NFL team previews — NFC West
By Ricky Zeller
As published in print Aug. 21, 2000
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Saints RB
Ricky Williams
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These are different days in New Orleans. After three years of the attention-grabbing
antics and questionable talent evaluation of celebrity coach Mike Ditka, owner Tom Benson
cleaned house. General manager Randy Mueller and head coach Jim Haslett have stepped into
the void.
Mueller, the former vice president of football operations in Seattle, has provided the
kind of dynamic, forward-thinking leadership veteran followers of the club aren’t
accustomed to. He has rebuilt the roster by making more than 50 personnel moves since
February, including signing QB Jeff Blake, DT Norman Hand and WR Jake Reed. Players
continued to come and go during training camp.
Haslett, the former defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh who served in the same capacity
in New Orleans in 1996, has brought a businesslike attitude to the sideline. The
team’s veterans have faith in the coaching staff again.
But the Saints are still a work in progress. When considering his offseason efforts,
Mueller said it was like working in "an expansion setting."
This is certainly a more talented team than the one that finished 3-13 in ’99, but
how much better is uncertain. Haslett’s organization and discipline are positive
steps, but the new coach’s primary challenge is molding a roster full of new faces
into a team.
In Haslett’s favor: Only one of the Saints’ first 11 opponents finished above
.500 last year, and the NFC West is relatively weak beyond St. Louis. If New Orleans can
steal a few victories early, it will provide a shot of confidence for the rest of the
season.
The biggest problem: There is precious little depth, at every position. After already
losing TE Cam Cleeland and CB Steve Israel, another major injury — to Blake, RB Ricky
Williams, or a starting offensive or defensive lineman — will create problems the
club doesn’t have answers for. The line between another disappointing season and
finishing as high as 8-8 is pretty thin.
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade B |
| Ditka downplayed the importance of having a trustworthy
passer until it was too late. Mueller made finding a veteran leader the team’s No. 1
priority. The Saints signed Blake to a four-year, $17 million deal on the opening day of
free agency and have given the ninth-year veteran the reins to the offense. Despite being
a Pro Bowl pick in ’95, Blake was constantly looking over his shoulder as a Bengal
and is determined to put the Cincinnati experience behind him. He has impressed the
coaching staff with his leadership and quick mastery of the West Coast offense, and his
strong right arm should allow the Saints to stretch the field for the first time in years.
A variety of rollouts also have been implemented to take advantage of Blake’s
mobility, but a key will be his ability to make the touch, medium-range throws the system
demands. The Saints traded for Green Bay’s Aaron Brooks, and he is being groomed as
the QB of the future. Brooks, lanky and strong-armed in the mold of a young Randall
Cunningham, worked with offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy last year with the Packers. Top of page |
| Running backs |
Grade B+ |
| After a frustrating rookie season undermined by injuries and
tremendous expectations, Williams has been given a new lease on life. The Saints plan to
give the powerful runner at least 20 touches a game — including a bigger role in the
passing game — as an every-down back in the mold of Denver’s Terrell Davis. To
escort Williams into a crease, the Saints drafted 240-pound FB Terrelle Smith and
immediately made him the starter. Fellow rookie Chad Morton is tiny, but he has impressed
with his speed and elusiveness. Veteran blocker Brian Milne backs up Smith, and Aaron
Craver provides depth at two positions. Top of page |
| Receivers |
Grade C |
| After they signed Blake, finding bigger wideouts who could
run under his rainbows and make the tough catch in traffic became a priority for the
Saints. New Orleans signed Kansas City’s Joe Horn to handle the first assignment, and
former Viking Reed will give the quarterback a rugged target on crossing routes and
slants. Horn’s a burner who is coming off his best year, though the Saints would like
him to be more consistent. Reed is stoked to prove he hasn’t lost a step after being
pushed aside by Randy Moss in Minnesota. Ex-Bengal Willie Jackson has the size the West
Coast offense requires and a history with Blake; a case could be made for Jackson being
the most impressive receiver in camp. Keith Poole, who led the Saints with six touchdowns
and a 19-yard average in ’99, is the only holdover at the position. The TE position
took a blow with the season-ending injury to Cleeland, but Andrew Glover is an able
replacement. The loss of the multitalented Cleeland, expected to be a major cog in the
passing attack, drops this unit a letter grade. Top of page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade B+ |
| When Mueller and Haslett evaluated the Saints before the
free-agency period began, they were convinced the offensive line was the strength of the
team. With three former No. 1 picks and three other well-paid veterans, the unit will live
up to its billing if it can play up to the sum of its parts. Six-time Pro Bowl pick
William Roaf is among the NFL’s best at left tackle. ORT Kyle Turley is the enforcer
of the offensive front. If the Saints ever become a consistent winner, the intense Turley
also could start earning Pro Bowl honors. There isn’t much depth behind either of the
starting tackles. Chris Naeole, a No. 1 pick in ’97, is the starter at right guard.
Haslett loves his toughness, and Naeole evolved into a sturdy pro by the end of last year.
Wally Williams and Jerry Fontenot were battling at center, and Williams can also play
guard. OLG Tom Ackerman, who signed a four-year, $8 million deal, completes a capable
foursome on the interior. Top
of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade B |
| This is another group that only has to play up to its
potential — and stay healthy — to rank among the NFL’s most improved units.
DRE Joe Johnson, a Pro Bowl pick in ’98 before missing all of last season with a knee
injury, has made a strong return. He’ll team with top pick Darren Howard at left end.
Howard is a 281-pound rookie from Kansas State with natural pass-rushing ability. After
giving up 4.1 yards per carry in ’99, the Saints signed the 320-pound Hand to a
five-year, $20 million contract. Hand is one of the league’s best at filling up
running lanes and taking on two blockers. His presence allows La’Roi Glover, the
Saints’ leading sacker the last two years (18½), to move to right tackle and face
fewer double teams. The key reserves are Willie Whitehead, who has gained 20 pounds after
posting seven sacks last year, Jared Tomich and Uhuru Hamiter. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade C+ |
| The Saints can probably match any team in the league at
linebacker in terms of pure athleticism. Starters Mark Fields, Charlie Clemons and Keith
Mitchell are all big, fast and aggressive. Fields has been on the cusp of stardom the last
few seasons at weak-side linebacker, and he’s healthy after playing with a back
injury for most of ’99. Mitchell led the team in tackles last year and also posted
3½ sacks and three interceptions. The wild card is Clemons, signed from St. Louis as a
restricted free agent. Along with Hand, Clemons is a key in the Saints’ run defense.
At 6-2, 258 pounds, Clemons is an instinctive hitter with big-play potential as a pass
rusher. But he has never started an NFL game and missed time in the preseason with a leg
injury. The Saints signed veteran Darrin Smith to provide depth at all three positions. Top of page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade C |
| After Ashley Ambrose fled via free agency, Mueller signed
Israel and Fred Thomas (Seattle) and traded for Dallas CB Kevin Mathis. Now that Israel is
out for the season with a broken leg, Fred Weary is the unquestioned starter at right
corner. The coaching staff has been pleased with Weary’s development and believes he
can be one of the secondary’s top players if he remains aggressive. Alex Molden is
the left corner. Molden has been one of Haslett’s reclamation projects. Molden’s
confidence was shot after three years in Ditka’s doghouse, but the former No. 1 pick
has the ability to be a solid performer. Mathis has settled in at nickel cornerback, while
Thomas hasn’t shown much because of injuries. CFL export Shannon Garrett’s stock
has risen, and rookie Michael Hawthorne, the team’s only corner over 6 feet, also
could earn a roster spot. Sammy Knight, a playmaker and hitter, starts at safety along
with Darren Perry. Rob Kelly suffered a broken leg in the first exhibition contest, but he
should be back early in the season. Kelly brings speed at free safety, while Perry
provides more experience and is a better tackler. Chris Oldham, a 10-year veteran, is
Knight’s backup and a contributor in the nickel defense. Top of page |
| Special teams |
Grade B+ |
| Doug Brien has made at least 82.8 percent of his FG attempts
every year he’s been a Saint, and he is the active leader in FG percentage from
50-plus yards (14-of-20). The only thing he has lacked the last few years is opportunity.
The Saints signed P Toby Gowin from the Cowboys, and he will be an upgrade over Tommy
Barnhardt. Gowin will also handle the kickoff duties. The speedy Morton gives the Saints a
viable threat on punts and kickoffs. He shook loose for a 77-yard TD on a punt return in
the preseason vs. the Jets. Top of page |
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