It was July, 2009 at the now closed Mike's American Grill during my weekly segment on Inside New Orleans (graciously coined "Fazende Friday" by host Eric Asher). Eric asked what I thought the Saints would do in the upcoming football season. "I've always said that all the Saints need is a good not great defense to go to the Super Bowl, that's why they brought in new defensive coordinator Greg Williams and that's what they will do, they will beat the Colts in the Super Bowl."
The above is not an attempt to gloat or pat myself on the back. It's just a little edification to justify my next line.
The Saints have drafted their way to Indianapolis in 2012.
Yes, that is how strongly I feel about the Saints 2011 draft. Granted the last time we saw the Saints they were wandering around the Seattle fog dazed by the tsnuami that just washed them out of the playoffs. The very defense that lifted our beloved Saints to the ultimate victory played their worst game of the Williams era.
Have no fear defense, help is on the way.
The draft was oviously aimed to come to the defense's rescue. From DE Cameron Jordan, possessing a combination of size and speed , considered by many scouts the best pass rushing DE in the draft to the hard hitting LB from Illinois, Martez Wilson. But the pick most likely to help Williams defense was RB Mark Ingram. Yes that Mark Ingram. The Heisman trophy winning monster truck wrapped in a 5'9" frame who tore up SEC defenses for three years. Ingram figures to be the most help to the defense by provided for them a defense's best friend. Rest. As long as Ingram is pounding out three, four and five yard runs in the fourth quarter and moving the chains, the defense can stand on the sidelines and rest and watch the clock wind down.
On offense, the benefits are obvious. With a signal calling field general the callber of Drew Brees, Ingram will have a coach on the field. Play action will open up. The WRs will have open lanes, yadda yadda yadda. You can book that opposing defensive coordinators are, as you read this, circling Saints week on their schedules for doubling up stocks of Rolaids, Pepto-Bismol and No-Doz.
Buckle your chinstraps NFL. Here comes Ingram. And there go the Saints to another Super Bowl.
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