This is the last week in 2021 that Saints fans will have to deal without football as training camp cranks up next week. Its been tough watching NFC South rival Tampa Bay revel in a championship while Mr. Perfect, Tom Brady seems to be getting more likeable.
Meanwhile, Mr. Consistent for the Saints has retired. We never had to ask who the QB was going to be for 15 seasons in New Orleans with Drew Brees; buts it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day.
“We're going to have a different quarterback that's running the offense and it's going to look different. But, looking different isn't always a bad thing,” Saints Super Bowl champion Lance Moore told WWL’s Sports Talk.
“I think the sky is still the limit with this offense.
People are really sleeping on us, but I don't think they're going to be able to sleep on us too long."
Moore notes head coach Sean Payton is likely looking forward to the new challenge and knows that both Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are stronger-armed signal callers.
“We didn't throw the ball down the field nearly as much then as we did 10 years ago. That's just “Father Time” kind of taking its course,”explained Moore. “But, Drew Brees was able to be one of the best in efficiency and accuracy. The underneath and the medium length throws were still on point and on target for him.”
“But, you saw when Taysom Hill was in the game, he could throw the ball deep. When Jameis Winston came in, he was able to throw the ball down the field a little more. So, I definitely think the vertical passing attack is going to be something that is kicked up a notch.”
That’s the good news, but a big cause for concern are turnovers.
Winston has thrown 121 touchdowns but also 88 interceptions, while Hill was able to go 3-1 as a starter last season, tossing 2 picks with 6 fumbles.
The Saints have earned double-digit victories in the regular season the past 4 years and head into 2021 with oddsmakers having them at 9.5 wins even with an expanded 17-game-scheduele.