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2012 NFL Team Preview: New Orleans Saints

Did you know the New Orleans Saints have some sort of bounty scandal? Please excuse me if I just found out about this, since ESPN only covers Tim Tebow news.

I’m kidding about just finding out about ‘Bountygate’, but this people aren’t talking about how this will affect the team. The media is focused on Jonathan Vilma’s appeal and what the legal ramifications are…but they are burying the lead. Their head coach and offensive guru Sean Payton is suspended for the season. Think about how your favorite team would fare without its head coach…if your a San Diego Chargers fan, your team would probably be better without Norv Turner, so this comparison doesn’t work with you.

How will ‘Bountygate’ affect the New Orleans Saints?

Here is our 2012 NFL team preview for the New Orleans Saints.

2011 Win/Loss Record: 13-3

Key Additions: DT Brodrick Bunkley, QB Luke McCown, DT Akeim Hicks, WR Nick Toon, LB Chris Chamberlain, OG Ben Grubbs, S Corey White, LB David Hawthorne, LB Curtis Lofton, CB Elbert Mack and K John Kasay.

Key Losses: LB Jonathan Vilma (suspension), WR Robert Meachem, CB Tracy Porter, DT Shaun Rogers, OG Carl Nicks, RB Patrick Cobbs, DE Jeff Charleston, LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, DT Aubrayo Franklin, TE Troy Humphrey, OT Pat McQuistan and WR Courtney Roby.

Non-Division Schedule: AFC West and NFC East

Fantasy Sleeper: WR Nick Toon –  How many Saints receivers have you owned over the last three seasons? Drew Brees likes to spread it around with Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, and Marques Colston expected to catch the majority of his passes. Robert Meachem is no longer on the team and Toon is built like Colston. It is possible that they will use him in a similar capacity. .

Team Analysis: The Saints have been open by saying they will get by without head coach Sean Payton and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams this season. I would even argue that the defense will be better without Williams. They have some talented players in the secondary, but they were 30th in the league in opposing passing yards. Drew Brees will be the de factor offensive coordinator, even if someone else has the title. The Saints had a trial run without Payton calling the plays when he was out with a knee injury last season. They did well during that stretch, but going the entire season without his touch could be too much to overcome. The Saints have basically the same team minus wide receiver Robert Meachem and the suspended Jonathan Vilma. The NFC South will be better this year and the race will be heated with the Atlanta Falcons also vying for the division crown. I still think the Saints will make the playoffs, but I don’t see them making the Super Bowl without Payton.

2012 Wins Over/Under Line: 9.5 (Prediction: OVER)

2012 Projected Win/Loss Record: 11-5

CLICK HERE to read the rest of our 2012 NFL Team Previews
By: TwitterButtons.com

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

Do The Saints Want Derrick Brooks?

I play on Twitter all the time and I message Warren Sapp
(@QBKilla) often. He is quite active and he likes to message people during the day. He was a teammate of Derrick Brooks for many years in Tampa Bay and I know that they are still close. He is still a free-agent and I don’t understand, he has been a great player. I asked Sapp what team would Brooks fit best with and he answered. Sapp said. “Saints! He Wants To Go There. They Playing Around. Quite Me On That!” Well, I guess I am quoting him on that.

The Saints brought Brooks in for a workout, but did not offer him a contract. He has been petitioning himself for an NFL job and thinks the Saints would be a great fit, but do the Saints want him? My feeling is that the Saints are not interested in him right now. A torn ACL or any other injury to their linebacking corps could change their mind.

Let’s look at the Saints linebackers. Scott Fujita is Sean Payton’s pet project from when he was with Dallas. He isn’t going to lose his spot to a veteran looking stay in the NFL. Jonathan Vilma isn’t going anywhere either, he’s a talented player and they need him on the field. Scott Shanle is the weak-side linebacker and really held his own last season at the position. Brooks would probably be best fit for the weak-side position, but it really looks like an injury of a starter or a key reserve would only lead to the signing of Derrick Brooks.

I think Brooks can still play, he may have lost a step last year, but you can’t overlook his experience. If I were the Cincinnati Bengals, I would sign him. He could help on the field and mentor Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga. It’s a long shot and I doubt Brooks would want to play for a non-contender, but the Bengals should look into it. I hope he can catch on to a team, but if not, he should be in Canton, OH in sometime in the near future.
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A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.