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New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints Schedule - NFL 2012

Overview of the New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints scored one of the most emotional Super Bowl wins in 2009, just three years after their city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The last six years has been by far the most successful period for the Saints, who have generally struggled as a franchise. The Saints did not qualify for the playoffs or have a winning season in the first twenty years of their existence. The franchise has qualified for the playoffs and been one of the best teams in the NFL in both seasons since their Super Bowl triumph.

Statistics Overview of the New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints entered the NFL in 1967. They play their home matches at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, a stadium that was badly damaged and was the home of 1000's during Hurricane Katrina. The Saints won their only Super Bowl and NFC Conference Championships in 2009. They have won their division of five occasions and have qualified for the playoffs nine times. The franchises overall record is 299-386-5 and they have a playoffs record of 6-8. The Atlanta Falcons are their biggest rivals, with the franchise trading the NFC South Divisional title in recent seasons.

Conference: NFC
Established: 1967
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (1975- present)
Super Bowl Championships: 1 (2009)
Conference Championships: 1 (2009)
Division Championships: 5 (1991, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2011)
Playoff Appearances:: 9 (1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Overall Record: 299-386-5
Playoff Record: 6-8
Biggest Rivals: Atlanta Falcons
Head Coach: Joe Vitt (Interim for 2012 Season while Sean Payton is suspended)
Legenday Players: Drew Brees, Deuce McAllister, Eric Martin, Rickey Jackson

New Orleans Saints: Star Players for 2012

Quarterback: Drew Brees

Drew Brees was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 32nd pick of the 2001 NFL draft. Brees had an up and down stint at the Chargers winning and losing the starting quarterback role on a number of occasions. His best season at the Chargers came in 2004, when he led them to the playoffs and was selected for the NFC Pro Bowl team. Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and since then his career has skyrocketed. Since joined the Saints Brees has: won a Super Bowl, been selected for the Pro Bowl five times, won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award twice, and the NFL Air Player of the Year on four occasions. Brees had a record breaking 2011; becoming the single season passing leader and having the highest completion percentage in NFL history. Brees holds countless NFL passing records and is one of the most popular players in the NFL.

Offensive Star: Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 95th pick of the 2010 NFL draft. In just two seasons, Graham has completely reinvented the tight end position. Graham has the speed of a receiver but the strength of a power forward. In 2011, Graham had ninety-nine receptions for 1310 yards and eleven touchdowns. This was the first time a tight end had ever had more than 1300 receiving yards in a season. The amazing thing about Graham is that he has played only three seasons of competitive football, having played basketball for the majority of his college career. Graham has the potential to become the greatest tight end in the history of the NFL.

Defensive Star: Will Smith

Will Smith was the 18th pick of the 2004 NFL draft. Smith had an impressive rookie season in 2004 and won the starting defensive end role in 2005. He is slowly established himself as one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. Smith is a consistent performer who rarely has a bad game. He has been selected for the NFC Pro Bowl team on just one occasion but his stats are equal to any defensive end in the NFL. Smith will miss the first four games of the 2012 season because of his role in the Saints Bounty Scandal.

Head Coach: Joe Vitt

Joe Vitt will be the New Orleans Saints interim head coach while Sean Payton serves a one year suspension. Payton was suspended for being complicit in a bounty scheme initiated by the Saints which rewarded players for deliberately attempting to knock opposing players out of games. Vitt has a wealth of experience and has been coaching in the NFL since 1979. Vitt previously served as an interim head coach for the St Louis Rams in 2005. Vitt also acted as interim head coach for the Saints in three games in 2011 while Sean Payton recovered from a broken leg.