The online betting experts are still expecting the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC South despite the off-season turmoil the team has experienced and the resulting loss of personnel. Head coach Sean Payton is gone for the season, veteran linebacker Jonathan Vilma is gone for the season and assistant coach Joe Vitt is gone for the first few games of the season. Vitt will be coaching the team during training camp, but he will not be on the sidelines until week seven. But despite all of that, the experts are saying that Saints will still dominate in 2012.
To understand how the Saints will truly perform, you have to look at the other teams in the NFC South and you have to look at what the Saints have left on its roster. The football betting experts concede that the loss of Vilma may not be as damaging to the Saints as once thought. But without Payton drawing up the game plans, how does the Saints intend to compete with teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers who have both improved significantly? That doesn’t even take into account the fact that the Buccaneers may have also made itself into a playoff contender as well. It could be a long year inNew Orleans.
Offense
Quarterback Drew Brees finally signed his long-term deal and will be in training camp. The damage done during that contract squabble will be felt for years to come by the Saints front office. On the running game, the Saints have Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram. That looks to be an extremely effective backfield so long as the offensive line can block. The legal online sports betting experts are looking to Ingram to be that punishing back that the Saints can rely on to stay healthy and make an impact.
The Saints still have Marques Colston at wide receiver, but Robert Meachem has gone on to the San Diego Chargers. The wide receivers will be an interesting bunch to watch with the Saints to see if anyone can step up and fill the void left by Meachem.
Defense
The loss of Jonathan Vilma is significant, but it may not be a loss that destroys the Saints’ defense. A sportsbook review of the Saints defense last year shows a unit that finished 24th in the league. Putting new blood in at linebacker may make the Saints defense better, or it could cause the defense to crumble. It really all depends on whoNew Orleans actually puts in the key linebacker position, and that decision has not been made yet.
Outlook
It is difficult to imagine the New Orleans Saints being successful without Sean Payton on the sidelines. The betting experts are predicting that the Saints will make the playoffs. The reality is that controversy always distracts a football team to the point of frustration, and the Saints have had more than enough controversy to keep them completely distracted all season long.
Read more about the Saints’ chances for a playoff spot in 2012.
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