METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints learned during Sean Payton’s bounty suspension last season that their offense is still among the NFL’s best.
For Payton, the key to getting New Orleans back to the post season is fixing its last-ranked defense. He’s already begun to overhaul the unit with a new 3-4 scheme and new coordinator in Rob Ryan — and it won’t be a surprise if the Saints look to this week’s NFL draft to help that side of the ball most, particularly by selecting pass rushers.
The only significant void on offense was created by the departure of starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod in free agency. Charles Brown, a 2010 second-round pick, has been groomed for that spot, but has been injury-prone, causing Payton to question his reliability.
