He is a tall target with great hands who presents an upgrade over Jeff King in his ability to stretch the middle of the field and even get yards after the catch. Closest Game: Minnesota (Week 3) – This is one of those “cut your teeth” games, but Carolina still has a shot of winning After this, the games don’t really get close. Fantasy Notables: Jake Delhomme (16) 2,920 yards, 22 TDs, 11 INTs; Jonathan Stewart (21) 1,369 total yards, 11 TDs; DeAngelo Williams (29) 1,108 total yards, 9 TDs; Steve Smith (12) 92 receptions, 1,136 yards, 8 TDs; D.J. Health concerns and other uncertainties keep this team at .500.
The Saints average 23.7 points per game (#16) and allow 23.8 points (#18) against a schedule featuring just four games against 2007 playoff teams. Absolute Record: 7-9 Most Significant Newcomer: Sedrick Ellis, DT – This analysis actually likes several (Tracy Porter, DeMario Pressley and Taylor Mehlhaff) of those drafted by New Orleans. We also like the moves to land Jonathan Vilma and Randall Gay. But, Ellis is the biggest get for the Saints leading into 2008.
He is a rare talent, and it is a total fluke that another once-every-ten-years type of defensive tackle prospect showed up in the same year (Glenn Dorsey). Ellis can stuff the run, take on a double team and get after the quarterback In the simulated season, he makes 45 tackles and five sacks. Biggest Strength: Drew Brees – Brees’ arm strength, durability and accuracy are uncanny. Reggie Bush and Marques Colston may have great talent, but it is Brees who gets the most out of their abilities and makes productive players out of guys like Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and David Patten. Having some semblance of a running game in 2008 should make this passing game look a lot more like 2006. It also helps that this offensive line keeps Brees upright (they gave up the fewest sacks in the league in 2007, despite leading the league in attempts).
Most Exploitable Weakness: Passing Defense – We like the fact that the Saints addressed this by signing Randall Gay and drafting Tracy Porter That’s not enough to overcome a historically bad secondary. In 2007, the Saints gave up an astonishing 7.87 yards-per-attempt through the air. They may not do that again in 2008, but they are still one of the worst few passing defenses in the league. Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Taylor Mehlhaff, K – When teams draft kickers, it is with the intent to play them that season Mehlhaff grades as the best kicker available in the draft He has a big leg and is accurate enough. If the Saints return to their high-flying ways of 2006, Mehlhaff could match Mason Crosby’s rookie numbers (Crosby in 2007 – 31 FGM, 48 XPM). Outside of Mehlhaff, there are several options here, yet too many question marks around them.