Don Pierson

After literally burying mock artifacts from their successful 2006 season at a jazz funeral to end organized team activities, the Saints are ready to look ahead to new and better possibilities.

As grand and unexpected as their 10-6 accomplishment was, lifting the spirits of the hurricane-depressed area of New Orleans, the Saints fell one disappointing game short of the Super Bowl. Reminiscing would serve no purpose, so coach Sean Payton included a replica of his coach-of-the-year trophy in the casket.

With nearly every starter back, the Saints can expect continued improvement even though the NFC South can be topsy-turvy. The Saints and Bucs, for example, traded places last season jumping from last to first and vice versa.

Quarterback Drew Brees will have a hard time improving after arriving from San Diego last season and immediately establishing himself as the NFC's best quarterback.

Last year, the Saints gained more yards than any other team despite that new quarterback and three rookies who played vital roles along with their rookie coach. Receiver Marques Colston established himself as the go-to guy. All-purpose back Reggie Bush lived up to his Heisman hype. Guard Jahri Evans started 16 games on a unit that returns intact. The five starters on the offensive line missed only one start among them.

But that was last year. To show he's far from satisfied, Payton drafted another receiver No. 1 and hopes Robert Meachem turns out half as well as last year's seventh-round shock, Colston. Devery Henderson averaged 23 yards a catch in his backup role last year, and the Saints are looking for somebody to fill the role of the No. 2 man opposite Colston. Veteran Joe Horn is gone and if Meachem, Henderson or holdover Terrence Copper can't get the job done, ex-Redskin David Patten could challenge. Meachem got off to a bad start before camp by aggravating ankle and knee injuries.

Payton also added former San Francisco tight end Eric Johnson, who caught 82 passes in 2004, many more than four Saints' tight ends combined caught last year.

The defense could stand improvement. Although it ranked 11th in the officially-recognized NFL statistic of yardage allowed, it ranked 20th in the Aikman ratings, a more thorough gauge of effectiveness. It gave up 20 points a game and ranked next to last in average yield per rush.

While the front four looks established with ends Will Smith and Charles Grant and tackles Brian Young and Hollis Thomas, the Saints are hoping second-year pass rusher Rob Ninkovich is recovered from a knee injury that cost him his rookie season. They also added ex-Cardinal tackle Kendrick Clancy.

Former league starters Brian Simmons and Dhani Jones have been added at linebacker, joining last year's starters, Scott Fujita, Scott Shanle and Mark Simoneau. In the secondary, the Saints signed restricted free agent Jason David from Colts, who will replace Fred Thomas opposite Mike McKenzie. Ex-Cincinnati safety Kevin Kaesviharn will push Josh Bullocks at free safety and the Saints are counting on second-year man Roman Harper to come off a knee injury and replace departed Omar Stoutmire and holdover Jay Bellamy at strong safety.

Hot seat
As good as Reggie Bush was as a rookie, Bush expects more. So do the Saints. So does the entire NFL. Out of the backfield, he averaged only 3.6 yards a rush, not as effective as primary running back Deuce McAllister. As a receiver, Bush caught 88 passes but averaged only 8.4 yards a catch, fewer than St. Louis workhorse running back Steven Jackson on 90 catches. Bush scored nine touchdowns, impressive but not quite enough to justify his NFL commercial blitz. Payton will have to find new ways to exploit his talent, including punt returns, where he averaged a mere 7.7 yards a return.

Overheard
The Saints special teams were good last year, but plan to be better after changing kickers. They replaced veteran John Carney by trading for Miami's Olindo Mare, who did not have nearly as good a season as Carney even though he's 10 years younger. Mare may have more range, but he was only 1-for-6 from beyond 50 yards while Carney led the NFC in accuracy. They also signed Jacksonville's Chris Hanson to replace punter Steve Weatherford and released popular kick return man and former beer truck driver Michael Lewis.

Outlook
Their magical season ended in Chicago in the NFC title game, so anything less will be perceived as failure. But it was the best season in the sorry history of the franchise, so fans shouldn't get discouraged if high expectations aren't automatically met. The Saints open the season with two tough road games at Indianapolis and Tampa Bay and may have to overcome an 0-2 start. They also close Dec. 30 in Chicago when they would rather be indoors.

Prediction
First.

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