Drew Brees
Drew Brees Every year in the NFL, some teams improve while others decline. One team that has traditionally done far more declining than improving is the New Orleans Saints, but the team showed some promise two years ago before a porous defense led to early-season losses in 2007, a hole from which the team could not dig itself out. Now, with the addition of several talented defensive players and the return to health of key personnel, the feeling at training camp is that the Saints could be the out-of-nowhere team that rises into Superbowl contention this year.

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a former first-round pick of the New York Jets, was acquired in trade and will man the middle. Vilma struggled within the Jets' change to a 3-4 defense, but should excel once again with his return to a 4-3. Bobby McCray was picked up from Jacksonville's powerful defense, and Sedrick Ellis
was the team's first pick, out of USC; the pair should provide speed and depth on the defensive line.

Mike McKenzie is healthy again, and should display his All-Pro talents he demonstrated in Green Bay now that the pass rush will limit the time allowed opposing quarterbacks. Also returning from injury are star running back Deuce McAllister and last year's top pick, Robert Meachum. Meachum is being relied on to press David Patten at the 2nd receiver spot after Marques Colston, and Sainst fans were thrilled Thursday night to see Meachum catch a sixty-yard touchdown Thursday in the preseason game against Arizona; the catch featured both running over and around several opponents.

With Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and the newly acquired Jeremy Shockey, the Saints might challenge New England as the league's highest scoring offense. There is much football to play, but for now, Saints fans feel this team may be heaven-sent.