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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3390664
The New Orleans Saints were the best 7-9 team in the league last season. That's nothing to be proud of, but it's something to build on. That's why the Saints will be in the playoffs and go deep into the postseason.
They got off to a disastrous start last year and had some devastating injuries. But running back Deuce McAllister is expected to be back and healthy and the Saints just might have the best collection of offensive skill-position players in the league. They have the NFC's smartest quarterback in Drew Brees, but all that's not really anything new.
The big reason the Saints will fare a lot better than last year is their defense. They jumped up in the draft to get USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, and that's going to turn out to be one of the biggest moves of the offseason. Ellis is going to jam the middle, giving the Saints a chance to have some defensive playmakers for the first time in coach Sean Payton's tenure.
Ellis' presence will allow linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan to jump-start careers that had stalled elsewhere because they'll be able to roam untouched from sideline to sideline. That's going to jump-start the defense and make the Saints one of the league's best teams.
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