Jackson Free Press

Last season's New Orleans Saints broke a five-season streak of finishing .500 or better and had their first losing season since 2007. Perhaps the most surprising part of was the 3-5 home record, which includes a five-home game losing streak near the season's end.

New Orleans finished second in the NFC South with a 7-9 record with 3-3 in conference, and watched the Carolina Panthers reach the playoffs with a 7-8-1 record with 4-2 in conference. If the Saints had just finished 5-3 or better at home, they would have been in the playoffs instead of Carolina.

It wasn't just home losses that were frustrating. New Orleans lost five games by a touchdown or less last season and lost two of those in overtime. The Saints lost several games, including season openers against Atlanta and Cleveland, in the closing seconds.

It wouldn't be a stretch for this team to turn things around by protecting the home field and winning close games. And the Saints have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Drew Brees, to make a quick turnaround happen.

New Orleans gets a healthy Brees this season after he suffered from an oblique injury most of last year. They won't have tight end Jimmy Graham, who was shipped to Seattle in a trade.

Graham will be missed, but if wide receiver Brandin Cooks can stay healthy, he will be a bigger threat to make big plays in the passing game. Tight ends Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill will try to combine to replace Graham.

It will be running back by committee, as it nearly always is for the Saints, this season. Mark Ingram will lead the way with C.J. Spiller, if his off-season knee surgery doesn't cause problems, in the same role that Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles played.

The offensive line needs to be better in pass protection and run blocking, as well. There is also little depth on the offensive line, so injury is a concern.

On defense, New Orleans has to be better at getting off the field on third down, getting to the quarterback and causing turnovers. The Saints allowed teams to convert 46 percent of third downs last season.

Getting off the field is important if you understand that teams have an average of 12 possessions in an NFL game. In the Saints' case, that is about 18 or more offensive plays for their opponents.

New Orleans only made 34 sacks, which made it No. 25 in the NFL last season. The team also got 12 interceptions, which tied it for No. 21, and forced only 12 fumbles (recovering just five) for No. 25 in the NFL.

The Saints defense will need more rush from defensive ends Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks. New Orleans is rebuilding the linebacker unit, and the secondary is banged up to start the season.

If the Saints can be better on defense and Brees is healthy and has a typical Brees year, New Orleans should be in the playoff hunt. Fans will find out quickly how good the Saints can be in the team's opening game on the road against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13.