Kristian: Saints are spirited, to say the least

The Saints are beginning to install the new offense and defense this week in Organized Team Activities.  The OTA’s follow mini-camp, which wrapped up Sunday. 

If championships were won during the offseason, the Saints would undoubtedly be hoisting their first championship trophy.  “It’s been our best offseason,” insisted Coach Sean Payton after 3 days of mini-camp.

From what I could observe in the locker room and the on the field, the team is filled with a lot of high character guys who seem to be focused on the same goal.  A common theme that you hear them talk about is “we want to win a championship.”

Get the ball…

 As I watched the Saints through 5 practices I saw many highlights.  While I’m sure the lowlights were there, as a casual observer I didn’t notice them. 

Every time a football would hit the ground from an incomplete pass, dropped ball or a true fumble; the defensive coaches were yelling, “Get the ball!  Get the ball!  Get the ball!”   The defense was the focal point of the large local and national media presence at Saints camp.

WWL’s Bobby Hebert said, “You can see the defense placing a bigger emphasis on causing turnovers.” 

Running back Pierre Thomas said of the defense, “They are flying around like a bunch of animals. They are out there trying to take people’s heads off and we don’t even have pad’s on.” 

Faster defense…
The Saints defense looked noticeably faster and more aggressive than in the past.  On occasion the defense showed a 3-4 alignment.  “Most teams in the NFL have a 3-4 package, even if they are a 4-3 defense,” explained Hebert. 

Linebacker Scott Fujita said he likes the attitude of his defensive mates so far. “Right now guys are playing fast, just because everyone has to earn it all over again.  That’s one the things I think everyone can benefit from when you bring in a new coordinator.  Everybody’s got to earn their job.  The competitive nature is going to advance obviously, but at the same time, guys are flying around.”

Will Black and Gold fans see a more aggressive attacking defense this year from Gregg Williams and company? “You’ll see some more attack minded stuff.  It’s all got to work hand in hand if we are going to protect the guys in the back end, then the pressure has to get there,” Fujita explained.

What does the man who faces the defense in practice on the other side of the ball think about the new scheme and players?  Quarterback Drew Brees offered up his thoughts, “They are playing with a lot emotion, a lot of intensity.  They are flying around.  There’s a lot of competition at the DB position, that’s only going to make our team better.”

The early returns are in on prized free agent acquisition Darren Sharper .  “The more veteran leaders you can bring in, who have game time experience -especially a guy like Sharper-  he’s made a lot of plays in his career.  I like having a guy like that back there, he’s made a lot of plays, you know he’s a ball hawk, and I love to have a guy like that behind me.” Fujita said of the team’s new safety.

Young receivers stepping up…

The offense wasn’t ignored during the mini-camp, but everyone knows what to expect from that unit.  They are methodically efficient and violently explosive with big play after big play.  One player who seems to be having a good offseason is wide receiver Devery Henderson. 

 “Devery is kind of quiet guy, but that fact is that with Colston being limited and Lance as well, he’s playing a lot of different positions, the x, the z, and the y.   He’s taking a lot of snaps, and it doesn’t faze him,” Brees said about number 19.  “He’s able to… play those positions.  He knows all the route concepts, and he knows how to run all the routes.  He’s become a guy that can play a lot of receiver positions, and he’s good at just about every route.”

When are we going to see more out of receiver Robert Meachem? Who dat fans have asked that question numerous times since the Saints selected him in the first round in 2007.   He’s another player who seems to get a lot praise for the off-season he’s having. 

 “Meachem continues to get better, not only physically, he’s worked extremely hard this offseason,  Brees said.  “I see more so than anything a confidence level starting to come out, a little bit of swagger giving you that look: ‘You can believe in me.  You can trust me.  I’m going to go out and make plays for you,’ and l like that.”

Injuries?..

The Saints remain relatively healthy.  Tight end Dan Campbell injured the MCL in his knee and was scheduled to have surgery Monday.   Tight end Darnell Dinkins sprained his calf muscle.  Wide receiver Adrian Arrington has been limited with a hamstring injury, that isn’t believed to be serious.  Also, Pierre Thomas sustained a bruised left wrist during the Saturday practice, but is believed to be doing fine.  In fact,  when I asked him if could play if he had a game this week, he replied,  “Absolutely, I would make myself play.”

Back to the playoffs?..

Coach Payton and the Saints appear to be off on the right foot this offseason.  They have had what the coach explained as “our best offseason by far.”  The team has had over 35 players attend 90 percent of the offseason workouts.  That was a goal coach Payton set.

If the offseason is an indication of how this team will do, then this might be the season the Black and Gold get back to the play offs.  Can championships be won in the offseason?  We’ll find out soon enough.