New Orleans Saints Season in Review

New Orleans Saints Season in Review

There was a while when many people thought the Saints were one of the best teams in the NFL this season, myself included. That before we realized that the Saints were a completely different team away from the dome. Despite that, the Saints were able to improve from their 2012 form and make the playoffs in 2013. 

Saints were offensively brilliant this year when they played in the dome, and even in some games away. However, its clear that the Saints really need a real running game. Darren Sproles is not meant to be a top rusher in this league. Darren Sproles job is to be the X-factor when he is on the field. Pierre Thomas has been the workhorse for the Saints the past few years but he is never a dominant presence. I don't want to call Mark Ingram a bust but I don't think he is playing in the right system. I share the same feelings as Jimmy Graham and Mark Ingram about the Saint's offseason moves. Letting go of Darren Sproles is not the right direction to go. Granted he is not a dominant running back, he fits this offense perfectly. The Saint's front office would fair better off cutting the Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram and signing a running back like Ben Tate in the offseason. 

Defensively the Saint's were much better under the helm of Rob Ryan. Their defense ranked 4th in yards allowed. With that said it wouldn't hurt the Saints to improve their rush defense. Signing Curtis Lofton last year was a good move but they are not done. The Saints need better safety play. Malcolm Jenkins is a free agent and the Saints need to find a way to keep him. Kenny Vaccaro, the safety they drafted in the first round year had a solid year for a rookie. Now he needs to elevate his game to become an elite safety in this league. Adding another corner would benefit the team also. Signing Keenan Lewis last year was probably one of the best moves made in free agency by any team last year, but he needs help. They need a corner to play the slot and corners who can tackle. 

I don't expect the Saints to be overly active in this free agent market this tear considering they are cap strapped. I would like to see them work on a deal with Jimmy Graham and sign him to a long time contract which he has earned the past year. The Saints, Panthers, and possibly Falcons rivalry will be interesting going forward. Who knows, maybe the Bucs might also be a real competitor in that division in the future.