How did the Saints turn it around?
Mostly through the draft and some changes in coaches.
The 2015 draft was mostly ok, with Andrus Peat in the first, who has been great this year at LG and LT when needed. PJ Williams in the third who is now their #3 CB and Tyeler Davison DT, in the fifth who has provided some quality snaps this year.
The 2016 Draft was solid. They only had 4 picks, but hit on all of them.
First Round, Sheldon Rankins DT, might not show up on a stat sheet, but he has been playing great, he takes double teams on almost every snap.
Second Round, Michael Thomas WR, 92 catches for 1137 yards last year as a rookie in a very complicated offense, this year through 9 games, 59 catches for 662 yards. His production made Brandin Cooks "expendable"... more on that later. And Vonn Bell S, who has been VERY solid, started last year and plays a pretty good bit when needed in the nickel and dime packages this year, has lost some playing time to a 2017 rookie.
Fourth Round, David Onyemata DT, who has been a great interior sub player, was VERY raw last year, but has all the makings of a very solid pro.
I forgot, Ken Crawley, UDFA, now a starting CB and playing great. Did not play the first two games of the year.
2017 Draft, quite possibly the best draft in the history of the franchise.
First Round, two picks:
Marshon Lattimore. I won't bore you with things you won't believe, even though they are true, but he's having the best rookie CB season ever and is on pace to have one of the best seasons ever by a CB. Teams don't even throw at him anymore. When playing man coverage, he
has more interception return yards than he has given up in coverage. Should be Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Ryan Ramczyk OT, has played at a Pro Bowl level at RT all season. Unbelievable rookie season and had played every snap until Buffalo game, not sure if they took him out in the end. Superb run and pass blocker. (This was the pick from the Bradin Cooks trade, without Ram, the Line would have been in trouble.) Has graded out by PFF every week as no worse than 12th best RT. Extreme consistency.
Second Round:
Marcus Williams S, he has taken nearly every defensive snap and is a starter. Extremely solid player, deep range and incredible ball skills.
Round Three, three picks:
Alvin Kamara RB, amazing talent. Just incredible. Has been Offensive Rookie of the week twice and will be again this week. In the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year. (I know KC has a guy...hahah)
Alex Anzalone LB, he started early in the year and was injured. He looked very good when he played. Injury setback, but a "hit" on the draft pick.
Trey Hendrickson DE, has been really coming on lately.
Sixth Round, Al-Quadin Muhammad DE. Made the team, raw talent who has not seen much of the field because there are too many players ahead of him.
Coaching changes have really helped. I rather not say too much more, they don't need more publicity.
We like them!
A few really nice additions in Free Agency have also helped. Ted Ginn Jr., Manti te'o, A.J. Klein and Alex Okafor
And for those who say the Eagles are so much better, consider this (From a fellow member of Saints Report):
Eagles:
8-1 overall
Their opponents record (removing games vs. Eagles): 22-35, .386
Vs. winning teams: 1-1 (Panthers, Chiefs)
Saints:
7-2 overall
Their opponents record (removing games vs. Saints): 42-28, .600
Vs. winning teams: 4-2 (Panthers, Lions, Packers, Bills, Vikings, Patriots)
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I have always liked the Chiefs, you are very passionate fans. I don't like the Broncos, the Raiders are punks and the Chargers....hahah, they are the Chargers.
Oh, by the way, in that beat down of the Buffalo Bills, the Saints ran
24 straight running plays in the third and fourth quarters. The Bills KNEW what was coming and could not stop it. They score six rushing TD's and never punted. That hasn't happened in the NFL in decades.