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Quarterbacks Starting Quarterback: Aaron Brooks was having a sizzling 2002 season over the first eight games but fell apart over the final eight games. In the first eight games, he completed 57.1% of his passes and threw an outstanding 18 touchdown passes. Over the final eight games those numbers fell to 50.0% and only 9 touchdowns. The Saints have potentially one of the most explosive offenses in the league with outstanding talent at both the running back position and the receiver position. Brooks should be more consistent this year thanks to having another year of experience and he will be a good fantasy starter in 2003. Backup Quarterback(s): Todd Bouman has looked good in the NFL in limited duty throughout his career. He shouldn't be drafted but will make a great free agent pickup if something happens to Brooks this season. He has a strong arm and good accuracy. The surprising thing about Bouman is that he is 30 years of age. Update - 8/28: Nothing new here. Running Backs Backup Running Back(s): Neither Fenderson nor Keaton has 100 total yards in their career. Keaton is a speedster that was considered a strong prospect with the Bengals, but had no chance at playing time with Corey Dillon in town. Both Fenderson and Keaton should get used to that, as McAllister looks to be a Saint for a very long time. If Deuce was to get hurt (and he has had injury questions throughout his career), New Orleans would most likely go to a committee approach. If you feel the need to handcuff McAllister, Keaton would be the RB to grab. Fullback(s): Smith's an excellent blocker, but doesn't run or catch the ball. In short, he's the perfect FB for fantasy owners. While his style of play was perfect when New Orleans had Ricky Williams and a run first offense, Smith may not return for 2004. The Saints are looking for a fullback that works well with the new offense: one with the ability to run, but more importantly, a fullback with good receiving skills. Update - 8/28: Obviously, McAllister is the stud RB on the team. The identity of the #2 RB is far from obvious. It won't be Keaton as he has been released. The Saints are rumored to have interest in Ladell Betts and Kenny Watson of Washington, but there has been no news of a possible trade. If there are no roster changes, look for Fenderson have the backup job by default. Wide Receivers Starting Receiver(s): Joe Horn has been one of the NFC's most productive receivers since coming over to the Saints from the Chiefs in 2000. In his three years with New Orleans, Horn has averaged 87 receptions for 1,304 yards and 8 touchdowns. Expect little to change this year as Horn is happy (he signed a contract extension) and the team's offensive unit is intact. That equates to Horn being a solid, every week fantasy starter. Donte Stallworth will start on the opposite side replacing Jerome Pathon in
the starting lineup. Stallworth turned in a reasonably successful rookie season
(42 catches for 594 yards and 8 touchdowns) but was bothered by hamstring issues
for much of the year. The team needs Stallworth to emerge this year, utilizing
his 4.2 speed and natural abilities to compliment Horn and the running attack
of Deuce McAllister. Stallworth has a very high upside, and we're projecting
his first 1,000 yard season but don't get caught up in the hype, don't draft
him as if a top 15 season is a guarantee, because it's not. Backup Receiver(s): The Saints vaunted offense better hope and pray that the starters remain healthy, because the backups aren't the most impressive group collectively. Jerome Pathon slots in as the 3rd receiver, and while he's capable of the occasional spectacular play, his inconsistency and injury history makes him a worrisome player to rely upon. Michael Lewis, expected to secure the 4th receiver spot, is an All NFL return man but extremely raw as a receiver, it's unreasonable to expect him to contribute consistently and is best used as a deep threat (25 YPC in 2002) on streaks when the team is running four and five receiver sets. There are four other receivers battling for the final roster spot: Kerwin Cook, Derrick Lewis, and rookies Kareem Kelly and Talman Gardner. Gardner is the dark horse in this group; he was projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round selection in the draft but saw his stock fall due to legal concerns. Presuming those legal issues are resolved, the Saints could have one of this year's biggest draft day bargains. Update - 8/28: Donte Stallworth was held out of the
third preseason game due to hamstring issues, which cannot leave the New Orleans
feeling good. Few question Stallworth's abilities as a receiver, but he has
been held back by hamstring issues in the past, including his rookie season.
The top three positions are set, with Jerome Pathon backing up Joe Horn and
Donte Stallworth. But there is an intense battle for the remaining roster spots.
It's expected that Michael Lewis will secure one of those spots given his All
Pro status as a kick returner, while Derrick Lewis appears to have sewn up one
the fourth or fifth spot. Rookies Talman Gardner and Kareen Kelly are battling
for a roster spot. Tight Ends Update - 8/28: Conwell has been battling a hip injury but will still begin the season as the starting TE. Sloan and Williams have also each battled various injuries this preseason. Place Kicker Offensive Line |
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