The last meeting between these two teams (November 27th, 2005) was played at the Meadowlands, where the Saints secured a rare road win, improving to 3-9 on the season. The Jets loss was their sixth straight of the season -  falling to 2-9.

Aaron Brooks threw three touchdown passes securing the Saints win 21-19, breaking the teams six game losing streak.

The win by the Saints would be their last that season as they continued to struggle losing the next four games, ending the season at 3-13. This of course set in motion the Brees and Payton era that we all enjoy now. The Saints would bounce back strong the next season reaching the NFC championship game.

Next Meeting: Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Location: Louisiana Superdome

Series Leader: The Saints evened the series against the Jets in their last meeting, bringing the all time series to 5-10.

Offensive Keys  To Success:

The Jets defense was no slouch last season, but the addition of Rex Ryan as head coach can only make them better. They ranked a pedestrian 29th against the pass, allowing 235 yards a game. On the flip side they were solid against the run ranking 7th, allowing only 95 yards a game. See where I am going with this? The Saints need to let their best player do what he does best, throw the football. Payton needs to let Brees throw the ball early and often. The Jets have made no real improvement in the secondary so Brees should have a monster day. Although Rex Ryan may have a few tricks up his sleeve.

Defensive Keys To Success:

Gregg Williams will need to rally the troops against the Jets. New York has a trio of talented runners in Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and rookie Shonn Greene. The Saints must find way to keep these runners in check and stop the run. The Jets are going to try to run the ball straight down their throats. It looks like the Jets coveted first round pick, Mark Sanchez, may be the signal caller going into this game. Sanchez is a talent for sure, but one I think the Saints new secondary can handle. Williams hybrid defensive scheme should dial up enough pressure to keep the young quarterback guessing.

Game Stats From Last Meeting: Stats

Prediction: The Saints played lights out last season at the Dome and I figure they can secure the win against the Jets there. I won’t say what I think the score will be, I want you Saints fans out there to tell me. Leave a comment and let us all know what you think.

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The Saints announced today that they have parted ways with veteran LS Kevin Houser, to acquire what they feel is an upgrade at the position, LS Jason Kyle.

“Jason is a quality veteran player and we saw in him a chance to upgrade our kicking game,” Loomis said. “I’ve known him since we drafted him in Seattle and going up against him twice a year for the last eight seasons with Carolina, he has always been impressive. I’d also like to thank Kevin for nine seasons of excellent service to the Saints and wish him all the best in the future.”

Houser had been with the Saints since 2000 when they drafted him in the seventh round, he played in 144 career games.

Kyle has been in the league for 14 years, spending the bulk of his career with the Carolina Panthers (2001-08) starting in 120 consecutive games.

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Thanks Saints fans, or even non-Saints fans!

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Last season Drew Brees threw for 5,069 yards, the second largest single season total since Dan Marino’s 5,084 yard performance in 1984.

His offensive prowess earned him his third trip to the pro-bowl, on top of being named the 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Even with Brees’ eye popping performance the Saints fell short of the playoffs for the second straight year, ending the season at 8-8.

There is a laundry list as to why this happened, and primarily the defense is to blame, but that’s another article.

Brees is as optimistic as he has ever been, confident that the 2009 season will be one to remember.

“We’ve assembled the right type of people in our locker room and I can say that even more so this year,” said Brees, “We’ve got veteran players who can help us win and help develop the young guys.”

“We’ve created an environment that is conducive to winning and being successful. Everyone has bought into the system, let’s hope all those things equal a championship.”

With a new DC, a re-tooled secondary,  and team wide dedication to winning, the Saints may re-capture some of the 2005 magic that took them to their first NFC Championship game.

Are you ready Saints fans?

Will the Saints make the Playoffs next season?

• Yes, they win the divsion but dont take the confrence
• No, they miss the playoffs entirely
• Yes, they are Superbowl bound!
• As long as they finish better than 8-8, I'm fine with that

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The last meeting between these two teams (October 2, 2005) was played by the post Katrina Saints, long before the likes of Payton, Brees, or Bush. The league considered it a home game for New Orleans who played in their adopted stadium of the Alamodome.

On the leg of ex-saint kicker John Carney (4-5 on filed goals), the Saints prevailed beating the Bills 19-7, thus securing one of their lone wins of the 2005 season.

On a side note the Saints would end up winning only one more game that season finishing a dismal 3-13. This of course led to the firing of then head coach Jim Haslet, and the release of loathed quarterback Aaron Brooks. Sean Payton was hired to revamp the struggling franchise. Payton started by releasing half the team, brought in Drew Brees, and of course drafted Reggie Bush. The rest is history.

Next Meeting: Sunday, September 27th, 2009

Location: Ralph Wilson Stadium

Series Leader: The Bills lead the all time series between the two teams, 8-4, although the Saints have won the last two meetings.

Offensive Keys  To Success:

These were two very different teams when they last met. Buffalo’s D  is not the best against the pass so New Orleans will need to crank up Brees and that high powered passing game. I don’t see Buffalo being able to stop much of what Brees and this receiving core can give. Brees will have to get rid of the ball quickly to thwart the improved Bills pass rush, they did spend their top pick on rush specialist Aaron Maybin.  If they can jump out two a two score lead all they have to is eat the clock up with the ground game and secure the win. You know the Saints can put up some points.

Defensive Keys To Success:

The Saints re-stocked secondary will get a real test containing the Bills new receiving weapon of Terrell Owens. Owens will have to be played tough, its proven when he is, he crumbles. New Orleans has to dial up the blitz to frustrate young Bills quarterback Trent Edwards. If the Saints can supply enough pressure he will surely be rushed into poor throws - resulting  in turnovers. Most likely MarshawnLynch will be suspended for the first four games. The D line needs to win the war on the ground and should handle backups Jackson and Rhodes with ease.

Game Stats From Last Meeting: Stats

Prediction: If the defense can stop Owens and pressure Edwards into bad throws, they can get a win over a pretty good team, 27-17.

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Anthony Hargrove just may be the Saints most surprising player acquisition of this off-season.

Hargrove has impressed coaches and players with his extraordinary athletic ability and new found commitment to professional football.

Hargrove was selected in the third round (91st overall) by the St.Louis Rams during the 2004 draft. He signed a three year contract with the Rams playing strictly as reserve in 2004, totaling 31 tackles (23 solo) and recording one sack.

The following season Hargrove was awarded the starting right defensive end position, where he showcased his true potential, totaling 51 tackles (43 solo) and 6.5 sacks.

Early on in the 2006 season, after playing in only 4 games, Hargrove had a two day absence for the team without explanation. This of course did not sit well the Rams, eventually forcing his trade to the Buffalo Bills late in October of the same season.

He played in six game with the Bills never finding the same success as he had with the Rams during his 2005 campaign.

Hargrove’s role with the Bills became increasingly slim as he never started another game for the team. Hargrove saw action in 12 games as a backup in 2007 before being suspended (4 games) by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy.

Once again Hargrove found himself in hot water after testing positive once more in January of 2008. Due to the past violations Hargrove was issued a stiffer suspension this time around and was suspended for the entirety of the 2008 season.

Hargove spent that time coping with his addictions in a half-way house where he has emerged clean, renewed, and focused on a second chance to play in the NFL.

After being re-instated by the league on February 23, 2009, Hargove was given that second chance by the Saints as the team signed him to a contract just months later.

Hargrove has shined as a Saint and excelled during the teams recent OTA activities.

Payton has raved about the talent Hargrove has displayed and has stated numerous times that he doesn’t expect him to be a character concern.

With the looming suspensions of starting ends Will Smith and Charles Grant next season, Hargrove will have his chance to fill in and show the he can make it back to his 2005 form.

Fresh out of a half-way house, if he succeeds, Hargrove could be the feel good story of the upcoming season.

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New Orleans has officially wrapped up it’s OTA’s for this off season. Players and coaches won’t reconvene until the start of training camp on July 31st.

The team finally released it’s long awaited schedule, as it was recently posted on the Saints website at www.neworleanssaints.com.

2009 Training Camp Schedule:

So there you have it Saints fans, start marking the calendars now. I hope to see you all there! After all it will be a long five weeks until the black and gold meet again.

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Sean Payton announced today in his press conference that the team has placed undrafted rookie center Alex Fletcher on the reserved/retired list due to a life threatning kidney issue.

The complete details of the problem are unkown, but apparently Fletcher is already down one kidney while the other is in serious enough condition to possibly end the Stanford product’s pro career before it ever starts.

“Unfortunately, Alex will not be able to continue to play because of the medical issue,” Payton said. “He has one kidney and the one kidney he has needs some work. It’s pretty serious. He was upset and disappointed when we talked but he knows that he has to get this thing better.

Meanwhile former Ram center Nick Leckey, whom the team signed this off season, had surgery on his right ankle to remove bone spurs.

Leckey will miss the remainder of the teams OTA’s but is expected to be healed in time to fully participate in the upcoming training camp.

Leckey and Fletcher were brought in to compete with Johnathan Goodwin for the starting center role - one of the Saints most pressing needs.

To replace Fletcher New Orleans signed Digger Bujnoch(6′5 285), a former University of Cincinnati starter at center and Giant practice squad player to the roster.

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The last game between these two teams (December 23, 2007) saw Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb light up the Saints secondary to the tune of 263 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Westbrook totaled 100 yards on the ground to help seal the Eagles victory over the Saints 23 - 38. Once again the Saints were left looking for defensive answers en-route to finishing a disappointing 7-9.

On a side note New Orleans swept the Eagles during the 2006 season, knocking them off in a NFC divisional playoff game. The playoff win secured the teams first appearance in an NFC championship game.

Next Meeting: Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Location: Lincoln Financial Field

Series Leader: The Eagles lead the all time regular season series between the two clubs 16-9.

Offensive Keys To Success: The normally potent Saint passing attack was derailed by Philly’s defense as Drew Brees was 30/45 passing for 289 yards, one interception, and no touchdowns. New Orleans has to do more than this in the next game -  better protection for Brees and shorter play action passes will be the key. The Saints must control the clock to keep the Eagle offense on the bench. Payton has to call more run plays to keep the defense guessing and they must convert on third down, something they could not do in the last meeting.

Defensive Keys To Success: McNabb, Westbrook, and Buckhalter made the Saints defense look silly. Philly totaled 447 yards of offense finding the endzone four times, three through the air and one on the ground. The Saints secondary must do a better job at keeping McNabb in check, they must apply more pressure up front as well if they expect to win. They have to shut down McNabb’s favorite target in DeSean Jackson and keep Westbrook in check on the ground. Westbrook ran for 100 yards on 17 carries the last game, an average of 5.8 a carry. It’s simple - shut down McNabb and Westbrook and you win the game.

Game Stats From Last Meeting: Stats

Prediction: If Gregg Williams new defense plays as advertised I expect the Saints to pull out a victory here, 28-17

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For the second time in 13 months linebacker Dan Morgan has retired, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, who announced the retirement on his twitter page.

Rosenhaus says this time around the decision is final and that Morgan would not pursue another comeback to the NFL.

“Dan Morgan has informed the Saints that he has decided to retire due [to] continued injuries,” Rosenhaus said. “Dan would like to thank the Saints for the chance to come back this year, but injuries would not let him continue his career. His decision [is] final and he will be moving on to focus on his restaurant business in Charlotte. Dan also wants to be able to spend more time with his wife and children.”

Morgan was once a standout player in the NFL while with the Carolina Panthers from 2001 to 2007. Morgan just couldn’t seem to stay healthy, battling injury in virtually every season of his pro career, never playing a full sixteen games.

After Morgan was released from Carolina last season he signed with the Saints early in the 2008 off season, only to announce his retirement some weeks later, blaming his constant injury and their lingering affects.

He sat out the entire 2008 season before announcing he planned to make a comeback to football with the Saints citing he was as healthy as he had ever been.

Morgan was re-instated on Febuary 12th, shortly there after he joined the team in Metairie for the start of the teams off season workouts.

He had been active in every workout and OTA since and by all accounts was doing extremely well. It was even rumored that Morgan may have been the favorite to start at the weakside linebacker position.

During the teams recent mini-camp on June 5th, Morgan was hampered by what was reported as a very minor calf injury.

Apparently to Morgan it wasn’t so minor.

After the injury he dressed, left the facility, and was not heard from by the team again until he announced his re-retirement.

The Saints are now down two linebackers after Morgan’s retirement. The Saints fourth round pick, Wake Forrest linebacker Stanley Arnoux, most likely will miss the entire season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during the teams rookie mini-camp.