Fansided

One silver lining for every team that missed the playoffs

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) kneels in the huddle during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The New Orleans Saints won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) kneels in the huddle during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The New Orleans Saints won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Saints (7-9)

Your offense is still in great form, even without Jimmy Graham.

The New Orleans Saints endured the concocted hubbub concerning head coach Sean Payton possibly leaving for San Francisco or Indianapolis or the Canadian Football League or wherever is most compelling, and now they get to move on with their offseason.

With 2015 behind them, the Saints appear to be in the same position as the start of last year. The offense is inspiring, and the defense is perturbing. One way to look at this is to say that the Saints are back to square one. But the point here is to be optimistic. The New Orleans Saints were able to maintain their offense despite losing their best weapon.

While on the Saints, Jimmy Graham appeared to be the key to the offense. He was listed as a tight end, but Graham would often times line up as a wide receiver, forcing ugly matchups that either involved a linebacker unable to keep up with him down the seam, or a puny defensive back that would get muscled out on a short route or out-jumped on the sideline. The attention he garnered would inevitably create opportunities for other Saints receivers, and the team remained perpetually dangerous on that side of the ball.

Now Graham is a Seahawk, and he’s being used incorrectly. Meanwhile, the Saints offense continued along, finishing with a league best 310.6 y/g through the air, 22 y/g better than the 2nd ranked Cardinals. Although he is used much differently than Graham ever was, Ben Watson emerged as one of quarterback Drew Brees’ best targets. Meanwhile, young receivers Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead developed late into the season, and the improved running threat of Mark Ingram opened up play-action opportunities for the Saints.

The Saints easily absorbed the blow of losing Graham, and they have options to build with in the future.

Next: Philadelphia Eagles

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