Training camp is less than two weeks away and that means that we are FINALLY going to get to start talking about actual football things. You should all be ecstatic about that because you will hear/read far less inane ramblings from myself and other bloggers who are desperately trying to maintain your attention. I am like most if not all of you in that I am cautiously optimistic about this year’s team, but after what they put us through last year I am hesitant to go on with my usual Black and Gold tinted predictions. Instead, of saying which players I think are going to shock the world or trying to predict anything out of this group, I am just going to go over the players I most want to see in camp and throughout the preseason.
- Delvin Breaux
I am VERY tempted to put him number one on this list. However like I said I am trying to not buy into hype this year. Delvin has been hyped up as one of the biggest ‘steals’ in franchise history and that is saying something considering this is the team which brought the world Pierre Thomas. Breaux has an incredible story and there have been a lot of people who have covered his back story far more eloquently than I would so I won’t get into it (seriously if you don’t know it by now just google it…the kid has real guts). From a personal standpoint I truly hope that he is able to live up to every bit of hype he has gotten as the ‘Canadian Deon’ because his heart and passion for the game seems to be truly authentic. If for no other reason than he has earned it I want to see the ‘hometown kid’ get to suit up in Black and Gold in the preseason and fight for a roster spot.
From a non-personal standpoint I also want to see what Breaux has as a football player. He is billed as a corner with size, technique, gumption, and ‘great hips’ that lets him cover virtually anyone. If Breaux can live up to even half of that he is going to be a very solid piece for this team for a while.
- Josh Hill
Hill really didn’t wow anyone in OTA’s and that turned some people off from the hyped young TE. I don’t think he can replace Jimmy because while he had his flaws Graham was still an phenomenal playmaker when healthy. I have projected his value to more in the lines of a poor man’s Greg Olsen (maybe not too poor…we will see) and that isn’t anything to be discouraged about. I really don’t think Hill is going to stand out all that much until we actually get into the offseason games. His real value comes from the fact that he is a dependable blocker and pass catcher. I don’t think that his ability to be highly productive is something that is necessary to the team’s success. However, if he can become a consistent contributor and red zone threat it will be of great benefit to the team.
- Brandin Cooks
By this point you all are very familiar with my affinity for the Saints second year receiver out of Oregon State (like myself). Brandin is one of three Beavers currently on the team who occupies a key position, but he is easily the one with the most to prove. Brandin is undoubtedly flush with talent, but while he had a decent rookie year he does need to show that he can be more than just another ‘typical Saints receiver’. I don’t bring up fantasy football in any serious sense, but there is a reason none of Payton’s receivers outside of Colston are ever taken by someone who truly wants to win their league…consistency.
The one area where Cooks must improve most is his ability to become a match up nightmare and a problem for the opposition every week. Cooks wowed everyone unfamiliar with his talents right from the get go last year, but this year I am hoping to see the same kind of improvement he made between his sophomore and Junior seasons at ORST. That is to say he went from part of a dynamic duo to arguably the best receiver in college football. I don’t think he will be the top guy in the NFL…but even entering the conversation would make this year a roaring success.
2: Stephone Anthony
Is it my birthday? Is it christmas? almost to one and not quite yet to the other, but in either case we got a great gift this year. The Saints finally have an athletic linebacker who can…wait for it…COVER! No, really, I am not messing with you.
Jokes aside I really looking forward to seeing how Anthony adjusts to the full install of the defense and if/how soon he can become a defensive leader for the team. The Saints drafted Antony with the 31st pick and he is the other half of the two player package we got in exchange for Jimmy Graham. I am really high on Anthony’s potential and his ability to contribute to the team immediately. We have seen glimpses of his coverage ability from clips of the OTA’s, but we will get a much better idea of just how ready he really is throughout training camp and the preseason. Anthony isn’t just a coverage linebacker though, he is also a very skilled and vocal leader as well as a ‘thumper’. I’m sure many of you remember how a couple of years ago Kenny Vaccaro was irritating teammates with his no holds barred playing style (bet Jimmy was one). Based on what we know of him Anthony will not only perform in a similar manner to Kenny…he might take it up a notch or two (probably egged on by Browner). I can’t wait to see it.
1: C.J. Spiller
I am doing a countdown of players who I believe must make an impact on WHODATDISH, but let’s forget who needs to ‘ball out’ for the team to win for a second. C.J. Spiller just might be the most fun ‘toy’ Sean Payton has ever gotten his hands on. Spiller is arguably even more explosive than even Reggie was in his prime, and has much less of a love for moving back and forth like an indecisive teenage girl. Spiller has truly elite straight line speed, great ‘shake and bake’ ability, soft hands, and is also big enough to be able to pass protect and run through the tackles. Think of Spiller as bit of a fusion between the best elements of Reggie and Darren Sproles.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that he is going to be better than either or both of them, but it means his skill set has the potential to be unbelievably effective in the Saints offense. I know full well that looking great in training camp and even preseason does not guarantee a great season, but I honestly just can’t wait to see the guy play in black and gold. If Spiller is able to stay healthy here he is simply going to do some magical things in Black and Gold.
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