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Wednesday, July 18
Updated: July 26, 3:46 PM ET
 
Saints: Repeat performance?
By Tom Oates
Special to ESPN.com

The Saints became the fifth different team to win the NFC West title in the last five years. Their worst-to-first run -- and the first playoff win in Saints history -- came because new general manager Randy Mueller made some shrewd moves in free agency and new coach Jim Haslett ignited a dormant team with his fiery personality and go-for-broke mentality. Together, Mueller and Haslett changed the attitude of the organization and the fans. The Saints blitzed on defense, attempted 17 fourth-down conversions and even tried an onside kick to open a game.
 
CAMP AT A GLANCE
 Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams has been plagued by injuries in his first two seasons.
  Location: Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, La.
Rookies report: July 29
Veterans report: July 29
Preseason schedule:
 Aug. 11: Minnesota (San Antonio)
 Aug. 18: Dallas
 Aug. 25: at Denver
 Sept. 1: at Seattle

The Saints won't catch anyone by surprise this year, but they might not have to. This is a team built the right way -- up front. Led by the front four, the defense paced the NFL with 66 sacks. The offensive line, the only legacy from the Mike Ditka era, might be the league's best. If sticky situations at quarterback and halfback don't muddy the waters, the Saints could be the division's first repeat winner since the 49ers in the early 1990s.

Man in the spotlight
Ricky Williams reluctantly has been under a microscope since Ditka traded the Saints' entire 1999 draft to get him. The spotlight will be brighter now that the Saints brass, which isn't enamored of Williams' immature attitude, drafted halfback Deuce McAllister with the 23rd pick in the first round. Williams emerged as a dependable back last year, gaining 100 or more yards in five straight games and hitting 1,000 for the season before he broke his ankle in Week 11. However, he ticked off the Saints when he said he might try baseball and he hasn't been a regular in the offseason workout program. Williams is said to be in great shape, though, which is good because McAllister is a perfect fit for the West Coast offense. He's big, fast and can catch. If not for durability concerns, he would have been a top-10 pick.

Key position battle
Journeyman Jeff Blake was headed for a Pro Bowl berth when he broke his foot in Week 12. At that point, little-used Aaron Brooks took over and, to everyone's surprise, was better than Blake. Now the Saints have their choice between Blake, a steady veteran with physical limitations, and Brooks, who is inexperienced (194 career pass attempts) but has star potential. Brooks is big, fast, athletic and has a strong arm. More important, he is a gamer. Both quarterbacks had passer ratings above 80 last year, but Brooks is the future of the franchise.

Biggest adjustment
Like any team that has a breakthrough season, the Saints will find out that the whole world changes. Opponents won't overlook them anymore. Some players will become satisfied and slack off. The degree of difficulty goes up with the first-place schedule. Will the Saints be a one-year wonder like Carolina and Atlanta before them? If Haslett has anything to say about it, no. During the offseason, all but one player under contract participated in voluntary workouts. Plus, the Saints added a new weapon in deep threat Albert Connell and return Cam Cleeland, a prototype West Coast tight end who missed last season after Achilles surgery.

Rookie report
McAllister might be the only rookie to make an impact on the Saints' strong roster. However, third-round picks Sedrick Hodge, a linebacker, and Kenny Smith, a tackle, add speed and depth on defense. If bruising fullback Terrelle Smith doesn't recover sufficiently from back surgery, fourth-rounder Moran Norris could end up starting.

Offseason moves
Players signed Players lost
S Jay Bellamy (signed as free agent)
WR Albert Connell (signed as free agent)
WR Willie Jackson (re-signed)
OL Chris Naoele (re-signed)
LB Darrin Smith (signed as free agent)
 K Doug Brien (released)
LB Mark Fields (released)
TE Andrew Glover (released)
CB Alex Molden (signed with San Diego)
WR Keith Poole (released)
WR Jake Reed (released)

  • Saints' complete offseason moves







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    After a dismal defensive ...


    AUDIO/VIDEO
     Aaron Brooks or Jeff Blake? New Orleans head coach Jim Haslett will go with his gut feeling when he selects his starting QB.
    wav: 501 k
    RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

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