NFL betting lines - New Orleans Saints trying to get offense back on track
- Who will step up in an underachieving receiving corps?
- Can the running game get back on track?
- Additions on “D” should benefit the offense
The Saints' offense was brilliant in 2006, leading the NFL in total yards and finishing fifth in points per game. New Orleans (+1800 Super Bowl odds) put up similar yardage in 2007, finishing fourth, but it was plagued my mistakes and poor execution, resulting in a drop in scoring. Now, those who love betting on sports are wondering if the team will get its mojo back in 2008.
New Orleans relies heavily on its passing game. Drew Brees has surpassed 4400 yards in each of the last two seasons, so what happened to the scoring? Part of the problem was a poor effort by his wide receivers. The group dropped a ton of passes, especially Devery Henderson, who proved to be such an explosive deep threat in 2006.
It's hard to say whether Henderson can revive his game, but one underdog who might give the offense a little more juice is Robert Meachem. Meachem was a first-round draft pick but struggled as a rookie last year. He showed up to camp overweight and with knee issues, so he was inactive all season. Meachem should enter the 2008 NFL regular season with a clean slate, and I'm betting he makes an big impact on the receiving corps.
Getting the running game going again will be crucial to putting up more points. The Saints ranked 28th in rushing in 2007, a terrible effort. That was a huge drop off from 2006, when the team finished 19th and provided some much-needed balance. The offensive line underwhelmed last season, but the most significant problem was the loss of Deuce McAllister.
McAllister ran for a 1057 yards and 10 touchdowns two seasons ago, but a knee injury cut his year short in 2007. It was his second serious knee injury in recent seasons, and odds are he won't come back as the same player.
If that's the case, the team will again rely on Reggie Bush. Bush is dynamic, but until he learns to run north-south, the running game will sputter. Pierre Thomas showed signs as an undrafted rookie, so perhaps he can help carry the football.
Some additions on defense may actually help the offense as well. Linebackers Jon Vilma and Dan Morgan have been brought in, and both are always involved in the action when healthy. Randall Gay will add depth to the secondary, and first and second-round picks were spent on defense.
That should improve a unit that's performed poorly in recent years. If all goes well, the “D” should create more turnovers and make more stops, relieving the offense of some pressure and creating some better field position.
Those are some crucial factors to count on, and while it seems like a lot to bank on, all is within the realm of possibility. If Meachem can show progress, the defense improves modestly, and McAllister, Bush and Thomas can handle the running game together, the Saints will make an appealing 2008 Super Bowl futures pick.
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Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions?
