Posted in: NFL, Sports | Tagged: Drew Brees, entertainment, Marshon Lattirmore, New Orleans Saints, nfl, sports

NFL Post Mortem – the 2017 New Orleans Saints

Published Thu, 25 Jan 2018 17:25:53 -0600

The New Orleans Saints were coming off a down year where they finished 7-9, out of the playoffs and third in their division. In the off season they traded away their young receiver Brandin Cooks and ended up drafting an offensive tackle and corner back in the draft.

What Happened?

Marshon Lattimore, the rookie corner, helped sure up the defense and made the pro bowl as the team finished 11-5, finished 1^st in their division, and won their first playoff game before losing in the divisional round to the Philadelphia Eagles. But it was 3^rd round pick Alvin Kamara reaming with fellow running back Mark Ingram that breathed new life into the offense along with the improved defense that made the year a success. The team ended up sending seven players to the pro bowl including quarterback Drew Brees. Key to their season though was the coaching staff having the Carolina Panthers figured out so completely that the Saints beat them three times including the playoff game.

What's Next?

While the season went well, if not for the ending. The offseason is filled with a lot of questions regarding the future of the team. What to do with Brees? The 39-year old has been nothing short of brilliant since he moved to the Big Easy, giving the team a chance to win any game he has been in. But his contract is up and he will become a free agent when 2018 starts. How much do they want to pay to bring him back? How much will he want and what are other teams going to offer him? Brees could go to Denver, with their defense, and immediately be in contention for a Super Bowl. And what are the Saints options if he doesn't come back? How much does Brees have left in the tank? And what will the team do long term? Those questions have to be answered before anything else.

After that they have to decide what to do with defensive tackle Nick Fairley who is also becoming a free agent. Between Fairley and Brees, those are two very big contracts to try to work in the same year.

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