Can someone give me some facts as to why your team will win?

[ThunderCookie]

During the offseason, we post a lot of crazy things as to who is going to beat who and win what. But rarely do I see good explanations all listed in one place.

So if anyone can make a factual, smack free argument as to why their team is the one to beat... Please share here.

This means no...

Saints are the team to beat because we got rings.

Panthers are the team to beat because baby blue brings out Klaussen's eyes.

Falcons are the team to beat because it is our board and we say so.

Bucs are the team to beat because my jean shorts say so.

[ThunderCookie]

JEAN SHORTS

I FEEL DALLAS IS THE TEAM TO BEAT BECAUSE THE DEFENSE IS IN THE 4TH YEAR OF WADES SCHEME AND SPENCER SEEMS TO HAVE FINALLY MADE THE COMPLETE TRANSITION TO OLB, ALSO THE OFFENSE SHOULD STAY ON COURSE YARDAGE WISE AND HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON MOVING THE BALL UP AND DOWN THE FIELD. ITS ANOTHER BRUTAL SCHEDULE THOUGH BUT IF YOU WANNA BE THE BEST YOU GOTTA BEAT THE BEST.

Do you feel that your team sometimes lacks motivation? When they are fired up, they are ferocious. But there have been a couple times I have seen them lose where they looked half speed. But I do not follow the Cowboys, and I am pretty sure that you would be a better judge than I.

[Michael K]

Factual smack free argument as to why the Panthers are the team to beat?

Well, I-okay this is hard. Rival fans don't like Jimmy Clausen's hair apparently, how's that?

Edited July 31, 2010 by Michael K

[Guest jb aka johnnybuc]

During the offseason, we post a lot of crazy things as to who is going to beat who and win what. But rarely do I see good explanations all listed in one place.

So if anyone can make a factual, smack free argument as to why their team is the one to beat... Please share here.

This means no...

Saints are the team to beat because we got rings.

Panthers are the team to beat because baby blue brings out Klaussen's eyes.

Falcons are the team to beat because it is our board and we say so.

Bucs are the team to beat because my jean shorts say so.

The BUCS are the team to beat, not because my jean shorts say they are (BTW they're NEVER wrong) but because my macaw "Yancy" says they are!

[freebird587]

falcons...i shouldnt have to explain why,because if you dont already know,then you will see why this season

[JoCoLoco]

The Panthers will win because we drafted a dozen or so QB's...one of them is bound to be a Hall of Famer.

Seriously though, we will win because of the defense. Beason's switch to the Will could be a perfect fit. His intelligence and athleticism will allow him to dominate the most important position in Meeks' system. He could very well be the biggest defensive playmaker this season. With Dan Connor stepping into the Mike spot, we have a young, hungry kid whose playing to prove he belongs and that he earned his Linebacker U pedigree. A constant rotation of young guys with a lot of promise at the DE position, and a solid, possibly improved secondary and this could be a scary, and very surprising unit. Everyone knows our boys can grind it out on offense, and we may have a lot of opportunities to experiment with the passing game. If we find any kind of spark there, we could be incredibly dangerous.

[ThunderCookie]

Factual smack free argument as to why the Panthers are the team to beat?

Well, I-okay this is hard. Rival fans don't like Jimmy Clausen's hair apparently, how's that?

It worked for Troy Polololamawlulu. Well done sir!

[nolafan33]

The Saints field the best QB of the game everyweek. For this very reason, we also have the top pass offense in the NFL, and a running game that compliments it very well. Our OL is among the top in the league, with the most dominate interior line in the NFL. The Saints field a number of different offensive options. Big physical reciever, speedy reciever, big speedy reciever, slot reciever who catches everything. All around RB, one of the best pass catching/mismatch backs in the game, and the pure runner. Big physical TE, steady quiet TE, and a new huge athletic TE. The Saints have every type of player you could look for on offense. We have the best offensive mind in the game, he just happens to be one of the top head coaches in the NFL also. His assistants are no slouch over. The Saints averaged 32 points per game last season, they could have realistically averaged 35 points per if wanted.

Year two in Gregg Williams' defense and he (plus the entire D) believes that they have taken huge steps forward from last season. Good DL with some of the premier players on it (Smith, Ellis). Top 10 MLB in Jonathan Vilma, along with a very underated WLB in Scott Shanle. Also got some much needed athleticism at backer. One of the deepest (if not the deepest) secondarys in the NFL. Jabari, Tracy, Robinson, Gay, Sharper, Jenkins, Vaughn, Harper, Prioleau, and Reis. Top 5 corner duo in the league, and only got better with the addition of first rounder Patrick Robinson.

Then there is a great young combination of young up and coming special teamers in Hartley and Morstead.

Edited July 31, 2010 by nolafan33

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

The Saints field the best QB of the game everyweek. For this very reason, we also have the top pass offense in the NFL, and a running game that compliments it very well. Our OL is among the top in the league, with the most dominate interior line in the NFL. The Saints field a number of different offensive options. Big physical reciever, speedy reciever, big speedy reciever, slot reciever who catches everything. All around RB, one of the best pass catching/mismatch backs in the game, and the pure runner. Big physical TE, steady quiet TE, and a new huge athletic TE. The Saints have every type of player you could look for on offense. We have the best offensive mind in the game, he just happens to be one of the top head coaches in the NFL also. His assistants are no slouch over. The Saints averaged 32 points per game last season, they could have realistically averaged 35 points per if wanted.

Year two in Gregg Williams' defense and he (plus the entire D) believes that they have taken huge steps forward from last season. Good DL with some of the premier players on it (Smith, Ellis). Top 10 MLB in Jonathan Vilma, along with a very underated WLB in Scott Shanle. Also got some much needed athleticism at backer. One of the deepest (if not the deepest) secondarys in the NFL. Jabari, Tracy, Robinson, Gay, Sharper, Jenkins, Vaughn, Harper, Prioleau, and Reis. Top 5 corner duo in the league, and only got better with the addition of first rounder Patrick Robinson.

Then there is a great young combination of young up and coming special teamers in Hartley and Morstead.

Hard to argue that but I'm sure someone will.

[falconsd56]

The Saints field the best QB of the game everyweek. For this very reason, we also have the top pass offense in the NFL, and a running game that compliments it very well. Our OL is among the top in the league, with the most dominate interior line in the NFL. The Saints field a number of different offensive options. Big physical reciever, speedy reciever, big speedy reciever, slot reciever who catches everything. All around RB, one of the best pass catching/mismatch backs in the game, and the pure runner. Big physical TE, steady quiet TE, and a new huge athletic TE. The Saints have every type of player you could look for on offense. We have the best offensive mind in the game, he just happens to be one of the top head coaches in the NFL also. His assistants are no slouch over. The Saints averaged 32 points per game last season, they could have realistically averaged 35 points per if wanted.

Year two in Gregg Williams' defense and he (plus the entire D) believes that they have taken huge steps forward from last season. Good DL with some of the premier players on it (Smith, Ellis). Top 10 MLB in Jonathan Vilma, along with a very underated WLB in Scott Shanle. Also got some much needed athleticism at backer. One of the deepest (if not the deepest) secondarys in the NFL. Jabari, Tracy, Robinson, Gay, Sharper, Jenkins, Vaughn, Harper, Prioleau, and Reis. Top 5 corner duo in the league, and only got better with the addition of first rounder Patrick Robinson.

Then there is a great young combination of young up and coming special teamers in Hartley and Morstead.

Wow that is the best joke I have heard in a long time.

How can they be anywhere close to the deepest in the league when Greer and Porter where hurt, the saints trash for secondary were getting lit up by the like of Marc Bulger, Chris Redman, Jason Campbell, and Josh Freeman???

talk about koolaid drinking.

In fact is the saints after Porter and Greer who are a top 5 duo together.... the saints secondary is garbage.

[nolafan33]

Wow that is the best joke I have heard in a long time.

How can they be anywhere close to the deepest in the league when Greer and Porter where hurt, the saints trash for secondary were getting lit up by the like of Marc Bulger, Chris Redman, Jason Campbell, and Josh Freeman???

talk about koolaid drinking.

In fact is the saints after Porter and Greer who are a top 5 duo together.... the saints secondary is garbage.

I can say Drew Brees is a top 5 QB and you'd argue that. Like Anger said, it's hard to argue with anything I said.

BTW, take off Greer and Porter and I'd STILL take the Saints secondary over the Falcons.

Robinson, Gay, Sharper, Harper >>>>> Robinson, whoever, Decoud, Coleman

////not really sure if I believe that or not, I just know you'll read it and go all girlfight on it.

[bradael]

Wow that is the best joke I have heard in a long time.

How can they be anywhere close to the deepest in the league when Greer and Porter where hurt, the saints trash for secondary were getting lit up by the like of Marc Bulger, Chris Redman, Jason Campbell, and Josh Freeman???

talk about koolaid drinking.

In fact is the saints after Porter and Greer who are a top 5 duo together.... the saints secondary is garbage.

Although I tend to agree here, it should also be noted that it wasn't just Greer and Porter that missed much of the last half of the season a year ago. Randall Gay and Malcolm Jenkins also missed a lot of time. For a number of games down the stretch, the Saints' top corners were really their #4, 6, and 7 corners. Mike McKenzie and Chris McAlister were the two main corners for example against the Patriots, despite the fact that both were signed off the street just a week before.

Add first round pick Patrick Robinson, and now bring back S Chip Vaughn, who was drafted a year ago, and that definitely improves the depth. If I remember correctly, only three defensive starters (Will Smith, Roman Harper, and Jon Vilma) played in every game a year ago, excluding the week 17 matchup. The team also led the league in players on IR yet still had the largest margin of victory in the NFL.

The main talk around Super Bowl Champions is a hangover. The truth is, most of the teams that fail to repeat are those that win based on dominant defenses. Saints have had the #1 yardage offense for three of their four years under Payton, and have led the league in scoring the last two seasons. Bring back FB Heath Evans from IR and WR Lance Moore from missing most of last season... while only losing RB Mike Bell (Jammal Brown didn't play a single snap last year), it's hard to argue that they won't lead the league in both of those categories again this year.

To me everything lies on special teams for their chances of repeating. They had bad coverage units last year and struggled in the kicking game except in the playoffs. If they can improve their special teams, they could finish with a 14-2 record easily and from their have home field again in the playoffs.

[falconsd56]

I can say Drew Brees is a top 5 QB and you'd argue that. Like Anger said, it's hard to argue with anything I said.

BTW, take off Greer and Porter and I'd STILL take the Saints secondary over the Falcons.

Robinson, Gay, Sharper, Harper >>>>> Robinson, whoever, Decoud, Coleman

////not really sure if I believe that or not, I just know you'll read it and go all girlfight on it.

yes I would argue that..... he is top 3 not top 5

and top in NFC.

I pointed out clearly what was VERY wrong about what you said.

Porter and Greer played well... very well. the other guys did not.

The ONLY reason Redman did not pass for 350+ yards and multiple tds against the saints was butter fingers by Jenkins.

Now I like Redman..he is one of the better back ups ion the league and by all accounts a great club house guy....but he should not be passing for 300+ yards with little pressure on him, when we are missing Turner and Norwood was still banged up.

[nolafan33]

yes I would argue that..... he is top 3 not top 5

and top in NFC.

I pointed out clearly what was VERY wrong about what you said.

Porter and Greer played well... very well. the other guys did not.

The ONLY reason Redman did not pass for 350+ yards and multiple tds against the saints was butter fingers by Jenkins.

Now I like Redman..he is one of the better back ups ion the league and by all accounts a great club house guy....but he should not be passing for 300+ yards with little pressure on him, when we are missing Turner and Norwood was still banged up.

Why is it that Falcon fans always refuse to acknowledge the fact that it was the Falcons back QB going up against the Saints backup corners? Do you really think Redman puts up those numbers if he's facing Greer and Porter rather than Jenkins, Gay, Mckenzie, and Prioleau?

Edited July 31, 2010 by nolafan33

[falconsd56]

Although I tend to agree here, it should also be noted that it wasn't just Greer and Porter that missed much of the last half of the season a year ago. Randall Gay and Malcolm Jenkins also missed a lot of time. For a number of games down the stretch, the Saints' top corners were really their #4, 6, and 7 corners. Mike McKenzie and Chris McAlister were the two main corners for example against the Patriots, despite the fact that both were signed off the street just a week before.

Add first round pick Patrick Robinson, and now bring back S Chip Vaughn, who was drafted a year ago, and that definitely improves the depth. If I remember correctly, only three defensive starters (Will Smith, Roman Harper, and Jon Vilma) played in every game a year ago, excluding the week 17 matchup. The team also led the league in players on IR yet still had the largest margin of victory in the NFL.

The main talk around Super Bowl Champions is a hangover. The truth is, most of the teams that fail to repeat are those that win based on dominant defenses. Saints have had the #1 yardage offense for three of their four years under Payton, and have led the league in scoring the last two seasons. Bring back FB Heath Evans from IR and WR Lance Moore from missing most of last season... while only losing RB Mike Bell (Jammal Brown didn't play a single snap last year), it's hard to argue that they won't lead the league in both of those categories again this year.

To me everything lies on special teams for their chances of repeating. They had bad coverage units last year and struggled in the kicking game except in the playoffs. If they can improve their special teams, they could finish with a 14-2 record easily and from their have home field again in the playoffs.

Defensivly the saints lived and died with the turn over, even fully healthy they rarely just shut teams down.

the whole strategy was try and outscore and hope to get a couple turnovers in the end. That worked well last year... not so well in 07 and 08 when the saints were below .500 for those 2 years.

I think the saints are going to have a harder time getting the turnovers they had last year, If nothing for the fact they will get to feast on young qbs the first part of the year like they got to last year. The ball litterally bounced their way last year, which is what is needed to win the superbowl.. no team wins on pure talent alone, there is a certain amount of luck involved. Which is IMO the biggest reason repeats are so few and far between.

The saints are going to have a hard time repeating if The falcons and panthers are healthy.

When you have 2 of the top 5 backs in the nfl in the same division in Turner and Williams, and a guy like Stewart who would be number 1 on 27 or so teams in the nfl, then you have players like White, Gonzo, Winslow, Smith add to that Atlanta and Carolina have big nasty Olines and some legit players on defense..... There is a reason no team has repeated back to back in the south. This year is clearly no different.

The bucs should not be that good this year.... but the exact same thing were said about the falcons prior to 08, and outside of Saints fans no one pictures the saints going 13-3 last year, so who knows if Freeman progress's, and they catch some breaks they could be more of a threat then anyone other then Bucman or JB imagines

[falconsd56]

Why is it that Falcon fans always refuse to acknowledge the fact that it was the Falcons back QB going up against the Saints backup corners? Do you really think Redman puts up those numbers if he's facing Greer and Porter rather than Jenkins, Gay, Mckenzie, and Prioleau?

That is EXACTLY my point.

For you to say the "deepest in the nfl" is laughable. at best for the VERY reason you mentioned.

If a back up qb is torching your back up corners guess what?

your not that deep.

[nolafan33]

That is EXACTLY my point.

For you to say the "deepest in the nfl" is laughable. at best for the VERY reason you mentioned.

If a back up qb is torching your back up corners guess what?

your not that deep.

Your point makes zero sense. Find me one secondary that is deeper than this:

CB:

Jabari Greer

Tracy Porter

Patrick Robinson

Randall Gay

Leigh Torrence

Malcolm Jenkins*

Usama Young*

FS:

Darren Sharper

Malcolm Jenkins*

Chip Vaughn

Usama Young*

SS:

Roman Harper

Pierson Prioleau

Chris Reis

*Will play both corner and safety

Even Pat Y agrees:

But the defensive backfield is where the Saints really could be outstanding. They’ve assembled one of the best collections of secondary talent in the league.

[falconsd56]

Your point makes zero sense. Find me one secondary that is deeper than this:

CB:

Jabari Greer

Tracy Porter

Patrick Robinson

Randall Gay

Leigh Torrence

Malcolm Jenkins*

Usama Young*

FS:

Darren Sharper

Malcolm Jenkins*

Chip Vaughn

Usama Young*

SS:

Roman Harper

Pierson Prioleau

Chris Reis

*Will play both corner and safety

Even Pat Y agrees:

I forgot how dense you can be.

You can not in one breath talk about how deep a position is then then in the next breath make the excuse " oh well our starters were missing".

about the only thing deep about the saints secondary is the amount of BS you saint fans spout about it.

[Corsair]

1. Josh Freeman's second year. He will throw more TD than Int... but even more important = he will take a serious leadership role and secure us maybe 3 comeback victories.

2. Our O-line has dumped Jagz ZBS. It didn't fit with our athletes, we are going back to a man scheme.

3. We've done all we can to eliminate our problem stopping the run last year. We have 2 new DT's, plus Miller is one year older.

4. Talib and/or Tanard is going to a Pro-bowl this year.

5. Delhommo is no longer in the division. That's 2 wins right there.

[falconsd56]

1. Josh Freeman's second year. He will throw more TD than Int... but even more important = he will take a serious leadership role and secure us maybe 3 comeback victories.

2. Our O-line has dumped Jagz ZBS. It didn't fit with our athletes, we are going back to a man scheme.

3. We've done all we can to eliminate our problem stopping the run last year. We have 2 new DT's, plus Miller is one year older.

4. Talib and/or Tanard is going to a Pro-bowl this year.

5. Delhommo is no longer in the division. That's 2 wins right there.

I would think being that williams and stewart are still there that would cause more concern.

The bucs dont play very well against them.... now if the panthers have qb that is not a turnover machine....

im not saying.... im just saying

[Guest jb aka johnnybuc]

Even Pat Y agrees:

My 9 year old granddaughter does a better job of covering the NFC South! You just love Yastinkass because he sucks up to the Saints. Typical front runner, not to mention he's the laziest writer ESPN employs.

[falconsd56]

My 9 year old granddaughter does a better job of covering the NFC South! You just love Yastinkass because he sucks up to the Saints. Typical front runner, not to mention he's the laziest writer ESPN employs.

Yup pretty much.

if the saints go 7-9 this year and miss the playoffs you think ol Petey is going to be singing same praises?

**** to the no.

[Corsair]

I would think being that williams and stewart are still there that would cause more concern.

The bucs dont play very well against them.... now if the panthers have qb that is not a turnover machine....

im not saying.... im just saying

Jake was a notable Buc killer. He's not a very good QB in the league, especially after his collapse. But for years Jake played like an All Pro against the Bucs. And Ricky Proehl.

I'm certainly not scared of Matt Moore.

Stewart and Williams are a big deal, but I covered that in the point about our DT's. We were last in the league in run defense last year. Partly because we were playing with Bates defense for 10 games last year. He had gone the opposite route with the D, asking our players to gain wait and play a 2 gap system. Raheem took over the D for the last 6 games, and things started to look like old times.

The Defense in Tampa will reclaim alot of respect this year.

[Dr. Do Itch Big]

If we had a better fs, i would say our secondary is better than yours. My team is not the team to beat, but I do believe we will win more games than last year. We now have a better hc and oc. We have upgraded our o-line and have a solid qb. Yes we still have questions at wr, rb, and o-line depth but if the defense plays as well as last year I believe we will win more games.

[falconsd56]

Jake was a notable Buc killer. He's not a very good QB in the league, especially after his collapse. But for years Jake played like an All Pro against the Bucs. And Ricky Proehl.

I'm certainly not scared of Matt Moore.

Stewart and Williams are a big deal, but I covered that in the point about our DT's. We were last in the league in run defense last year. Partly because we were playing with Bates defense for 10 games last year. He had gone the opposite route with the D, asking our players to gain wait and play a 2 gap system. Raheem took over the D for the last 6 games, and things started to look like old times.

The Defense in Tampa will reclaim alot of respect this year.

Yeah I think right around the first game with us when Ryan and turner got hurt is when you guys switched back right?

I remember thinking how much better they looked.

The bucs D LOOKED faster. then the week prior.

Its going to be interesting to say the least. I dont think the bucs have enough given how strong the other 3 teams potentially can be, but hey we were suppose to be 1-15 in 08 so who knows.