A season of high expectations fell apart quickly for New Orleans in 2014. The defense gave up 424 points and the in-depthSaints lost their last five games at home to finish a deeply disappointing 7-9.

Urgency reigned at the beginning of the new league year, as well. Stud tight end Jimmy Graham was sent to Seattle for Max Unger and WR Kenny Stills was sent to Miami – both deals netted picks in the first half of the 2015 draft. Mark Ingram was re-signed and CJ Spiller was added to give the offense a new dimension.

Can these changes bring the Saints back to postseason relevance in 2015? Travis Dauro, previously a writer at Canal Street Chronicles and now a freelance writer covering the Saints, re-joins Zoneblitz with his thoughts and observations on the 2014 letdown and the team’s efforts to recover heading into 2015.

Zoneblitz: Though the Saints were in playoff contention until late in the season, New Orleans finished 7-9 and out of the postseason in the weak NFC South. What’s your assessment of the season?

Dauro: Without going on a long, drawn out rant, the season was a major letdown and was overall pretty tough to swallow. Going into the season the Saints had one of the most talented rosters inside and out and were thought by many (including myself) to be headed to the NFC Championship at the worst. To lose their last five home games of the season and squander several chances to win the division toward the end of the season was a real bummer. Even more unexplainable was that even with the loss of Jairus Byrd early on in the season, the Saints still had a better roster than each of their NFC South counterparts.

Zoneblitz: The Saints made a huge splash right after the new league year started, trading Jimmy Graham to Seattle and Kenny Stills to Miami, adding Max Unger and adding first and third round picks in the two deals. Why did those trades happen – does it signify a change in approach? And what are your thoughts on how the team looks as a result?

Dauro: I think those trades took place for three reasons. First, Sean Payton vowed at the end of the season that changes would be made in order to fix this team. Well, he stuck to his word and rightfully so. Second, I think there is a little bit of a change that is taking place. The Saints’ offense that once was youthful and dynamic is now growing old and is in need of a face-lift. It can still perform at a high level, but it isn’t as consistent and explosive as it was five years ago. I think the Saints are in the process of doing what they can to maximize Drew Brees’ talent for the couple of years that he has left. Giving him a solid offensive line, some weapons in the backfield, and possibly another target or two in the draft will go a long way in making this possible. Finally, it’s not a bad idea to make an ailing defense better by using some young, good offensive assets.

As far as the new look for the roster, I don’t mind it. It’ll hurt not having Graham and Stills this year, but I’m confident that the Saints’ brain trust will do what they need to do and replace the holes. Adding Brandon Browner to play opposite of Keenan Lewis at corner excites me and I’m intrigued by the addition of CJ Spiller.

Zoneblitz: What’s the future look like for Drew Brees in New Orleans? And will there be a move to acquire someone who could ultimately be his replacement?

Dauro: I think Drew Brees still has a couple of years left in the tank. While Brees did throw 17 interceptions in 2014, a few of which were costly, he still had some top-tier numbers (4,952 yards, 33 touchdown passes, 69.2 completion percentage, and 97.0 passer rating) that many teams would love to have. As far as drafting a replacement for him, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to take a guy with one of their third-round picks or take a flyer on a guy on Day three of the draft. But I think it would be pretty nonsensical to take a quarterback in the first round this year.

Zoneblitz: Mark Ingram re-signed after a great 2014 season. Was his season legit or was it a one-year mirage? And how do the roles break out between him, CJ Spiller and the rest of the RB cast,

Dauro: I’ve been high on Ingram ever since he was drafted by the Saints, and for a good reason. He has a good mix of talent, speed, and size to perform highly in the NFL, and I’m excited that he finally was able to produce. His weakness in the past was his vision, and it looked very much improved in 2014. I also think the switch to a zone run-blocking scheme helped him out a lot. I’m not saying he’s going to be a perennial 1,000-yard rusher, although it very well could happen if the Saints put more emphasis on the run game in the coming years, but I think he will be able to produce well for the Saints beyond 2014. As far as the addition of Spiller, I don’t think it will hurt Ingram too much. Payton already has had to deal with seeing Reggie Bush do well elsewhere as the lead guy after having him in a running back-by-committee system, so I don’t see him making that mistake again. I think Spiller and Ingram will complement each other well.

Zoneblitz: So there were moves made to improve the O-line and it cost the Saints some big weapons. How do you see the receiving corps shaking out after all these changes?

Dauro: Before the Saints make some additions at the wide receiver position, the group collectively looks inexperienced and thin. You still have a seasoned veteran in Marques Colston and a good, young talent in Brandin Cooks, who is ready to breakout, but from there it’s a question. They still have Nick Toon in the fold, a guy who has showed glimpses of promise but has yet to pan out. Beyond him are Brandon Coleman and Seantavious Jones, two undrafted rookies from 2014 that look to have larger roles in 2015. I wouldn’t bet against the Saints taking a wide receiver like DeVante Parker or Jaelen Strong early to sure up this group of guys.

Zoneblitz: The defense allowed 424 points, 28th in the NFL in 2014. Dannell Ellerbe and Brandon Browner have both been added. What other pieces remain in place from last season and what has to be fixed to turn that unit around?

Dauro: The Saints have some promising pieces returning on defense despite having such a paltry season as a unit in 2014. Notably are Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks on the defensive line, Junior Galette rushing the passer, and Keenan Lewis, Kenny Vaccaro, and Jairus Byrd (hopefully) in the secondary. I still would like to see the Saints get another top-end pass rusher and a true starting inside linebacker. I believe both of these will be covered in the draft. Aside from these needs, I would like to see some more depth in the secondary and along the defensive line.

Zoneblitz: What Saints players have a chance to break out in 2015?

Dauro: Seeing as though the Saints still have some work to do as player additions, it’s tough to pick breakout players. I like what I saw from Josh Hill last season and think he could be a great target for Brees in an expanded role. However, he could go back to being a rotational guy if the Saints add another tight end at some point. On defense, I like Rafael Bush a lot. He’s got some good coverage skills and he can bring the wood when he needs to. He was injured for the most of 2014, but I see him being a big asset in the secondary next season.

Zoneblitz: The division is still up for grabs, but how far is this team from making a deep run in the postseason?

Dauro: I honestly don’t think this team is very far away from making a postseason run. The offense is still potent and has the potential to put up a good amount of points. The defense has a few holes, but I believe it is closer to good than bad. With the addition of a couple players to key positions, they could be primed for another season of greatness.

Zoneblitz: What is your reaction to the offseason additions at this point and what would you like to see the team do through the rest of free agency and in the draft?

Dauro: As I said earlier, some of the Saints’ priorities are adding another big time pass rusher to go along with Junior Galette and a true inside linebacker that they’ve desperately needed since Jonathan Vilma retired. A priority that isn’t so immediate but that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later is some offensive line depth, both on the inside and at the tackles. Jahri Evans is getting old and he will probably need to be replaced by the start of the 2016 season. The jury is still out on Tim Lelito too, who will take over in the absence of Ben Grubbs. Also, if either Zach Strief or Terron Armstead goes down with an injury, the Saints will be screwed at tackle. Some other desires of mine are to add some depth along the defensive line, at cornerback, and at wide receiver.

Follow Travis Dauro on Twitter at: @WolfOfGridiron
Follow Zoneblitz.com on Twitter at: @ZoneblitzCom

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