New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints For the 2008 New Orleans Saints, last season ended with disappointment with the boys from the Big Easy lost three of their final five games to finish 8-8 and miss the post-season.

Now with the 2009 pre-season just about one month away, the Saints have a sense of optimism as they look head to the up-coming year.

NFL odds makers are calling the New Orleans Saints about a 20/1 shot to win the Super Bowl, while the betting line for the Saints sits at near 2/1 for them to take home the NFC South.

On the offensive side of the ball, an extremely solid and often underrated O-line all return for the 2009 campaign. The Saints front appears poised to protect quarterback Drew Brees and give him the opportunity for another strong statistical season. Brees threw for over 5,000 yards for the first time in his career in 08' and finished
the season with a passer rating of 96.2.

With offensive the offensive firepower Brees provides as well as returning stars; Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey, the Saints should have little trouble putting up points in 2009.

The big question heading into the season will be whether or not the Saints defense will hold up their end of the bargain.

The team signed free agent defensive end Paul Spicer and safety Darren Sharper, as well as re-signed linebacker Jonathan Vilma. In the draft, New Orleans used their only pick in the first three rounds to take cornerback Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State with the 14th pick overall in the hope that he can replace Mike McKenzie, who was released in the offseason.

Experts think that the Saints are a nice pick to win it all at 20/1. If they can stay healthy, they could be a very glamorous pick this season.