, I feel a lot better going out and struggling to get a ticket before every home game. By the way, I would have season tickets if I was living in New Orleans the past four years. My other random thought on the Saints is Dan Morgan. I know.........I know.......... he has never played a full season but I think he is the key. Last year for Carolina, Dan Morgan had 22 tackles in 3 games. Just to put that in perspective, Mark Simoneau started 16 games last year and had 70 total tackles. Scott Shanle had 68 total tackles in 12 games. I think we are all in agreement that Vilma is a player but without the acquistion of another linebacker, Morgan has to play like that reckless player he was in 2004 when he had 70 solo tackles and 101 total tackles in 12 starts. Is he injury prone? Of course he is but how many defensive players that you know that played for The Univeristy of Miami and is not supremely talented. Besides, we are getting him for pennies so the reward outweighs the risk. If he plays ten games, that is ten less games Simoneau and Shanle is on the field. I love Simoneau as a person and I would probably listen to him if he was a consultant on how to get ran over by blockers but that is not the case so let's hope we acquire some insurance for Morgan and that Dan Morgan returns to his Pro Bowl form.