Drew Brees was the NFL's best quarterback in 2008, throwing for 5,069 yards, just 15 yards short of Dan Marino's single-season record. It was all wasted because the New Orleans Saints couldn't stop anybody on defense and finished 8-8.
Thanks to the Saints' prolific offense, New Orleans was competitive in spite of surrendering 393 points and 339 yards per game. Five of the Saints' losses were by a field goal or less.
Saints coach Sean Payton went to work on the defense in the off-season. He brought in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who accomplished great things in Buffalo and Washington, D.C. If linebacker Jonathan Vilma plays up to expectations, New Orleans might be able to win a game without getting into a shootout.
The Saints' offense has a glaring weakness: Payton has been unwilling or unable to develop a consistent power running game. The injuries that plagued Deuce McAllister much of the last two seasons were part of the problem. McAllister is gone now. Can Pierre Thomas supply the tough yards the Saints need?
Another part of the problem is Reggie Bush. Doctor S is not quite ready to call the Heisman Trophy winner a bust, but Bush is damn close. (However, he does get brownie points for breaking up with "fiancée" Kim Kardashian.) Bush will never be anything but a wide receiver/kick returner in the NFL, so the Saints need to quit lining him up in the backfield and get him out into space where he can use his speed.
Not much is expected from the Saints, which usually bodes well for the boys from the Big Easy. The Saints should profit from a schedule that includes both Detroit and St. Louis. And the NFC South is very winnable.
The NFL stands for "not for long" and the NFC South has been the league's most unsettled division in recent years. Atlanta appears to have gotten better on both sides of the ball in the offseason, but the Falcons have never had back-to-back winning seasons. Carolina was a field goal away from having the NFL's best record last season. But at this point in his career, I just don't believe quarterback Jake Delhomme can do it again. Tampa Bay is starting over, with a new coach and a new quarterback.
Outlook: The Saints will win the NFC South. Saints fans will drink heavily. Of course, they will do that, anyway.
What we learned
The Mississippi State-Jackson State game was a non-conference game, but the officials called it like a SWAC game, whistling the two teams for a combined 27 penalties for 198 yards. No wonder the game seemed to last forever.
Mississippi College's 47-44 victory over Millsaps in double OT was an instant classic.
MSU: Quarterback Chris Relf can play, can't he? Ditto for freshman receiver Chad Bumphis. One fashion critic said it was good to see State wear "real maroon" again. Agreed.
JSU: Quarterback Trae Rutland didn't exactly rise to the occasion and stick it to his old team, MSU. The offense was awful, gaining just 194 yardsand most of those came on two pass plays. The five turnovers didn't help.
Ole Miss: Jevan Snead and the Rebels didn't live up to the preseason hypeuntil their 28-point outburst in the fourth quarter. There is still a lot of work to be done if the Rebs are going to dethrone Alabama.
Southern Miss: Quarterback Austin Davis looked better than ever. Running back Damion Fletcher picked up where he left off, too. The Eagles' new uniforms looked good. Stick with the white pants.
On the radio
David Crosby, the analyst on Alcorn State broadcasts, is Doctor S' early nominee for football broadcaster of the year. Crosby is definitely no cheerleader. His criticism of the Braves (and the officials) during last Saturday's 52-0 loss to USM was merciless and amusing. Now that's entertainment.
Jackson State has moved to a new station, 95.5 FM.
Three NFL teams' games can be heard in the Jackson area this season. The New Orleans Saints are on 620 AM again. Eli Manning and the New York Giants are on 100.1 FM (the only Giants affiliate outside of New England). The Atlanta Falcons are on 103.9 FM.
This week's winners
Here's who will be celebrating after Saturday's games (if your team isn't listed here, you're going to lose): Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Millsaps, Mississippi College and Delta State.
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