NFL Insider -- 2008 Team Outlook: Todays Team is : New Orleans Saints

Over the next several days we will take a look at the outlook of the 32 NFL Teams. They will be informative for both the fan of football and also some have information for you fantasy football buffs too. Give us your feedback by leaving your comments. Thank you and have a great season... 2008 Team Outlook: New Orleans As per Vin Sadicario, Coming off a disappointing season, the New Orleans Saints return a high powered offense in their hopes of returning to their success of 2006. The Saints' offense is led by Drew Brees, who is coming off a very good fantasy season. Brees set the NFL record for completions in a season on his way to 4428 yards passing, with 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Brees may see a slight decline in his numbers this season, but still makes for a good fantasy quarterback. The Saints' rushing attack is led by Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister, and Aaron Stecker. The big question for the Saints backfield is whether or not Reggie Bush can stay healthy and carry the load for the Saints. If Deuce McAllister can get himself into football shape this spring, he has the chance to cut into Reggie Bush's carry total. Either way, look for the Saints to limit Reggie Bush's carries in an attempt to keep him healthy. The Saints receivers are led by star Marques Colston. Colston is one of the league's brightest young stars and should put up numbers similar to his spectacular 2007 season. Devery Henderson and David Patten need to step up to take pressure and double teams off Colston this season. Rounding out the Saints offense is tight end Eric Johnson. Johnson has been a disappointment in his time with the Saints, but could be a sleeper in the Saints' high powered offense this season. The New Orleans Saints have many good fantasy options this season. QB Drew Brees, NO (QB - #6) - Stud (low risk) Drew Brees is coming off a season in which he set career highs in attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions. Brees should continue to put up good numbers in a pass happy offense in 2008. While Brees may have a slight decline in numbers this season, he is still a safe pick to finish the year in the top 10 quarterbacks. Brees has significant talent around him and will be helped by getting a healthy Reggie Bush back for the start of the 2008 season. There are no injury concerns or other major questions surrounding Drew Brees, making him a safe pick in upcoming fantasy drafts. RB Reggie Bush, NO (RB - #11) - Gamble (high risk) Reggie Bush enters the 2008 season looking to rebound from a poor 2007 campaign. Bush was disappointing in 2007, putting up just under 1000 total yards and six touchdowns in a season that was cut short by an injury. While Bush has the talent to succeed, his injury concerns and inability to carry the full load for the Saints makes him a high risk/high reward pick in 2008. Bush has added value in point per reception leagues and should be upgraded significantly in these leagues. If Bush can stay healthy, he should see a major improvement over his 2007 numbers. RB Deuce McAllister, NO (RB - #66) - Fantasy Handcuff Deuce McAllister enters the 2008 season hoping to be fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered during the 2007 season. If McAllister can prove that he is healthy in training camp, he will enter the season as the Saints' main backup running back and will steal carries from Reggie Bush. If he is truly healthy, he may split carries pretty evenly with Bush; while Bush will get the majority of the receiving work out of the backfield. If McAllister is not cut before the season starts, fantasy owners will want to handcuff McAllister to Reggie Bush in the later rounds of fantasy drafts. WR Marques Colston, NO (WR - #8) - Stud (low risk) Marques Colston enters the 2008 season coming off a remarkable second season in which he caught 98 passes for 1202 yards and 11 touchdowns despite playing through a number of nagging injuries. Since entering the league in 2006 as a seventh round pick, Colston has put together two excellent seasons, putting him in the top 10 fantasy wide receivers entering the 2008 season. Fantasy owners can expect at least 85 catches for 1150 yards and 8 touchdowns from Colston this year, with the potential to eclipse last season's spectacular numbers in the Saints' high powered offense. WR Devery Henderson, NO (WR - #83) - Deep-league Only Devery Henderson enters the 2008 season looking to hold onto a starting spot on the Saints. Henderson will probably start the season as the Saints' number three wide receiver, but could eventually lose this spot to second year player Robert Meachem. Even if Henderson holds onto his number three receiver spot, not much can be expected from Henderson. Henderson caught 20 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns last season, and fantasy owners can expect similar numbers from the Saints' deep threat this season. Fantasy owners should only consider drafting Henderson in very deep leagues. WR David Patten, NO (WR - #55) - Bye Week Fill-in David Patten enters the 2008 season as the Saints' number two wide receiver. Patten finished the 2007 season with 54 catches for 792 yards and three touchdowns, his best numbers since the 2004 season. If Patten stays healthy he will remain in the Saints starting lineup and can be a good bye fill-in for fantasy teams. If the Saints throw the ball as much as they did last season, there will be big games in store for Patten; however his inconsistency will keep him from being a starter for fantasy teams. Patten will be available later in fantasy drafts and will provide good depth for fantasy teams. TE Eric Johnson, NO (TE - #27) - Bye Week Fill-in Eric Johnson will enter the 2008 season as the Saints' starting tight end, however he will not be a quality starter for fantasy teams this season. Eric Johnson finished the 2007 season with 48 catches for 378 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games in his first season with the Saints. While the Saints throw the ball as much as any team in the league, Eric Johnson's lack of targets keeps him from being a fantasy starter. While Johnson will never return to his 2004 form with the 49ers, he can still be an effective backup for fantasy teams in need of a bye week fill-in.