Same Old Story? Saints Will Be on Cusp of Playoffs in 2009

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for NFLSportChannel.com

Published: May 23, 2009

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... missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season since Brees led them to the NFC Championship game, they fired defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, replaced him with the highly respected Gregg Williams, and revamped their suspect secondary.

The changes should make them good enough to return to the postseason, but it’s hardly a slam dunk. The offense needs to be just as explosive as last year, when Brees nearly set the NFL single-season passing record and New Orleans led the league in yards and points. The defense, still no juggernaut, needs to come up big in critical moments.

The pass defense, which ranked 23rd last year, will make or break the Saints’ season.

Last year, the defensive backs came up empty too many times, even when they were in perfect position. Case in point: Carolina receiver Steve Smith’s 39-yard catch of a jump ball in tight double coverage near the end of regulation in the season finale. That play, which...

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Article Source: BleacherReport.com


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