By Steve Yanda
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 5, 2007; Page H11
They were the league's darlings. Then they were the league's unexpected wonders. Now, the New Orleans Saints must adapt to the expectations that arise from advancing to the
NFC championship game.
Reggie Bush is back for his sophomore campaign, hoping to avoid a slump after gaining 1,523 all-purpose yards last season. He set a rookie running back record with 88 receptions, but this season the team plans to give him more chances to run the ball.
Bush rushed 155 times in '06 for 565 yards, but Coach Sean Payton wants more, even if it means cutting into the carries for veteran Deuce McAllister.
New Orleans produced the league's No. 1 offense a year ago, largely because the Saints were able to mesh the diverse talents Bush and McAllister bring to the table.
The task of distributing the ball will fall on quarterback
Drew Brees , who proved more than capable last season. Brees threw for 4,418 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 96.2 passer rating was third best in the league.
New Orleans saw wide receiver
Joe Horn depart to the
Atlanta Falcons in the offseason but signed
David Patten and drafted Robert Meachem as possible replacements. Those two will team with
Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Terrance Copper to form a solid wide receiver corps.
Though linebacker Scott Fujita recently hurt his heel, the injury is not expected to be serious, and he should be back to help lead a defense that ranked fourth in the conference last season. Defensive end
Will Smith earned a bid to the Pro Bowl in 2006 after recording 10 1/2 sacks. Though no one player had more than two interceptions, the defense was third best against the pass in the league.
Other News John David Booty threw three touchdown passes, Stafon Johnson scored the first two TDs of his college career, and the top-ranked Trojans sputtered at times while beating outmanned Idaho 38-10 for their 34th straight victory at home dating to 2001 - the longest such active streak in the country.