Funny what one NFC Championship game appearance does for a franchise. After they delighted Saints fans and with an explosive offense and an opportunistic defense in 2006, the Saints appear to be headed back down to Earth.
You're probably thinking "they're only 1-2, man, why are you fretting so much?"
Well, here's the thing. The Saints, after spending some money and draft picks to bolster their lackluster defense from a year ago, all New Orleans defense has done is give up the same type of big plays that they were allowing last season. With a defense that can't hold its own and and stud WR Marques Colston and TE Jeremy Shockey out for awhile, the Saints will be forced to rely on Devery "give me some stickum" Henderson, David Patten and Robert Meachem, who may surprise a few with his raw abilities as a pass catcher. Plus, their best offensive lineman Jamaal Brown is fighting injuries as well and protecting Drew Brees has become an issue for 'Nawlins since last year.
Unless they lean heavily on Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas (the kid can play, now) and Deuce McAllister when he's fully healthy, I don't see the Saints being able to match teams point-for-point anymore until they regain all of their pieces. If maybe they can control the clock and hope for the best on defense, they might have a shot but something tells me that head coach and playcaller Sean Payton will stay stubborn and imploy the same game plans despite the lack of playmakers lining up wide.
Tough times for the Saints, and right now they're not playing with a loaded gun.
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