Madlib-- The 2006 Saints will be (adj.)_______

Expectations are running at an all-time medium for my beloved Saints. In what many believe to be a rebuilding year with a new coach, new system, and new players it could be a little bit more promising. Just remember when the Saints aren't expected to win they hold up pretty well. In all honesty they have some big questions.

1. Will they ever stop the run?
The have lead the league with the worst rush defense this side of the NFC for the last couple of years. Hopefully, new coordinator Gary Gibbs will be much better than the last one Rick Venturri, who was collecting social security and pension money from the Saints. Not only was Venturri a hold over from the Ditka-less era, but he was kept after the Saints defense progressively got worse every year after Ron Zook left. I can't heap too much blame on Haslett other than the fact that he couldn't pick a character guy out of crowd of Kramers. He was consistently picking up players who would either be over-weight, stealing money out of others lockers, or just getting arrested in strip clubs the night before games.

2. Will Sean Payton bring us a winner?
The one thing that I hope and pray happens to Sean Payton is that the Saints build a team instead of a flash in the pan. Haslett won right off the bat and expectations from that point were excessively high. If Payton can build a team like Bellichik did in New England than us Saints fans we will be happy for years to come.

3. Can the offensive line protect Brees?
Definitely. Still it will be a learning process as most of the guys on the line are new to the position or team. I think it will be decent year for the running game. That's the only way we are going to protect our QB.

4. Will St. Reggie be a prime time player?
This is a hard one. I think his adjustment to the NFL will not be immediate as so much as a process of learning how to get him the ball. The thing about playmakers is that they need the ball in their hands to do something special. I am sure Reggie will make some great highlight plays. Just don't expect them to happen everytime he touches the ball. This isn't the Pac-10 and the d-ends are much quicker to the ball. Plus Deuce is going to need to get touches to keep the defense honest on the run game.

5. How many games will the Saints win in 2006?
I project that the Saints are viable for a 7-9 type of season. Now if they get some breaks it could be 8-8. I like anything better than 3-13. Still they have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL with double games against NFC South and NFC East as their other schedule games. Why couldn't they have given us the NFC West? I look for the Saints to get better as the season goes along especially on defense. I'm not expecting playoffs, but I really want to see my team compete in every game this year especially against Dallas, Philly, Carolina and Tampa because that will reassure us that next year we can take them.

Here's to the 2006 New Orleans Saints. Love'em like they were your own kids. This is going to be a fun season. Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who dat?