New Orleans Saints Tickets - Saints Loaded with Offensive Talent Again in '10

August 23, 2010 by Stub_Hub

The New Orleans Saints pulled together their dream season in 2009, which ended with the first Super Bowl win in their franchise's history. This season, the Saints bring their talented offensive team back to the gridiron in the midst of tremendous expectations, particularly for fantasy football managers. Let's take a look at the top guys the Saints have available this season.

Drew Brees, Quarterback:
If I had to take one quarterback in this year's draft, it would be Aaron Rodgers due to his unbelievable upside and the fact that he was the leading point scorer in most fantasy formats last season. But even though Rodgers or even Peyton Manning would be solid early draft choices, you also certainly can't go wrong with Brees. In head coach Sean Payton's complex offense, Brees has become an absolute master. Brees led the lead with an absurd 109.6 QB rating and delighted fantasy owners to the tune of 34 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions in 2009. With a bevy of targets at his disposal, Brees should be in store for another season as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.
Projection: 4,300 yards receiving, 32 touchdowns, 12 interceptions.

Pierre Thomas, Running Back:
As those who had him last year know, Pierre Thomas is one of the most frustrating players in the entire league. With two other backs stealing carries from him, Thomas is either feast or famine. Splitting carries last year, Thomas still had more than 1,000 combined yards and eight total touchdowns, which is enough production to make him worth the risk. Thomas is also a force out of the backfield and had 39 catches for more than 300 yards receiving last year to go with nearly 800 yards rushing. But even though Mike Bell and Reggie Bush will also be a part of the offense, Thomas is the most complete back on the roster, which should ensure that he'll have plenty of touches throughout the season. Thomas is certainly a risky play, but when you guess right, he can be a big-time performer.
Projection: 1,150 combined yards (receiving and rushing), nine total touchdowns.

Marques Colston, Wide Receiver:
Colston had a bit of an erratic 2009 season but still put up more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. With Drew Brees still behind center, Colston is guaranteed to get his fair share of targets and he should have yet another 1,000-yard season. The only season that he hasn't gotten to 1,000 yards was in 2008, when he missed five games due to injury and still had a solid 760 yards and six touchdowns. Colston isn't the elite receiver some expected him to be, but he'll also be a very good number two on most fantasy teams.
Projection: 78 catches, 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns.

Jeremy Shockey, Tight End:
If Shockey could stay on the field, he could turn into one of the more valuable tight ends in the league, even though he's not a guy who directly sells too many New Orleans Saints tickets. Shockey has never played 16 games in one season, though he was fairly productive in his 13 games last season. Still, his three touchdowns last year was less than impressive and he has yet to gain the type of chemistry with Drew Brees that many had hoped. With Sean Payton's creativity as an offensive mind, however, he'll be looking for new ways to move the football and one way could certainly be to let Shockey get more involved with the offense.
Projection: 55 catches, 690 yards, five touchdowns.

Reggie Bush, Running Back:
Bush hasn't exactly been the superstar that he was touted as when he came out of USC, but he also hasn't had to be. When he finally showed some toughness and ability to run north and south last year, he really became a game-changer. Hopefully he can continue that style in 2009. Like Thomas, though, Bush can be a very frustrating player as he doesn't get too many carries. Bush's value actually comes in the passing game and he still can be a very productive overall back, particularly in leagues that stress receptions.
Projection: 950 combined yards, 50 receptions, eight total touchdowns.