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| | Thursday, August 10 Saints: Big Easy turnaround | |||||||||||||||
| By Tom Oates Special to ESPN.com Mike Ditka's three-year reign of error is over and the New Orleans Saints have only 15 wins to show for it. From the 3-13 rubble, however, first-year general manager Randy Mueller and new coach Jim Haslett have aggressively put together a team that lacks depth but has enough frontline talent to surprise people. Haslett is stable, disciplined and efficient -- everything Ditka wasn't. Mueller hit the free-agent market hard, adding key veterans on both sides of the ball. A typical NFC West worst-to-first run isn't likely for the Saints, but 8-8 isn't out of the question.
The Saints traded their entire 1998 draft and much of their 1999 draft for halfback Ricky Williams, but he never appeared healthy or happy en route to a disappointing 884-yard, two-touchdown season. With an improved passing attack to ease the pressure and a potentially powerful line to run behind, Williams could be in for a big season -- but only if his attitude improves. Key position battle The Saints lost the only top-flight cover man in a suspect secondary when Ashley Ambrose bolted to Atlanta. Free agent Steve Israel and former starter Alex Molden, who took up permanent residence in Ditka's doghouse, are the nominal starters at cornerback. However, free agent Fred Thomas, struggling Fred Weary and Kevin Mathis, acquired in a trade with Dallas, will all get a shot. Biggest adjustment For the first time in years, the Saints won't be playing musical chairs at quarterback. Jeff Blake, a former Pro Bowler in Cincinnati, was signed as a free agent, replacing the various Billy Joes and NFL Europe refugees who quarterbacked the team under Ditka. Blake throws the long ball better than most and the Saints gave him some deep threats when they signed free-agent wide receivers Joe Horn and Jake Reed. Rookie report There is usually room for rookies to start on weak teams and the Saints are no exception. First-round defensive end Darren Howard needs only motivation to be a great one. He might be pressed into service quickly if Joe Johnson isn't fully recovered from knee surgery. In the second round, the Saints found a fullback, Terrelle Smith, to block for Williams.
| ALSO SEE Falcons: Lots of ifs in Atlanta Panthers: Getting defensive Rams: What next for the champs? 49ers: Time to move on Blake gets fresh start in New Orleans AUDIO/VIDEO   Ricky Williams believes the Saints have found leadership.wav: 94 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Ricky Williams looks forward to a fresh start.wav: 117 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Ricky Williams talks about the new leadership on the Saints.wav: 95 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Jeff Blake hopes that he can take some pressure off Ricky Williams.wav: 52 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Ricky Williams is looking for a fresh start.wav: 119 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
