Here we are again on the cusp of a new preseason in the NFL and our favorite team has taken strides to surpass the accomplishments of an overachieving 2006 season. The defending NFC South Champion New Orleans Saints have plugged gaps in the roster by adding much needed quality depth through the draft. The free agent market also provided luxuries in allowing New Orleans to bolster their starting lineup with a veteran presence.

The defense, which many so-called experts were deceived into thinking were awful is what will propel this team to a new level this season. Gary Gibbs’ unit finished ranked #11 in total defense, which is respectable, but gave up too many big plays in critical times. The horrendous late season play of Fred Thomas led to many teams being able to hang in there when the offense seemed to put a them away. The defensive line seemed soft against the run as the season rolled along, and the linebacker corps simply did not have the depth or nastiness to make game changing plays or creation of turnovers. In my opinion, the weakest links on this defense were Josh Bullocks and Mark Simoneau. Suitable as backups, but they were definitely not up to the task of, “right place right time.”

The addition of 4 year veteran CB Jason David, acquired from the Indianapolis Colts as a restricted free agent and playmaking S Kevin Kaesviharn from the Bengals will pay dividends early and often. Throw in the “field general” mentality of SS Roman Harper who returns from a torn ACL and a beefed up defensive line, the Saints should finish atop the division again and make a stronger challenge for a conference championship.

Aside from the defense, coach Sean Payton needs to develop a big boy game plan when coaching against the likes of the Chicago Bears. While battling the Bears’ top ranked defense and the elements of a January in the Windy City, coach Payton managed a game as if he was playing Mc Neese St. He refused to stray from a streetball gameplan that could’ve been adjusted at the half when we were down 16-7

Nathan Rideaux

Many “experts” have the Saints advancing to Super Bowl XLII, though none of them predict a win. Here’s the rundown — SI’s Peter King, Colts over Saints. Lindy’s: Ravens over Saints. Pro Football Weekly and Street and Smith’s: Patriots over Saints. (Athlon and Sporting News both have Patriots over Cowboys.)

Personally I do not like this. These guys are never right. There is a nice upside, enjoying all the National coverage. It is good to be a member of the Who Dat Nation!

It was nice to see our boys on stage at the Espys! Drew and Reggie spoke from the heart!

I was surprised we beat out Tiger Woods. This must be the year!!

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You had (have) a Bobby Hebert poster in your house.

You attended Buddy D’s funeral at St. Rita.

You turn down the volume of the Saints game on tv and turn up 870 am to listen to Jim Henderson instead.

You wear a radio headset to Saints games.

You know every step to the Benson Boogie.

You’ve eaten at every restaurant in the New Orleans Centre before going to the Dome.

You get drunk on the New Orleans Centre on-ramp hours before kickoff.

You’ve ever had NOPD escort you out for throwing beer bottles at opposing fans.

You were one of the people in the Dome who cheered when Wade Wilson got injured.

You refused to wear a paper bag on your head when all your friends were doing it.

You threatened to kill anybody who advocated for the Saints to relocate.

The first thing on your mind after Katrina destroyed the Superdome was “Where are the Saints gonna play this year?”

You’ve ever been taken to Tulane and Broad before halftime for showering beer on a Falcons fan.

You have 8 delinquent parking tickets–all issued on Poydras.

You play Madden with the Saints and beat the diddly-poo out of the team the Saints just lost to.

You know the scalpers in front of the Superdome by name.

You go to bars and have “intellectual conversations” about what the Saints need to do to win next week.

You are too depressed to go to work or school on Monday because the Saints lost on Sunday.

You are too hungover to go to work or school on Monday because the Saints won on Sunday.

You think Archie Manning should be canonized.

Instead of wearing a Cowboy’s or 49’ers starter jacket in grammar school like all your friends, you wore a Saints Russell windbreaker.

You live out of state, but have the NFL Network just to watch the Saints.

The people at the Black and Gold Shop know you by name.

You think Gill Fenerty is the best white running back in NFL history.