2012 New Orleans Saints – A New Look

The 2012 New Orleans Saints, like most other NFL teams, will take on a new look. It’s virtually impossible for any team not to have a roster turnover and the Saints are no different. As the 2012 NFL season begins to warm up things will take shape. The Saints have a number of decisions to be made, some easy and some tough. Here are a few:

1) I don’t think anyone would argue that getting Drew Brees signed is priority one with the New Orleans Saints. The only speculation in this regard is whether Brees will demand a record breaking contract or whether he will opt to ensure his own future success and the success of the Saints by either structuring his contract in a beneficial way or simply asking for less money so that the Saints will be free to keep him surrounded by talent. Brees is so essential at this point in time that even using a franchise tag is unthinkable.

2) Keeping Carl Nicks in front of Drew Brees. If keeping Brees is priority one then protecting him comes next on the list. Even Drew Brees can’t do anything if he’s not operating with a good offensive line. It also factors heavily in the running game. Nicks has been a Pro Bowl player and he’s obviously going to be coveted by other teams but I believe the reward of a good but not great contract would keep Nicks in the fold.

3) Marques Colston is a free agent and he’s obviously been productive for the Saints. Rumor has it that Colston wants to be paid as an elite receiver but I’d be careful about reading too much into the rumors. Colston’s success has been in no small part due to his talent and hard work but he’s benefited greatly by his pairing with Drew Brees and the offense in which he plays. Can he find another NFL team willing to part with big money to land him? No doubt. But can he find a better system for his talents? That I doubt. Another factor is the emergence of Jimmy Graham. If you need a possession guy, Graham fits that bill. His presence could ease the pain of letting Colston walk if the Saints must.

4) All this focus on the offense has left us forgetting the defense. The New Orleans Saints now have Steve Spagnuolo as Defensive Coordinator and I doubt he would have taken the job if the organization hadn’t given assurances that he would be provided good talent. That means, in my estimation, pass rushers. The trick is going to be finding one or more defensive ends that can provide a rush. Unless Spags feels he’s got it on the team the Saints will have to bring it in either via either free agency or the draft. Now I know that some are screaming we need help in the secondary but honestly, I think improving the pass rush without the use of complicated and constant blitzes would make our secondary look a lot better.

These are all part of the puzzle that is the 2012 New Orleans Saints. But 2012 is no different than any other year in the NFL. It’s an ongoing thing and so far Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis have risen to the task. Yes, there’s been some mistakes along the way but that’s to be expected. It’s not an exact science. I’m pretty sure we can look forward to another winning season and another shot in the playoffs.