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Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #21

by adelfish | 4 years ago | 1 Comments

Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #21

Welcome to the 2020 Red Zone Power Ranking Preview. In this long-running preview, I will be going team at a time, ranking them 32-1, discussing the user, the team, the schedule, etc.

COVERED TEAMS: Lions, Jaguars, Bengals, Patriots, Bears, Vikings, Dolphins, Seahawks, Rams, Giants, Cowboys

Right along we go, now arriving at #21 in the Power Ranking Preview, and this will be the 12th team covered over the last few weeks. Pretty intense stuff huh? We are almost at the halfway point, and we are slowly getting to the playoff teams. Going to get more exciting over the next couple weeks to see what teams pop up where.

Now for 21, this is someone who isn't as old as this ranking! I think? When he turns 21, Red Zone needs to throw a rager for him. Until then, let's take a look at this youngster and his cycle ahead....

 

 

#21 - New Orleans Saints (Spencer)

 

(6-10 Projected Record)

 

 

 

 

One theme you will see throughout the cycle is the amount of 'I'm Coming Home' stories, and Spencer coming home to New Orleans is one of them. A diehard Saints fan since birth, Spencer has spent some time around the league, trying to improve as a coach and general manager, and was hired to come coach the team of his childhood fandom.

Now let's get this out of the way - this team is loaded. The Saints are one of the best rosters in football on paper, and should be set up for immediate and future success. Now for the other side of the coin, Spencer has never made the postseason in his Red Zone career. Not an ideal combination.

Throughout this entry, we will explore if the depth and talent of the Saints roster can elevate Spencer to new heights, or if his abilities will drag the roster down. 

One Big Question

Coach Spencer comes home to the bayou, with a major uphill battle. With Tauph in Tampa, Malik in Carolina, and Kelly in Atlanta, he is the easy odd man out. With a loaded roster, can Spencer defy the odds and reach the postseason for the first time?

The odds are not in Spencer's favor, as this question poses some major roadblocks between him and his first playoff appearence. Not only is this the best division Spencer has been in, but he is going up against a Super Bowl winner (Kelly), and two guys who have been to the big game, or very close (Malik & Tauph). 

After an uneventful cycle in Pittsburgh, one where the peak was almost getting to .500, Spencer gets his hands on a very talented Saints roster, one that his championship aspirations. Remember, this same roster was within a drive of winning a title last year with Coach Mojica.

Top to bottom, the Saints have the best roster in the NFC South, with their biggest rival coming from Tampa Bay and the acquisition of Tom Brady. Malik has himself a rebuild in Carolina, while the Falcons are caught in-between a rebuild and a wild card spot. 

If there is going to be a time to capitalize, it is right now. If Spencer can come out guns blazing, he will have a chance to get some upsets while he has Brees and company. If he fails to make noise in his first season, it will be a long cycle.

Spencer has not proven to me that he can consistently be impactful on the field, he has shown improving signs as a general manager, but it has never translated to success in games. Maybe he can prove me wrong, but I do predict a cycle of disappointment for Nawlins.

One Big Schedule Issue

The NFC South will face the NFC North and AFC West this season, meaning that Spencer and the Saints will face...

Denver (Astin) Los Angeles (IJ) Kansas City (Spittah) Vegas (Tiko)

Chicago (Beat) Detroit (RFox) Minnesota (Eikim) Green Bay (Lefty)

As a division winner he also gets to face San Francisco (Sin) and Philadelphia (Adel).

Finally, don't forget playing Tauph's Buccaneers twice a year, Malik's Panthers, and Kelly's Falcons.

I favor him in 5 games, and gave him a split with the Panthers. I give him chances in Vegas, Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Carolina, and Atlanta. Outsie of that....yikes.

Reasons for Optimism

There are a lot of reasons for optimism now, and going forward. Obviously on offense it starts with Drew Brees, future Hall of Famer at age 41, who likely will give Spencer 1 or 2 seasons. Brees has 2 years and $50 million remaining on his deal, but don't expect him to go anywhere. Behind him is an interesting group of quarterbacks, with gadget player Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston.

Alvin Kamara is an elite dual-threat back, who can run between the tackles and make plays downfield, while Latavius Murray is a grinder, with deceiving speed. Michael Thomas makes the case for the best wide receiver in football, and the Saints added Emmanuel Sanders in free agency to compliment him. The Saints have an abundance of weapons, with wideouts Tre'quan Smith and Tommylee Lewis, and tight ends Jared Cook and Josh Hill.

On the offensive line the Saints have the best tackle combination in the leauge, with Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramcyzk. Inside, the impressive second year center Erik McCoy, along with 1st round pick Cesar Ruiz at guard. This is a really talented offense top to bottom.

Defensively the Saints are loaded, with pass rushers Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, and linebackers Demario Davis and Alex Anzalone. The secondary is very talented as well, with cornerback Marshon Lattimore and safety Marcus Williams. The Saints even brought back safety Malcolm Jenkins in free agency, another star player. 

There is no shortage of talent, young and old on this Saints team. It is going to take an incredible effort from Spencer to not win a minimum of 5 games.

Reasons for Negativity

The first negative is the cap room that the Saints have, or the lack thereof. From Season 62 to Season 63, they actually go up $45 million in cap, so they will have to look for cap casualties. Not to mention, they have to re-sign Kamara, Cook, Rankins, Demario Davis, Anzalone, P.J. Williams and Marcus Williams. Yikes.

Safe to say, this team is going to look different in Season 63, but it will be interesting to see who Spencer chooses to keep from the above group. 

There are some strange overpaid contracts on this roster. Latavius Murray is a nice player, but he is making $12 million over the next 3 seasons, money that could be going to Kamara. Taysom Hill is tendered for $19 million in Season 63. Andrus Peat is under contract for 5 more years at an average of $11 million, and he is not a good interior blocker.

Once Brees retires, I really don't see a plan here. Taysom Hill is a gagdet player, while Winston has shown that he is incapable of fixing his turnover problem. Spencer will have to decide quickly what route to go, and it seems like finding the heir apparent in the draft is the best solution.

Last Word

The Saints are very talented, and are the best team in the NFC South on paper. Spencer has a massive uphill battle against the talented coaches in his division, and brutal schedule ahead of him. Finding out how to be efficient on offense is going to take him places, but he will have to limit turnovers and protect Brees.

Managing the cap is paramount for the first few seasons, as the Saints have a ton of big contracts coming due, and a lot of expiring rookie deals. Keeping this core together will ensure future success, but it will come at a cost. Which players are expendable?

Spencer will have to put fandom and heart aside to manage this team. This is a big step up from Moe's BBQ. I hope Spencer proves me wrong, but I see a lot of dark days ahead for the Saints.