New Orleans Saints road to success

When the New Orleans Hornet lost to Sacramento in the preseason some people think it was time to panic but the Hornets only have to visit their neighbors next door in the Superdome to know there is no reason to panic.

Seven weeks into the season, the Saints already have those five wins. The 5-1 Saints, coming off their bye week, are one of the biggest stories of the season, right up there with 6-0 Chicago and conversely, 1-6 Miami.

Their secret to success are the following: Quarterback Drew Brees, who looked very rusty in the preseason coming off shoulder surgery, has been as sharp as any quarterback in the league. Brees hit on his first nine passes in their latest victory over at Philadelphia. Then after weathering a rough spot, he went 11-for-12 in the fourth quarter, including 8-for-8 on the drive that led to the winning field goal.

The combination of Jammal Brown, Jeff Faine, Jahri Evans, Jon Stinchcomb and Jamar Nesbit has allowed just six sacks and allowed the Saints to average 108 yards rushing a game.

While first-round draft pick Reggie Bush has yet to score an offensive touchdown but has drawn enough attention to open up more options for McAllister, Joe Horn and Marques Colston. Bush is also among the league leaders with 38 catches and won the Tampa Bay game with a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.

The defense has also made strides from last season, where the linebacking corps has been a pleasant surprise as the offensive line, invoking at times memories of the famed "Dome Patrol." The secondary has taken its shots but given, especially in the last couple of weeks, its own share.

The biggest change seen in the Saints this season was the discipline it has shown on and off the field. The Saints have turned the ball over 11 fewer times and committed far fewer penalties. That's a credit to new head coach Sean Payton and his coaching staff and the class of players they have brought in.

The road does not get any easier for New Orleans Saints they still have remaining games against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Dallas, the New York Giants and Carolina.

March
•Reggie Bush Vows to Focus on Football

February
•Bush teams with Shaq to host All-Star charity event
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat
•Boonton man scores big with Super Bowl tickets
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat

Super Bowl Weekend
•OK!'s Guide to the Super Bowl Parties
•"Hannah" primed to claim Super Bowl weekend
•Paris Hilton, Ludacris party alongside 50 Cent at pre-game Super Bowl concert

January
•Reggie Bush Engaged to Kim Kardashian?

December
•Eagles vs. Saints Preview 12/23/07
•Bush Hoping to Play Against Eagles 12/18/07
•Cardinals 24, Saints 31
•Bush Out For the Year 12/12/07
•Falcons 14, Saints 34 12/10/07
•Falcons vs. Saints Preview 12/10/07
•Buccaneers 27, Saints 23 12/02/07
•Buccaneers vs. Saints Preview 12/02/07


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