Who is the easiest player on the roster to root for?
This is a great opinion question, so for me I like Darren Sproles in this spot. He is a character guy, quiet, fast and athletic. The way he makes the bigger guys miss is amusing to watch. He may be the smallest guy on the field yet he blows up my fantasy team numbers nearly every week.
If you could buy a ticket to just one game this year...
Easily it would be the game at the Dome Week 1 against the Falcons. I would love to experience what the atmosphere is going to be like. It's the first game back for Coach Payton, the first display of the defense in a regular season game against a very good offense, and a first for many of the rookies on the roster. A lot of questions will be answered that night.
Which veterans could be cut before the season due to salary cap issues?
There are three names I have seen kicked around the internet and Twitter gossip: Rafael Bush, Travoris Cadet, and Will Herring (who was already cut and then brought back). During the deadline to cut down to a 53 man roster, these names came up over and over. I wouldn't rule out others and I don't really expect to see this kind of movement.
Which second year player is going to make the biggest leap?
Andy Tanner is in his second year with the Saints and now has a real opportunity. He has wrapped up a spot in the receiving core, for now, and if healthy, can prove quite a lot. Drew Brees raves about him and knows his talent level. He loves throwing to this kid. Watching him, you expect him to catch everything. He is going to be a sleeper for your fantasy team this year.
Predict the order of finish in your division.
Saints, Falcons, Buccaneers, Panthers.
What are the odds of your head coach getting fired?
About the same as Roger Goodell being elected President of the United States; 1 in 500 million. Sean Payton is a top choice by pundits for Coach of the Year. He certainly isn't going to be fired.
7. What franchise or NFL records could be broken this season?
If you look at the swagger our defense has, you might like to see them break the sack record (Michael Strahan, 22.5). These guys are fired up. Not that any one player has this even remotely possible, but these guys are hungry. On offense, this is pretty hard to accomplish because Drew Brees has set records so high, some may even be out of reach for him. I think they have a real shot at their own records of Most Points Scored at Home - Season (329) and Most Points per Game - Season (38.83). The sky is the limit for this offense.
What do you expect your season-end record will be?
I can see the Saints finishing at an optimistic 12-4. I think the Saints will surprise a lot of the pundits out there.
Which rookies will see regular playing time this year?
Easily we will see WR Kenny Stills, S Kenny Vaccaro, and T Terron Armstead play and probably quite a bit. Charles Brown's durability is always a question so we will probably have him in. Kenny Stills is arguably the 3rd wide out now, and Kenny Vaccaro is a beast. There are quite a few rookies on the roster this year and any can play at any time during a 16 game season.
More from Canal Street Chronicles:
- Saints Confirm WR Robert Meachem Signed To 1-Year Deal Today
- Robert Meachem Close to Signing with Saints
- NFL Picks Week 1: Unfinished Business and Renewed Rivalries
- Saints Roster Cuts 2013, Saints vs. Falcons Week One Preview Podcast
- Saints Sign LB Rufus Johnson, OL Senio Kelemente To Practice Squad