When I look at what the New Orleans Saints did since the end of last season, I start wondering who beats them in the NFC South. Carolina should be better, and Tampa Bay's the defending champ, but, honestly, if I had to choose a winner right now, I would probably take the Saints.
And here's why: defense. The Saints look as if they are serious about playing with one.
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| A healthy Mike McKenzie could help the corner situation. (US Presswire) |
They were last in yards per play. They were last in yards per pass play. They were 30th against the pass and 26th overall. They surrendered an NFL-high 68 plays of 20 or more yards, including 15 passes of 40 yards or longer.
I think you get the idea, but at least they resolved to do something about it. They re-signed key veterans, swung deals, added significant free agents and used their first three draft picks on defensive players, including Southern California defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.
"I don't know if we solved anything," said general manager Mickey Loomis, "but, hopefully, we improved our defense."
I don't think there's any question. The key pickups were middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive end Bobby McCray and Ellis, with Vilma a steal if his injured knee holds up. At OTAs a week ago it did; Vilma said he was "pretty close" to 100 percent.
If Vilma stays free of injuries, imagine what he could do for the Saints. No, better still, look what he did for the Jets before the club switched from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 in 2006.
He was a tackling machine, named the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004 and, one year later, leading the Jets with 174 tackles and four forced fumbles.
Vilma underwent a complicated surgery last November and his contract expires after this season. But let me ask you this: What's the downside here? New Orleans sacrificed a fourth-round draft choice for a first-round talent. What's wrong with that?
"We know it's a risk," said Loomis, "but it's similar to the Drew Brees situation (whom the Saints acquired in 2006). We went in with our eyes wide open. We know he had a serious injury and a serious surgery, but we loved (Vilma) when he came out (of the University of Miami), and he's a player who goes about his rehabilitation no differently than he goes about everything in his career -- with hard work and dedication."
We all know what Brees did for the Saints offense. If Vilma can have a similar effect on the defense -- a 4-3 defense, mind you -- everyone outside the 504 area code can start playing for second in the NFC South.
"You still have to get on the football field and play," said Loomis, "but we feel like there are no glaring holes like there were when we entered the offseason."
