FanHouse JammalBrown

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is right around the corner, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Drew Brees is, to me, the third best quarterback in the league. And that's not just because I have a giant man-crush on him. Say what you will about your Tony Romos and Carson Palmers, but I'd take Brees over those two, especially as he appears to be in the prime of his career. All he's done since arriving in New Orleans is put up gaudy numbers through the air, but he plays a heady game based on quick (and good) decisions. He's also a good guy off the field and the unquestioned leader of the team. Mark Brunell was brought in as Brees' backup while project Tyler Palko continues to develop, and while you don't want to see the old lefty play at all, his arm looks good enough in camp to sustain for a couple of weeks if need be. Anything more than that, though, and the Saints are in trouble. Heat Index: 9

Running Back: Running back committees are a bitch for fantasy owners, but none have encountered a mess like this, where four backs are going to get a fair share of touches. Exactly how the carries shake out depends on Deuce McAllister's health; ditto for the productivity of the group. All four backs -- McAllister, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Aaron Stecker -- are talented, but Deuce is the only pounder that can keep the running game glued together. If he's in the lineup, expect Bush to flourish, with Thomas making a solid impact as well. If he's not, Thomas takes on a larger role and, though he rolled up Chicago for over 200 yards from scrimmage in Week 17 last year, it remains to be seen whether he can be a full-time NFL back. Luckily, Deuce has looked healthy so far. Heat Index: 7

Some of the last-minute rumor-mongering leading up to the first day of the draft had the Saints dangling All Pro left tackle Jammal Brown in trade talks with the Rams and Chiefs for their first-round picks, and the Eagles for Lito Sheppard. None happened, and Brown is still a Saint. Sean Payton insists it was never going to happen any other way.

"There is (so much) written leading up to the draft, and I bet it's about 50-percent accurate and 50-percent false," Payton said. "When it comes to a player like Jammal, I think it's a credit to him. ... but we're not interested in trading (him).

"I read a little bit of that, but you'll go crazy trying to pay attention to all of it. There was no interest on our part in trading him."

He may be telling the truth. I've got no knowledge of the situation (and very little knowledge in general). But I'm also not about to deem this an open and shut case. Simply, the team would never come out and say that it attempted to trade a player after failing, especially one as vital as Brown. That might create some acrimony, what scientists have dubbed the "Ocho Cinco Effect" (look it up in the next DSM).

But here's the truth -- Brown's knees have long-term uncertainty, he'll be looking for a big deal soon, and the team has stockpiled offensive tackles for what I believe are reasons that extend beyond the fact that it's good practice to build depth there. It might not be this year, but I don't think Brown is long for New Orleans.

In noting that the Saints are dangling Jammal Brown, MDS asks if it makes sense to trade a 27-year-old All-Pro left tackle for a rookie who will get massive guaranteed money right away. Usually, that question is a no-brainer. In this instance, I'm not so sure.

What many don't know about Brown is that he's got a degenerative knee condition dating back to his college days that teams were aware of. The word on the injury was that it wouldn't damper his play, but would most likely shorten his career significantly. I think that injury is in the Saints' minds right now, tempting them to deal Brown before he commands a huge contract he might not live up to.

The team is also deep at tackle, and love young backups Zach Strief and Jermon Bushrod. If Brown were to be dealt it would be Strief's job, which also fits into logic. Since Sean Payton arrived, the team has slowly converted their offensive line into a nasty, physical bunch. New-ish starters Jahri Evans, Jonathan Goodwin, and potential starter Andy Alleman all have that quality, and Strief does too. Brown's a finesse tackle.

So to me, at least, it makes sense to deal Brown while the Saints can turn his value into a potentially All-Pro defensive tackle, the missing piece that has resulted in such a consistently bad defense. But it might not be the Rams Brown is headed to -- perhaps he and the 10th pick go to the Chiefs, which should land the Saints Sedrick Ellis. In return the Chiefs get a great tackle and can replace Jared Allen with Derrick Harvey. Things that make you go "hmmmmm."

The Saints want to trade up with the Rams and select LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey with the second pick in tomorrow's draft, and they're offering one of their own veteran starters as part of a package: Offensive tackle Jammal Brown.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports reports that the Saints are willing to deal Brown, who started 15 game in 2007 and made the Pro Bowl in 2006, if it means they can get Dorsey, a local hero whom the Saints believe would immediately upgrade their defense. The Saints would likely also trade their own first-round pick, No. 10 overall.

For the Rams, it's a tempting offer because their offensive line was a mess last season. Brown would step into the starting lineup immediately. But does it really make sense for the Saints to give up a solid starter and move into a spot where they'll have to pay Dorsey about $30 million guaranteed? If the Saints do it, Dorsey had better be as good in the NFL as he was at LSU.

The Saints haven't really given any substantial hints as to their offseason plans, although they have noted that they plan on improving their defense (which needs it, badly, by the way). That has led most to assume that their first round pick, 10th overall, will be on defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs' side of the ball. But let's not rush to assumptions.

In GM Mickey Loomis' tenure, the Saints have traded up, they've traded back, they've traded picks for players and vice versa. But their one overarching credo has been "best player available." It's the reason they drafted Deuce McAllister when they had Ricky Williams and Will Smith when they had Darren Howard and Charles Grant. It's the reason they might eschew defense in the first.

Let's assume that the top four defensive linemen (Sedrick Ellis, Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston, and Chris Long) are gone. If the Saints don't feel there is another player worthy of that pick, they won't reach. And the man they might take instead is offensive tackle Ryan Clady.

Of course, Clady might already be gone as well. But though Drew Brees' numbers are quite large, his yards per attempt dropped by 1.2 this past season -- a direct result of less time. Taking Clady would give them options -- put him on the right side in place of Jon Stinchcomb or move Jammal Brown to his natural spot and play Clady on the left. Either way, picking up a very good lineman is never a bad thing, and, in this case, sure beats reaching for an "if".

The Saints have been a completely different team in the last three games. The team that started 0-3 looks much better since, going 2-1 and coming within a last-second field goal of winning all three. And it's easy to see why -- the lines are performing much better.

The offensive line, for starters, is beginning to gel. The unit allowed four sacks in the first three games and allowed Drew Brees to get the Trent Dilfer treatment on every snap. In the last three, Brees hasn't been sacked and has had plenty of pocket to operate. The key to the improvement has been Jammal Brown, who's regaining his All-Pro form.

The defensive line has also stepped up and is leading a unit that's shockingly carrying the team (shocking for anyone who saw them last year, anyway). No sacks through the first three weeks has given way to nine in the last three. They've also stayed stout against the run, helping to hold the last five opponents to under 100 yards. Their 100.7 allowed per game is 12th in the league and getting better, compared to 128.9 and 23rd last year.

With very winnable games from here on out, continuing this solid play up front can lead to a playoff spot for New Orleans -- unthinkable just two weeks ago.

To get you ready for Week 6, FanHouse is previewing all of this week's NFL games. Here is the New Orleans Saints/Seattle Seahawks preview.

2007 Record:
New Orleans Saints: 0-4 (4th in NFC South)
Seattle Seahawks: 3-2 (2nd in NFC West)

Last Week:
Panthers 16, Saints 13
Steelers 21, Seahawks 0

When the Saints have the ball: They've gotta figure out a way to get this offense going. Replacing Devery Henderson with Lance Moore should bring some consistency in the passing game, and the offensive line showed marked improvement last week against Carolina (despite the efforts of left tackle Jammal Brown). That should be a formula for a breakout of sorts. But even with better protection last week, Drew Brees looked off. He looks like a guy shaken by the pressure he faced early in the season and frustrated with abundance of drops from his receivers, someone who feels he has to win by himself and tries too hard. He needs others to step up so that he can get comfortable in the pocket and play like the 2006 Brees.

When you're 0-4, and you're not even close to resembling a good football team, it's certainly time to make some changes. The Saints cannot afford to wait for this team to turn around any longer; the season's probably over anyway. But for shiggles, Sean Payton is going to try to force the issue with some changes to the starting lineup.

"There are a handful of positions that we need to evaluate closely and make sure we're playing the right guys. That starts with me, and we'll do that this week."

Olindo Mare, come on down! You're the next contestant in Waiting at the Unemployment Line! The Saints are planning on bringing new kickers to town this week, thankfully. Mike Vanderjagt might want to wait by his phone. I never thought I'd be happy about that possibility. Yet I am. Football is a cruel mistress.

Oh, and Devery Henderson? Good news, you're gonna get a lot more rest during games. I don't expect the Saints to cut Henderson, but he certainly won't be starting anymore. Once again: Henderson is the new Todd Pinkston. Payton also mentioned today that he needs to get Lance Moore the ball more, which makes sense since he and Marques Colston are the only two guys on offense making plays. The writing is on the wall.

A less criticized, but just as culpable, player is middle linebacker Mark Simoneau, who's the king of getting to the ball-carrier last. Brian Simmons would be next in line, but I'd like to see rookie Marvin Mitchell, a presence in preseason, get some time. And though I don't expect left tackle Jammal Brown to lose his job, he's looked awful this year, and Zach Strief is a great tackle in the making. So, yeah, glad to see Payton seeking change. All it cost was the 2007 season.

Sean Payton cost his team a very winnable game, and I want to puke.

Of course, he had help. Devery Henderson was Devery Henderson, catching one spectacular pass and dropping another handful, including a stone-handed tip that led to Drew Brees' second interception. Jammal Brown cost the Saints four points by taking a dumb illegal formation penalty that cost the Saints a touchdown. Olindo Mare, he of 3-of-7 accuracy, crapped on a fourth-quarter 20-yard field goal attempt to end a spectacular drive that could have put the Panthers away. But the game was still winnable until, inexplicably, Payton attempted a 54-yard field goal with just over two minutes left in a 13-13 game, despite the fact that Mare has displayed all the leg strength of Stephen Hawking.

Why?! Why would you go for a near-impossible field goal, almost assuredly giving your opponent (who has a kicker very capable of hitting from 50+, by the way) the ball at midfield, when the Saints could have had Steve Weatherford (five punts inside the 20) pin the Panthers deep, relying on field position and a stout defense that only allowed 243 yards? Why?!

The Saints dominated in practically every aspect except gunshots in foot. Credit the Panthers, they kept the game close despite a paltry performance and took advantage when it mattered. Julius Peppers, who went sack-less but blocked that field goal, and John Kasay, who's underratedly clutch, deserve praise. And they did a nice job adjusting at halftime, holding Reggie Bush to 3.2 yards per carry when he was averaging over five at half. But by all accounts, this should have been a Saints victory. The Panthers kept themselves in the NFC South mix, while the Saints, 0-4 with two division losses, might want to start scouting Glenn Dorsey.

To get you ready for week 5, FanHouse is previewing all this week's games. Here is the New Orleans Saints - Carolina Panthers preview.

2007 Records:
New Orleans Saints: 0-3 (4th, NFC South)
Carolina Panthers: 2-2 (2nd, NFC South)

Last Game:
Titans 31 - Saints 14
Bucs 20 - Panthers 7

When the Saints have the ball:
Expect a new look. Reggie Bush is going to get more carries, and the Aaron Stecker/Pierre Thomas backup duo will see increased gametime as well. Bush's increased role in the run game means less touches as a receiver and returner, but I think the move could turn out great for him. With two weeks to think about how awful this offense has been, maybe the maladies on the offensive line have been fixed. Or maybe not. Jammal Brown needs to play like a Pro Bowl tackle again for the offense to get back on track; luckily the Panthers defensive line has struggled to get pressure so far this year, and the Saints have always been surprisingly adept at nullifying Julius Peppers.

When the Panthers have the ball:
On the other hand, the Saints have never been able to stop DeShaun Foster or Steve Smith. There's lots of frustration in Carolina right now, and Smith was bubbling last week as David Carr inepted the Panthers towards a loss. But the Saints defense is bad enough that this could be wonderful therapy for the Panthers. If they can't stop Foster (especially with Saints linebacker Scott Fujita questionable), it doesn't matter who's playing quarterback -- it could be the first domino in a high-scoring Panthers day.