After falling just short of winning the division title in 2013, the Saints retained their best offensive targets and added a few more pieces to Drew Brees’ arsenal.
With all of the fallout from the 2012 bounty scandal finally in the rearview mirror, the 2013 Saints returned to the playoffs in large part because of a defense that went from 32nd to 4th thanks to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
The 2014 Saints defense looks even better with the addition of ball-hawking safety Jairus Byrd and veteran CB Champ Bailey while drafting Stanley Jean-Baptiste, a massive CB from Nebraska. That unit also brings back pass rushers Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette, who each broke out with 12 sacks in 2013. The defense has the look of a Top 5 unit again – maybe even a Top 3.
The offense is what the Saints should really be excited about – All-Pro TE Jimmy Graham returns with the largest contract for a TE in history, the receiving corps added Oregon State deep threat Brandin Cooks – who has the look of an instant star with his speed.
The man leading the offense is Drew Brees, who has passed for an unprecented 5,000 yards in 3 straight years and 4 out of his last 5. Everything the Saints do on offense is dependent on Brees being able to perform well – but with only 4 games against a Top 10 defense in 2014, only an injury can stop the Saints from marching into another NFC South title.
The Saints will report to training camp at their three sites in Louisiana on July 24.
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