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Team History
The New Orleans Saints have been a beleaguered franchise since its inception in 1967. The team has continuously struggled to build consistent contenders, having momentary success with division titles in 1991, 2000, and 2006.
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About The New Orleans Saints
The team first made it to the playoffs in 1987, 20 years into their history. The success would extend to the early ‘90s when the club made the playoffs three straight years, from 1990 to 1992.
The Saints tried to turn the franchise around with legendary coach Mike Ditka in 1996, but his years were marked by failure, finishing 6-10 in ’97, 6-10 in ’98, and 3-13 in ’99. Ditka famously traded all his picks from the 1999 draft and the first and third from the 2000 draft for running back Ricky Williams. The move was a failure and Ricky Williams would leave the Saints after the 2001 season.
The team rallied in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. The club went 10-6 and won the NFC South. The team won its second playoff game ever, but the Cinderella season was ended by the Chicago Bears in a 39-14 loss in the NFC Championship game.
The Saints were expected to build off the success of the 2006 season in 2007, but struggled early on and finished third in the NFC South with a 7-9 record. The team came back with a strong final 12 games, and hopes to carry that strong play into the 2008 playoffs. The offense is loaded. Quarterback Drew Brees, running back Reggie Bush, and wide receiver Marques Colston are the nucleus for a potentially high scoring team.
The Saints have spent the 2008 offseason focusing on the defense. They have signed cornerback Randall Gay, defensive end Bobby McCray, and linebacker Dan Morgan. The additions and who ever the team picks with the 10th pick in the draft should help the Saints improve a defense that allowed 24 points a game in 2007.
The Saints come to the Louisiana Superdome with high expectations similar to 2007. The team has a talented offense that, if it can get on track early on, can lead the Saints through an easy NFC South division schedule and into the playoffs.
