Saints Offense Picks Right Up

Through 60 minutes, the 2009 Saints share a lot of similarities with the 2008 Saints. Though the defense looks better in a 45-27 win over the Lions, the special teams unit is still awful, and the offense? Well, it's still good. Maybe even better.

Drew Brees set an NFL record for opening-weekend touchdowns with six, but he's always been good. Where did the improvement come from? Though the team returned 10 of 11 starters from last year's unit, it was a tweak in philosophy and meaningful contributions from two players who didn't add much last year that made the difference. Say hello to Mike Bell and Jeremy Shockey.

Bell, the team's "preseason MVP" according to Brees, was expected to get a lot of carries with Pierre Thomas inactive, but I don't know how many people expected him to get 28. Reggie Bush was the starter, but from Bell's first carry chunks of yardage fell off the field (he averaged 5.1 per). While Bush looked skittish, fumbling on offense and botching a couple of punts, Bell ran with authority all game long, almost entirely between the tackles (though, to be fair, Bell lost a fumble as well).

It was part of a new commitment to the run game in New Orleans this season. The 35 carries Bell and Bush split represent the fourth-most attempts from rushers (not including quarterbacks or receivers) the Saints have had under Sean Payton. The three games with more attempts all came way back in 2006, so this is sort of unchartered territory. The offense was split almost right down the middle (35 runs, 34 pass attempts). That balance will bode well come playoff chase.

As for Shockey, while the team didn't get him involved early or often (he didn't have nearly the action he got in the preseason), they got him involved meaningfully. Twice Brees hit him in the end zone, the second a spectacular juggling catch on the back line. That's two more touchdowns that Shockey got in his first season in New Orleans. He's supposedly healthy after nagging injuries and a lack of preparation time hampered his 2008, meaning he can add playmaking ability to a position that has been modest in New Orleans for a few years.

Of course, the Saints have had the No. 1, No. 4, and No. 1 offense in the league the last three years, and have one playoff appearance to show for it. So don't put those Super Bowl ballots in ink, yet.