New Orleans Saints preview (No. 24): Payton building new culture
Our 2015 NFL preview series ranks every team, from worst to first. Today: the No. 24 Saints.
2014 record: 7-9
Head coach: Sean Payton (ninth year, 80-48 record, 6-4 in playoffs)
Key arrivals: *Andrus Peat (offensive tackle), Stephone Anthony (linebacker), Hau'oli Kikaha (linebacker), Max Unger (center), C.J. Spiller (running back), Brandon Browner (cornerback), Dannell Ellerbe (linebacker)
(*denotes rookie)
Key departures: Pierre Thomas (running back), Curtis Lofton (linebacker), Jimmy Graham (tight end), Ben Grubbs (guard), Kenny Stills (wide receiver), Travaris Cadet (running back), Patrick Robinson (cornerback)
2015 schedule (ET)
Sept. 13: at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 20: Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27: at Carolina, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4: Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 11: at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Oct. 15: Atlanta, 8:25 p.m.
Oct. 25: at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1: N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.
Nov. 8: Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15: at Washington, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22: BYE
Nov. 29: at Houston, 1 p.m.
Dec. 6: Carolina, 1 p.m.
Dec. 13: at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Dec. 21: Detroit, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 27: Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3: at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: Who will win the kicking competition?
With the NFL moving extra points back to the 15-yard line, having a steady specialist is more important than ever. After releasing journeyman Shayne Graham during the offseason, the Saints have Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker set to battle for the job. Both were drafted by other teams and later released without having attempted a regular-season field goal. Whoever wins the gig will be the ninth different kicker New Orleans has fielded since Sean Payton became head coach in 2006.
IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT
Are the Saints the 7-9 team of 2012 and 2014 or the 11-win 2013 version? Trading star tight end Jimmy Graham in the offseason was an acknowledgment that some retooling is needed, even if any fresh start will begin around 36-year-old quarterback Drew Brees. As long as Brees remains at the peak of his powers — he's gone to seven straight Pro Bowls — New Orleans will have a strong passing game and a puncher's chance to win the division. And there's no way a Rob Ryan-led defense will rank 31st in yards allowed again, right?
IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG
The difference between 2013 and 2014 largely was the total collapse of a once-strong defense, and the Saints are bringing back almost all of the key players from that unit. So if Ryan's plan to simplify what had become a too-complex scheme isn't the answer, Brees isn't likely to be able to outscore opponents as easily without Graham running open down the middle of the field. And what if Brees starts to show his age? It's not hard to imagine this team needing to take another step back before it can move forward.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Tight end Josh Hill
There are plenty of opportunities for other tight ends to catch passes from Brees with Graham traded to Seattle. Hill, who scored touchdowns on five of his 14 catches last season primarily as a red-zone target, will have the first crack at replacing Graham as a starter.
CIRCLE THE DATE GAME: Week 3, at Carolina (1 p.m. ET/Sept. 20)
Upending the defending NFC South champion could go a long way toward the Saints claiming the division crown for the first time since 2011. A post-touchdown brawl that ensued the last time these teams played in December adds fuel to this matchup.
ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 7-9, third place
The Saints responded to a disappointing 2014 campaign with some of the most radical roster moves this side of the Philadelphia Eagles. Topping the list was New Orleans' decision to part ways its best pass-catcher (Graham), top pass rusher (outside linebacker Junior Galette) and a promising young wide receiver coming off a 63-catch season (Kenny Stills). Such decisions show how far the trio had fallen out of favor with Payton, who is trying to change the team's locker-room culture into one more of his liking. There were a slew of other transactions with a large focus on upgrading the talent on a defense that fell 27 spots in NFL rankings for yards allowed from the 2013 season. Payton is already trying to raise the intensity level during offseason workouts by installing a "Compete Street" sign at team headquarters. Entering the season with an unproven kicker during a season in which the NFL is experimenting with a 33-yard extra point is symbolic of the chances Payton is taking by trying to rebuild on the fly as Brees heads down the homestretch of his Hall of Fame career.
