Dan Pompei

There has been much rebuilding in New Orleans recently, as anyone who has kept an eye on the Saints defense could attest.

The Saints thought they would be a contender last season, but it's difficult to contend when you have the 26th-ranked defense in the NFL and the 30th-ranked passing defense. So the Saints took some bold moves to improve their defensive issues—utilizing the free agent market, the trade market and the draft.

From the free agent market came cornerback Randall Gay and pass rusher Bobby McCray. Both should improve the Saints on third down.

From the trade market came middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma. If Vilma's knee is healthy, he could be a fantastic acquisition. He struggled in recent years in the Jets' 3-4 defense, but was outstanding in his first two years playing in a 4-3 system similar to the one deployed by the Saints.

From the draft came defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and cornerback Tracy Porter. The Saints traded up to take Ellis with the seventh overall pick in the draft, and they shouldn't regret it. Ellis was one of the most talented players available in the draft at any position. He should provide the Saints with interior pass rush and energy instantly.

Porter, the team's second round pick, gives the Saints more depth at the cornerback position and insurance in case Mike McKenzie struggles to come back from a knee injury.

The Saints offense is not without its issues.

There is the question as to whether Deuce McAllister can return from a serious knee injury. And questions about if high draft picks Reggie Bush and Robert Meachem ever will play up to their billing. There is the question about if backup Jonathan Goodwin is ready to replace departed center Jeff Faine.

But overall, the Saints offense is in good hands with Sean Payton pushing the buttons and Drew Brees throwing the passes. As a result, the offense was largely left alone in the offseason.

The defense warranted the most attention—and got it.

Hot seat
It's time for Bush to start playing like the star he's supposed to be. In his first two seasons in the league, the second overall pick of the 2006 draft has been a decent complementary player, but hardly a difference maker with a 3.7 yards per carry average.

When McAllister went down last year, Bush was not capable of taking his place as the lead back. The Saints need more big plays from Bush, and they also could use more little plays that move the chains but don't necessarily wind up on highlight shows.

Overheard at camp
It was not a very well kept secret that the Saints really wanted to trade for Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey in the offseason. It didn't happen, probably mostly because the Saints were unwilling to include safety Roman Harper in the trade.

The failure to trade for Shockey means there will be more opportunities for others—most notably tight ends Eric Johnson and Billy Miller and wide receivers Meachem and Devery Henderson. Someone from that group needs to step up.

Comings and goings
The Saints let go kicker Olindo Mare and figure to replace him either with sixth round draft pick Taylor Mehlhaff or veteran Martin Gramatica.

Mehlhaff was the highest kicker chosen in the draft and figures to have an edge over Gramatica in training camp competition. Either way, the Saints are counting on having an upgrade over Mare, who missed 41 percent of his attempts for them last season.

Prediction
The Saints won 10 games two years ago, but lost their first four in 2007 and never recovered. They are capable of turning it around again this season and playing more like they did in Payton's first season.

All they need is good health, strong contributions from the newly acquired defenders, and continued excellence from Brees. 

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