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6 areas that will make or break the 2016 New Orleans Saints

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Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) walks toward the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) walks toward the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) is tackled by New Orleans Saints defenders Stephone Anthony (50), John Jenkins (92) and Kevin Williams (93) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) is tackled by New Orleans Saints defenders Stephone Anthony (50), John Jenkins (92) and Kevin Williams (93) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Young player progression

“Talent gets you nowhere, and it’s all about people. We have great people,” Brees said during his interview. On those people, the New Orleans Saints have over 50 players (52 by my count) that are 25 years old or younger.

If we’ve learned anything over the past two years, signing the ‘best and flashiest free agents’ have turned out to be fool’s gold. The offseason is twofold. Free agency plays a pivotal role for most teams. The bet is that you are getting upgrades for your franchise, but that isn’t always the case. We saw the Saints make several shocking trades last offseason that acquired more draft picks and players that made impacts on the field.

The other side of the spectrum is the rookie transition from the first to second season. For every Terron Armstead, there’s at least four Stanley Jean-Baptiste‘s (that could still be too generous). Tyeler Davison, Stephone Anthony, Bobby Richardson, Delvin Breaux, Obum Gwacham, Hau’oli Kikaha (even though considered to be done for the year), Davis Tull, P.J. Williams, and Damian Swann are your now players. The leap these defensive players make will be a key piece to Dennis Allen’s defense in 2016. In some aspects, it can single-handedly make or break the Saints this season.

You only hope that it pays dividends for the team, as this large chunk of the roster is tied to younger players.

Next: Just for kicks

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